Beware - McGard's Wheel Lock Rust 'Guarantee'

[Humdingah]

Contrary to the pictures posted all over their website proclaiming 'Best Chrome in the Industry' and this little gem...

When I called them today to tell them the wheel lock set I had purchased (it's a set of 32 lug nuts - 28 with the splined outside that uses the tool that slips over it and 4 of the star-headed lugs that the key fits inside) looked like complete ass after one Colorado winter (that's right...3 months of winter thus far) and I'd like to go about getting a replacement set, I was informed of their actual 'Lifetime Guarantee' against rust. It only covers the 'standard' acorn style lug nuts and the splined lug nuts aren't covered. I think the reply was along the lines of, "Oh yeah, those are always going to rust around the edges because of taking them on and off." Needless to say, this little gem of a disclaimer is nowhere to be found on their website, which is why I purchased these POS's in the first place.

My advice to anyone looking at wheel locks is to spend 1/4 the price on the Gorilla locks with the understanding that you'll probably be replacing them due to rust at some point in time. At least you'll be able to replace four sets for what it would cost to replace one set of McGards.

Just thought I'd warn everyone (and feel free to post links to this on any other sites you may frequent as I'm e-mailing McGard's Customer Service department a link)...caveat emptor.

[ratesguy]

Make sure you pass that little piece of information along to the Colorado Attorney General's office of consumer protection. Also if you say "Lifetime Warranty" and don't add "Limited" it may violate Federal law as well.

[Motohead]

And hopefully you charged it on a credit card. Dispute the charge... you will hands down win.

Because if they dispute it back, you can always have it sent to arbitration, which in a nutshell will cost them $100 non refundable to start the process, and if they lose, around $400 for arbitration costs.

[Humdingah]

It was on a credit card but it was six months ago, which may be outside my window of filing a dispute. But I'll definitely check into it as I've got nothing to lose at this point...they're already rusty and crappy looking.

[MarineHawk]

I like rusty lug nuts.

[dеiтайожни]

McGard locking lugs suck! I had the ones with the different designs over on the head of them. 5 different sets, "required" 5 different keys to get one of my rims off because I was paranoid. After 3 months of FL summer... I go to swap my stock rims back on about 2 hours before I need to get to the airport. What happens?! The heads of the crappy locking lugs are just snapping off and I can see rust on 'em. I pounded a 12-point socket on them and still got them off, except one which I had to cut off, it was a bitch. I switched to some different brand with the spleens that the key slides over and never had a problem.

[dеiтайожни]

BTW - the lugs with spleens are pretty much useless. You don't even need to pound a socket on them like the others. A normal socket will just work.

[Humdingah]

Originally Posted by dеiтайожни

The heads of the crappy locking lugs are just snapping off and I can see rust on 'em.

Apparently you didn't get the kind with the either!

[Motohead]

Originally Posted by Humdingah

It was on a credit card but it was six months ago, which may be outside my window of filing a dispute. But I'll definitely check into it as I've got nothing to lose at this point...they're already rusty and crappy looking.

I'd still check, you might be protected. Nothing to lose... besides your rusty nuts.

[dеiтайожни]

Disputing the transaction won't make any sense, unless he bought them directly from McGard.

[lennyrebel]

I just checked there web site says every lug nut comes with a written lifetime no rust guarantee so I say sue 'em' . I hate that **** when they waffle. No where does it say limited. Good luck The Rebel

[Motohead]

Originally Posted by dеiтайожни

Disputing the transaction won't make any sense, unless he bought them directly from McGard.

I really disagree. I have had customers dispute chargebacks when I have a signed contract that they broke. It would almost cost me more to go to arbitration than just to drop it. So i have in some cases. Credit cards are on the customers side... believe me.

[dеiтайожни]

Originally Posted by Motohead

I really disagree. I have had customers dispute chargebacks when I have a signed contract that they broke. It would almost cost me more to go to arbitration than just to drop it. So i have in some cases. Credit cards are on the customers side... believe me.

Yeah, I know credit cards are on the customers side. It will get his money back, but it's not fair IMO. Assuming he bought the lugs from somewhere other than factory direct. It wouldn't be fair to stick it to the retailer as it was the manufacturers false claim, misleading or whatever. Had the retailer been the one to give the guarantee, then dispute away but really the store did nothing wrong.

[Humdingah]

Originally Posted by lennyrebel

I just checked there web site says every lug nut comes with a written lifetime no rust guarantee so I say sue 'em' . I hate that **** when they waffle. No where does it say limited. Good luck The Rebel

I thought so...I went over that entire site looking for something to verify their 'disclaimer' and there was nothing. Now I know I didn't miss anything if you couldn't find any references either!

The following is directly off their web site:

Warranty / Returns
To the original purchaser McGard LLC warrants its parts, other than chrome plated lug nuts, against defects of workmanship and materials for a period of one year. To the original purchaser McGard LLC warrants its chrome plated lug nuts against defects of workmanship and materials for life. Chrome plating on lug nuts is warranted for life not to chip, peel or rust under normal use and care.

Individual parts suspected of defects must be returned prepaid and adequately packaged to McGard, 3875 California Road, Orchard Park, New York 14127-4198 USA. After inspection, parts will be replaced without charge if found to be defective. Any chrome plated lug nuts returned under this warranty must be accompanied by proof of purchase. This is the only warranty on McGard products and no other express warranty will be binding on the manufacturer.

Now unless I am mistaken, RR'ing lug nuts for normal tire changes and rotations seems to me that it would qualify as normal use. There isn't a single place on their web site that indicates splined lug nuts are NOT covered.

And the lugs were purchased through Summit Racing, so I don't really want to dispute the charge and dick them because McGard's stuff sucks. I'll fight this battle with McGard and see how they attempt to scurry out of their own warranty wording.

[DRTYFN]

Originally Posted by d?i???????

BTW - the lugs with spleens are pretty much useless. You don't even need to pound a socket on them like the others. A normal socket will just work.

Lugs with spleens??? WTF???

You mean splines.

[dеiтайожни]

Originally Posted by DRTYFN

Lugs with spleens??? WTF???

You mean splines.

Maybe that's what I meant... maybe.

[Humdingah]

Apparently McGard doesn't warranty internal organs either!!!

[RazM]

Take another look at their guarantee...

[Humdingah]

Originally Posted by RazM

Take another look at their guarantee...

Damn it...I should have seen that one!