Took my wheels to the local tire shop

[BillE]

Man, that really bites the big one.

I'm not one to yell, "LAWYER" at the drop of a hat, but I think this is the time to spend a few $ and contact an attorney to see what 'the system' can or cannot do.

Bill

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I had my wheels powder coated brilliant silver by The Wheel Collision Center - a first class place for this type of work. Mounting tires isn't their main business - but they will do it if you pay $$$.

So, they are the ONLY people I let touch the wheels. I don't let them even take them off the car - I bring the wheels to them. That way I don't have to worry about the lug nut holes or barrels getting scratched during installation of the wheels to the car.

Now, it's a huge hassle to bring my wheels to this place. I have to jack the car up on 4 jack stands (which can be precarious enough), then pull the wheels and clean them. Then I have to lug them an hour and 20 minutes from my house to have tires mounted at this place.

I never thought about going to WCC for that, and I'm only an hour away. Fortunately I have a good tire place about 1/2 hour in the other direction, but I do the same thing as you usually, as far as taking the wheels off the car, cleaning them, and bringing them there.

 

[swanicyouth]

I never thought about going to WCC for that, and I'm only an hour away. Fortunately I have a good tire place about 1/2 hour in the other direction, but I do the same thing as you usually, as far as taking the wheels off the car, cleaning them, and bringing them there.

I go just in case what did happen could happen. If the wheel gets damaged (or possibly found bent from pothole - par for the course BMW wheel PA) - I just let them refurbish it. They never scratched a wheel before now - and they have done many for me.

TBH - with BMW there is usually one "bent" wheel that needs to be redone after a tires lifespan. They usually will get a flat spot on the inside lip where you hit a pot hole. So, they can just do it all while it's there.

The cool thing is they actually called me and told me about it. No surprises or "not our problems"... Then they refinished perfectly for free.

My Pathfinder wheels are 14 years old - I'm not so picky.

Again, I recommend Wheel Collision Center highly. I've been doing biz with them for 10+ years and it's always a positive experience. Obviously, as one can see by my story - they stand behind their work.

 

[S2K]

I used to work as a mechanic and I have mounted hundreds of tires and I can't remember one time that I damaged a wheel. If you are careful and attentive to what you are doing it really isn't that hard not to damage something.

When I had my Honda I painted the barrels of my wheels and the paint was not very durable and when I had new tires mounted I was very nervous that they were going to scratch them up but when I picked them up not a single scratch. When I had my tC I took my wheels to the same shop to have tires mounted and they later called me to tell me there was some curb rash on two of them (which I knew about). I respected that they inspected the wheels and wanted us to be on the same page before they started any work.

A friend of mine had some tires mounted at a local shop and they put a pretty big scratch on one of the wheels. They denied doing it but after some arguing he got them to buy him a brand new wheel.

I wouldn't be posting on Facebook or calling or emailing them, I would be at the shop arguing until they made it right. If the wheels were not damaged when you dropped them off then they should not be damaged when you pick them up. You deserve new wheels. Refinishing is out of the question unless they are going to give you a rental car while you wait days or even weeks to get the wheels back.

And whoever said that damage to the lug nut bore or wheel edge is not out of the question is wrong! Any damage is out of the question!

I ordered some new mid expensive wheels that will be here next week and now you have me all nervous about getting the tires mounted.

 

[Marc Hufnagel]

I used to work as a mechanic and I have mounted hundreds of tires and I can't remember one time that I damaged a wheel. If you are careful and attentive to what you are doing it really isn't that hard not to damage something.

When I had my Honda I painted the barrels of my wheels and the paint was not very durable and when I had new tires mounted I was very nervous that they were going to scratch them up but when I picked them up not a single scratch. When I had my tC I took my wheels to the same shop to have tires mounted and they later called me to tell me there was some curb rash on two of them (which I knew about). I respected that they inspected the wheels and wanted us to be on the same page before they started any work.

A friend of mine had some tires mounted at a local shop and they put a pretty big scratch on one of the wheels. They denied doing it but after some arguing he got them to buy him a brand new wheel.

I wouldn't be posting on Facebook or calling or emailing them, I would be at the shop arguing until they made it right. If the wheels were not damaged when you dropped them off then they should not be damaged when you pick them up. You deserve new wheels. Refinishing is out of the question unless they are going to give you a rental car while you wait days or even weeks to get the wheels back.

And whoever said that damage to the lug nut bore or wheel edge is not out of the question is wrong! Any damage is out of the question!

I ordered some new mid expensive wheels that will be here next week and now you have me all nervous about getting the tires mounted.

thank you for this statement!

 

[2.ooohhh]

I used to work as a mechanic and I have mounted hundreds of tires and I can't remember one time that I damaged a wheel. If you are careful and attentive to what you are doing it really isn't that hard not to damage something.

Yep, pretty easy to mount tires with the correct machine without damaging anything, but just like detailing where there are detailers that take pride in their results, there are also guys that call themselves detailers that install free swirls and holograms with every job because they either don't know better or don't care. I'm sure that when you mounted tires you took the care to do no damage, as did I because I'm a car guy, and was a mechanic who took pride in my work.

I wouldn't be posting on Facebook or calling or emailing them, I would be at the shop arguing until they made it right. If the wheels were not damaged when you dropped them off then they should not be damaged when you pick them up. You deserve new wheels. Refinishing is out of the question unless they are going to give you a rental car while you wait days or even weeks to get the wheels back.

The wheel's paint is damaged, they can either be repainted/refinished locally or the shop can call up keystone or the like and get pre-refinished OE wheels to install in place of the OP's original wheels the same day. Not that he can't push for new wheels if they are available, just that is less than likely to happen with what I've already read about the OP's tire shop.

And whoever said that damage to the lug nut bore or wheel edge is not out of the question is wrong! Any damage is out of the question!

I didn't say that the damage was OK, I said that in the setting of a cheap no name shop it wasn't uncommon to see. I NEVER see that type of damage on most of what I work on because 99% of those owners(willing to pay $$$ money for detailing) are VERY picky with who they let touch their cars for any service. On the other hand, I detailed our local D.A.R.E. car for the police dept. and it had all of the above damage wise, but the PD chooses it's maintenance shop by going with the lowest bidder for a yearly contract.

 

[jmoney]

Man, that really bites the big one.

I'm not one to yell, "LAWYER" at the drop of a hat, but I think this is the time to spend a few $ and contact an attorney to see what 'the system' can or cannot do.

Bill

I agree, this sounds like something an attorney can wrap up in a day or two, and usually the losing side pays for attorney fees.

Usually though, the threat of litigation gets people moving.

If you have time stamped photos, and there is nothing else to this story, you are probably in pretty good shape

 

[BradsDetailing]

Man that sucks, sorry this happened to you. I was in your shoes a few years ago but the place it happened at didn't even bink an eye and immediately corrected the damage to my rims. Good luck. I hope it all works out.

Thank you

See what they want to do if no cooperation, File a complaint with the BBB. You may never get it resolved but you can at least complain and write bad reviews everywhere possible about that place. Small claims may not be worth $400 in wheels, very unlikely you will be reimbursed for your time. Sucks that it happened and it shouldn't but apparently very few people care or complain that take their vehicle there or the equipment and employees would be replaced with stuff that doesn't tear things up.

Never thought about that, thanks for the tip.

These are not $400 wheels. Around $800 for the set.

I know in small claims it states I can not do anything about my time, only costs ($) spent, but I do not see that as fair, as time is money.

Man, that really bites the big one.

I'm not one to yell, "LAWYER" at the drop of a hat, but I think this is the time to spend a few $ and contact an attorney to see what 'the system' can or cannot do.

Bill

Well I have some small claims experience and I fell confident with the evidence I have. A lawyer would be wise, but not sure of one that would handle a case for $800 in rims.

I used to work as a mechanic and I have mounted hundreds of tires and I can't remember one time that I damaged a wheel. If you are careful and attentive to what you are doing it really isn't that hard not to damage something.

When I had my Honda I painted the barrels of my wheels and the paint was not very durable and when I had new tires mounted I was very nervous that they were going to scratch them up but when I picked them up not a single scratch. When I had my tC I took my wheels to the same shop to have tires mounted and they later called me to tell me there was some curb rash on two of them (which I knew about). I respected that they inspected the wheels and wanted us to be on the same page before they started any work.

A friend of mine had some tires mounted at a local shop and they put a pretty big scratch on one of the wheels. They denied doing it but after some arguing he got them to buy him a brand new wheel.

I wouldn't be posting on Facebook or calling or emailing them, I would be at the shop arguing until they made it right. If the wheels were not damaged when you dropped them off then they should not be damaged when you pick them up. You deserve new wheels. Refinishing is out of the question unless they are going to give you a rental car while you wait days or even weeks to get the wheels back.

And whoever said that damage to the lug nut bore or wheel edge is not out of the question is wrong! Any damage is out of the question!

I ordered some new mid expensive wheels that will be here next week and now you have me all nervous about getting the tires mounted.

I've taken wheels off of many card before, never this one, and was always careful. These guys were in a hurry to get out of there and they stated that to me several times before and during my arrival.

I did go to the shop the very next day when they opened and the older mechanic basically denied it, started walking away and said he won't argue with me. He called the owner and I had explained the situation to him on the phone and he said he would look into it and get back to me.

The wheels were not refinished to begin with so getting them refinished is not fair, okay or just. I agree with you.

Yep, pretty easy to mount tires with the correct machine without damaging anything, but just like detailing where there are detailers that take pride in their results, there are also guys that call themselves detailers that install free swirls and holograms with every job because they either don't know better or don't care. I'm sure that when you mounted tires you took the care to do no damage, as did I because I'm a car guy, and was a mechanic who took pride in my work.




The wheel's paint is damaged, they can either be repainted/refinished locally or the shop can call up keystone or the like and get pre-refinished OE wheels to install in place of the OP's original wheels the same day. Not that he can't push for new wheels if they are available, just that is less than likely to happen with what I've already read about the OP's tire shop.





I didn't say that the damage was OK, I said that in the setting of a cheap no name shop it wasn't uncommon to see. I NEVER see that type of damage on most of what I work on because 99% of those owners(willing to pay $$$ money for detailing) are VERY picky with who they let touch their cars for any service. On the other hand, I detailed our local D.A.R.E. car for the police dept. and it had all of the above damage wise, but the PD chooses it's maintenance shop by going with the lowest bidder for a yearly contract.

I told both mechanics I detail or at least hand wash my car every week if not more and I know every defect that is wrong with it.

I agree, this sounds like something an attorney can wrap up in a day or two, and usually the losing side pays for attorney fees.

Usually though, the threat of litigation gets people moving.

If you have time stamped photos, and there is nothing else to this story, you are probably in pretty good shape

An attorney really can't do anything besides having a court date. He could give me free legal advice. But, I do not see an attorney doing that or wanting to work on this small case. One could, if they feel I have a strong case and they know they would get paid by winning the case and getting their pay from the defendant.

 

[allenk4]

Just caught Swanicyouth in his 1st LIE on AGO:

"My Pathfinder wheels are 14 years old - I'm not so picky."

Not that Picky....

You vinyl wrapped the trim, had the rust removes, DLUX'd, polished, coated and detailed every square millimeter of that truck

You are one of the pickiest guys on the Forum....and I love it

You take pride in your results, share what you learn and are always willing to give qualified advice when asked

Thank You

 

[jmoney]

Thank you



Never thought about that, thanks for the tip.

These are not $400 wheels. Around $800 for the set.

I know in small claims it states I can not do anything about my time, only costs ($) spent, but I do not see that as fair, as time is money.





Well I have some small claims experience and I fell confident with the evidence I have. A lawyer would be wise, but not sure of one that would handle a case for $800 in rims.



I've taken wheels off of many card before, never this one, and was always careful. These guys were in a hurry to get out of there and they stated that to me several times before and during my arrival.

I did go to the shop the very next day when they opened and the older mechanic basically denied it, started walking away and said he won't argue with me. He called the owner and I had explained the situation to him on the phone and he said he would look into it and get back to me.

The wheels were not refinished to begin with so getting them refinished is not fair, okay or just. I agree with you.



I told both mechanics I detail or at least hand wash my car every week if not more and I know every defect that is wrong with it.



An attorney really can't do anything besides having a court date. He could give me free legal advice. But, I do not see an attorney doing that or wanting to work on this small case. One could, if they feel I have a strong case and they know they would get paid by winning the case and getting their pay from the defendant.

You never know, just from your information it sounds pretty open and shut. Time stamped photos and damage consistent with negligence is apparent, or maybe even conversion if the wheels where swapped.

There is always some attorney hanging around that might pick something up to make a few extra hundred. I see attorneys battling it out over less all the time.

Duty,breach,causation, damages. However, I still think just telling them if they don't make it right you will file the case will get them moving.

 

[R.A.S. WY]

While I whole heartedly agree that the damage is unacceptable and you need to be taken care of I would like to play the Devil's Advocate for a moment. If during the course of detailing a customers vehicle you made a mistake and buffed through the clear on a body line on a fender, are you going to pay for the fender to be refinished or are you going to go through the dealer and buy them a new OEM fender thats been painted by the manufacturer? Again I'm not arguing that the shop in question was careless and needs to take care of this, but I've worked in the collision repair and the tire & wheel business for a decade, the quality of reconditioned wheels these days has gotten to be as good as OE in my experience. Did you purchase you vehicle new? If not you may have had recon wheels on it and not even known it...

 

[swanicyouth]

While I whole heartedly agree that the damage is unacceptable and you need to be taken care of I would like to play the Devil's Advocate for a moment. If during the course of detailing a customers vehicle you made a mistake and buffed through the clear on a body line on a fender, are you going to pay for the fender to be refinished or are you going to go through the dealer and buy them a new OEM fender thats been painted by the manufacturer? Again I'm not arguing that the shop in question was careless and needs to take care of this, but I've worked in the collision repair and the tire & wheel business for a decade, the quality of reconditioned wheels these days has gotten to be as good as OE in my experience. Did you purchase you vehicle new? If not you may have had recon wheels on it and not even known it...

Where can you buy a new fender painted by the manufacturer? If you could - and someone messed up mine - I'd want one instead of a repaint. That is for sure.

Those wheels were JACKED up. They owe the OP new wheels just for his inconvenience and their negligence. OP shouldn't have to be inconvenienced by having to get wheels refinished that may or may not be good as new - he should get new wheels that are good as new.

However, I know this will never happen. The shop will prolly have Joe the Wheel Guy rattle can them and call it quits.

 

[R.A.S. WY]

Where can you buy a new fender painted by the manufacturer? If you could - and someone messed up mine - I'd want one instead of a repaint. That is for sure.

Those wheels were JACKED up. They owe the OP new wheels just for his inconvenience and their negligence. OP shouldn't have to be inconvenienced by having to get wheels refinished that may or may not be good as new - he should get new wheels that are good as new.

However, I know this will never happen. The shop will prolly have Joe the Wheel Guy rattle can them and call it quits.

You can't that I'm aware of, merely trying to illustrate a point.

 

[ge0rge]

If the wheels on my vehicle were damaged like that I would explode. Seriously, how the hell do you wreck a wheel like that in such a short amount of time? I would flat out tell them, new wheels or small claims court. It would be worth my time to drag their ass to court to get what is owed.

 

[BradsDetailing]

If the wheels on my vehicle were damaged like that I would explode. Seriously, how the hell do you wreck a wheel like that in such a short amount of time? I would flat out tell them, new wheels or small claims court. It would be worth my time to drag their ass to court to get what is owed.

The mechanic was in a hurry and wipping the air hose around. He did not seem careful in the least.

While I whole heartedly agree that the damage is unacceptable and you need to be taken care of I would like to play the Devil's Advocate for a moment. If during the course of detailing a customers vehicle you made a mistake and buffed through the clear on a body line on a fender, are you going to pay for the fender to be refinished or are you going to go through the dealer and buy them a new OEM fender thats been painted by the manufacturer? Again I'm not arguing that the shop in question was careless and needs to take care of this, but I've worked in the collision repair and the tire & wheel business for a decade, the quality of reconditioned wheels these days has gotten to be as good as OE in my experience. Did you purchase you vehicle new? If not you may have had recon wheels on it and not even known it...

They are not recon wheels. They are factory oem wheels and I have gone to the point of cleaning, claying, iron x'ing and washing them weekly. I know what they look like and any amount of damage that is associated with not only my wheels, but my car. This is my first newer car and I tend to take the best care of it that I can.

Lets say, hypothetically speaking, these rims were repaired rims and they looked perfect before but now they look like this. What is your reasoning for the way they look now?


The example you gave me does not compare to what is at hand here. I have chipped and gouged wheels. If the clear coat was burnt through and I knew it could just be repainted, I'm okay with that. But, I am not okay with filler or reconditioning wheels. If I damaged someone fender and it could be repainted, that would be the case. But, if I damaged them like my wheels are with gouges and chips, then I would buy a new body panel and have it painted.

 

[BradsDetailing]

I just talked with the owner and he stated that he thinks some of the damage had touch up paint due to some color variance between a light silver to a darker silver to a lighter silver.

I've never used touch up paint on my car.

Can anyone with knowledge of painted wheels shed some light on this?

I'm thinking it's just a primer.

 

[swanicyouth]

I know one thing for sure, if they messed up my wheels they'd have to replace them, it's not demanding anything. It's simply paying for a service and expecting to get your vehicle back the same way you gave it to them. They obviously significantly damaged his wheels so they should pay to make it right. And if it means him being out of his vehicle to have them fixed then they need to provide a rental car for him. They are hoping he just goes away.

It looks like part of it is just aluminum, part of it is primer, and part of it is just base coat - all 3 are silver. Either way - they owe you new wheels.

One can easily see the outline where the cone from the tire mounting or balancing machine was put on backwards. Yes BACKWARDS.

Do you see those circular imprints around the hub - they are from a tire mounting cone being installed BACKWARDS on the wheel to secure it on the mounting or balancing machine.

Look at this Coats Machine:

Do you see that big red cone hanging from the tire mounting lever? That cone is supposed to go in the hub tapered side first. That way, the taper secures the wheel by the hub centered. Balancing machines use a similar cone - or even sometimes a plastic one. Installing the cone CORRECTLY also insures the wheels are centered on the pole that holds the wheel - this is super critical for a correct balance (balancing machine).

On a mounting machine, if the wheel is not 100% centered - the rim lip will be damaged. As the mounting lever spins in a perfect circle - so, the wheel must be centered.

Bottom line, they installed that cone backwards, and the twisting forces from mounting the tire cause it to shift under the BIG side of the cone causing your damage. If they did it on the balancing machine - they just ground the cone into the wheel.

By the way, if you see a shop using a mounting machine with a cone set up like this - run.

Those machine were old school designed for metal rims. Better style machines like these are "aluminum wheel machines" and use expanding claws like this that self center the wheel:

 

[TurboToys]

if they did more than just chip up a few spots, like tore off whole sections of paint and gouged the metal, then they would have to be sent in for reconditioning.

there are special ways to repair gouges in metal on wheels and if metal has to be repaired on a wheel, it's simpler just to strip the whole wheel and repaint or re-powdercoat the whole thing. not just try to touch it up.

it wouldn't cost them more than 300 to get all 4 of those refinished if they have an account with a wheel repair shop, which being an auto shop they might have. but they will deny it as well.

i made a thread on here a while ago when a repair shop that was supposed to just be repairing a few panels decided to wash my car for me, and used a corrosive cleaner on my volk gt-7 wheels which were 3500 new for the set (without rubber). we went back and forth on them, but they had no choice but to repair them after i backed them into a corner when i found out what products they used on them and showed them what the label itself said.

as for the damage on the wheel, your best bet is going to be to clean the grease off of the wheels, and take identical distance pictures from your before shots to match to the after, and then use those as evidence that the damage is there and it happened from that shop.


it's always a good habit and unfortunately these days a necessary one to take a hundred or so pictures of your car inside and out with a timestamp and/or newspaper of the day so you can prove without a doubt that the car and wheels were in good/great/perfect condition before going in.

 

[BradsDetailing]

It looks like part of it is just aluminum, part of it is primer, and part of it is just base coat - all 3 are silver. Either way - they owe you new wheels.

One can easily see the outline where the cone from the tire mounting or balancing machine was put on backwards. Yes BACKWARDS.

Do you see those circular imprints around the hub - they are from a tire mounting cone being installed BACKWARDS on the wheel to secure it on the mounting or balancing machine.

Look at this Coats Machine:

Do you see that big red cone hanging from the tire mounting lever? That cone is supposed to go in the hub tapered side first. That way, the taper secures the wheel by the hub centered. Balancing machines use a similar cone - or even sometimes a plastic one. Installing the cone CORRECTLY also insures the wheels are centered on the pole that holds the wheel - this is super critical for a correct balance (balancing machine).

On a mounting machine, if the wheel is not 100% centered - the rim lip will be damaged. As the mounting lever spins in a perfect circle - so, the wheel must be centered.

Bottom line, they installed that cone backwards, and the twisting forces from mounting the tire cause it to shift under the BIG side of the cone causing your damage. If they did it on the balancing machine - they just ground the cone into the wheel.

By the way, if you see a shop using a mounting machine with a cone set up like this - run.

Those machine were old school designed for metal rims. Better style machines like these are "aluminum wheel machines" and use expanding claws like this that self center the wheel:

Thanks for this information. I'm meeting with the owner tomorrow and he thinks this is what happened also. Great help!

 

[BradsDetailing]

if they did more than just chip up a few spots, like tore off whole sections of paint and gouged the metal, then they would have to be sent in for reconditioning.

there are special ways to repair gouges in metal on wheels and if metal has to be repaired on a wheel, it's simpler just to strip the whole wheel and repaint or re-powdercoat the whole thing. not just try to touch it up.

it wouldn't cost them more than 300 to get all 4 of those refinished if they have an account with a wheel repair shop, which being an auto shop they might have. but they will deny it as well.

i made a thread on here a while ago when a repair shop that was supposed to just be repairing a few panels decided to wash my car for me, and used a corrosive cleaner on my volk gt-7 wheels which were 3500 new for the set (without rubber). we went back and forth on them, but they had no choice but to repair them after i backed them into a corner when i found out what products they used on them and showed them what the label itself said.

as for the damage on the wheel, your best bet is going to be to clean the grease off of the wheels, and take identical distance pictures from your before shots to match to the after, and then use those as evidence that the damage is there and it happened from that shop.


it's always a good habit and unfortunately these days a necessary one to take a hundred or so pictures of your car inside and out with a timestamp and/or newspaper of the day so you can prove without a doubt that the car and wheels were in good/great/perfect condition before going in.

It is unfortunate people almost have to do this, but that is what I did.

I also have already taken after photos of each rim as a whole like you stated and the damage is very visible, unlike the before's