Need Billet Wheel Company Opinions...

[PTS]

Questions:

1. What Billet Wheel company appeals to the Pro Touring Community as far as reputation, fit, finish, and design?

2. Does a 6-8 week build time influence your decision even if the quality is rated at the top?

3. Would you be willing to pay a little more for a wheel brand if the dealer understood how to correctly fit your car? (backspace, caliper clearance, tire width, etc...)

4. Does offering tires mounted on your wheels as a package combo make or break your decision when dealing with a wheel dealer even if the freight is much more higher?


I appreciate any feedback regarding the questions or please any other feedback is appreciated. We are simply looking for solutions to better the customer service in the wheel business.

I am not a manufactuer prying for free info. I am a dealer simply trying to choose a solid wheel brand to represent.

Please e-mail me your input to: [email protected] or PM me thru the forum.


Many Thanks,

PTS

[astroracer]

Questions:

1. What Billet Wheel company appeals to the Pro Touring Community as far as reputation, fit, finish, and design?
"Billet" is a very generalized term nowadays... "Billet" is a solid piece of material, a true "billet" wheel is machined from a solid block of material not "cast", not "spun", not "welded together".
Forged wheels are the bomb although most of us "trench" guys just can't justify the cost.
You will find most of your ruputable wheel manufacturers being used by "The Pro Touring Community". It really comes down to sizing, cost, and styling , with sizing being the determining factor that drives cost and styling. Especially in a custom application.


2. Does a 6-8 week build time influence your decision even if the quality is rated at the top?
Not at all. Custom wheels are just that, custom and getting what is needed generally takes time.


3. Would you be willing to pay a little more for a wheel brand if the dealer understood how to correctly fit your car? (backspace, caliper clearance, tire width, etc...)
No... not unless the dealer will guarantee the wheels will fit, no questions asked. Ordering wheels should not be left up to a dealer, especially in a one off, custom fit situation. I KNOW what I need before I order it, if it doesn't fit that's my fault.


4. Does offering tires mounted on your wheels as a package combo make or break your decision when dealing with a wheel dealer even if the freight is much more higher?
I find it is better to get the wheels and tires unmounted. This lets me check the wheels and, if there is a problem, returning the wheels is much cheaper then returning the whole package. I can usually find tires locally for a price close to mail order (if I ask) and this saves shipping costs on them. I also like to be there when the tires are mounted and balanced. I just feel better knowing what it took to do the job.


I appreciate any feedback regarding the questions or please any other feedback is appreciated. We are simply looking for solutions to better the customer service in the wheel business.

I am not a manufactuer prying for free info. I am a dealer simply trying to choose a solid wheel brand to represent.

Please e-mail me your input to: [email protected] or PM me thru the forum.


Many Thanks,

PTS

[Taylor1969]

Astro is right on the money


All the stuff he said

[Tiger]

I'm in on that one too.

[69ratfed]

If you order wheels and tires seperate you atleast get to spin the wheels (before mounting) on a spin balancer to see how true they are.

[PTS]

I appreciate the response(s). It is evident in this market that most of you are very technical and educated when it comes to wheel and tire fitments.

Summary:

1. Everyone wants a fair price, great customer service, and a reputable wheel brand.

2. You are willing to wait on the manufactuer to build your wheels even if it takes 6-8 weeks.

3. Fitment for most of you has already been determined by yourself, but it always helps if the guy selling the wheels at leasts understands what you are wanting to accomplish.

4. I also would rather not sell tires with the wheels and everyone agrees. Nuff Said!



Does American Racing, and Budnik appeal to you if I were able to offer a Free Freight program, and a Good Price? We will even go as far as possibly offering a group buying program. Please let us know if this would appeal?


Thanks Again!

PTS

[Shupee]

I hate to be the negative one here but after being in the retail biz for 10 yrs. I'll risk the flaming.
With the exception of a very few most people care about 1 thing, THE PRICE. Service after the sale or buying from someone local is a thing of the past. Everyone has a computer and Al Gore's internet:razz: so you can rest assured everyone shops for the lowest price. I had people that would purchase online and come into my shop and ask if I could warranty a defective part etc. Unless you have very deep pockets to invest in a lot of buy-ins with some manufacturers the big KAHUNA is Keystone and let me say they are *#!(* to deal with. The retail market in a nutshell is "whored out" at best. Good luck but think long and hard before investing your $$$ in this market. just my 02

[PTS]

I agree with you 100% about how the market has evolved but with the price slashers or shall we say," Anyone can sell something for nothing", I would only hope that the aftermarket will retain some integrity in the future. You speak of a major, and yes I have attempted to buy from them but when you have a gum chomping person working in a call center trying to sell a can of paint and they can't tell you what the color is then . . .

I am not a newbee by anymeans to the market. I have been a dealer for Budnik, ARE, Etc. since the mid 90's. Yes I agree if you are not direct then you might face hard times. If we do not support the guy whom is trying to make his mark in the aftermarket then we will all suffer including the manufactuer. I am 100% about USA but if things do not change then some of the trick parts will have made in CHINA stamped on the back.

[ProStreet R/T]

I appreciate the response(s). It is evident in this market that most of you are very technical and educated when it comes to wheel and tire fitments.

Summary:

1. Everyone wants a fair price, great customer service, and a reputable wheel brand.

duh


2. You are willing to wait on the manufactuer to build your wheels even if it takes 6-8 weeks.

Nope. I've ordered many custom wheels from one place in particular, John @ CCW. Even full one off 18x15 wheels have shipped with in 2 weeks, and his customer service is ungodly. After dealing with HRE for 3x the price, IMO they are a joke. John builds just as good, if not a better wheel, for a better price, and ALWAYS handles everything in the most professional manner, even if it's costing him $$.



4. I also would rather not sell tires with the wheels and everyone agrees. Nuff Said!

Depends... If you're using a set of 28x16x18 tires on 18x15 wheels do you REALLY want to trust a local shop to do it? Yeah there are a few who can, but IMO it's not worth the hassle. I would rather have everything come as one setup, balanced tires and wheels (matched to minimise having to add weights), x-rayed if need be, and ready to bolt on the car. If it's just a street car then it's not that big of a deal, but those of us that run them hard these things matter.

[TRILOGYZ28]

Nope. I've ordered many custom wheels from one place in particular, John @ CCW. Even full one off 18x15 wheels have shipped with in 2 weeks, and his customer service is ungodly. After dealing with HRE for 3x the price, IMO they are a joke. John builds just as good, if not a better wheel, for a better price, and ALWAYS handles everything in the most professional manner, even if it's costing him $$.

i would have to agree, john is the bomb when it comes to custom built wheels.....period !
customer service is unreal !
i mean, what other wheel companies "owner" will talk directly with one of his customers ?