Ok folks. Time to call on the experts here, all of you people. I am in the middle of a dilema, and wish to ask assistance. Here's the ordeal in a nutshell:
1) I got some money together, and the wife's blessing, to finally get some rims. To be exact, I am allowed to spend $1600.
2) I have finally picked out 2 types of rims, after going through about 300 combinations of photoshops and whatnot. The 2 are, Gracing Seki's and 5zigen MK6's. Both of which are 18x7.5". I am leaning towards the seki's more, and here is where the dilema comes in.
3)I wanted to order them from Rishie and his folks, but they are back ordered for who knows how long. Also, since I am here on the rock they call Hawaii, shipping would be outrageous, something like $600 for wheels and tires. It was offered to just get rims, and then buy tires here, so I went looking. Most places wanted $200+ for tires, not including mounting and balancing. Seems a little steep to me. I was recommended to a place on the island that is supposed to be the best deals around, and high quality merchandise. I gave them a call, and explained my ordeal. They told me that they could beat the $1400 deal that Rishie had quoted me, plus I would have the advantage of no shipping. Sounds good right? NO! I go over there to order the rims, and the guy tells me that the Gracing's are volk knockoffs, which I thought I heard before, and that they were chinese made. He then explained to me that he wouldn't recommend them or order them 'cuz he only deals in high quality rims. I started browsing through his store, and I finally got to see the MK6's in person, hyperblack. I liked the look of them, and had picked them out awhile back. He offered them for $1625 with Kumho Estca(sp??) tires, mounted, with all hardware. Good deal from what I have found on the island.
4) So here I sit, confused as all hell. After talking to the guy for almost an hour, I don't seem real sure about this guy, even after all the raves he gets here on the island. Just something a bit fishy about him that I can't pinpoint.
5) And here is where you guys come in. Not to knock Rishie or his company by any means, but what should I do? I would love to do business with him after all the raves you guys tell me about him and his quality customer service, but $600 shipping is going to kill me, and I will have to go with cheaper rims, which I don't want to do. I thought that $1600 would be enough to get what I wanted, but it doesn't look the case right now. What I am asking for is whether or not is if you guys may know of some other companies that offer these Gracing rims, that may be able to beat the deal Rishie is offering me, and still be able to ship them from the mainland to me here in Hawaii without breaking me. And to Rishie and all the guys at AutoRnD, any chance of finding a cheaper method of shipping, even if it means taking a few extra days and not weeks to get them here? Like I said, I would like to work with you, but not sure if I am going to be able to. I am still thinking about the buying rims from the mainland and buying tires here, but I can't find a good deal on tires anywhere on the island that would benefit me, and $200+ just seems a bit much when I can look online and see tires for $80-$110.
As always, all of your help and input in this matter is greatly appreciated, and every opinion you all can give me will be considered before I make my final decision.
1) I got some money together, and the wife's blessing, to finally get some rims. To be exact, I am allowed to spend $1600.
2) I have finally picked out 2 types of rims, after going through about 300 combinations of photoshops and whatnot. The 2 are, Gracing Seki's and 5zigen MK6's. Both of which are 18x7.5". I am leaning towards the seki's more, and here is where the dilema comes in.
3)I wanted to order them from Rishie and his folks, but they are back ordered for who knows how long. Also, since I am here on the rock they call Hawaii, shipping would be outrageous, something like $600 for wheels and tires. It was offered to just get rims, and then buy tires here, so I went looking. Most places wanted $200+ for tires, not including mounting and balancing. Seems a little steep to me. I was recommended to a place on the island that is supposed to be the best deals around, and high quality merchandise. I gave them a call, and explained my ordeal. They told me that they could beat the $1400 deal that Rishie had quoted me, plus I would have the advantage of no shipping. Sounds good right? NO! I go over there to order the rims, and the guy tells me that the Gracing's are volk knockoffs, which I thought I heard before, and that they were chinese made. He then explained to me that he wouldn't recommend them or order them 'cuz he only deals in high quality rims. I started browsing through his store, and I finally got to see the MK6's in person, hyperblack. I liked the look of them, and had picked them out awhile back. He offered them for $1625 with Kumho Estca(sp??) tires, mounted, with all hardware. Good deal from what I have found on the island.
4) So here I sit, confused as all hell. After talking to the guy for almost an hour, I don't seem real sure about this guy, even after all the raves he gets here on the island. Just something a bit fishy about him that I can't pinpoint.
5) And here is where you guys come in. Not to knock Rishie or his company by any means, but what should I do? I would love to do business with him after all the raves you guys tell me about him and his quality customer service, but $600 shipping is going to kill me, and I will have to go with cheaper rims, which I don't want to do. I thought that $1600 would be enough to get what I wanted, but it doesn't look the case right now. What I am asking for is whether or not is if you guys may know of some other companies that offer these Gracing rims, that may be able to beat the deal Rishie is offering me, and still be able to ship them from the mainland to me here in Hawaii without breaking me. And to Rishie and all the guys at AutoRnD, any chance of finding a cheaper method of shipping, even if it means taking a few extra days and not weeks to get them here? Like I said, I would like to work with you, but not sure if I am going to be able to. I am still thinking about the buying rims from the mainland and buying tires here, but I can't find a good deal on tires anywhere on the island that would benefit me, and $200+ just seems a bit much when I can look online and see tires for $80-$110.
As always, all of your help and input in this matter is greatly appreciated, and every opinion you all can give me will be considered before I make my final decision.
