Wheels damaged on tire install - what to do?

[Cobra427]

I just had my KDWS's replaced with Super Sport A/S's under a warranty arrangement. The tire shop assured me they had the latest equipment and could handle any kind of rim without damage. I have the stock 17's. The tire shop scraped two of the four rims. Right at edge of the lip - and right through the paint. It appears to only be paint damage.

Of course they don't think they did it. I *know* they did it. I inspected the rims very carefully before bringing it in. Just trying to figure out if I want to make a federal case out of it or just touch it up myself. What would you do?

So far, I am happy with the tire - I am not happy about the rims. :turbonaug

[TeaQue]

I'd make a big stink and get some damn reimbursement!

[The Big D]

kill installer

[1969 SS]

I just had that happen on an install of my tires last week. I expressed to them (the shop manager and the service manager who would be doing my mounting) that the rims were freshly painted and to use extra caution. I told them straight out "you wreck my rims and I will kill you!"

they wrecked them......I still have a $300.00 bill to submit to them, for the paint repair cost on the two rims they scratched

[Swt04Goat]

I would buy two mint 17" stockers from me.....hahahaha
Real cheap and tell them to pay ya for them.

[GTO JUDGE]

Take it above the local shop manager. You're spinning your "wheels" trying to get him to fess up.

I will allow only my dealer to touch my car. I have an excellent rapport with my dealer and am treated very, very well and after doing business with them for nearly 5 years I trust them. More expensive than tire shops? Yea. My dealer is equipped to handle the car. Once they scuffed my steering wheel during an alignment and it was replaced. had I taken the car elsewhere I'd a gotten nowhere. Many don't like their dealer for whatever reason, I understand. For me I have peace of mind taking it there.

[SSGoat]

Same thing happened to me. 15 minutes later the shop manager gave me a business card to a local rim repairer. They came out to my home and fixed them within the week. No charge to me.

[Cobra427]

Thanks for all the input.

I am going to stop by tomorrow and talk to the owner. I am a little worried about getting them refinished. It might make things worse. I did notice the factory finish on these 17" stockers leaves a little bit to be desired though. The damage is hardly noticeable unless you get up close. But it *is* there and it *does* bother me. We will see.

Lesson learned - inspect the wheels closely WITH the guy before he does anything. Of course it won't stop the damage but it will shut them up afterwards.

[Cobra427]

OK. Just got back from :turbonaugSTS TIRE IN RIVERHEAD NEW YORK.:turbonaug Talked to Tony. Tony refused to acknowledge that his machine could do any damage. I said the tires he took off were factory tires and the ONLY time a tire was ever debeaded was on his machine. He ignored me. He asked what I wanted - I said he should pay the bill for touching up the wheels ( I even said I didn't want them refinished - just touched up professionally.) He outright refused to do *anything*.:turbonaug

So, I am going to go up the ladder and I am going to start a letter writing campaign. Maybe I'll have the rims fixed and file a small claim in court. Stop the payment on the credit card. I'll contact Better Business Bureau, Consumer Affairs and maybe make up a sign 'STS TIRES DAMAGES RIMS AND DOESN'T CARE' and park right outside their entrance in the road...

I'll post up pics of the damage in a bit. I am just getting started.

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[quadman]

Might I suggest filing a claim with the local magistrate. They will schedule a hearing where both parties can explain their side of the story.
Either Tony or one of his employees will have to show up for the hearing, or else forfeit. This will cost him money. It will cost you money, too, but if you win you'll get it back.

Take pictures. Save your receipt (obviously). Any concrete evidence that you have that might help to prove you were in the right? Take it with you.

Be respectful. Stay calm. If anybody flies off the handle, you want it to be Tony, not you. Do some research on the different types of tire machines. In other words, be prepared when you go in.

Good Luck.

[Cobra427]

Good advice. I think it costs about $25 to file a small claim. They will either have to show up personally or hire a lawyer. I may not be able to *prove* they did the damage but the circumstantial evidence is overwhelming. It would be up to the judge. Either way, as you said, even if I lose it will cost them far more than the $100 it would cost to have a professional touch them up. It just amazes me that any business (that's wants to stay in business) could treat their customers this way. Talk about a BAD business decision! That's STS TIRES in Riverhead, New York. Their motto is "We damage your rims and we couldn't care less."
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[1969 SS]

Good advice. I think it costs about $25 to file a small claim. They will either have to show up personally or hire a lawyer. I may not be able to *prove* they did the damage but the circumstantial evidence is overwhelming. It would be up to the judge. Either way, as you said, even if I lose it will cost them far more than the $100 it would cost to have a professional touch them up. It just amazes me that any business (that's wants to stay in business) could treat their customers this way. Talk about a BAD business decision! That's STS TIRES in Riverhead, New York. Their motto is "We damage your rims and we couldn't care less."
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.Keep it up!!!

[ROKS ROKET]

Hey "Cobra427",
"We damage your rims and we couldn't care less." means that they CARE.... Just a little observation, you might want to change it.

ROK

[Cobra427]

Hey "Cobra427",
"We damage your rims and we couldn't care less." means that they CARE.... Just a little observation, you might want to change it.

ROK


Thanks ROK, but no it doesn't! "I couldn't care less." Means I could not care less than I do. Which is perfectly correct and very sarcastic. "I could care less" is commonly accepted in American English to mean the same thing but it is literally a type of inverted logic nonsense. Being that I am buried in logic every day of my life I just can't bring myself to using nonsensical phrases, especially when there are perfectly correct ones available that are also accepted. But thanks anyway! ;)

P.S. I am more than happy to debate it further to keep this thread on page one! ;)

See here (http://dictionary.reference.com/help/faq/language/ g09.html)
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[ROKS ROKET]

Thanks ROK, but no it doesn't! "I couldn't care less." Means I could not care less than I do. Which is perfectly correct and very sarcastic. "I could care less" is commonly accepted in American English to mean the same thing but it is literally a type of inverted logic nonsense. Being that I am buried in logic every day of my life I just can't bring myself to using nonsensical phrases, especially when there are perfectly correct ones available that are also accepted. But thanks anyway! ;)

P.S. I am more than happy to debate it further to keep this thread on page one! ;)

See here (http://dictionary.reference.com/help/faq/language/ g09.html)
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Touche Cobra, in the sense of the way you are using it, I guess it is acceptable and do not want to further discuss it, hehehe. Either way, the tire shop manager Tony sounds like a real Ass-Hat!!! Give out the shops phone # so we can leave some "nice" Messages for him, lol, lol!!

ROK

[noyz1]

go back to the shop & ask to see the machine they used to mount your tires. if it's not equipped with plastic head, socks & booties, then take pictures of it. A good tire shop will have these on their rim clamps to prevent any metal on the machine to come into contact with the rim. Lazy ass tech's don't like to use them because they slow them down. I'll bet money they don't use them & probly don't even have them. As far as for going to the dealer for tire work, that's stupid- dealer tech's hate to mount tires & are not properly trained & most dealerships have outdated tire equipment because they don't do enough tires to make it profitable enough to buy new equipment

[DomesticatedGoat]

even though i am pretty good friends with the guy who runs the shop that installs all of my tires i will always have him walk out and check over each rim with me and we note if theres any damage and i will always look my rims over good atleast twice per rim before paying for their services, it may make them think you are an ass but it will do two things....insure they are careful with your car, CYA for any damage they do and then want to deny doing

good luck with it man....sounds like you need to escalate to the next person on the totem pole at the shop

[Cobra427]

go back to the shop & ask to see the machine they used to mount your tires. if it's not equipped with plastic head, socks & booties, then take pictures of it. A good tire shop will have these on their rim clamps to prevent any metal on the machine to come into contact with the rim. Lazy ass tech's don't like to use them because they slow them down. I'll bet money they don't use them & probly don't even have them. As far as for going to the dealer for tire work, that's stupid- dealer tech's hate to mount tires & are not properly trained & most dealerships have outdated tire equipment because they don't do enough tires to make it profitable enough to buy new equipment


Tony did show me the machine. It did have a plastic piece on the rim lip guide. It did NOT have any kind of socks or booties on the rim clamps. I do see how the plastic piece would help not gouging the rim but if it starts spinning while still in contact it WILL scrape the paint. Unfortunately I did not have my camera with me and I doubt he will let me anywhere near his garage now - considering I made quite a scene. The sad part is I think he was honestly trying to be careful - he said something about putting rags on the rim clamps. I will be pulling the rims to have look inside and if there is damage in there he *will* be buying 4 news rims! BTW I was the only car there being worked on and 5 guys stood around and admired the car before they worked on it. One of them decided he needed to finger something on the spoiler - I thought about making any future bowling leagues a challenge for him!:turbonaug

[Cobra427]

even though i am pretty good friends with the guy who runs the shop that installs all of my tires i will always have him walk out and check over each rim with me and we note if theres any damage and i will always look my rims over good atleast twice per rim before paying for their services, it may make them think you are an ass but it will do two things....insure they are careful with your car, CYA for any damage they do and then want to deny doing

good luck with it man....sounds like you need to escalate to the next person on the totem pole at the shop

Thanks, I will be escalating it (among other things i mentioned.) I will be doing exactly what you say next time and inspect the rims with the manager ahead of time. I should have done it this time. That was MY fault. It won't happen again! Of course this won't prevent damage - but it might make them more careful and when it does happen then they will have NO ARGUMENT.

[terryk]

I just had this happen. They paid $500 to refinish all four wheels. You have to bring it to their attention immediately and don't let up. In my case I was still at the store and showed them. They fessed up on the spot.

They offers $500 credit on after market rims or to repair mine. I counter offered with them buying 4 new rims at $534 ea or no limit to the cost of repairing mine.

They repaired mine and the guy did a great job on them.

[Superman]

Call the Troubleshooter.

http://www.troubleshooter.com/

Unfortunately, his radio show isn't syndicated in NY anymore, but I'm sure there's still help.

[Night]

go back to the shop & ask to see the machine they used to mount your tires. if it's not equipped with plastic head, socks & booties, then take pictures of it. A good tire shop will have these on their rim clamps to prevent any metal on the machine to come into contact with the rim. Lazy ass tech's don't like to use them because they slow them down. I'll bet money they don't use them & probly don't even have them. As far as for going to the dealer for tire work, that's stupid- dealer tech's hate to mount tires & are not properly trained & most dealerships have outdated tire equipment because they don't do enough tires to make it profitable enough to buy new equipment

:iagree:

[carnut]

Man that sucks, I did it to 2 of my rims myself on my shops machine. I caught it before it got really bad I only scrapped about 6in on the very edge of the rim I didn't take off the primer just a little paint, the worst thing was I was so pissed but the only person to blame was myself:banghead: I figured out what the problem was though, my machine has jaws that where worn down a lot and every time I went to pull up in the beed to take off the tire the rim would slip and make the tire wobble just enough to scrap some paint off, and of course Ive had to do over a thousand tires on that machine and never had that problem until my car, well at least it happened on my car and not a customers. I hope it works out for you and the place fixes your rims.

[Cobra427]

Well, to just keep you updated...

The regional manager agreed and said they would either refinish them or I could pick a place to have them refinished. At least that is what he said - nothing firm yet.

I took some macro photos and sent them to him - convinced him right away. I'll add those to the top post in a little while.

The damage was more significant than I thought. All four rims are damaged on the outside lip and two of them have clamping damage inside the hub and one is scored on the inside hub. I think I am leaning toward 4 new rims after discovering that! :turbonaug

Thank you for all the suggestions. I will keep you posted.