I would like to ask for some opinions on a wheel refurb I had done on my 19" winter wheels, first time I have had any sort of refurb done so I was maybe expecting too much, I did my research and chose a company that had good feedback and called them to discuss, they said all the right things and said the wheels would be "as good as new" if there were no cracks or buckles and any corrosion would be addressed and I could be asssured they would be perfect, I explained that I was ultra fussy about my wheels and needed them to be as new - no problem they said - so I dropped the wheels off- 2 weeks later collected the wheels and was really dissapointed to see several areas of pitting and chunks out of the rims just painted over, also previous damage from tyre fitters was not repaired again just sprayed over - I was not happy and told the guy I was unimpressed, he defended it by saying if you want new wheels go to Land Rover and buy some! He then told me that the areas of corrosion were not important as they were mainly on the inside or covered by the center cap.

So am I being too fussy? Or is this the standard workmanship for refurbishment?

Cost for 4 wheels was just under £300.

Pics below.

Are all those close ups from the rear ?

I'd expect the fronts to be perfect, not sure that I'd be bothered about the back.

I would say that that is un-acceptable. I had my merc wheels refurbed and they were pretty bad, a mobile guy came here and basically used a grinder to get the chunks out / bubbled paint off

he painted them all up and they were as good as new and charged me £200 ( 19 inch wheels)

looking at your pics the kerbing dents could have been ground out in about 5 mins , it look like the wheels have been painted right over the top of bubbled old paint, 2 weeks! my guy took 2 hours !

I watched him do it and its pretty basic what they do , grind out until they get a uniform shape

I would not accept that in a gazzilion years!!! But then I’m the pickiest bloke i know

Alistair wrote:

Are all those close ups from the rear ?

I'd expect the fronts to be perfect, not sure that I'd be bothered about the back.

If you were clear about the standard you expected up front, then I'd say you're right to complain.

Did you pay by card - they might be able to help.

£300 is not particularly cheap, so no reason to expect a sub-standard job

I was going to give them cash - but as I wasn't happy with the job and the wheel guy and I had fallen right out with each other so I decided to pay by card as I wanted a bit of protection - not that I have ever had to do this before but 2 days later I am still seething and want to ring them and complain formally but not sure I can trust myself to remain calm.

Before you start, you need to be clear what outcome you want - and then what you'd be prepared to settle for.

I suspect a full refund & take them somewhere else is the ideal, but what will you settle for ? (no need to answer that on here)

Complaints should be made in writing IMHO.

Also call your card company & explain to them that they looked poor when you collected them, but as in a rush, didn't fully inspect and they are worse than you thought. See what help they can offer.

It does depend on how rough they were to start with to how well the refurb will come up. But Most of what i've seen in your pics just appears to be bad prep work. A skim of filler here and there would have sorted most of it.

I had a couple of sets of Jaguar wheels refurbed by Lepsons last year and they were literally like new when they came back. all the scratches, corrosion and dinks were gone.

Why did you pay and leave with them?

I certainly would not have paid that bill!! That is absolutely atrocious, previous owner of mine had quite simply sprayed silver paint over the lacquer, to "tidy" mine up! Paint just dissolved when I hit them with wonder wheels, so I got all five wheels completely refurbed, my spare had a couple of dings in it, but the guys repaired them and now you wouldn't notice!
My wheels are now as new! Exactly as you would expect! Cost was £45 per wheel.



David 2014 vogue se

I was not given any other option than to pay - The owner and I had argued about the quality of his work for 20 mins, he even suggested I was just picking fault to try and secure a discount! He then said I had got my money's worth and if I wanted new wheels to go and buy some, he said he always sends wheels out like that and no one else had complaind and I was being unreasonable and it was pretty clear he was not going to release the wheels unless I paid - he also had £600 woth of Pirelli Scorpian winter tyres I had left with him to fit to the wheels so I was over a barrel.

My wife does think that I am beng too picky hence my post but thanks all for the advise and opinions.

Darren

No, I'd be pretty miffed! Regards
Royston

2008 4.2 Supercharged Autobiography
1994 Classic Vogue SE
1999 Rover BRM
1987 Rover Vitesse Twin Plenum

Snotty email now sent to the company to give them a chance to either rectify to my complete satisfaction or a full refund. I have given them a week to respond. I will also call my bank tomorrow to discuss faulty goods refund options.

Thanks All

Darren

I also think the quality of the work is sub-standard.

You may have some leverage by talking with your bank, however, you need to bear in mind that the Wheel Refurbisher has provided a service rather than goods. It is a little trickier in these circumstances and your protection under the Sale of Goods Act is not the same.

I hope you get a satisfactory resolution. The "that'll do" attitude that is everywhere these days makes my blood boil!