Rupes 21 "scuff" marks

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nezff

nezff

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I ordered a Rupes 21 on 3/21/2014 (roughly two weeks ago). I received it along with a 5 inch backing plate. Ray was very helpful in getting me the polisher and backing plate during the 15% polisher sale that week Autopia was running.

I received it within about 5 days via FedEx. You can imagine the joy I had when I opened the box. When I pulled the Rupes 21 from the box, the blue part on the backing plate looked black or scuffed up. It looked like the machine had been used or possibly tested. Before flying off the handle, I contacted Ray and Todd Helme.

After talking with both of them, they assured me there was no way in god's green earth, that they would sell me a used polisher. I of course agreed, but was still stumped as to why the Rupes backing plate looked black and used.

After a week or so, Todd Helme finally got back a email from the marketing manager of Rupes. It stated:

"I confirm that all our machines, no one excluded, are tested to check the electronic module, rpm, speed regulator etc… then cleaned (maybe not in the mentioned case) and packaged in the box.

Usually if there are some defects or dirty marks, they are cleaned before packaged… In this case maybe we missed something.

I hope to have answered to your doubts.

In any case I’ll be more than happy to give you all the info you need.

Francesco Ginocchio

Marketing Manager"

Not sure if any of you guys have come across this with your machine, but I had a feeling I wasn't alone. Granted through all this, Todd and Ray both offered to send me a brand new polisher which was great. Their customer service is top notch. I was certain that the machine wasn't used, just wanted the scuff question answered is all. I actually wiped mine down after receiving this email from Todd but found the photos of it I took with my crappy iPhone 5 camera. Here are some pics of a Rupes 21 that a buddy of mine just received with the same scuffs:


 
I found these in a email I sent when I unboxed the polisher.

This is mine the day it came. These were taken with a iPhone 5 camera at work, so forgive me in advance.

You can somewhat see where the black from the machine is rubbed onto the blue of the backing plate. The "clean" spot of blue on the backing plate is lower hence the reason, no black.


 
Jsmooth said:
Use the Rupes and will you not care any more if it's a little dirty!
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believe me bro, Im ready. Just don't have a vehicle scheduled right now. All my four upcoming ones are interior, exterior, wash, wax or sealant.
 
I was under the assumption Autogeek had agreed with RUPES request not to discount their polishers under ANY circumstances

:hmmm:
 
Product makers often set pricing policies for their products and this often drives bundling products with other products to allow discounting. There is a reason why there are a lot of polishing kits deals.
 
If it concerns you that much, take up their offer to send a replacement. Just get it over with and move on. I don't see how posting this on a forum will help you. They already offered to replace it.

Sorry to sound so negative. You obviously are bothered by the condition your buffer came in, so get it replaced. No need to vent since they offered to replace it. I just don't see the point of this thread. Replace it with a new one and your worries will be gone.

Sorry for your bad experience. At least they offered to fix your problem. It could be worse.
 
I guess you might take your own advice because I don't see how posting what you did would alleviate the situation? Do you own a rupes? I clearly stated I was basically trying to figure out if other owners had the same issue and also what was causing it.

Being that Todd talked to the marketing manager and got the explanation in which the rupes are all tested, soothed my paiin initially. My main reason for posting is to see if other members and users of the rupes had seen the same issue.

By returning it and just replacing it, I felt like I could get the same issue. What good would that do for me as a consumer or you in fact when this problem arises for the next person that purchases a rupes. It's not our right to ask questions like this when I spend my hard earned $400 on a polisher? Sorry I'm just not built that way.
 
Rupes polishers are tested, then sealed at the factory. Part of the testing includes turning the machine on, in which the fresh "anti-spin shroud" WILL rub and wear in against the backing plate. Rupes then clean's the backing plate, then seals the machine and ships it out.

In this case it wasn't wiped down. I think that this thread brings up a great point. If you have a little rub mark on the backing plate it is not because the machine is used, but rather because it was tested at the factory.
 
Todd Helme said:
Rupes polishers are tested, then sealed at the factory. Part of the testing includes turning the machine on, in which the fresh "anti-spin shroud" WILL rub and wear in against the backing plate. Rupes then clean's the backing plate, then seals the machine and ships it out.

In this case it wasn't wiped down. I think that this thread brings up a great point. If you have a little rub mark on the backing plate it is not because the machine is used, but rather because it was tested at the factory.
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Thank you Todd.

My intentions with this thread was exactly what you stated. For future and potential customers alike. The machine isn't used! Just purely testing.
 
KillaCam said:
do the washer mod.
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Way ahead of you. It was done last week. Kevin Brown sent me one even though I bought the Rupes from Ray.

Rupes-Buffer-520x245.jpg
 
nezff said:
I guess you might take your own advice because I don't see how posting what you did would alleviate the situation? Do you own a rupes? I clearly stated I was basically trying to figure out if other owners had the same issue and also what was causing it.

Being that Todd talked to the marketing manager and got the explanation in which the rupes are all tested, soothed my paiin initially. My main reason for posting is to see if other members and users of the rupes had seen the same issue.

By returning it and just replacing it, I felt like I could get the same issue. What good would that do for me as a consumer or you in fact when this problem arises for the next person that purchases a rupes. It's not our right to ask questions like this when I spend my hard earned $400 on a polisher? Sorry I'm just not built that way.
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Take my own advice? Not sure what you mean. Airing this on a forum will only attract negative attention.

Yes I own a Rupes 15ES. I have no issues with it. You are clearly bothered by the used marks. Get it replaced and have a peace of mind. Sorry to sound so negative again, I understand why you are questioning this.

In my opinion, just get it replaced. You "feel" like you could get the same issue, but how do you know unless you try? If you are not satisfied, get a replacement. This advice is for the next person? If you say so.
 
RSTARK said:
Take my own advice? Not sure what you mean. Airing this on a forum will only attract negative attention.

Yes I own a Rupes 15ES. I have no issues with it. You are clearly bothered by the used marks. Get it replaced and have a peace of mind. Sorry to sound so negative again, I understand why you are questioning this.

In my opinion, just get it replaced. You "feel" like you could get the same issue, but how do you know unless you try? If you are not satisfied, get a replacement. This advice is for the next person? If you say so.
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How is this going to get negative attention since you decided to hijack and take away from this thread?

There is no reason to get it replaced knowing what I know now. (Marketing managers statement)

Why sweep anything under the rug so to speak? Products are supposed to show up to a consumer in a certain fashion and in this case it didn't. I have the right to ask any question I feel towards this issue. I sorted it out and that's that.

You must have esp since you know why I posted this thread. If you have anymore comments that won't be helpful please direct them to my pm. I would love to discuss this via that. ;)
 
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