Locking wheel nut purchase - what a joke!
Try this for a recount of two very different attempts by me to purchase some locking wheel nuts for my new STi8 recently...
DEALER 1...... well I went to see their parts department on Saturday morning, the conversation went like this:
"Hello, I would like some locking wheel nuts for my Impreza please"
"Certainly Sir.... What's the chassis number?"
"??????? Chassis number??????? You REALLY want the chassis number for a set of wheel nuts?"
"Yes Sir"
"OK, if you insist I'll pop outside and get the bonnet up and have a look"
(goes outside, pops bonnet, writes down chassis number)
"Here ya go......"
(types chassis number into computer)
"Oh, it's come up with a funny message....... How old is the car?"
"2 days"
"Hmmmmmm...... must be too new then. I'll have to ring the manufacturers on Monday and if you give me your details I'll call you afterwards"
"Ok - here ya go, name and phone number"
Loe and behold, today came and went with nothing from DEALER 1....... So, at about 5pm I rang DEALER 2 and spoke to Parts. (Oh, forgot to mention that I tried to ring DEALER 1 parts on saturday morning and the phone just rang and rang.......... IMHO they really are useless f**kers that make me angrier the more I think of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
"Hello, I would like some locking wheel nuts for my Impreza please"
"How old is it?"
"2003.... STi....... Standard gold wheels"
"Hmmmmm...... think they might have changed them this year, hold on.......... No, that was the Forrester...... Right, yup, got two sets here"
"How much"
"15.73 plus VAT"
"OK..... What time are you there till"
"5:30"
"Hmmmmmm...... I'll pop in and get those soon when next passing then, as I'll be past tonight but later than that"
"No problem Sir, give me your CC details and I'll bag 'em up and leave them with the people at the Shell garage next door, they'll be here till at least 9pm"
"Great, here ya go....... yadda dadda"
(picked em up at about 7pm - perfect)
What a complete pain DEALER1 are - and useless to boot, and what a completely different experience with DEALER2... A real change, very good service and certainly will be getting my repeat business.
Any guesses, given my location, as to who DEALER1 and DEALER2 could be?????
Answers on a postcard, to the usual address...
Shades
DEALER 1...... well I went to see their parts department on Saturday morning, the conversation went like this:
"Hello, I would like some locking wheel nuts for my Impreza please"
"Certainly Sir.... What's the chassis number?"
"??????? Chassis number??????? You REALLY want the chassis number for a set of wheel nuts?"
"Yes Sir"
"OK, if you insist I'll pop outside and get the bonnet up and have a look"
(goes outside, pops bonnet, writes down chassis number)
"Here ya go......"
(types chassis number into computer)
"Oh, it's come up with a funny message....... How old is the car?"
"2 days"
"Hmmmmmm...... must be too new then. I'll have to ring the manufacturers on Monday and if you give me your details I'll call you afterwards"
"Ok - here ya go, name and phone number"
Loe and behold, today came and went with nothing from DEALER 1....... So, at about 5pm I rang DEALER 2 and spoke to Parts. (Oh, forgot to mention that I tried to ring DEALER 1 parts on saturday morning and the phone just rang and rang.......... IMHO they really are useless f**kers that make me angrier the more I think of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
"Hello, I would like some locking wheel nuts for my Impreza please"
"How old is it?"
"2003.... STi....... Standard gold wheels"
"Hmmmmm...... think they might have changed them this year, hold on.......... No, that was the Forrester...... Right, yup, got two sets here"
"How much"
"15.73 plus VAT"
"OK..... What time are you there till"
"5:30"
"Hmmmmmm...... I'll pop in and get those soon when next passing then, as I'll be past tonight but later than that"
"No problem Sir, give me your CC details and I'll bag 'em up and leave them with the people at the Shell garage next door, they'll be here till at least 9pm"
"Great, here ya go....... yadda dadda"
(picked em up at about 7pm - perfect)
What a complete pain DEALER1 are - and useless to boot, and what a completely different experience with DEALER2... A real change, very good service and certainly will be getting my repeat business.
Any guesses, given my location, as to who DEALER1 and DEALER2 could be?????
Answers on a postcard, to the usual address...
Shades
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Before you slag the dealer off, remember : - The locking wheel nuts already on your car have been logged against YOUR car. So if you lost the special socket it could be replaced but you would need the chassis No and proof of ownership? I believe this is true for the later models? - can someone confirm?
It's just possible this is what the dealer thought you wanted?
JohnD
It's just possible this is what the dealer thought you wanted?
JohnD
OK....
Yes, my car is a Euro-import (coutesy of Iain Lit
) and therefore doesn't have locking nuts as standard...
The two dealers are......
DEALER1 - CD Bramall - Cheltenham.... But this is no surprise as there is a general concensus as to their quality control and general level of performance
DEALER2 - Yes, Simpsons of Highworth. Thanks to Volemangler for recommending them, and will certainly use them again. Couldn't have been quicker with the info, and couldn't have been more helpful.
Up to about 800 on the running in now.... yawn....
Shades
Yes, my car is a Euro-import (coutesy of Iain Lit
) and therefore doesn't have locking nuts as standard...The two dealers are......
DEALER1 - CD Bramall - Cheltenham.... But this is no surprise as there is a general concensus as to their quality control and general level of performance
DEALER2 - Yes, Simpsons of Highworth. Thanks to Volemangler for recommending them, and will certainly use them again. Couldn't have been quicker with the info, and couldn't have been more helpful.
Up to about 800 on the running in now.... yawn....
Shades
I had to get a wing mirror glass from tileys
and they wanted the chassis no
when i asked they said it was necessary and mumbled something,
how can you need a chassis no for a wing mirror ffs
and they wanted the chassis no

when i asked they said it was necessary and mumbled something,
how can you need a chassis no for a wing mirror ffs
The dealer asks for the chassis to make sure of getting the correct part as fitted in the factory, How many different wheels are fitted worldwide including special editions? some will have different nuts! be they flat or coned.
Wouldn't you be more angry if you got the wrong nuts, took them home(25 mile round trip),
started to fit the nuts and found out they were the wrong ones for your wheels.!!!
How much of a slagging off would the dealer get then for suppling you with the wrong parts.
Wouldn't you be more angry if you got the wrong nuts, took them home(25 mile round trip),
started to fit the nuts and found out they were the wrong ones for your wheels.!!!
How much of a slagging off would the dealer get then for suppling you with the wrong parts.
The dealer asks for the VIN so that they can refuse to sell you the part if it turns out you have a non EU market car (i.e. a JDM model) 
You'll notice that the good dealers don't practise this approach (which comes from IM
)
Matt.

You'll notice that the good dealers don't practise this approach (which comes from IM
)Matt.
Not true,
I am a dealer (not Subaru)
Example, Shoguns and pajero, Uk cars one brake pad fits all, grey imports six different types depending on country of origin.
We need the chassis to get the correct pads.
Tony
I am a dealer (not Subaru)
Example, Shoguns and pajero, Uk cars one brake pad fits all, grey imports six different types depending on country of origin.
We need the chassis to get the correct pads.
Tony
I can certainly agree with two schools of thought here....
1) VIN = Check for UK/Euro or JDM and refuse if JDM...
2) VIN = correct part...
...but for a set of locking wheel nuts!!!!!!!!!
I would put serious money on all standard fit, 2003 STi gold alloys being the same wheel nut - irrespective of it being a UK or Timbuktu sourced car!!!! Pads, discs, engine components, even interior features and fittings, yes, but wheel nuts!!!
Anyway - got em now - and know which dealer to use in the future to avoid any delays
Shades
PS At least CDB rang me back yesterday, and confirmed the price and that they'd need to order some for me..... I was honest and told them that Simpsons had them in stock so not to worry. Only a day late, but they day cost them a sale - lucky for them it was only 18 quid.
1) VIN = Check for UK/Euro or JDM and refuse if JDM...
2) VIN = correct part...
...but for a set of locking wheel nuts!!!!!!!!!
I would put serious money on all standard fit, 2003 STi gold alloys being the same wheel nut - irrespective of it being a UK or Timbuktu sourced car!!!! Pads, discs, engine components, even interior features and fittings, yes, but wheel nuts!!!
Anyway - got em now - and know which dealer to use in the future to avoid any delays

Shades
PS At least CDB rang me back yesterday, and confirmed the price and that they'd need to order some for me..... I was honest and told them that Simpsons had them in stock so not to worry. Only a day late, but they day cost them a sale - lucky for them it was only 18 quid.
I was asked for a chassis number when ordering the plastic bits that go at the end of the front seat runners when I swopped the original interior in my UK MY94 for a MY00. When I gave them the number they looked up the original parts of course. Having explained what I was doing, there was much shaking of heads and a lengthy conversation between the assistant and the parts manager before common sense saw the light of day (despite the total cost being about £5)!
Andy
Perhaps you should rethink? My Grandfather started our dealership in 1948, my Father followed him and I've been working there for 9 years. Those that know me on here will testify that a more honest dealership you could not wish to find.
Sure there are cowboys in the motor trade as any other, but to lable us all 'scum' seems a little unfair?
David
Perhaps you should rethink? My Grandfather started our dealership in 1948, my Father followed him and I've been working there for 9 years. Those that know me on here will testify that a more honest dealership you could not wish to find.
Sure there are cowboys in the motor trade as any other, but to lable us all 'scum' seems a little unfair?
David
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