So, I finally got the wheels back this afternoon.
The guy that delivered them was the same guy that collected them before.
Nice guy.
He unloaded the wheels off the lorry.
Immediately, I was not impressed by the way the wheels had been prepared for transport by Projex.
The wheels arrived on the same pallet and were not secured to the pallet.
The wrap that surrounded the wheels was baggy and applied with little consideration.
One of the wheels on the bottom had just a piece of cardboard between it and the wheel on top of it.
With the likely jiggling that was caused by the motion of the lorry while in motion and the baggy securing wrap, there are some light abrasion marks on a small section of the lip of the wheel that was on the bottom.
I can't believe that, considering everything we've been through, appropriate measures were not taken to ensure that the wheels were finally returned to me with more care.
I'm was surprised not to find a note on the wheels saying "here's your sodding wheels back".
Even the courier driver was pretty amazed that they were sent to me in this fashion.
This is truly amazing when you consider that James at Projex had boldly told me that it was my responsibility to ensure that the wheels were suitably packed and secured to the pallet when they were returned (following the discovery of the huge gap on the wheel that was refurbed) and that they would closely inspect the wheels and that any damage would be deducted from my refund!
With little optimism, I unloaded the wheels and inspected them with the driver.
The original 3 wheels are pretty dusty, presumably caused by them being left in a corner of their workshop.
Covering them with a simple sheet would have been nice.
However, besides the dust, they appear to be in good order and I could see nothing untoward during my initial 10 minute inspection.
I looked over the new wheel.
The gaps between the spokes and the dish are the same as the other wheels. Thankfully.
The bolts on the inside of the wheel are shiny, new and each had a dab of the factory paint to indicate that they had been torqued and certified by the factory.
It certainly seems to be a new wheel.
There was understandable speculation as to whether a new face would be installed onto the old barrel but, thankfully, it does indeed seem to be a new wheel.
I will spend tonight carefully cleaning the wheels down and waxing them prior to fitting them to the car, probably tomorrow evening - at which point I will check for any anomalies with fitment. I've checked the wheel size, with and offset are they are fine.
To be honest, I am exhausted by all this.
It's been just over a year since I received these wheels when I first bought them.
Used the wheels for about 500 miles.
Never driven in the rain or winter.
Stored them over the winter and used them for about 50 odd miles earlier this year.
It's taken over 3 months to finally get the wheels back after discovering the issue with the laquer when woke them from hibernation this spring.
Am I pleased to have the wheels back?
Yes, I am.
Am I excited to have them back?
No.
Sadly, the mess up with the original order, the issue with the wheel and the way I was treated has completely tainted the whole experience.
Thankfully however, they are unharmed and I am keen to get them back on the car.
I hoently don't know how I have managed to persevere with this situation.
A lot of you urged me to take the money and run when I was offered a refund.
Believe me, I was extremely tempted.
But as I mentioned before, a refund would have left me without wheels, heavy 4 tyres that I couldn't use because they wouldn't refund them back to me and out of pocket if I chose to sell the tyres on.
I spent a long time recently, trying to find alternative wheels and I simply couldn't find any that I like over the BC's.
So I was compelled to endure the stress and get this resolved.
It's funny, here I am, finally, with my wheels back and a new replacement wheel being supplied to me.
This is what I requested from the start.
I expressed my serious concerns over having the effected wheel refurbed as I was sure that it would be nothing but inconvenience, waste everyone's time and end in problems.
This is exactly what happened.
Yet I was told that I must be "more of an expert than them" to know this would be the outcome.
Really.
So here I am, with the outcome that I first requested.
Why on earth did neither Projex or BC put their hands up and offer a new wheel as a solution in the first place!?
I spent over £4000 on these wheels and tyres.
I like to think that this amount of money being spent on ANY product would command the appropriate level of appreciation and service.
Sadly, this has not at all been the case.
Don't get me wrong, Projex has assisted with getting the situation resolved.
But sadly, it has not been without a lot of pushing and pulling on my part.
This simply shouldn't have been the case.
Communication has always been poor. Even after I had placed the initial order for the wheels.
As a consumer spending good money, I simply detest having to chase the company I am doing business with for information, updates and general progress.
I run a business myself and that simply wouldn't be the case if I chose to employ these ethics.
In fact, last Wednesday, I almost had enough of how draw out this situation was becoming.
I have actually lost sleep over this on some nights through sheer anger and frustration.
I was getting little information about the status of the progress and the weeks were just ticking by.
I even emailed the international sales manager at the BC factory to request an update but didn't hear back from him either.
I was in a situation where Projex had my wheels and my money, while I had nothing.
I'm sure all of you will agree that this would not sit comfortably with anyone.
I woke last Wednesday and was immediately overcome with anger at the situation. This just isn't right.
So I called James and politely told him that I simply wasn't happy with the situation and would like to accept his offer of a refund and call it a day.
What followed was nothing short of astonishing...
I was met with a barrage of foul language, f'ing this and f'ing that, personal insults and threats of court cases
.
I was truly stunned at what I was hearing.
I was told that they would never sell me another set of wheels again and that they would send my wheels back as they are and if I wasn't happy with that they would see me in court.
He was literally screeching down the phone at me.
I was gobsmacked.
I tried to ask him exactly what he was on about and why he was being like this.
He wouldn't listen, spoke over me and then put the phone down.
What the actual!?!?
I called him back.
He finally answered the phone and I asked him what was going on.
I explained that I simply wanted this resolved and that even he should surely appreciate the frustration this was causing me.
I sure as hell haven't got the time or the further patience to pursue, what I know to be, a solid case through courts.
The conversation thankfully dialled down from volume 15 to 2 and I explained that I just wanted the wheels back and would appreciate if he could just chase things up so we could resolve this.
James impressed upon me that I was not allowing him the chance to get things sorted and that I just needed to give him a chance.
I know what I can be like, but I don't think my expectations are any different from anyone elses.
I feel that I have been more than patient during this whole situation and that anyone else would have taken the money and run.
Not wanting to aggravate the situation anymore than it was, I decided to let things take their course and see what transpired.
I love the wheels. It is as simple as that.
Now, for anyone reading, I will summarise a few things.
Projex are a company that can certainly supply a wide range of wheels.
As with most companies, they are very accommodating when making a purchase.
Communication has not been good.
Sadly, after sales care has not been good either. Although (and I'm sure that some of you may think I am being extremely forgiving when I say this), they have assisted with getting the issue resolved with by way of a new wheel.
It is never my intention to rip into a company.
I like to think I am very patient, professional and understanding when I deal with any company. I know I have high expectations, but I'm sure each and every one of you are the same, being fellow car enthusiast who spend a lot of time and money on your machines.
There have certainly been times when the guys have been very pleasant and nice to talk to.
But these have sadly been overshadowed by some very extreme manners of conduct during my year long involvement with them.
This thread serves as a start-to-finish account of my experience with the purchase of these wheels.
It was not my intention, it has just ended up that way.
For anyone just tuning in to this thread, it certainly makes for an interesting read, even if somewhat of a rollacoaster. If you haven't got time to read it at this time, wait until you have time, make yourself a brew and have a read.
I wish no ill feeling to anyone and my wish is certainly not to manipulate anyone's minds.
I'm just sorry that this situation was not handled perhaps in the way that was more deserving.
I have since spoken to a wheel refurbishing company near to me.
They work solely for high-end dealers (Ferrari, Aston etc) but also do private work.
Really nice guys.
Given the amount of stress this situation has caused me, I feel that I would be better going to these guys if ever my wheels need attention.
It is a shame to take this decision but I simply don't think I could endure anymore stress.
Anyway, wheels are back.
They look good as far as I can see at the moment and I have no control over things that haven't happened yet.
So, I'm smiling, happy to have them back and look forward to getting them on the car.
Cheers guys.
