The Wheel Specialist - Fareham
Discussion
Well, what an absolute pile of crap this has been.
First attempt by them was pretty shocking, with clear bits of dust/ debri under the paint on all 4 wheels. The wheels supplied were genuine OEM, had no damage whatsoever in terms of curbing or large chips, they just needed a freshen up. I went back to speak to them and the workshop manager gave a 20 minute lecture on how they paints wheels but agreed to do them again free of charge, conversation was polite and not awkward at all.
Second attempt is actually worst than the first. New issues now include paint missing around the valves which is clearly visible even when standing a few feet away, wheel weights are completely different colours even on the same wheels, it looks like a mix and match of whatever was on the floor at the time with some of them clearly reused.
I do not understand, everything I have read has been great reviews and nothing but praise for this branch. I was polite, got along with the staff when we chatted and even when going back to explain I wasn’t happy the first time it was a polite chat with no awarkness at all.
I used the Wheel Specialist for their great reputation and happily paid the premium to avoid issues and poor quality. Starting to think I should have just got a man in a van round to do them on the driveway.
I really cannot be driving the trip again to go back and loose the car for another 2 days, booking time off work etc to arrange it. At a loss of what to do. Do they need a third attempt? Small claims court? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Alternatively, am I being too picky and these are acceptable issues when paying £110 per wheel? At this stage I really am unsure.
First attempt by them was pretty shocking, with clear bits of dust/ debri under the paint on all 4 wheels. The wheels supplied were genuine OEM, had no damage whatsoever in terms of curbing or large chips, they just needed a freshen up. I went back to speak to them and the workshop manager gave a 20 minute lecture on how they paints wheels but agreed to do them again free of charge, conversation was polite and not awkward at all.
Second attempt is actually worst than the first. New issues now include paint missing around the valves which is clearly visible even when standing a few feet away, wheel weights are completely different colours even on the same wheels, it looks like a mix and match of whatever was on the floor at the time with some of them clearly reused.
I do not understand, everything I have read has been great reviews and nothing but praise for this branch. I was polite, got along with the staff when we chatted and even when going back to explain I wasn’t happy the first time it was a polite chat with no awarkness at all.
I used the Wheel Specialist for their great reputation and happily paid the premium to avoid issues and poor quality. Starting to think I should have just got a man in a van round to do them on the driveway.
I really cannot be driving the trip again to go back and loose the car for another 2 days, booking time off work etc to arrange it. At a loss of what to do. Do they need a third attempt? Small claims court? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Alternatively, am I being too picky and these are acceptable issues when paying £110 per wheel? At this stage I really am unsure.
Edited by clarky92 on Monday 19th October 18:51
How strange. I entrusted them with my Porsche GT3 split-rims. I left the car with them. They removed and dismantled the wheels, repaired the rims, powder-coated the middles and rims two separate colours, re-assembled them and fitted them back to the car with new tyres.
The car came back in the same condition it left me in, and the wheels were, to my eyes, absolute perfection. This was, like you, after going with recommendations on here. I was delighted with the result, and the price wasn't bad too.
I found them great to deal with. If you're not happy - again, like - then I'd suggest having another chat before getting all heavy and legal?
The car came back in the same condition it left me in, and the wheels were, to my eyes, absolute perfection. This was, like you, after going with recommendations on here. I was delighted with the result, and the price wasn't bad too.
I found them great to deal with. If you're not happy - again, like - then I'd suggest having another chat before getting all heavy and legal?
Shame you've had issues. I've had a wheel done by https://nflsmartrepairs.co.uk/ and was pleased with the work, although the name is "smart repairs" he seems to do more than that, he's got a full sized oven, just seems to work on his own. If you cut your losses and try elsewhere I'd give him a go.
I engaged them for a quote and they were very professional and like you, used them due to the huge amount of positive recommendations from friends as well on here. I didn't use them in the end as it was more convenient to have my alloys refurbished at the same place as my service.
However I would engage them again, with photos, keep it polite and see how you get on. Only involve the law if you get to a point where you're still really unhappy and they say "there's nothing more we can do".
However I would engage them again, with photos, keep it polite and see how you get on. Only involve the law if you get to a point where you're still really unhappy and they say "there's nothing more we can do".
I have used The Wheel Specialist on several occasions , yes, I did have call for complaint, but, they did rectify the problem, and was 95% satisfied. However, there are new kids on the block now, and have heard fantastic reviews from www.alloy-wheel-repair.com Southampton, top quality, and far cheaper than The WS, remember, The WS is a franchise, and perhaps standards can drop with the ever changing staff turn around.
Check out their FB page
Check out their FB page
clarky92 said:
Thank you for the replies everyone and for the advice.
I just want to sanity check if I’m being too fussy on this before going further. In the below image is an example of what I previously referred to, all 4 wheels are like this. Would other PH members accept this or go back?
No you are not being fussy. thats unacceptable. I would be taking back as well.I just want to sanity check if I’m being too fussy on this before going further. In the below image is an example of what I previously referred to, all 4 wheels are like this. Would other PH members accept this or go back?
Lovey1 said:
clarky92 said:
No you are not being fussy. thats unacceptable. I would be taking back as well.SaintsPaul said:
Good friends of mine do a lot of cars to concours standard and always took their wheels to here. Now they are so disappointed with the standard of work that all their wheels go to Lepsons. Some of the horror stories I have been told would make your hair curl !!
Thank you for this comment, makes me feel like I’m not being so overly fussy.Had another good look at their second attempt on my wheels today and there are lumps and bumps all over the place, looks horrific
Going back tomorrow morning to speak with them
doorman said:
I have used The Wheel Specialist on several occasions , yes, I did have call for complaint, but, they did rectify the problem, and was 95% satisfied. However, there are new kids on the block now, and have heard fantastic reviews from www.alloy-wheel-repair.com Southampton, top quality, and far cheaper than The WS, remember, The WS is a franchise, and perhaps standards can drop with the ever changing staff turn around.
Check out their FB page
I have used these people. Luckily, I’ve never been in the market for many refurbs in my motoring career. So I did the asking around and these guys in Southampton were recommended. They did 6 Mk1 Focus RS alloys. Removed tyres,blasted, repaired any kerb damage,crack tested,powder coated the whole wheel, then applied a wet paint finish of my choice (anthracite). They then refitted tyres with new valves, balanced using black adhesive weights due to the dark paint and also painted 6 centre caps to match. Absolutely perfect finish. Drive in/drive out in a day. £340.Check out their FB page
normalbloke said:
doorman said:
I have used The Wheel Specialist on several occasions , yes, I did have call for complaint, but, they did rectify the problem, and was 95% satisfied. However, there are new kids on the block now, and have heard fantastic reviews from www.alloy-wheel-repair.com Southampton, top quality, and far cheaper than The WS, remember, The WS is a franchise, and perhaps standards can drop with the ever changing staff turn around.
Check out their FB page
I have used these people. Luckily, I’ve never been in the market for many refurbs in my motoring career. So I did the asking around and these guys in Southampton were recommended. They did 6 Mk1 Focus RS alloys. Removed tyres,blasted, repaired any kerb damage,crack tested,powder coated the whole wheel, then applied a wet paint finish of my choice (anthracite). They then refitted tyres with new valves, balanced using black adhesive weights due to the dark paint and also painted 6 centre caps to match. Absolutely perfect finish. Drive in/drive out in a day. £340.Check out their FB page
normalbloke said:
I have used these people. Luckily, I’ve never been in the market for many refurbs in my motoring career. So I did the asking around and these guys in Southampton were recommended. They did 6 Mk1 Focus RS alloys. Removed tyres,blasted, repaired any kerb damage,crack tested,powder coated the whole wheel, then applied a wet paint finish of my choice (anthracite). They then refitted tyres with new valves, balanced using black adhesive weights due to the dark paint and also painted 6 centre caps to match. Absolutely perfect finish. Drive in/drive out in a day. £340.
I have absolutely no doubt they can do a fantastic job, just in my specific case it hasn’t gone to plan.I went back yesterday and they swapped over all the wheel weights. No apology or anything of the sort, felt like I was a pain in their back side the way they dealt with it.
Hopefully other people don’t have the s
t service or finish I’ve had and it’s just a one off crap job they have done. Gassing Station | South Coast | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff