Hot Rods Problems with Wheel Vintiques

Early December working on a friends car and part of the upgrade included proper fitting wheels. Unfortunatly with his non stock read end something with a special order back spacing was required. After talking on the phone I was assured it was no problem although being a special order it would take 4-6 weeks. Fast forward to this week.

I have called a few times to get an update as to what the status is since I have not heard from them. Over the phone they are unable to give an update and deliver the information via email as follows.

Chad,



I found out that at this time we don’t have the outers for the wheels.

The ETA for the wheels is unknown at this time.

Would you like for me to finish the process on the order.


After talking with them on the phone today thay have no advice on what to do considering I had already purchased the other 2 wheels. I did ask them if they intended to notify me as to the fact that they had no ETA had I not called. The answer was no they would not have notified me.

Am I out of line in believing that it is wrong to promise 4-6 weeks and at 8 weeks only respond when asked that there is no estimate

 

Unfortunately a lot of companies that build the stuff we here on the Hamb use operate this way. Not much we can do about it, except to not buy from them in the future.

 

Another complaint about Wheel Vintiques. With all the complaints they have received, I can't understand why anyone would even deal with them or how they can stay in business. Too many other wheel manufacturer's out there to put up with their continuing BS.

Gary

 

I don't object to the time frame, I object to the dishonesty. If you don't know when the parts will be ready thats fine let me know so I can make a decision. Don't offer false promises.

 

I just ordered standard made WV Gennie 14 series wheels in 16" sizes. Ordered from Summit, in stock and shipped in 2 days.
Sorry to hear of the special order trouble, glad I don't have to contend with that.
Be persistent, keep calling them till they give you a decent answer.

 

That's what I do as well.

 

Sounds like a wheel that is not in the norm.

 

Ordered my wheels thru Summit as well, the powder coated primer.

First thing I did when they arrived was spin them in the front axle to check for trueness, all tested good.

Talked to the guy doing the wheels in powder coat and was told if I could find out what was used he could probably coat on top of it, good help from WV with a simple phone call.

Unfortunately found the primer already flaking off with a light scrape of a finger nail. Ended up getting all the wheels blasted down to bare metal to insure the final finish would be good. According to my powder coater it was probably due to sloppy prep on WV part.

Canuck

 

I danced around with them on a special order pair of steel wheels. I finally threw in the towel and called SoCal and asked who they used. They told me to use Wheelsmith. I called and placed my order without hassle and had 2 wheels on my door step in about a week? I was so impressed with how I was treated when I called in my order, that I told them about my problems with Wheel Vintiques. His response was "We love those guys. They give us lots of business just being who they are".

 

Sounds like the song and dance I am having with Ecklers . Promise the moon and backorder everything. Holding my hand over my ass waiting on a trunk rubber so I can deliver a car.
If it ain't from that famous parts maker Tai-wayne it 's backordered or some other excuse.
Got my last set of Wheel Vintiques from Summit no problem, but they weren't special order.

 

Got my wheels from Wheel Smith within two weeks.
15x5 and 15x7. I prefer to paint my wheels but powder coating was available at a reasonable cost.

 

Chad,
Did you contact wheelkid here on the HAMB? He seems to be really good to deal with. Maybe you can cancel the 2 special order wheels at WV and go to wheelkid. I've never dealt with him but he gets rave reviews here.
Paul

 

Not sure what happened with your order but I have bought more stuff than I can count from them. Never had an issue or problem.

Hope it works out.

 

Sorry to say, but @wheelkid (Rally America Wheels) only does wire wheels now. They had a bad shop fire, and don't do any of the steel wheels anymore. Too bad, as Jimmy and his dad are good people. They did the custom steel wheels on the '35, and I couldn't be happier with them. Hope I don't need another set made for another car. Don't know where I would go.

 

The big advantage with Wheel Vintiques is simply choice; they offer wheels the others do not, like their "64 series" chrome OE Ford with single bolt pattern, not multi-drilled. Two of the four I ordered had custom back spacing, and all arrived within their stated delivery date. The wheels are beautiful and all are within spec when checked on a road force balancer. Maybe I was lucky, maybe not.

 

I hate to hear this. As far as I knew they were the only one that made the early chrome reverse wheels with the tapered rims like back in the day. I was hoping to get some in the future.

 

You were not lucky, all of the wheels I have bought from them have been well made and balanced out easily.

 

Used wheelsmith from Cal. Twice.They were great! Exterminator

 

Did you try putting hub caps on them yet? What brand fits?

 

Very sorry to hear about the Rally America fire. Wheelkid and his Dad made up some excellent wheels for me. Good people.

 

I had a similar issue, not with Wheel Vintiques but with Coker when I ordered my steelies. They were a common size and they said I would receive my order (both wheels and tires) within 2 weeks. Well a month went by and nothing. Every time I called them they said, "You'll have your set in 2 weeks". I called every 2 weeks and 6 months later...still nothing. Finally I lost my shit on the phone with them. They finally admitted their supplier was not able to get the centers for my wheels. They knew this and they also knew that they were not going to be available for months. I asked why they couldn't have been honest and up-front with me 6 months prior.

So, I called Wheel Vintiques and the guy said, "yeah we have those on the shelf". I bought them instantly and had my powder coated wheels 2 weeks later. I was very happy with Wheel Vintiques, they really came through for me.

My point is, sometimes it comes down to problems with their supplier. Coker in my case....Wheel Vintiques in your case..etc. Sounds like this kind of thing happens at times. You have a special order, so that only adds another component. However, I completely understand your frustration. It would be nice if they were more up-front with their customers when there's delays. To this day, just hearing "Coker" raises my blood pressure.

In defense to these companies, I do understand all our hot rod wheels and tires are indeed a small niche market. It's that constant logistical challenge to not have too large of stock on hand, yet enough to meet customer demand in a timely fashion.

Good luck, eventually it will come together.

 

Actually, I thought it was Wheels Vintiques that Coker sells.

 

I thought I heard that as well....they're one in the same now. My experience was prior to this.

 

Call Wheel Smith. They are freaking great. super knowledgeable, i ordered a set of 15 X 8 chrome with early 40 type centers. They said it would be a little longer because they were chrome and made to order. I had them in 12 days! and they are perfect.

 

I have to say I had a favorable experience with special order Wheel Vintiques wheels through Summit. I initially ordered standard 16x7 Gennies, which were in stock and came quickly. When I test fit them, it was obvious I would need more than the standard 4" backspace. I contacted Summit and they worked with me to return the original set and order a custom set with 5" backspace for about $40 more each. Yes, it took the advertised 6 weeks or so, but they were right when they came, and, even though they were a custom order, still no freight. I liked that. I'll be ordering another set for the front soon.

 

I've never heard any complaints about Wheel Vintiques products when purchased from Summit. Summit always makes it right. The complaints are from those who purchased directly from Wheel Vintiques.

Gary

 

Summit does make it right but Summit can't make Wheel Vintiques make a wheel.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/vintiques-wheel-question.1009006/#post-11794034

 

With Summits buying power maybe they can.

 

In 2003 I needed some 18x6 wheels for my LSR roadster Bob Sage at Wheelsmith could not do them. WV made them in 2weeks using their aluminum forgings with the offset I needed. I asked them if they could use blems as they were getting Moon discs. They did that too. They were perfect and got me into the 200 mph club. Wheelsmith has also made me special order wheels and they have been great too even doing the powder coating.

 

I use to be a Wheel Vintiques dealer about 12 years ago. always a great product But it was always my understanding that Coker bought them up probley 10 years ago maybe more,about the same time Corkys brother started Newstalgia wheel and tires. think it is all one deal now.