Wrong Size wheels. Please help!

[DynamiqueDebz]

I decided to buy a nice new set of steel wheels for my Dads Renault 19 for his Fathers Day pressie. I couldn't ask him what size his wheels were as I didn't want him to now what I was up to, I didn't think it would be a problem though as I had to oder them from a main deeler as they are Renault Parts only.
I rang our local main deeler and told him what I was looking for, he asked me if I was sure about the size, I said I wasn't totally sure, so he said if I gave him the chasis number and Reg number he could find out what size they were for me. I obviously couldn't give him the chasis number as again my Dad would have worked out what I was up to, but the guy said the Reg number would do. I gave him the Reg number, he looked up the details of the car and said they were "14 wheeels, so I asked him to order 4 for me.
I won't got into all the hastle I actually had getting them from the main dealer, but they told me they were finally in stock yesterday. I refused to pay top price for them as they were all damaged, got that sorted and took them away. I went straight to a tyre specialist who fit 4 new tryes on for me , then rushed home and told my Dad to bring his car round. I was really excited, daft maybe, but I was. My dad came round and my Hubby wheeled out the first wheel, my Dad was obviously surprised and I was bubbling, but when we wheeled the wheel up to the car it was obvious they were the wrong size, his car has 13" wheels, these things with the tyres on looked like tractor wheels in comparison to his. I was absolutely gutted, as was he.
I rang the main deeler this morning, told them they are the wrong size. I was foisrt informed that as I had put tyres on them they were classed as 2nd hand wheels. I pointed out it wasn't my fault they didn't fit, it was the guy who told me they were 14" that was at fault. I was then told he would have to go away and find out which guy ordered them for me and would let me know later about it.

My question is; Are they in the wrong, and can I make them take them back and give me a refund?

Please help, its driving me nuts, and I'm soooooo gutted they don't fit after I was assured they would.



P.s. Sorry for long post but I thought it was best to give the basic background.

 

[Blue4Ever]

Well as long as they are the right offset and PCD Surely the 14's will fit?

 

[Englebert]

14s are hardly big either, have you got massive profile tyres or something?

 

[DynamiqueDebz]

No, not massive tyres, just standard tyres for that sized wheel. To make the 14" fit I have to have low profile tyres fitted. I already paid well over £200 for the tyres I had fitted (based on the fact Renault man dealer told me they were the right size).

Anyway, since my original post, I have been in contact with the 'Officer Of Fair Trading'. He informed me that I was given the 'wrong' information as to the size of the wheels by the main dealer, thus there are legally bound to take them back and give me a full and complete refund.
I have now contacted the 'Main Dealer' and argued with the 'Parts Manager' who at first flatly denied giving out 'any' information at all on my Dads car, he backed down quite quickly after I had gone through (once more) with him how the original phone call (enquiry) about the wheels actually went, then informed him I had been in touch with the 'Officer Of Fair Trading' and told him that he (main dealer) was totally responsable for selling me the 'incorrect' sized wheels and that they are legally bound to take back the wheels and give me a 'complete' refund. He gave me alot of bullshit about not damaging the wheels when having the tyres removed, at which point I remeinded him the wheels were quite badly damaged when I boughy them, thus refusing to pay full price and had been given a discount because of this fact. He finally agreed to take back the wheels and give me a 'complete' refund. (not before suggesting he gave me a 'credit note' first, of which I promptly refused).
Hopefully when I take them back (in abiut an hours time) they will do what they are supposed to do, take back the wheels, refund the money, 'without' any more arguements.

Thanks so much for your quick replies, much appreciated.


Debz XXXxxx

 

[Englebert]

Well done!

 

[kiza1986]

I honestly cant see why 14" wheels wont go on a renault 19...even without low profile tyres cos surely 13" alloys dont tuck under the arches!!!

Kiza

 

[MRBILLYUK]

Nice result Debz . I like how he chaged his tune as soon as you mentioned the office of fair trading , lol .

Like Kiza says , seems a bit weird why the 14" wheels woudn't fit , but i guess thats not point as you wanted 13" wheels in the first place .

Well done

 

[DynamiqueDebz]

well firstly, thanks, definitely got a result, they took them back and indeed gave me a 'full' refund.
There are 2 points I would like to clear up, firstly; The wheels were 14" 'Steel' wheels and with the correct tires for those wheels they definitely would not fit the 19 ( would have had to have low profiles)
and secondly; and most importantly, my Dad is very much like I was, and believes he should keep his car as standard as possible. Hence only the 'correct' size wheels for his car will do!
Shame ive got stuffed with the tyres though, gonna have to see if I can sell them now. Oh well~sighs~ I will definitely know 'not' to go to Renault again wont I? lol


P.s. Forgot to mention, I actually got an 'apology' for the 'mix-up' as he called it , from Renault as I was leaving .lol