dsouth

iTrader: (4)

I have a chance to go to LA in the middle of August but the wifey wants to come along.

SCoupe

My experience there was that the repair was as expected, however, I was very turned off by the way they treated me. Tim is there to do what he is told, he is the guy who writes everything up and takes your money. He is too busy with the incoming calls to take much time to focus on who is there right in front of him. Tom, a technician who installed my wheels is about as friendly as a longshoreman who just doesn't have to care and tells Tim what to charge me for tire, replace, rebalance, install

The repair to a chrome rim missing a chunk out of it: $200 minus my EOS $50 coupon, $150. Had to put up with some poor humor comments about marking up the repair to compensate for the coupon. Poor choice of words, not what you say to a new customer who came there as a result of a promotion and marketing effort. I'd driven 46 miles one way for this? They left the impression they were doing me some kind of favor. Additonally there was just no effort made to treat me like a valued customer. I've gotten better service at Wheel Works and Costco Tire.

I also think I came out on the short end regarding $45 in charges to swap existing tires and rims over, they charged me for pulling one more tire off a rim than actually happend (they didn't grasp the concept that the repaired rim was off the car already and was not a complete tire remove, replace, rebalance, install). Whatever, paid the extra $5 though I politely tried explaining this twice. I was very easy going about this and did not press it because it was only $5. (I may have been wrong, I just did not understand the way they counted things, but I don't think so). I also realized that CL member use this place and being associated with that I wanted to keep things cool that way for other members who might go there. As for the money, its barely a rounding error in the ~17k I've got in this thing.

It was as I was driving home I realized they never thanked me for my business and never once at any point in my interaction ever made me feel like my business mattered one bit to them. And it probably doesn't because all you guys go there anyway because they do good quality work. I will not knock the work performed, it was on par with what I hoped. But I will look around before going back.

David

bchau_gt

^^^Helpful feedback.

I've been considering taking some wheels to Wheel Techniques to repair some curb rash and have centers re-painted a different color. However, given the expensive cost they charge and poor customer service, can anyone recommend another other shops?

acl15

this is interesting to hear... i was thinking about going to their place to paint a set of rims.

RMMGS4

iTrader: (5)

Sorry to hear your experience David. Wheel Tech has always been overloaded with business and their front desk personell have varied over time, so I make no excuses for them except to say that good help is hard to find sometimes and that customer service has had it's ups and downs.

Now in the interest of being fair and balanced I ask that people do an "Advanced search" for "wheel techniques" on the NorCal forum and you will see for yourself what their history has been over the past 4 years that people have been going to them on these forums.

In the end, there is no local or even remote wheel shop that can do what they do. There are some choices for minor curb rash and bent rims, but when it comes to custom painting, polishing, plating or major rim damage, Wheel Tech has very little competition. They can fix a wheel with a chunk of aluminum missing or a severly bent lip.

Wheels America is the other local shop, and there have been cases where they sub-out work to Wheel Tech because they can't repair that level of damage, so don't get fooled, I've seen and heard most of the stories over the 5 years I've been on CL.

Wheel tech can also color match difficult OEM or aftermarket paint finishes better than what I've heard negatively reported about other shops on these forums.

Are they expensive? No Doubt, but if you have a severly damaged rim that is no longer manufactured, or you have a high priced I-Forged, BBS 3 piece rim, the cost of repair is still worthwile in many cases.

I'd say if you have a wheel that cost you around $200 or less new and other than being non-replaceable or having minor curb rash, the cost of repair may not be warranted, so I'd say just buy a new rim.

I'll make a point to mention this thread to Wheel Tech to read. In the end it's all about working with out local businesses to correct any problems.

Let's hope they respond accordingly.

bchau_gt

Glen, where is Wheels America? Do you know they're a little more "affordable" for rim repair?

RMMGS4

iTrader: (5)

I believe it is in your back yard. Hayward. Not sure of the address. You'll have to let your fingers do the walking. I'd be curious what they charge for minor curb damage etc. I hear it is reasonable.

Let us know how it goes if you try them out.

SCoupe

I'm not suggesting to avoid WT at all costs. Just know going in that customer warm and fuzzy doesn't seem to be on the current priority list.

Anyone of those things weren't a big deal, though it rubbed me the wrong way cummulately enough to say something in this thread.

Glen makes a fair case for when to use them and I agree completely.

1NewLexIS300

iTrader: (2)

B- try going to Rite Way Wheel Specialists in Walnut Creek.

Rite-Way Wheel Specialists
1119 Alpine Road
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
925-933-4046

They come highly recommended by my bimmer buddies and the Ferrarichat guys.....(repairing/powdercoating their HRE rims)....I'm actually considering going to them as well (i didn't have a great customer service experience at wheeltech as well).

bchau_gt

Thanks man. I actually decided to try repairing the curb rash myself and it turned out pretty well. It's not perfect and you can still see minor blemishes when looking very close, but I'm fine with it considering I'm saving a lot of money. However, if I choose to change the color of the rims I'll definitely check out Rite-Way.

tam4G63

iTrader: (1)

Just picked up my set of wheels today from Wheel Techniques, I'm satisfied with their service and Jeff and Tim was great help. Jeff even gave me a discount and walk me through what repairs were done and did everything I requested for. Them guys are constantly busy and have no time for small talk because they mean business and is stock up with a tons of wheels for repairs. I gave them plenty of time and did not rush them one bit and wheels were back to me in no time. I highly recommend them for there great quality craftsmanship. I had a set of 20's FM-2 Chrome 3 Piece wheels machined inner lip, repair bends, resealed, new locking nuts, and tires flip like I requested. I will continue to come back in the future .............