[BrownBUG]

Correct me if I'm wrong people, but isn't this another case of 'buyer not checking goods until much later down the line'........It's so much harder to argue months later that there is a defect or shortfall (as per other thread(s) on here this week).

Heritage's viewpoint (as explained by o/p) isn't exactly going to win them any sympathy.....but we haven't heard their side yet!

Maybe they get so much of this going on they might just be taking a harder line as they seem to have satisfied plenty of people who have raised issues, in good time, so they can't be all bad eh?

Isn't it about time customers took some responsibility for the money they spend?? After all he did lash out hundreds of pounds and not even looked at what he had bought Would anyone do that in any other scenario?

I'm sure I'll get kicked all around this thread for putting the other view point....but what the hell I think it has to be said.

 

[Diddyvans]

I don't understand why people don't check everything as soon as it's delivered. If I've just spent a load of money on something I can't wait to open the box and have a look at it, even if I'm not going to use it for a while.

 

[johnnyhotdog]

I would have expected these (and other goods I've bought) to have been through some form of quality control procedure at the point of manufacture and also checked by the seller before sending them.

If someone is spending their hard earned money on something like wheels then it shouldn't be too much to expect that they're right.

I check most things when they arrive but not everything - that should be the sellers responsibility to ensure you get the correct thing and that it's in good order.

If it's wrong when it comes out the box, it shouldn't matter how long you've had it for unless it's a perishable item.

 

[almcheung]

Hi,
I put my hand up, I should have checked earlier. I have learned from this, not to trust everything send out is in good order. I checked they were the right type and size from the box. I ordered 5 wheels, 3x 4.5" and 2x5.5". They came in pair, so 2 of the 4.5 came in a original flat 4 box which looked like it had been opened before and re-sealed very well, the 2 5.5 came in un-opened flat 4 box. the third 4.5 came in a normal brown card board box. I checked the single one in the brown cardboard box, it has a cloth cover and a rubber rim to protect it inside the box, so I had no reason to think the other 4 in a better original box would have problem. But it is still a defective wheel whether I check it early or late.

 

[JustinOval]

Are they Flat 4 Fuchs copies? AFAIK they're hand polished so I'd be surprised if one passed inspection.

 

[almcheung]

They seems imply I change my words/complaint from my 1st phone call to 2nd call. That makes me very annoyed
When I call them first time, I said it looked "damaged" which in layman term I meant the wheel has a problem. When I called the next day after emailing them some photos and my friends thinks it's defective, i told them so. They are trying to say I change my story

 

[BrownBUG]

OK @jonnyhotdog, we don't know how the wheels were stored, after all wheel finishes do deteriorate especially high polished surfaces, so could be classed as perishable, come on!

The dealer, not the manufacturer who will have quality control, may check items but if they come sealed/boxed, and they get hundreds of boxes per week, how can they check every single item, be reasonable - that's why they say on the delivery note or invoice 'please check your items - any defects/shortfalls should be reported immediately' which is not unreasonable.

Also, this fella spent hundreds of his 'hard earned' pounds and didn't care to look or check, amazing if you ask me. Maybe the pounds weren't too hard earned if he had a careless attitude to his possessions - maybe it all comes too easily?

Why make excuses for a customer who can't be bothered to check and place the onus on the dealer entirely?

PS I run my own business retailing electrical products and serve my customers very well - but there has to be some onus on them to report anything wrong as all my products are boxed from the factory. How can I possibly check 2-300 items every month?

 

[almcheung]

If it is hand polished, then what ever happened to it happened before I got it. It came out the box with a bevel on the rim and scratched on the wheel face

 

[BrownBUG]

I'm not disputing the is a problem with the wheel, it's the attitude regarding the issue of reporting and replacement the dealer is supposed to have after such a long time.

I'm sure you, and anyone else on here, would agree Heritage would be treating this problem very differently if you had reported a defect upon receipt, rather than 10-12months down the line.

Other's on here have reported a very positive response from them when a similar circumstance has arisen.

I'm sure you still could argue your case and probably win, but to fail to accept any responsibility is wrong IMO, that's what I'm saying.

Seems these days we all know our rights but not our responsibilities.

I hope you get your replacement and learn from this.

Your car sounds interesting - is it on 'readers rides'?

 

[almcheung]

Hi Brownbug, I appreciate your opinion. The wheels were stored in very good condition, normal indoor condition, not in the garage. And the problem wheel is in a box of 2 wheels, the other wheel in the same box has no problem. It 's not the degree of polish, it has a bevel on the rim and scratched wheels.
Not hard earned money? not so. Too trusting, definitely!!

 

[JustinOval]

If it is hand polished, then what ever happened to it happened before I got it. It came out the box with a bevel on the rim and scratched on the wheel face

Flip it over and check the casting marks, are all five wheels from the same manufacturer?

 

[HKS595]

I have seen the wheel in the flesh so to speak and whether or not the boxes should have been opened is irrelavent,The wheel has been stamped as passing quality control but it is plainly obvious the wheel has been polished after the damage occurred and with the box being sealed before we saw it that can only have happened at the manufacturers or was previously returned to heritage,repolished and shipped out to another customer.We accept very poor quality goods on a daily basis from many outlets for parts and accessories in this country because we cant be arsed to complain.No way would I accept this wheel and the poster is more than just in expecting better service as I know he has spent fortunes with Heritage over the last 2yrs.If companies cant supply goods fit for use then they shouldnt be in business.Anyone who thinks otherwise is simply playing devils advocate.Pull your finger out Heitage you are out of order with this one.

 

[almcheung]

Hi again, Brownbug, as I said before, I have learned and will definitely check everything! And I had no problem with Heritage before, only this time.
This project is long winding, John from 81a ran out of time last year after the paint job, it was left and then only restarted a 2/3 weeks ago, otherwise would have found out about the wheels earlier!! I love old VW but am not so good with the mechanical stuff, have to rely on John.
It's still being done, so not on Readers ride yet, will put it on when finished.

 

[almcheung]

Hi Justinoval, John has the 4 good Fuch wheels in his garage, so I can't check, but he did tell me it has a mark showing it was made in 06, so Heritage told me they can't send it back to flat 4 because it's sold 11 months ago is rubbish, they had it a lot longer.
I will check the problem one tomorrow, it's at work.
How do you check manufacturer, aren't they all made by flat 4

 

[JustinOval]

They will have a manufacturer stamp in the casting behind the spokes. I'd just be curious to see if the rogue wheel actually is a Flat4.

 

[misterecks]

Sorry to hear about your problem wheel, hope you get it sorted. I have a sister who works for trading standards and she has been a great help to me over the years, just knowing the right language to use often gets you the result you need so with a bit of luck they should be able to help you out.

Is it just me or is opening stuff bought online the best thing ever, I can't believe you waited months to look at them. I'd have had them open, inspected, set up on the front room floor with me sat in the middle of them making brum noises within two minutes of them turning up

 

[sleepybay]

I'd have had them open, inspected, set up on the front room floor with me sat in the middle of them making brum noises within two minutes of them turning up

:lol:

 

[Phil69]

Similar to me unfortunately.
My wife brought a set of four Porsche 2 Litre style alloys for my beetle.
After 3 months I noticed that the alloy had started to corrode under the lacquer in several places.
I contacted SSP and Heritage and told them via email and phone what the problem was I even sent them pictures of the wheels.
When I called they didn't have me on their computer (funny that) only a month earlier I had brought a pair of wing mirrors from them and they managed to find my address on their system.
I got fed up with the run around and decided to just bide my time till some other poor fellow got the same treatment as me.
When will these restoration/customisation companies realise they depend on a small community of people for their income and ripping these people off will cost them more than a refund or replacement of defective goods.

 

[j64bus]

I am John the garage owner at 81a VW services. I advised Almcheung to get all the bits for his karmann ghia restoration in advance because of the trouble we had getting parts for his karmann beetle which held up his restoration for months. We were given approx dates for delivery of parts, which were changed many times. A good point for ordering well in advance is part no 211 703 561D. This is the front inner vallance on a bay window which i have had on order for over 12 months. So with this in mind almcheung ordered everything to complete his resto well in advance. A few weeks ago i rang him to bring the wheels and tyres down, as we needed these to start on the suspension. I got a phone call from almcheung at the tyre bay to tell me one of the wheels was damaged. From what he told me I advised him to ring VW Heritage as they are good people and they would sort it out for him with no hesitation. How wrong I was. since the phonecall I have seen the wheel and there is a large manufacturing fault in the rim and clusters of small pin holes in the face. As for checking all the boxes, I personally would only check if the box was damaged or looked like it had been opened before, or anything from Ebay. I often buy stuff for myself or my customers and only check the invoice to make sure everything is there, then seal it up and put it away untill needed (upto 4 yrs for my own splitty)

 

[almcheung]

Hi Misterecks, There is another good reason not to have everything opened but don't laugh!! The wife!
If I take them home to lay them out like you said, it would be nice, but I would be in deep trouble for buying all the bits for the car and the question Hoooow much you have spent on that thing!!! If i leave them at work(luckily I work for myself!) I don't have room to lay thing out, they tend to be left in boxes until John from 81a wants it for the job!