Should I send these NEW wheels back?

bertberr

Just thought I'd get some opinions on what to do with my new wheels.

Opened the box to admire my new XM719's and noticed two scratches on the rear rim. They're actually on the Mavic sticker, but I can get my nail into them, so now wondering if they've gone all the way through to the rim...

Without peeling the sticker back, it would be impossible to know for sure. Obviously I don't want to start peeling stickers off brand new wheels, particularly if they turn out to be OK underneath and I'm then left with a scanky edged sticker. Don't want to remove them completely as I quite like the fairly understated Mavic decals, breaks up all the black!

You could argue that within a few rides they'll have a few scratches anyway, but I suppose that's not the point - they're BRAND NEW...

I'll email the company concerned anyway, this is really just to find out how many of you would reject them straight off out of principle, as if you'd wanted scratches you'd have paid 50% less off the classifieds here.

bennett_346

You are kidding me? You want to send a full wheelset back for two scratches on the sticker of ONE wheel?

bertberr

bennett_346 wrote:

You are kidding me? You want to send a full wheelset back for two scratches on the sticker of ONE wheel?

Not sure how I could have been much clearer..., but just for you, let me reiterate:

The scratches are deep, I can easily get my nails into them, and I'm worried they may be through the sticker and into the rim, looks like possibly done with a stanley blade, perhaps during packing?

Pic attached.

Andy

Send them back. You paid for new wheels and you have got imperfect ones.

bennett_346

Fair enough, its deep but i doubt itll be through the rim, if the metals that thin either its stupidly weight weenie or engineering these days is amazing.

njee20

Ask for a partial refund, then touch in in 5 seconds with some paint!

dennisn

bennett_346 wrote:

You are kidding me? You want to send a full wheelset back for two scratches on the sticker of ONE wheel?

+1..... Waste of time. There is no one(besides obviously yourself) who cares if they have a scratch on them. Even if you bought them strictly for bling / showoff purposes, a little scratch won't be noticed.

popstar

That is a scratch sir. Doubt there is a deep scratch into these tough rims. You sweetie shouldn't worry too much, otherwise there are hordes who will tarnish your rep of car park ponce.

supersonic

I doubt you will find ANY new set without a blemish somewhere!

nicklouse

looks like the builder was unlucky.

hand built wheels?

one scratch is not bad.

Raymondavalon

Beware, your frame may have scratches too!
Seriously, that's minor and if it were me, I wouldn't fret about it at all and if it did bother me, I'd touch it up with a marking pen
Rest assured, one on the trail puncture repair or a few rides and they'll look worse than that anyway.

bennett_346

It'll be the anodising and nothing more.

ali$tair

Send them back if your not happy as it will only bug you everytime you see them.

mr mangos

That's nothing to worry about. It's just the decal. I've got two wheelsets with XM719s and all 4 rims have similar marks.

mr joey

get em sent back you want them perfect you"ve paid the money,any true builder would have spotted that and not sent it if i could get my nail in ,its a no brainer for me!

ricardo_smooth

You will scratch them more first time on the bike anyway.....

bennett_346

ricardo_smooth wrote:

You will scratch them more first time on the bike anyway.....

This, it only takes one rock to bounce up and scratch it, unless you pussy out of loose stuff.

colint

Personally I'd keep them, but I'd ring the shop first and ask for a discount or return at their cost. Even if you only get a few quid it will make you feel better about it

Sirius631

They are shop soiled, and should have been sold as such.

hyperman

so what if they're gonna get scratched anyway, would you accept a new frame with a scratch like that on the top tube? or a brand new car with scratches on it? or a pair of trainers with a scratch on them? i doubt anyone would, but some of you would accept a brand new set of wheels that are quite simply damaged? well i wouldn't, you either want some money back or a new set..

jon87uk

Get them to order you a new set of decals for the wheel? Seems a hell of a lot less messing around with postage costs if it really bothers you.

upsanddowns

Nice clear image, spoke is 2mm wide so the cosmetic scratch on the cosmetic sticker is less than 1mm wide.

When the wheel is being hand built the thread end of the spoke has to be guided over rim as each one is put in, to cross the spokes. The anodizing is hard enough that even if the spoke touches it there will be no visible mark. The builder just got unlucky as he moved the spoke over the sticker. The black colour is only in the outermost layer of the sticker, the white/silver you can see is the second layer of the sticker. I think if a large batch of hand built wheels were examined you would find several similar marks.

The wheel is good for riding, is the hassle of sending the wheel back worth it for the slight irritation of the mark?

Is the bike going on the wall, or down the trail?

Much more important questions when checking out a new wheel:
How true is the wheel? How even is the tension in the spokes? Is the spec as ordered?

If it plays on your mind give them a call and try for a gift voucher, but to my mind sending them back would be a bit much.

altern_8

hyperman wrote:

so what if they're gonna get scratched anyway, would you accept a new frame with a scratch like that on the top tube? or a brand new car with scratches on it? or a pair of trainers with a scratch on them? i doubt anyone would, but some of you would accept a brand new set of wheels that are quite simply damaged? well i wouldn't, you either want some money back or a new set..

i agree here,you payed the money,they shouldnt have scratches on them,if i bought a new bike/car/trainers with a scratch on them,id want dicount,dont matter if they are going to get scrathed on first ride or not.

Andy!

I was going to say stop being a fanny as it's just a scratch, what is the point in wasting someones money on more postage fees?

Then I read it was deep and had a change of heart as a deep scratch in the thin metal of what is a stressed hoop that you trust your life on. Eventually a crack can form etc etc.

But then i read above and if it is the sticker then back to my 1st thought and just touch it up with a sharpie marker pen and if it makes you feel better send a strong email of complaint to the shop or just send a "FYI love the wheels but disappointed by the scratches" and you may get a discount next time.

biff55

upsanddowns wrote:

Is the bike going on the wall, or down the trail?

this !

Much more important questions when checking out a new wheel:
How true is the wheel? How even is the tension in the spokes? Is the spec as ordered?

even more this !

get a grip , how long do you think they will remain unmarked ? :?

Tank-slapper

Yes, the wheel will have scratches like this and worse after the first few rides.

But that isn't the point. You paid full price (assuming so) for a pair of perfect wheels and that is what you should get. If you have a spare set, ride on those while the problem is being sorted. Get in touch with the shop and complain. If they want to inspect the damage, it is their responsibility to cover return postage or arrange collection (they may refund what it costs you). If they want to build you a new wheel, OK, let them do that.

The best solution of course would be a partial refund and you keep the wheels as is without the faff of returning them. Send them the photograph you posted here and see what they say.

shm_uk

The wheel is damaged and therefore you are entitled to return it for a refund or replacement...

Or maybe strike a deal with the retailer for a partial refund or store vouchers or summat as a goodwill gesture...


If I were in your position, I wouldn't be bothered by what appears to be a cosmetic issue - I don't have the patience for all the hassle and time it'd take - but that's just me.

bertberr

OK, thanks for the costructive comments, both for and against sending them back (tank slapper/upsanddowns/jon87/colint/joey/mrmangos/raymond etc), it's interesting to hear about the thickness of the sticker and how easily you'd go through the outer black coating.

As to the twats (biff55/popster), perhaps your limited intellect prevents you from actually reading and understanding the OP before flying in with 'humerous' one liners re riding style, intended use etc.

At no point did I say what I was intending to do, I was merely intersted to hear what others may have done in the circumstances, and combined with the response from the wheel builder, I would then make a decision as to how to proceed.

As it stands, I'd much rather keep them as I'd planned to fit rotors etc and get out on them tomorrow morning. If it is just a cosmetic scratch, I couldn't really give a flying f**k, though I would perhaps expect an element of goodwill, even if we're just talking about a £5 credit note towards my next shop. Coming from a sales background selling BMW & Porsche to corporate customers, I always knew the value of keeping the customer happy. Often the solution / goodwill cost us very little, sometimes just a few quid, but if it meant that customer went away happy and bought again in two, three years time, then it was worthwhile.

As it stands I'll probably just keep them, as from what some have said, it's unlikely to be in far enough into the rim to cause any serious issues, and I need to get the current rims off my 2001 HT (dirt duties) and onto my 1991 HT (road duties) asap. You see, just look at my stable, must be such a bike tart... :roll:

Buckled_Rims

I read this post last night and I'm still 50-50 over it.

Yeah, you are a fanny; but yeah it might be deep enough to produce a fatigue failure.

I'd send them back to be safe, after all you paid good money and we're told about the "seconds" nature of the wheel. Remember, someone else might have rejected them and they be dumped onto you.

biff55

bertberr wrote:

As to the twats (biff55/popster), perhaps your limited intellect prevents you from actually reading and understanding the OP

my reading skills are fine thanks , just dont want to waste them reading your pathetic whiney posts.
tell mummy your wheel is scratched if it makes you feel better instead of clogging up the forum with crap no-one cares about.

dennisn

biff55 wrote:

bertberr wrote:

As to the twats (biff55/popster), perhaps your limited intellect prevents you from actually reading and understanding the OP

my reading skills are fine thanks , just dont want to waste them reading your pathetic whiney posts.
tell mummy your wheel is scratched if it makes you feel better instead of clogging up the forum with crap no-one cares about.

+1..........I've got to go along with you on that one. At first I thought it was a troll, and on second thought, it just may be. Very strange thing to obcess about.