How hard is it to change a tyre?

stimpson

I got 2 new tyres on Saturday morning. After putting on different tyres than I asked for, and putting them on the wrong wheels and fitting these to the wrong axle, i left the place reasonable happy and an hour late.

This evening while washing half the Sahara off the car I noticed that one if my alloys looked like this:







Having calmed down a bit now, how do I approach this on the morning? Do I ask for a replacement? Should I accept a repair? What to do if they deny liability?

This was done by a large Dublin chain, albeit one that has a fairly decent rep on here.

dickwod1

Exact same thing happened to me a good few years ago by a big chain, I went back up told them to look at the wheels (all four!!!) and the manager admitted responsibility straight away,

Because of the four wheels being wrecked repair wasn't an option as I'd have no car during the repair, so he had to buy four ford alloys and fit them.

Its the tyre remover machine that does this to alloys if the alloys aren't placed on the machine correctly.

slimjimmc

stimpson wrote: »

I got 2 new tyres on Saturday morning. After putting on different tyres than I asked for, and putting them on the wrong wheels and fitting these to the wrong axle, i left the place reasonable happy and an hour late.

This evening while washing half the Sahara off the car I noticed that one if my alloys looked like this:

Having calmed down a bit now, how do I approach this on the morning? Do I ask for a replacement? Should I accept a repair? What to do if they deny liability?

This was done by a large Dublin chain, albeit one that has a fairly decent rep on here.

Just go in and talk to the manager and see what he proposes to do to about it.
Since the damage is only cosmetic a repair would be reasonable if they can keep you on the road in the meantime.

stimpson

Not sure is be happy with a repair tbh. Planning on keeping the car a long time and the alloys were practically perfect.

Drummerboy08

stimpson wrote: »

Not sure is be happy with a repair tbh. Planning on keeping the car a long time and the alloys were practically perfect.

A professional wheel refurb is every bit as good as the factory job, I wouldn't be worried about it.

I wouldnt think it's reasonable to expect 4 new alloys for cosmetic damage - it would be different if they damaged them on a test drive and caused a buckle or crack.

I'd be quite happy to accept a professional refurb.

stimpson

I was thinking a single new rim.

Anyway, I went up this morning and was told the lad that did it wasn't there and they needed to get his side of the story as if could have been like that when it came in. Feckin fuming now...

dickwod1

stimpson wrote: »

I was thinking a single new rim.

Anyway, I went up this morning and was told the lad that did it wasn't there and they needed to get his side of the story as if could have been like that when it came in. Feckin fuming now...

So what happened today?

MuppetCheck

That sucks, I'd be pretty certain if all of them are like that it's probably not the first time it has happened and they will know it too.

MarkR

Second pic looks like it was resprayed before. Kind of peeled off a layer?

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

MarkR wrote: »

Second pic looks like it was resprayed before. Kind of peeled off a layer?

looks like it was done by a tyre machine indeed !

go back calm and show the wheels !

MuppetCheck

At the same point on all the alloys? A kerb wouldn't make such a perfect line that long, the exact same on the wheels surely.

Paddy@CIRL

The second picture makes it look like it was - badly - repainted at some stage and just flaked off. Same happened to my wheels after a questionable refurbishment, couldn't blame the tyre lads at all as they've never marked a wheel on me before or since.

El Guapo!

Definitely tyre machine damage and not a kerb. I've seen it happen lots of times before.
The important thing to remember is, it's unfortunate, but accidents do happen. Any reputable tyre company will apologise for the mistake and repair the wheel for you. Don't go in all guns blazing though. It'll get you nowhere fast.
A repair is a fair solution. There's no need to replace the wheel. Any decent alloy wheel specialist will have that good as new in no time.

stimpson

So I went back to Atlas in Finglas this morning. Apparently the guy I was dealing with yesterday wasn't the organ grinder, but a senior monkey.

The boss went out to look and returned in about 30 seconds and said he would repair it. He wasn't happy about the junior monkey pulling a fast one. That was the closest I got to an apology. Have just thrown a winter steelie in the boot (no spare) and will drop it up in the morning.

For the record, I've had the car since new and the wheels have never been damaged.

dickwod1

MarkR wrote: »

Second pic looks like it was resprayed before. Kind of peeled off a layer?

Paddy@CIRL wrote: »

The second picture makes it look like it was - badly - repainted at some stage and just flaked off. Same happened to my wheels after a questionable refurbishment, couldn't blame the tyre lads at all as they've never marked a wheel on me before or since.

Some alloys have a undercoat on the alloys and a silver paint on top of that for a shinier affect.

stimpson

For anyone who's still interested..

I dropped the wheel in to Atlas Finglas on Thursday morning. I was told it would probably be ready end of business, but certainly by the following day.

They said they would call me.
They didn't call.

I went in Saturday morning and I was told there was no sign of the wheel. It should be in Monday.

They said they would call me.
They didn't call.

I rang them this morning. I was told the boss was going to pick them up this morning. They would be in on my way home from work.

They said they would call me.
They didn't call.

I rang at 4:30. Boss is in a meeting.

They said they would call me.
They didn't call.

I rang back at 5:00. Wheel would be ready tomorrow.

They said they would call me.

Cowboys.

blade1

stimpson wrote: »

For anyone who's still interested..

I dropped the wheel in to Atlas Finglas on Thursday morning. I was told it would probably be ready end of business, but certainly by the following day.

They said they would call me.
They didn't call.

I went in Saturday morning and I was told there was no sign of the wheel. It should be in Monday.

They said they would call me.
They didn't call.

I rang them this morning. I was told the boss was going to pick them up this morning. They would be in on my way home from work.

They said they would call me.
They didn't call.

I rang at 4:30. Boss is in a meeting.

They said they would call me.
They didn't call.

I rang back at 5:00. Wheel would be ready tomorrow.

They said they would call me.

Cowboys.

I hate that sh*t

dickwod1

stimpson wrote: »

... Cowboys.

WOW that's really bad, you would think they'd be trying their hardest to please you after they damaged your wheel and not pi$$ing you off even more,

I'd be asking for a gift voucher from the manager if they ever wanted to see me as a customer again.

stimpson

I don't want a gift voucher - I just want my wheel...

stimpson

I got my wheel back today. Centre cap is missing and the tyre monkey disassembled my boot trim trying to get a wheel under the boot floor (which isn't even big enough for a space saver)

Trim clips are damaged and I'm not happy with the refurb done on the wheel (feels rough to the touch and doesn't look 100%)

Words were had. Some of them began with F.

I'm waiting a call back from their operations manager.

BillJ

Sounds like a nightmare stimpson, hope you get it sorted.

Document it with pics so you have proof.

blade1

stimpson wrote: »

I got my wheel back today. Centre cap is missing and the tyre monkey disassembled my boot trim trying to get a wheel under the boot floor (which isn't even big enough for a space saver)

Trim clips are damaged and I'm not happy with the refurb done on the wheel (feels rough to the touch and doesn't look 100%)

Words were had. Some of them began with F.

I'm waiting a call back from their operations manager.

I'd be looking for a brand new wheel at this stage.

stimpson

Way ahead of you both. I spent the morning documenting everything and I'm waiting a callback from toyota with a price for trim, cap and a new alloy.

**** just got real.

blade1

stimpson wrote: »

Way ahead of you both. I spent the morning documenting everything and I'm waiting a callback from toyota with a price for trim cap and a new alloy.

**** just got real.

Hope it works out for you.

Harcrid

I wonder did they just take it out the back and try and do a bodge job on it with a spray can.

stimpson

Harcrid wrote: »

I wonder did they just take it out the back and try and do a bodge job on it with a spray can.

It's bad, but it's not that bad. It's been filled and painted (and I assume lacquered), but it feels rough to the touch. I would have thought it would be wet sanded and polished.

challengemaster

Pics

stimpson

challengemaster wrote: »

Pics

I'll get some up later after work. It might not be visible in pics, but you certainly feel it when you rub the surface. I'm going to get a second opinion anyway.

davo2001

Sounds like they are just dicking you around, threaten them with a solicitor and demand 4 new wheels.

dodzy

davo2001 wrote: »

Sounds like they are just dicking you around, threaten them with a solicitor and demand 4 new wheels.

It's just the one AFAIK. For the record, I would'nt let that shower change a wiper blade. Lesson learned. Hope you get issue resolved anyway OP.

Kingser

dodzy wrote: »

It's just the one AFAIK. For the record, I would'nt let that shower change a wiper blade. Lesson learned. Hope you get issue resolved anyway OP.

Mighty big brush you're painting with there!

Poor customer service in all, the head office of said company is actually in that depot. Very surprising to hear. You have been very reasonable OP hope it works out ASAP!

Greenmachine

dodzy wrote: »

It's just the one AFAIK. For the record, I would'nt let that shower change a wiper blade. Lesson learned. Hope you get issue resolved anyway OP.

Had the displeasure of dealing with this crowd once after a breakdown. They were a nightmare to deal with.

HandsomeDan

Had used Atlas in Drumcondra before & thought them decent. Will think twice about using them again.