hahah seems to be par for the course when it comes to PU. Good job guys....your not doing so well on your first buisness venture

 

Those Uber fancy Invisible Valve stems that are ONLY $49.95 from PU are the same Gorrilla brand ones that have an MSRP of $24.99 discounted to $15.. most anyplace reputable online.

What a crock this PU company is.

 

It is the same like I posted earlier. People and companies have been doing this for years. Palo Uber is simply taking an already made product (with the companies permission) and re badging it with his name thus boosting the cost. Because he is an "artist" you are paying for that signature. This is no different than the same engine being in two different cars with different names.

Bottom line is who cares.... If you don't like PU then move on. Sheesh...

 

Here - I found a picture of the "removal tool" you need for those PU lugs:



And remember - with any service item, you must dispose of them in an approved container:



That'll get you all set!

 

 

LOL, that is pretty funny. I had to do that on my old VW bug once because of this very thing. The guy that sold us the car was supposed to give us the key and he disappeared and we never got it. Needless to say the first flat and I was screwed. We had the car towed and I don't know how they did it, but they got them off.

 

You probably really don't want to know...

 

Prybar and sledge hammers

 

This is true, but I cares because (1) PU claims they are unique, custom-made, higher quality items, when , in fact, they aren't and (2) when confronted with the fact that they simply re-badged an off-the-shelf item, they deny it and threaten to sue the other company and/or their customers. I've moved on long ago, but that doesn't mean I am not entitled to say why.

 

I started this thread and probably had as much reason to dump on PU as anyone else here, yet what has been said about their products being simply re-badged and then heavily marked-up still amounts to conjecture. There ought to be a way to absolutely prove this if it is in fact true.

PU products now bear badges that claim "MADE IN ENGLAND". Now unless everything that is being assumed to be re-badged was actually made in England by someone else, wouldn't this amount to a case of false advertising that could be proven? Again, I see plenty of conjecture; even if logical it does not amount to proof.

In any event, here is the latest chapter. The replacements arrived today, in time for the tire to be changed tomorrow. Several packages actually arrived, including a few things I didn't need replaced, like a new stubby antennae, as well as the wrench arm, when all I needed was a socket. I also got a couple of extra keys from them. I guess they heard me and did a good job in terms of being prompt too. I wasn't charged for any of these items, including the shipping.

There are a couple of sidebars to mention. This replacement process was begun by Bryce, but finished by Geoff and Carol; evidently they can get it done when need be. My last socket read "3/4", but this one reads "19mm". Both fit, so either these are very close or this is one of those instances where inches and millimeters directly correspond. I also wrote Geoff to indicate I had received it all in good order today and to ask about how Bryce was doing, but I also asked him straight out about the re-badging claims being made here. It was late in the day and I don't have any reply, but effectively I said his company was being accused here on NAM and that he should either prove those saying it is true to be mistaken or acknowledge it as fact. We'll see how the products hold up to use this time around, as well as whether Geoff decides to respond to the re-badging allegations.

 

the website specifically says "made in Belgium". Don't be fooled...they are playing on the assumption that something made in Europe means higher quality and thus price. The 19mm vs. 3/4" is proof positive they are reselling and not an OEM. That's ok...there are very few true OEM's these days...most all do private label manufacturing. That's something different than what PU implies however....that their designs are proprietary and made in-house at PU facilities in Europe.

 

My point above was that the "MADE IN ENGLAND" on their stickers is a form of representation, but I don't care if they have their own factories or not; I just want the products to be as represented, which is manufactured (by someone, whether it is a sub-contracted item or not) to be superior quality (items made to superior standards than other similar products). I don't care if they are made in Belgium or even somewhere else, as long as they are as represented in the area of superior quality.

Apart from that some items are simply gpoing to be purchased for the way they look, regardless of function - the bling factor. However, if a bad reputation is formed and it sticks, who will want the PU name all over their vehicle?

So far my luck with the use of the PU products has not been great. You also saw how the blame was volleyed around, which i did not appreciate one bit, but in the end they replaced the failed items, so that is a plus, at least. I don't mind paying more, if I am getting more. I don't want to pay for a badge though that says Palo Uber, if I can get the same item without the name for less.

I just think everything here is pretty much based on circumstantial evidence, even if some feel it is undeniable and obvious, as well as logical. That may all be true, but I hope there is a way to have conclusive proof.

I would hope PU would step up and disprove, if they can. If they remain silent on these allegations, this sort of conjecture will sound more and more true to anyone on NAM who reads this or similar threads.

 

As to the bling, I guess this is why that one poster in here did not have any issues, as his stuff was mostly bought for the bling factor.

 

The rims did have burn marks on them so I assume that a tourch was involved. I also ended up buying new rims later but used the ones they got off for a few months until I could save the funds. Obviously I never used them again.

 

Totally understand where you are coming from here. My point is that it is all conjecture at this moment. If it is true, then I am certain a lawsuit will fly sooner or later.

 

something to consider - PU normally blames quality issues on 'a bad batch' (which we've seen time and time again). I'd surmise this isn't the case at all, rather, poor quality to start and some marketing thrown on top to make it appear as if they are somehow unique in the marketplace. Sure, they replace the faulty items. What makes you think the new parts are any different than the old ones that failed?

My point is that this will happen again...you might want to look at alternatives while you have a chance to remove PU products easily. That is....if the theory that PU is rebadged crap is true. If you believe otherwise, then you have the best possible parts on your car <snicker> and we'll all cross our fingers that your issues are over.

 

I agree with PGT...

They are cerntainly gaining a proven track record of failure on these forums.

 

Certainly if the assumptions are true that the PU items are inferior from the get go then getting replacements on failed parts is simply just a band-aid, a temporary solution. You would think that PU to save face with their already satisfied customers (I think I heard or read them claim in excess of 150 here alone), the long-term goodwill for potential NAM customers, etc that PU would want to disprove these assumptions/allegations thoroughly.

Silence on the subject leads anyone on the sidelines to continue to assume the worst. I can't bad mouth them now that they have replaced the failed items and then some. Obviously, they didn't "buy silence" or I wouldn't be trying to discuss this here rationally from all points of view.

As to my replacements, only time will tell; I am at Morristown (Open Road) Mini right now on the free Mini WiFi while 2 tires are being replaced (Irvin spotted a second bad one from pothole damage) and I have watched him do it all by hand with the PU wrench. There can be no excuses this time around, should anything happen.

 

BTW, regardless of anything else being said here, we all should wish Bryce the best of luck in his uphill battle. Best of luck Bryce!

 

I saw that claim, but, like many of their claims, I don't see the evidence behind it. While I have seen a post here and there from people who have purchased a PU item now and then, I am aware of only 1 loyal customer, who worships everything PU. So, if you other loyal PU customers are out there, please post!

 

I would say that the folks at PU have a bit of "grandiose syndrome".

Soooooo many pleased customers!

Items custom-manufactured just for them in Europe!

I guess for the OP; so the lugs rusted, the key and socket broke...they sent a new key and socket (and a bunch of other PU crap, I'd like to know if that antenna is one of the "bad batch" *snicker* that rusted/faded, or if it was one of the SECOND "bad batch" that was indeed not anodized, but rather painted). What happens when the second set of lugs rusts?

 

blackie I'm glad you received the parts as promised. That was the right thing for PU to do.

My advice to you would be to replace all of those tuner lugs with ones of known higher quality. My guess is these will give you trouble again down the road.

As far as rebranding goes. Many companies do that. IMO that's not such a big deal. I suggest everyone needs to be an informed consumer.

 

This is very true....especially in small car communities like the MINI community because with such low demand, its hard for the small companies to manufacture their own parts.

I do think that PU is one of the only companies that lies about their quality and thus charges MUCH higher than the actual re-branded product. Like the M7 grills.....grillcraft makes them, but the price is in the same range. M7 doesn't hide the rebranding and try to charge twice the price with false claims of awesome quality. (just an example)

 

Re-branding is not the problem; it's PU's steadfast insistence that they don't that is of concern.

 

Speaking of higher quality... who makes a set that will fit the new lug size for sept 06 and later MINI's? TSW? (I know they make studs, but lugs?)

I'd like to replace my rusty PU ones that I bought last fall. I put new wheels on my new car, and the PU units were the only ones available for the M14 size then, and I just had to have the wheels on the car .

They rusted in about a week, after some rain and a wash. I've since put about 3500 miles on the car, and have yet to rotate tires or do any brake service.

I tell you, I'm nervous about taking them off. Please little key.... don't break! :crosses fingers: