paid Ralph Wright in full 1.5 years ago to rebuild my wheels and still nothing!!!

Well i posted in the Lounge and the west coast forums. And i would like to thank everyone who responded and PMed me about this. Like i said i paid his long time ago. I still have no wheels and now hes has disappeared. Again ANY help to where ever he might be would be deeply appreicated. I would just like which ever VSC member can help me track this guy down to take my wheels and ship them for me and of course i pay the shipping.....



I need everyones help that lives in SOCAL and knows RALPH WRIGHT!!! 
This all started when my GS went into the shop beginning of last year. I figured since i was doing this much more work i might as well get new wheels rebuilt. i spoke with him on several occasions and saw alot of his work on alot of peoples cars. i thought to myself ill go with this person to build my wheels. 

I sent him my wheels before the summer of 2011 and guess what STILL NO FUCKING WHEELS. I am a little mad but i just want my wheels back. Jan 2012 he kind of went MIA then he started contacting me again. And i kept in touch with him up until July 2012. he said something about going to mexico for 4th of july and after that i didnt hear from him until i called his work in September. Only because he gave me his work number. i remembered he gave me his work number a while back and decided to call. I finally got a hold of him and he gave me this big elaborate story of why things went down the way they did. So he sent me one set of wheels that belonged to me. But still no lowenhart BS5 that i sent to him to get rebuilt. i waited for him to get the wheels back from his friend and then send them to me. i contacted him on the day he was quiting his job and he told me he didnt have money for shipping. I responded back saying i will pay for shipping but it was too late he was gone and because he never replied. 

So what i am asking VSC members that live near him and know this guy personally to help me get my wheels back. I wasnt going to put him on blast but enough is enough i paid him around 1600 including all the shipping cost for these wheels to be built and i have nothing yet. The day he quite his job was sometime around OCT and its beginning of Dec. i want me wheels. please please someone help me get in contact with this guy..


here is address that he said his friend owns a shop at

3176 Airway Ave
Costa mesa, Ca 92626


here is another address he gave me where he lives or use to live. 

361 Via Trentino
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Anyways any help from the VSC would be greatly appreicated!! any leads, info, addresses, phone numbers post up in here please. Last edited by xxjustimajinxx; 12-04-2012 at 03:06 PM.   Reply With Quote


EDIT* Nelson did help out and checked those addresses and he said they were locked up and no trace was left

 also the last place he was employeed at was

[url]http://www.stillen.com/[/url]

Stillen
3176 Airway Ave
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

he had his own extension and everything which was 714-540-5566 x159. if someone can catch some leads thru there. that would be great! if you dont want to help its ok and i understand and you dont have to. I am just asking for help as member of this community to help me find this guy. I am sure this guy ripped alot of people off and wants to find him.

Always sad to hear bad stories about good people. I wish I knew him to say he was a family friend, but I don't. I've spoke with him before on a few occassions and it's always been like talking to an old buddy. In fact he's took long once before on my buddies set of wheels too; He did come through in the end, so have faith is all we could hope at this point really. In any scenario I wish you the best resolution, and best of luck.

Damn I'm sorry to hear that. I really hope things works out. Good Luck

this is horrible! the lowenhart BS5's are so hot though!

[QUOTE=MinimalMaximal;471333]this is horrible! the lowenhart BS5's are so hot though![/QUOTE]

i know i just want my 1st set back. next time im not sending shit out. i will just order new barrels and just redo the faces and hardware locally. I bought these in CALI and ralph picked them up. im just super lucky i was able to get a hold of him the 2nd time i found him. I told him to go ahead and send me my 2nd set of BS5's

[img]http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/320382_650075647858_32739749_n.jpg[/img]

seems like most of the wheel refiishers are not very dependable. i also have a set of wheels being worked on currently by VR wheels. its been over a month and still not done. the finish date keeps getting pushed back.:pat:

which BS5's are those though ? the japanese BS5 have a "blocked edge" design where the spokes meet the lip, the entire face protrudes out in conjunction with the curved ddc lip.

or are these just the way they are for the non ddc curved lip design.



[QUOTE=xxjustimajinxx;471354]i know i just want my 1st set back. next time im not sending shit out. i will just order new barrels and just redo the faces and hardware locally. I bought these in CALI and ralph picked them up. im just super lucky i was able to get a hold of him the 2nd time i found him. I told him to go ahead and send me my 2nd set of BS5's

[URL="http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/320382_650075647858_32739749_n.jpg"][IMG]http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/320382_650075647858_32739749_n.jpg[/IMG][/URL][/QUOTE]

once i saw how the japanese made and assemble their wheels in japan...i don't trust anyone to refinish or rebarrel them at their home or garage.

[QUOTE=nhong366;471385][url=http://www.dvn.vn/san-pham/178/nha-thong-minh.html]nha thong minh[/url], [url=http://www.dvn.vn/san-pham/19/may-fax.html]may fax[/url], [url=http://www.dvn.vn/san-pham/2/may-in-cac-loai.html]may in[/url], [url=http://www.dvn.vn/san-pham/149/may-fax-panasonic.html]may fax panasonic[/url], [url=http://www.dvn.vn/chi-tiet-sp/149/49/may-fax-giay-thuong-kx-fp218.html]Máy Fax Gi?y Thu?ng KX-FP218[/url], [url=http://www.dvn.vn/chi-tiet-sp/149/349/may-da-chuc-nang-kx-flb882-.html]Máy Da Ch?c Nang KX-FLB882 [/url], [url=http://www.dvn.vn/chi-tiet-sp/149/350/may-da-chuc-nang-kx-flb852-.html]Máy Da Ch?c Nang KX-FLB852[/url][/QUOTE]

eat a dick and go spam someone elses thread you fucking cock sucker!!!

[QUOTE=MinimalMaximal;471382]which BS5's are those though ? the japanese BS5 have a "blocked edge" design where the spokes meet the lip, the entire face protrudes out in conjunction with the curved ddc lip.

or are these just the way they are for the non ddc curved lip design.[/QUOTE]

i didnt know that there was differ styles of this rim made. The wheels are currently covered in plastic so  that and the angle of the picture is making it looked all curved. but they are really blocked edges. the wheels Ralph has of mine are the 3 piece sandwich mount. 

[QUOTE=REV-01;471400]once i saw how the japanese made and assemble their wheels in japan...i don't trust anyone to refinish or rebarrel them at their home or garage.[/QUOTE]  ralph Wright claimed he had a shop or a friends shop so i dont know. And doesnt that guy from PN build out of his garage? i seen alot of this work online and it does look pretty nice. 

but anyways does anyone have any kind of update or info on Ralph Wright?? nelson is looking into those addresses above. And thanks for anyones help!!

there are normal reverse (these) lips as well as ddc lipped bersaglios.

i agree with samson. when it comes time for me to rebuild wheels they will be going to a stateside wheel manufacturer. that way you know they have the correct equipment to do the work. you probably won't see the difference between a manufacturer built and garage built wheel, but i'd much rather have my lips drilled by a computer controlled machine than some guy with a black and decker. some of these rebuilt wheels look like they were drilled with a beaver.

never heard of him, but that sure sucks for your trouble. I'd be pissed, almost worth flying out to find him yourself....

[QUOTE=F.L.S.;471485]never heard of him, but that sure sucks for your trouble. I'd be pissed, almost worth flying out to find him yourself....[/QUOTE]

he was the one doing all the work on the honda's. iirc he built the wide ass gold faced mugen m7's on that accord wagon  which was absolutely unheard of the time.

I've dealt with Ralph Wright and he seemed like an upstanding guy...  He rebuilt some rims for me before and it was done in a timely manner at a reasonable price.   It doesn't sound like him...but good luck.

[QUOTE=OG;471468]there are normal reverse (these) lips as well as ddc lipped bersaglios.

i agree with samson. when it comes time for me to rebuild wheels they will be going to a stateside wheel manufacturer. that way you know they have the correct equipment to do the work. you probably won't see the difference between a manufacturer built and garage built wheel, but i'd much rather have my lips drilled by a computer controlled machine than some guy with a black and decker. some of these rebuilt wheels look like they were drilled with a beaver.[/QUOTE]
Black and decker... :smiley-rofl:

[QUOTE=OG;471468]there are normal reverse (these) lips as well as ddc lipped bersaglios.

i agree with samson. when it comes time for me to rebuild wheels they will be going to a stateside wheel manufacturer. that way you know they have the correct equipment to do the work. you probably won't see the difference between a manufacturer built and garage built wheel, but i'd much rather have my lips drilled by a computer controlled machine than some guy with a black and decker. some of these rebuilt wheels look like they were drilled with a beaver.[/QUOTE]

yes even the bolts is tighten by a laser guide auto align machine and is all torque down one by one. the only hand operation is the jdm guy take the wheel on and off the machine.

you guys are right. About not going to anyone who just builds wheels out of the garage but like i said previous i saw alot of this work before the guy kind of went down hill. And i didnt know this would be the result of that.  Anyone else that might know this man please helpe me. I know they guy from SoCal who had the light green GS with Leon Bugels knows him. well i think he sold them now... I just dont remember his user is something knguyen perhaps.

Just bumping my thread to catch people's attention and to be aware! And also help to find this guy so no one else becomes a victim of that the case!

Ralph did about 5-6 sets of wheels for me over years...only negative thing i can say is that he goes over this 'promised' time frame by 3-4 weeks...but that only occurred once.  I didn't mind anyway...

I sent him an email last month regarding another set I want to get barreled and no response yet...this is definitely alarming...keep us updated...

[QUOTE=VIP-UCF;472559]Ralph did about 5-6 sets of wheels for me over years...only negative thing i can say is that he goes over this 'promised' time frame by 3-4 weeks...but that only occurred once.  I didn't mind anyway...

I sent him an email last month regarding another set I want to get barreled and no response yet...this is definitely alarming...keep us updated...[/QUOTE]

Yea that is exactly why I went with him initially because of so much good feedback from alot of members. I mean from past phone calls with him after the build starting taking longer then normal it's like he had trouble getting things together as car as life in general I guess. I don't like that fact that he had to be called out but Hawkins of asked for it. And man I heard alot of stories in the last 3-4 months where others havnt received their wheels or money back. 

I have no clue what to do and I think the authories over Costa Mesa will blow me off since I don't like their. And usually they are a waste to even mess with but again if someone has any info on this guys whereabouts please post up!

Thanks

[QUOTE=VIP-UCF;472559]Ralph did about 5-6 sets of wheels for me over years...only negative thing i can say is that he goes over this 'promised' time frame by 3-4 weeks...but that only occurred once.  I didn't mind anyway...

I sent him an email last month regarding another set I want to get barreled and no response yet...this is definitely alarming...keep us updated...[/QUOTE]

Yea that is exactly why I went with him initially because of so much good feedback from alot of members. I mean from past phone calls with him after the build starting taking longer then normal it's like he had trouble getting things together as car as life in general I guess. I don't like that fact that he had to be called out but Hawkins of asked for it. And man I heard alot of stories in the last 3-4 months where others havnt received their wheels or money back. 

I have no clue what to do and I think the authories over Costa Mesa will blow me off since I don't live their. And usually they are a waste to even mess with but again if someone has any info on this guys whereabouts please post up!

Thanks

It sucks because Ralph is a really cool guy.  I knew him through a good friend who did a lot importing of parts/wheels from Japan with Ralph.  He did work for me and it was perfect about 2 years ago.  At the time I was local in Southern California so that probably helped.  

I know he was going through a lot of personal stuff.  He still owes my friend $1,000.  Nobody I know can get in touch with him.  He deleted his facebook I believe, or maybe just deleted me anyways haha.  I had his old phone # but that doesn't work anymore.  I don't have his address anymore either.

Hopefully he makes it right with you and everyone else.  He's a good dude just going through some shit, but that's no excuse.  He was the pioneer in rebarrelling wheels for hondas for sure.

[QUOTE=blackanese;472571]It sucks because Ralph is a really cool guy.  I knew him through a good friend who did a lot importing of parts/wheels from Japan with Ralph.  He did work for me and it was perfect about 2 years ago.  At the time I was local in Southern California so that probably helped.  

I know he was going through a lot of personal stuff.  He still owes my friend $1,000.  Nobody I know can get in touch with him.  He deleted his facebook I believe, or maybe just deleted me anyways haha.  I had his old phone # but that doesn't work anymore.  I don't have his address anymore either.

Hopefully he makes it right with you and everyone else.  He's a good dude just going through some shit, but that's no excuse.  He was the pioneer in rebarrelling wheels for hondas for sure.[/QUOTE]
 Word! He was known for alot of shit but this is def not one of them!! The addresses that I posted are the old addys! Right now I don't know what to do. And yea from how he sounded he was or is going through some shit. Alot of people also told me that was to kill this guy right her....

Damn, that sucks. Back when I wanted to rebuild something I got a quote from him but I decided to just buy new wheels instead.  Harsh truth but looks like you wont be getting your wheels back man.

Know anybody with a Public Data account?  I think it's worth a shot to call local authorities.  Just because you don't live there doesn't mean a potential crime hasn't been committed.

sounds like he went in over his head.  tried creating a "business" with no security for either himself or his clients, and now, unfortunately, youre paying the price.  best of luck in getting your wheels back; if he truly is a stand up guy, then maybe he'll make things right when hes able to stand up on his own two again (pun intended)

Thanks to that spamming bitch I saw this thread.

This is pretty bad, didn't Ralph at one point run RB and RB turn into VR? Or am I getting that confused with someone else that ran RB? If so, contact Jack at VR, he's cool as hell and will definitely point you in the right direction.

Well I got a little good news! Turns out there is another guy who sent some wheels around the same time I sent him mine and is also from LA! he Pmed me about RW asking if we can work other together Ro get our shizy

[QUOTE=blackanese;472571]It sucks because Ralph is a really cool guy.  I knew him through a good friend who did a lot importing of parts/wheels from Japan with Ralph.  He did work for me and it was perfect about 2 years ago.  At the time I was local in Southern California so that probably helped.  

I know he was going through a lot of personal stuff.  He still owes my friend $1,000.  Nobody I know can get in touch with him.  He deleted his facebook I believe, or maybe just deleted me anyways haha.  I had his old phone # but that doesn't work anymore.  I don't have his address anymore either.

Hopefully he makes it right with you and everyone else.  He's a good dude just going through some shit, but that's no excuse.  He was the pioneer in rebarrelling wheels for hondas for sure.[/QUOTE]

I'm that buddy, thanks Morgan. 

I am really interested in seeing what happens here. Hope everyone gets their items returned as expected. Let's keep this thread alive.

Word!!! I got contacted from guy on another forums who google Ralph wright and found this thread! He's in the same situation as all of us and he says he knows where he lives but he lives in a gated sub division. I don't give a fuck what Ralph is going thru! Don't fuck me bc he himself is getting fucked!!! 

Ill try to call the person who contacted me to get an addy to his subdivision so more people can track this guy! I just want my fucking wheels back !!!!:(

Wheel builders seem to have all the same personality traits.

^^^^^ word it's getting rediculous!!!

[QUOTE=33flavors;483350]Wheel builders seem to have all the same personality traits.[/QUOTE]

They get in over their head way to quick.

Which is why I still don't take on more than 2 builds at once.

Well I got some kind of good news. I was sleeping and wake up to a messssges and missed calls...

Ralph called me and I had to be sleeping =\ but regardless he has finally contacted me but message said its Ralph weight with you wheels and he's calling to say he hasn't forgot about me. So lets see where this leads too... I'm hoping he calls back tomorrow!

Stay tuned!

well i got a good update, the wheels i have them back. But not assembled or in 100%. I did not get what i paid for but i am now communicating with him to resolve the issue. But at least i have my shit back......

[IMG]http://i44.tinypic.com/9iqy5x.jpg[/IMG]

wow, unreal you had to go through that. Glad you got them back though, this has been an epic tale.

[QUOTE=F.L.S.;491755]wow, unreal you had to go through that. Glad you got them back though, this has been an epic tale.[/QUOTE]

yea tell me about it. its been a pain in my ass from start to semi finish. i dont really even know who to trust with wheels anymore =/. i want to sell these wheels but in a way i dont want to because i waited so long. But the problem is, that this guy tried to use a 40 bolt hole outer barrel with a 45 bolt hole face and inner barrel. he drilled some of the faces to 40 hole and not the inner barrel. So im going to take all the inner barrels and get ALL the holes welded up completely and grinded down. From there i will line up the face and outer barrel and mark off 40 new holes to be drilled.  Then have the wheels sealed back up! 

so i still have to put some work into these wheels.

Damn, too bad you're not closer to me in Canada I could take on all that stuff!

what exactly wasn't 100% on them, the polished finish?

Well the wheels are chrome lol but I got a full set of wheels with gold bolts and caps . It's that issues about trying to fit a bolt hole lip to a 45 bolt hole face and inner barrel. I have to weld all the holes up in the inner barrel...

Well I kinda explained it in my previous post !

Good luck. hope they turn out awesome