Fitment Industries - What People Really Think About Buying Wheels
There comes a moment for many who love their cars, a time when the old wheels just won't do anymore, or perhaps the tires have seen better days. It's a pretty big decision, you know, picking out that perfect new look for your ride. You might spend hours, days even, just looking at all the options, trying to imagine how they'd appear on your car. That feeling of finally settling on a specific set of tires and wheels, the exact ones you want, feels like a real accomplishment.
Once you have those ideal choices in mind, the next step, quite naturally, turns to figuring out where to actually get them. You start to think about all the different places, what purchasing options are out there, and which company might be the best fit for what you need. It’s a bit like searching for a specific piece of a puzzle, and you want to make sure it clicks perfectly into place, so to speak. You just want to make sure you're making a good choice, right?
For many, this search often leads them to a place called Fitment Industries. It's a name that pops up a lot when folks are talking about aftermarket wheels and tires. You see their stuff, you like what they offer, and then you start to wonder, "What's it actually like to buy from them?" This is where things get interesting, because people have a lot to say about their experiences, and it’s not always the same story for everyone, as a matter of fact.
Table of Contents
- Thinking About New Wheels and Tires?
- What's the Deal with Fitment Industries Purchases?
- Is Fitment Industries the Only Place to Look?
- How Do Other Sites Compare to Fitment Industries?
- What Are People Saying About Fitment Industries Now?
- Has Fitment Industries Changed for the Better?
- Important Things to Know Before Buying from Fitment Industries
- Are There Hidden Costs with Fitment Industries Orders?
Thinking About New Wheels and Tires?
When the moment arrives to get new wheels and tires, it feels like a big step for your vehicle. It’s not just about getting from one place to another; it's about how your car looks and feels. You might have spent quite a bit of time already, perhaps looking at pictures, reading reviews, and picturing the new look on your car. This process of picking out the perfect set, the specific tires and wheels you want, can be a really satisfying part of car ownership, you know. It’s about personalizing your ride.
After you have made up your mind about the exact set of tires and wheels, the next big question usually pops up: where do I buy these? This is where the hunt for purchasing options truly begins. You want to find a place that has what you need, at a price that works, and with a good experience overall. It’s a bit like planning a trip; you know where you want to go, but you still need to figure out the best way to get there, and that includes finding the right travel provider, so to speak.
Many people, when they get to this point, often come across Fitment Industries. It's a name that comes up a lot in conversations about getting new wheels. You see their website, you see the variety they offer, and it looks like a good place to start. But then, a natural thought might come into your head: "Has anyone else bought from them? What was their experience like?" This is a very common question, and it shows that people really care about what others have gone through when buying something important for their car, actually.
What's the Deal with Fitment Industries Purchases?
Once you start looking into Fitment Industries, you might find a whole range of opinions out there. Some people express very strong feelings, even saying things like "all my homies hate Fitment Industries." This kind of talk, honestly, shows a deep level of frustration, and it makes you wonder what could lead to such strong negative views about a company that sells car parts. It’s not just a casual dislike; it seems to be something more, a feeling of real disappointment, perhaps.
A common point of discussion, which comes up quite a bit, is about the types of products Fitment Industries offers. Some people question a company that "pushes reps so hard." This refers to replica wheels, which look like popular designs but are not made by the original manufacturer. For some car enthusiasts, using replica parts is a big deal, and they might prefer only authentic items. So, this particular aspect of Fitment Industries' business model can certainly lead to some strong opinions among buyers, you know, depending on what they value.
When you are thinking about buying from Fitment Industries, it is pretty natural to want to know if others have had problems. You might be looking for new wheels, like the Work Emotion D9R wheels for a 2013 STI, and you see them listed on their site. But then, you start to hear stories, or read old posts, and you begin to have second thoughts. You just want to make sure you're making a good choice, and sometimes, those older comments can make you pause and consider things a bit more, too.
Is Fitment Industries the Only Place to Look?
When you're in the market for new wheels and tires, you might feel like Fitment Industries is one of the very few places that offers such a wide selection. It seems, for many, there aren't that many other websites quite like them, at least not that they know of. This can make Fitment Industries appear to be a go-to spot, especially if you're looking for a specific wheel or a particular combination. It's almost as if they have a unique spot in the market, which can be both a good thing and a challenging thing for buyers, you know.
However, if you start to look a little further, you might find that there are other places, especially if you have a specific type of car. For example, websites that are more focused on European cars, like Urotuning and others, often have their own sections for wheels. These sites might not be as broad in their offerings as Fitment Industries, but they can sometimes have very specific items or different types of inventory. So, while Fitment Industries might seem like a one-stop shop, there are other avenues to explore, depending on what you drive, as a matter of fact.
The choice of where to buy can also depend a lot on where you live. If you are in a small town, say in British Columbia, the local places might not have the specific wheels you are looking for. They might not carry the Work Emotion D9R wheels for your 2013 STI, for example. In situations like this, online retailers like Fitment Industries become much more important, because they can ship directly to you, even if local options are limited. This really highlights how important online stores are for people in less populated areas, you know, making certain items available.
How Do Other Sites Compare to Fitment Industries?
When you look at how other sites stack up against Fitment Industries, it often comes down to what kind of car you have and what you are hoping to buy. Some websites, as mentioned, are very specific, like those that cater to European car owners. These places, like Urotuning, might have wheel sections that are very focused, offering items that fit a particular style or brand of vehicle. They might not have the sheer volume or variety that Fitment Industries seems to offer, but their selection can be very curated, which is something some buyers really appreciate, you know.
The difference often lies in the depth versus the breadth of inventory. Fitment Industries seems to aim for a very wide selection, trying to have something for almost everyone. Other sites, especially those with a narrower focus, might have a smaller overall number of items, but they might have a deeper stock of certain specialized or hard-to-find parts for specific car types. So, if you have a very particular car, or a very specific taste, it might be worth looking beyond the very big names to see what those more specialized places have in stock, too.
It's also worth thinking about the overall shopping experience. Some people might find that the user experience on a specialized site feels a bit more personal, or that the information provided is more directly relevant to their specific car. With Fitment Industries, while they offer a lot, some people might wonder if that broad approach means less attention to individual needs or specific car models. It’s a bit like choosing between a large general store and a smaller, specialized shop; both have their good points, depending on what you're after, as a matter of fact.
What Are People Saying About Fitment Industries Now?
The conversation around Fitment Industries seems to be ongoing, with people constantly asking if things have gotten any better. You see a lot of older posts, some with very strong opinions, and that can make you think twice before placing an order. It's a natural thing to do, to look at past experiences of others, especially when you are about to make a somewhat big purchase for your car. You just want to avoid any potential trouble, so you look for current information, you know, to see if the company has changed its ways.
Many people wonder if Fitment Industries is still worth buying from. This question comes up a lot because, on one hand, they seem to have a good selection, sometimes even carrying wheels that are hard to find elsewhere. For instance, someone mentioned that Fitment Industries was the only company they could find that had the exact wheel they wanted, even when the actual manufacturer didn't have the correct bolt pattern for their car. This unique availability is a very strong point in their favor, and it makes people consider them even with some of the past concerns, you know.
However, the past experiences, like those warning Audi enthusiasts or stories about purchases that went less than perfectly, still linger. Someone shared a story about buying 20-inch Vossen rims and having tires mounted and balanced by Fitment Industries for their 23' S5. Another person talked about a recent purchase of an 18x9.5 +35 Enkei TS10 wheel and tire combo that seemed to come with "generally horrific luck." These kinds of personal accounts, honestly, can really shape someone's decision, making them weigh the good against the bad, and consider if the risk is worth it, too.
Has Fitment Industries Changed for the Better?
The question of whether Fitment Industries has improved is something that many potential buyers are interested in. When you see a lot of older posts that talk about issues, it makes you pause and think. You hope that a company, over time, would take feedback and work to make things better for its customers. So, people are always on the lookout for more recent positive experiences, or signs that past problems have been addressed. It's about wanting to feel confident in your purchase, you know, and not just hoping for the best.
It’s hard to say definitively without a lot of very current information if every aspect has changed. However, the fact that people are still asking this question suggests that the past concerns, whatever they were, were significant enough to leave a lasting impression. When you are planning on ordering a set of wheels and tires, and you see these older discussions, it is pretty natural to have second thoughts. You want to know that the company has a good track record, especially when you are spending a fair bit of money, as a matter of fact.
Ultimately, whether Fitment Industries has gotten better is something that each person might have to decide for themselves, based on the most recent information they can find. Some might have a perfectly smooth experience, while others might still run into some of the issues that were common in older reports. It's a bit of a mixed bag, it seems, and it just means that doing your own current research and reading the most recent feedback is always a good idea before you commit to a purchase, honestly.
Important Things to Know Before Buying from Fitment Industries
When you are thinking about buying wheels and tires, especially from an online store like Fitment Industries, there are some specific details you really need to keep in mind. One very important point that comes up is about tire pressure monitoring systems, or TPMS. Fitment Industries, it seems, does not include TPMS by default with their wheel and tire packages. This is a detail that can easily be overlooked, but it has practical consequences for you, the buyer, you know.
What this means for you is that if your current wheels have TPMS sensors, you will either have to take them off your old wheels and put them onto the new ones. This process, quite simply, requires removing the tires from both sets of wheels. It’s an extra step, and it often means an additional cost, as a matter of fact, because you will likely need a shop to do this work for you. So, while the wheels and tires themselves might seem like a complete package, there's this extra bit of work and expense to consider if you want your TPMS to function.
Another thing to think about, which can be both a good and a bad point, is how they handle specific or hard-to-find items. As someone mentioned, Fitment Industries was the only company they could find that had the exact wheel they wanted, even when the actual manufacturer of the wheel didn't have the correct bolt pattern for their car. This shows that they can sometimes source very specific items, which is a real plus if you are looking for something very particular. But it also highlights that finding the right fit can sometimes be a struggle, and Fitment Industries might be one of the few places that can solve that problem for you, too.
Are There Hidden Costs with Fitment Industries Orders?
When you are looking at the price of a wheel and tire package from Fitment Industries, it's very important to think about what is included and what might not be. The fact that TPMS sensors are not included by default is a pretty good example of a potential extra cost. You might see a price for the wheels and tires, but then you realize you have to pay more to get your TPMS sensors transferred or to buy new ones. This can add to the total amount you spend, and it's something you should factor in right from the start, you know.
Beyond the TPMS, there can be other things to consider, especially if you are having the items shipped to a small town. While Fitment Industries can ship to places where local shops might not have what you need, like for someone in British Columbia looking for Work Emotion D9R wheels, you still need to think about the cost of getting them installed. Even if the wheels arrive at your door, you will still need a local shop to mount and balance the tires, and to put them on your car. This is another cost that isn't part of the initial purchase price from Fitment Industries, as a matter of fact.
So, while the listed prices on the Fitment Industries website might seem appealing, it's a good idea to create a complete budget that includes all these potential extra steps and services. Think about the TPMS, the mounting and balancing, and any other small things that might come up when you are dealing with car parts. Doing this will give you a much clearer picture of the total cost of getting your new wheels and tires ready for the road, and it can help prevent any surprises later on, too.
2001 Ford Mustang | Fitment Industries
