Classic Mustangs List Archive

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Mail From: MrFomoco (email redacted)

I thought everyone should see this recent post to
the Cougars mailing list:

Buckaroo wrote:
>
> Im still dazed as to the day I just had. A couple of days ago I took
> possession of 4 NEW Speciality Wheels Magnum 500 rims purchased of Tony
> Branda as "Special Deal". 15x7
>
> On Saturday, I took them to Tire Kingdom to put on some B.f. Goodrich
> tires, as the guy went to balance the rim/tire combo it read 5.75 on the
> inside rim. This is almost 6 ounces off! Then we discovered that the
> rim was out of round! As the rim spun you could actually see the center
> part of the rim "hop" or wiggle!
>
> I then had him check the other rims, and 2 others were also out of
> round, and WITHOUT a tire each rim balanced out to 1.00 on the inside
> rim.
>
> The FOURTH rim I didn't bother to check since it had a 1/2 gash to the
> edge of the rim. The Specialty box it came in did NOT have any damage to
> it that would lead me to believe it occurred in shipping!
>
> DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SIMILAR OCCURRANCES WITH BRANDA?
[....]

While I don't think you were shipped bad rims on purpose,
and I'm sure you can get your money back from Branda, this
does bring up an important point.

Just a note to all you consumers out there: its a common
practice among vendors of "repro" parts to sell off their
leftovers, "seconds", and other rejects in something like
the "Special Deal" you mention. A few vendors have built
their business on this principle, actively seeking those
returned and/or rejected parts from manufacturers...this
would guarantee a supply of low-cost goods which might be
consistently advertised at "Special Deal" prices.

How can they do this? The idea, here, is twofold: A. the
average buyer won't notice the difference, or care about
it should anyone point it out...and B. a great many folks
buy these parts well in advance of actual usage, making a
return-for-credit unlikely. If you're thinking this is a
cynical manipulation of consumers...well, you're right.

Anyway, now you know to beware of "specials", especially
those you must buy sight unseen. I's love to just warn
you away from those specific vendors, but my Murray (our
liability lawyer) feigns cardiac arrest whenever I bring
up the subject.
--
MrF
Allen Cross
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This read-only message was archived from a public mail list.
Mail From: Pete Thompson (email redacted)

I had a similar problem with wheels ordered directly from Specialty, luckily
it was only one wheel out of round. Discovered long after the purchase.
Became my spare, after spending $50. to have it made as round as possible.
Still requires about 2ozs of weight, all of the others are under .25 oz.
Peter
69 Mustang convertible 351w/C6
64 Falcon convertible 302/T4




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