Fikse wheels- never again
 

Well after 28 weeks, I still don't have a complete set of wheels. A couple of members here have asked me to throw up the story as to help other folks avoid what some of us have gone through. I have resisted doing so, but after today I'm over it all. Below are the facts- folks can draw their own conclusions from them.

Timeline

May 19th- I call Jon at Driverz and place the order for a set of FM5s for my wife's Chevelle as to take advantage of the wheel sale from Fikse. He offers a great deal on tires and insight on backspacing- I take advantage. He quotes me 6-8 weeks delivery time which has been the norm for the last 13 sets I have ordered for my cars in the past. I pay the 50% deposit and he emails me the invoice. Jon spent an hour of his time at the April GG Del Mar show with my wife so I felt my money was spent with the right vendor.

July 15th- I inquire about the wheels at 8 weeks just to try and plan my mock up stage. Jon contacts Fikse and finds them done and ready to ship. He charges me the balance and we agree that the travel time from Canada to him for tires to me will take an additional 2 weeks or so. I wait patiently.

July 26th- no tracking number, no wheels. I contact Jon at Driverz to find out he had not seen them yet. He follows up with Fikse.

August 5th- after several days of back and forth BS, the wheels still don't arrive at Driverz. I hear excuses like Canadian customs, shipping delays etc. I'm assured they will arrive any day. I wait patiently.

August 15th- after another week and a half of tennis with Jon, I call Fikse with limited succes. At this point I have missed my window for mock up and surrender my spot in the bodyshop to a 57 Chevy (who recieved his HREs in 5 weeks). I understand that Fikse can't disclose much about the situation and keeps refering me to my selling vendor for follow up. I do coerce out of the salesman that my wheels are still sitting there and have not been shipped. Fuming, I call Jon to see if infact they have been paid for by Driverz. Jon calls Fikse only to find out that the check he sent to Fikse for my wheels was incorrectly placed against someone else's order and shipped them out instead of my FM5s. Im assured Fikse will send them out immediately to Jon for tires and then routed to me asap. I wait patiently.

August 25th- no wheels still. No word from anyone. I call Jon to find out he has still not seen them. I wait patiently.

August 30th- I get tracking numbers from Jon.

August 31st- I open the last box only to find that the mounted wheel has flaws in the anodization and looks terrible. I decide to keep them after what it took to get them here, but the warden says otherwise. It's her car and it's my highest budget build yet (go figure). She correctly proclaims that for $1100 a corner, the finish needs to be consistent. She of course was right. I call Jon- he eats the freight-dismounts the tire-and sends it back to Fikse. At this point I own 3 wheels and feel like the fourth has been sent back into an abyss.

October 14th- I follow up from Jon to see where the fourth wheel is. He gets a quote from Fikse that it'll be here in 2 weeks. I wait patiently and wish I had ordered something else.

Today- no wheel- Jon had no answers from Fikse- I still only have 3 wheels and can't get the car out of the mock up stage.

I'm not willing to move the car to paint without seeing it on its wheels/tires and suspension loaded. A couple friends think I'm nuts, but that's the way I've built every one of my cars and have managed to avoid fitment troubles with radical combinations while others struggle with wheels on painted cars. Combining a 60s era car with Z06 brakes, custom wheels, and a lowered stance is too far of a risk to assume that this symphony of parts from dozens of vendors will work in harmony without actually seeing it happen.

At this point I totally regret my order. I have them up for sale not because I don't like the wheels, but rather that I don't want to run their product after all of the BS. I feel Driverz has been trapped in the middle and while I could blame them as the vendor, it would be foolish as that's not where the problem lies according to Jon. For those with millions, $4400 wheels isn't an issue. But for someone who works hard for his money I can tell you first hand that above timeline is not acceptable. The above can be supported by the 54 emails I have captured. For those in the market for wheels- be careful and avoid my situation. I have no idea when my fourth wheel will arrive and I don't think Jon does either. Guess we will see. I'll update when it arrives. Thanks for the space.

Dave

I'm very sorry to hear this. I have an email into Fikse now, will post back.

I had a similar experience although slightly shorter timeframe. I ordered mine late May, paid 100% up front and did not check on them until after around 11 weeks and they were supposed to ship that week

Two weeks later another call and they were supposed to be shipping again. I contacted Fikse directly and Danny was responsive but told Jon at Driverz that I had contacted him and he bristled at me contacting them directly. When thousands of dollars are on the line I'm going to contact whoever I please. The communication from Driverz was less than stellar and at the time I blamed them because I wasn't aware that so many people were having similar experiences with Fikse.

Eventually after like 15-16 weeks (read: 4 months) my wheels arrived and it was only then that I saw people, yourself included reporting having similar issues that I pinned it on Fikse.

I haven't really been delayed because of it but your post does make me want to double check the finishes on my wheels, as I have not even opened every box.

Guys we completely understand the frustration with the Fikse orders. We are doing everything we can to get the orders out the door. If anyone has any questions, PLEASE call us. We are doing are best to keep everyone in the loop and are on the phone everyday with Fikse getting updates. We received another two sets today for Abdul Mulla and Sandra Duran and customers will be receiving tracking info shortly.

Today's pallet included two sets. The set for a "Sandra Duran" in Texas, which did not need tires, and they shipped today. The second set on that pallet for "Abdul Mulla", will be getting tires mounted and balanced, and packaged and shipped. That will happen in the next two days.

Also a set for "Wesley Nemitz", Nitto tires (275's and 335's) will be mounted and balanced and shipped tomorrow (we talked to you on the phone today, and thanks for being so cool.)

As you can tell, we're doing everything we can to ship these things as quickly as they are received. And as Justin said, we've been in constant contact with Fikse as to when the next pallet of wheels will be arriving from their facility in Canada.

Yes, they are running late. Yes, they know it. And they are doing everything they can to get caught up. The main question is, are they delivering... and yes they are, but obviously tardy.

Fikse also has been in contact with some of our customer's direct, to try and ease concern, so that everyone understands, they will be getting their wheels, and to apologize for their tardiness, which I believe is a good thing, to "hear it from the horses mouth".

I hope that sheds some light out there for the remaining sets that are due from the sale. We have confidence that they will eventually arrive, though obviously tardy.

thanks Jon/Justin. Appreciate all the effort guys.

Jon, while Fikse calling customers to "hear it from the horse's mouth" may be a positive- I never got that call. I instead had to babysit my order and be the pushing force just to get it even months after having paid in full. That's a joke after plopping down 4 grand. At this point the only phone call I want is to give the tracking number for my fourth wheel.

Just to be crystal clear, I have no beef with Jon's company. I created this thread after the being asked to by other Lat-G members to highlite the experience. I can only try to avoid the same ordeal when I order the new wheels for this car from another company.

Dave, I totally understand, I just needatman he best I can, make sure my name, and my business doesn't get pulled through the mudd anymore than it already has, thanks for the clarification.

Yep,
I got the call (I'm Wes in the above thread post from Driverz) from Driverz this afternoon regarding my order shipping tomorrow. Yeah!

I'm excited to get them. I'll post some pics once I receive them.

Thanks Driverz (Jon). Sorry you guys got stuck in this. Maybe Fikse should get another CNC before their next big sale! :)

Wes

i was at Fikse last week talking to the owner. the place is Jammed with CNC machines and lots of stuff going on, i have nothing to add as far as why the wait time might be extended, we have been talking to them about a couple private label wheels so to hear that the wait can be long is not encouraging BUT we all go through screw ups in receiving parts from suppliers and the best intentions can go sidways in a hurry.
hope everyone gets their orders filled soon.

So how long has it been since you placed your order? The reason I ask is because I'm a few weeks away from placing two orders for Fikse wheels and I don't want to wait 12 plus weeks.

Lotta chatter on 'tech about this too:

http://ls1tech.com/forums/15544191-post119.html

I don't know all the facts of this case.

With that said, every business needs to communicate to its customers exactly what is going on with its customers on order status or delays, etc.

If you want to stay in business there is just no other option. Especially in the information age we are in. Heck I had a computer built and the company (digital storm) e mailed me of every step from start to finish.

I want to see everybody prosper, there is no option guys.

Didn't Fikse go out of business last year and recently return? Just curious. If so, is the return under new ownership/management?

As usual, the truth would go a country mile. They put on a huge sale and didn't have the materials or man power to meet the promised deadline. I'll compare this to running for president. If you tell it like it is, you won't get elected. Same holds true here, if quoted 12-16 weeks, many would not have laid the change on the table. This is nothing new in the custom car or parts business.

I went through the same thing with Driverz inc/Fikse. waited something like 5 months. That sale wasn't even worth the hassle. Fikse having a huge back log of orders is one thing, but what really frustrated me was Driverz inc telling me lies every time I called about how my wheels are shipping in "a week or two". That was just a standard response to keep me happy and buy time. Driverz inc also billed my card for the full $5,300 @ two months before my wheels ever shipped! THEY BILLED MY CARD FULL PAYMENT AND NEVER EVEN SENT ME AN INVOICE. I found out only because my credit card contacted me to find out if it was legit!

yes , im another one caught up in this bull**** , im close to 4 months now and I paid in full. Im in Australia and it will cost me a lot of coin for shipping as well as more time. If this was known before hand i would not have placed an order . Ive only just now had contact after i posted a few times on here .
and if i get a 'dud ' wheel whats my chances of a fix ? none!

i did do my research on 'fikse' before i ordered and all i found was negative storys on there service from way back..Then i was told they have moved/changed managment and have appointed a 'new' sales guy to get the company back on track. After getting stuffed around by fikse i went to driverz as i didnt want to deal with them direct anymore.
and here i am nearly 4 months later ..:yes:

I initially started my order back in June, but I delayed it because of some back spacing issues I was working out (nothing to do with Driverz or Fikse). The order was completed with Driverz in the middle of July. I don't remember the exact date. They are FM5 Profil with race black centers if that matters.

I hope you get yours soon. I also knew they were a slow manufacturer going in. I sort of wonder if the race teams get the wheels first and the "street" customers second? Just a thought....They have a very big race following.

Wes

Glad I didn't order Fikse wheels!! I will say I did order a set of NewGens a couple months ago through Jon at Drivers and have been very happy to date with the transaction. Jon has always been there to answer my questions and lend an ear to some of my goofy ideas. At this point I would not hesiate to do business with them again.:cheers:

Jon..... you know I am a big fan of you and your company. But every negative comment you recieve on this board revolves around Fikse and lead time issues. Why not cut your losses and stop distributing them ?
I know being the middle man is the hardest part of being in the retail business. You and Justin provide invaluable info for many in this hobby.

X2^ :cheers:

Well said Todd......

I doubt you've ever been a dealer for a product. I have, so I wanted to post this. You blame Jon for saying "two more weeks" and for billing your card two months before the wheels shipped. How do you know that he was not told "two more weeks" from Fikse? How do you know he wasn't told the wheels were done or almost so and had to make full payment to Fikse, so he charged you?

The answer is you don't know that. I have seen this exact scenario countless times. The manufacturer says something is in stock, or will be shipped in two weeks, so you pass that info onto your customer. When it doesn't happen the dealer gets the blame, when he had no real control, he was just repeating what he was told. If you can tell me why any dealer would want to lie about when a product will be received, knowing that it will blow up in his face, I'd love to hear it. I can only think of one reason for a dealer to do that, and that's if he's spent the money you gave him on something else, and has not ordered your parts at all. But that is clearly not the case here, as it's obvious that Fikse had problems getting materials (which they admitted in that post) and has taken the blame for the slow delivery and not keeping promises.

I hate to see Drivers Inc get blame for this situation when they are not at fault.

Jody, I totally agree which is why I clarified at the end of my post. Blaming the dealer is pretty short sided in this scenario since he was simply cascading what he had heard from fikse. I have no reason to think anything he said was untrue, but unfortunately that doesnt make wheels magically appear. The missapropriation of my money against someone else's order seems unlikely, but that's the story I've been told. Even after the discovery of the issue it still took months to get them. If the game is to quote short delivery times just to capture order dollars because that's "normal" for custom parts, then companies that follow such practices will fail. The wheel landscape grows more competitive every month. Just ask Jon.

Thanks Jody, wish more people understood it from the above point of view. I'm actually so sick and tired of it, I've almost decided to close up shop this year... but instead I started NewGen Wheels in hopes of moving away from dealing with everyone else s shenanigans. We reiterate the same information that is given to us, and when it doesn't get delivered on, we're to blame, and when the customer cancels the order, or even worse, waits for the wheels to arrive on their door step, and then sends them back (which has already happened... twice) who ends up eating the 3500 bucks per set, and shipping? .... you guessed it. Me.

I get it Jon. Been self-employed for 25 years, several of them when I owned my speed shop back in the early 80's. I dealt with exactly what you do. I also spent 12 years before that in high performance retail and wholesale, handling problems, warranties, shipping issues directly with the big manufacturers. If a person hasn't done this they have no idea what you go through.

Hey Jon, this Jon from Houston, the Sandra Duran order is my order. I did get a call from you guys yesterday about my order being shipped to me.. I put my order on 07/06/11 I know it took a while and guess what I am happy with your customer service and understand that maybe Fikse should had posted about running behind.. I am in the residential and commercial Ac and Heating distribution business and I know that contractors can go anywhere to buy products and equipment, but what keeps them doing business with you, is the customer service you provide, that is what makes a successful business and of course great products, lol!!!
Fikse being the manufacture should had stepped in and explained the situation and perhaps given you Driverz Inc an additional discount for the troubles.. Can't wait to recieve my Profile 5S race black wheels. Once again thanks Jon for your great customer service:cheers:
By the way, any one who wants a discount on AC & heating for your Hot Rod garage, let me know, :lol:

Jon...You run a quality business and you have a outstanding reputation in the community. I am happy to call you my friend....and I don't even see you that often. Don't worry about those who don't understand or are out just to bash. The number of satisfied customers wins 10 times over. Sadly, you just don't hear from them as much as the others.

:cheers:

I paid Driverz inc. $50 extra to NOT MOUNT one of my rear tires so It would be easier to use for mock up. The $50 was for shipping a 5th pacckge (3 mounted n balanced, one rim only, one tire only). ...Guess how they showed up. FOUR tires mounted and balanced! Now my mock up tire has a $1,000 wheel inside of it and weighs 70+ lbs. I didnt even contact them about the fifty because I just wanted to forget about this whole transaction and hope the rest of my build goes much smoother. ..Sorry if I offended Driverz inc. or there buddies. After all, I didn't start this thread.

FWIW, I think my wheels look pretty good now that they are finally here!:thumbsup: I always think Fikses look good as long as the sizing is rite. I've also seen some being put through their paces at the track on some all-out race cars.:unibrow:

Jon I am glad to hear from you that the wheels are at your shop now. Exactly as per your promise last week:thumbsup: I really appreciate your great customer service and
I am going to be happier once I receive my Technipolish FM5s/KDW2s.:D :D

edited.

Justin (GNon18s), I just pulled all your paper work and you were not charged an extra $50 to ship a tire off the wheel. We charged you the flat shipping fee we charge every customer to ship to the East Coast and we even mounted and balanced the set for free. I also see no mention in the notes to ship a tire off the wheel. If there was a mix up, I apologize. If there is something I am missing, please give me a call and I will get it straightened out.

Thank you Forgeline

UPS just pulled in into the building to deliver my Fikse Profil 5S wheels, they were shipped by Driverz Tuesday afternoon and got here to Houston.
They look Awesome, polished with race black center...
Thanks Jon and Justin :cheers:

I was hoping to get a set of Fikses in the next year or two... so hopefully they will have all this lined out by then. I will have to do some research before I pull the trigger.

These threads show me that once it's time for my new wheels, I may not necessarily pick the wheels that are #1 on my list.

I SECOND THAT ALL DAY LONG! :thumbsup:

Joe.

I feel your pain. My wheels took longer then 28 weeks (Asanti).

im in the same boat ... i ordered a set for the shop car and to get a wholesale accnt to distribute for fikse.. i ordered them when the sale was happening it was quite a long time ago i still don't have wheels but am assured it won't be long!! i was told there going through some changes.. i know they layed off a few people .. hope they fix whatever is wrong cause they make a great product it just needs to be reliable build times.