Posting my experience for the benefit others here.

I ordered an all black carbon steering wheel from Beast who owns Ask Carbon. I have raised several below concerns and requested a full refund for what I strongly believe to be a replica wheel. He has offered numerous explanations that it's made for another market, told me to swap over some of my OEM silver parts to his black one and to make modifications like drilling holes to feed wires through? I was told this would be plug and play, not having to dissamble the steering wheel to the core and making modifications.

Obvious differences in parts, poor quality part stamps on left. my OEM on right.


His has inferior buttons which stick and have to be manually moved back to center. The quality of the labels is also low quality.


I indicated that I have the AMG drive unit and he assured me it would easily transfer over - that is not the case. I completely disassembled my steering wheel to remove them only to find out his steering wheel does not have slots in the lower bracket to accomodate the computer board box nor does it have slots to feed the wiring from the insde.




I'll be posting more photos later.

 

sorry to hear that - certainly something not rigtht and those buttons look just awful, I am a designer/manufacturer of precision parts too and these look just cheaply designed and made and tells you something.

 

Those buttons look shhit 👎👎👎

Return it

 

Snapped some more pics, none of the parts have OEM part numbers/stamps. Core OEM on top followed by Ask Carbon.



OEM switches first 2 photos, Ask Carbon next 2.








Different screws?


Ask Carbon contact plate with no part # and 2 random brown strips of leather on it?


Look at "SET" the "E" and "T" are connected. Cruise control off/on switches are incorrect.

 

I asked repeatedly for a return, all I got were excuses and offers to replace fake parts with more fake parts.

Here's his return policy which I have no idea where it's posted since he does everything through Instagram. I bolded the important part
Returns:
If for any reason you are not satisfied with your ASKCARBON product, you may return your purchase within 10 days after receiving the item. In order to return a product, it must be new and unused, display no wear and tear, and be in its original packaging. Items may be returned by mail.

Refunds:
All refunds are issued using the same form of payment that was originally used to complete the initial purchase. You will be refunded the total amount of your purchase minus a 50% restocking fee that excludes shipping and handling.

*Note: The return and refund policy is not applicable for steering wheel purchases with personalized logos, special colored carbon fiber, or any other kind of special customizations. <== Wait, isn't your business's purpose to sell customized parts?

 

If you were sold a product that was advertised to be made with OEM parts and plug and play, this clearly is not what was delivered. If he doesn't want to issue a full refund even though he did not deliver the product as it was promised, I'd dispute the charge with my credit card company.

 

I am going to keep this short because OP has been extremely difficult to deal with from the beginning. He is totally unwilling to cooperate with me even though I offered to replace parts no questions asked. The OP did not even give me a chance to make things right, he immediately threatened to post on here thinking this would be negative for my business. Guess what, it’s not.

Lets discuss some facts.

1. You bought an Aftermarket Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel based on an OEM MB Core. Nowhere did I advertise it as being an OEM Mercedes Benz Carbon steering wheels. YOU CUSTOMIZED THE WHEEL DESIGN TO YOUR SPECIFICATIONS! I’m not selling Mercedes Benz 100% oem wheels. I manufacture Custom Steering Wheels based on OE steering wheel cores. the price definitely reflects this.

2. you have the drive unit buttons. I never once mentioned the words “plug and play” . Like I said all you needed to do was swap the back plate and the contact plate from your oem wheel. Simple swap. A retrofit project will always involve some modifications. This applies to most aftermarket modifications.

3. I offered to replace the buttons but you did not cooperate. The buttons are indeed oem, but refinished/redesigned because you wanted them gloss black. You can always use your oem buttons.

4. My steering wheels are built to order, and I’ve sent you my policy for return & refund. I will still take it back if you agree to my terms. This is a fully bespoke steering wheel made for you, specially to your specifications. This is why we have these R&R policies. Resale is extremely difficult because my customers want to design their OWN wheels to their taste. This wheel is now considered “Used”. Simple as that.

5. I have tons of happy clients on based on this forum, and I appreciate your review. A quick google search will reveal that. I’m sure they will chime in, as this is an extremely unprofessional attempt to slander my business. But hey this is a part of any business. I’ve done my best to rectify the situation but you don’t want to accept it.

thank you for your business, and all the best.

 

How'd you pay? If through PP or Amex, you can contest this. If through Visa or MC, you're screwed. They will not get involved. To your point, it's junk! Fight it. If we can help, let us know.

 

I have done nothing slanderous, simply posted a factual review of my experience with Ask Carbon so others can make informed decisions about your business, after all that's how people contribute to this forum, not by mis-representing replica products as OEM.

Proof he said switches are OEM.

 

@Beast JUST GIVE HIM HIS MONEY BACK.............. YOU LIED AND NOW IT'S OUT THERE SO GIVE HIM HIS MONEY BACK AND DON'T TRICK PEOPLE AGAIN 👎👎👎👎

 

This is not a "factual" review at all. I am still waiting for some solid proof.

I am not sure what is so difficult to understand. I am selling custom steering wheels, not OEM MBNZ wheels. Each one is handmade. Show me 1 screenshot where I mentioned the wheel will be 100% OEM? Do you think a 100% OEM Carbon wheel would cost you $1300ish??? Hell no.

Regarding the buttons, I clearly addressed that point in my last post. THEY ARE MADE USING OEM SILVER BUTTONS, BUT THEN MODIFIED TO MAKE THEM GLOSS BLACK!!! What is so difficult to understand.

From my previous post above " 3. I offered to replace the buttons but you did not cooperate. The buttons are indeed oem, but refinished/redesigned because you wanted them gloss black. You can always use your oem buttons."

did you read my last post at all?

I have tried to reach out to OP but he is not replying.

there are two sides to each story. If he can post screenshots, I can also. Here is a screenshot showing me asking him multiple times for more information about his issue. I am trying to make it right, he’s not giving me the option to. If he wants to return and refund my policy is outlined. I will no longer comment on this post as it seems very one sided. OP if you want to resolve your issue, I am available via DM. All the best.

I have already refunded the OP 225$ as he requested. But he conveniently left out that point right.

 

I had a very similar experience as you and posted it on here as well. He did the same thing accusing me of slander as well. Seems like this is his MO. Claim oem and plug and play and ship you some cheap stuff from China.

 

Edit: I'm so confused. Im sure I read a post or two about Beast buying steering wheel parts from Ask Carbon

 

Same person, just shilling his own business for publicity.

 

WHY do businesses these days think that a review; a bad review is slander?! Someone isn't happy with a service or a product.....they complain! HOW IS THIS new news?

Sympathy for you OP; your expectations were not met, looks like you tried to use the product, make it work, and it looks like the product failed horribly!

Hope the seller does the right thing here and returns the money.

And by the way: WTF is this?! If I paid for THIS I'd be livid as well.

 

damn sketchy as ****. Sorry for the huge headache youre dealing with bud, Hope it all works out for you.

 

I guess simply determine if the core is OEM MB as stated. Rest can be a mix of aftermarket, refurbished, or custom made parts to match what you asked. From the pictures the core does not seem to have a OEM part number printed on and just looks a bit different but I am no expert. So, lets start there to determine what way to go.

Buttons - they look like aftermarket (wrong symbols) or a low quality paint job (not easy to paint metallic coated plastic pieces with small edgings in gloss black and look good) with some post processing edging or tooling. They sure seem off but we cant judge from what was promised beyond the OEM core.

 

thank you.

For the third time, I am selling custom steering wheels based on oem cores.

The buttons are indeed oem stock buttons but post processed in gloss black as per the OPs wishes. He was not happy with the buttons so I offered to replace them.

I am still waiting for the OP to reach out to me so I can start the return process. It seems he is just set on bashing my company publicly instead of speaking to me directly, which is totally fine.

 

I'd be pissed to see these crooked a$$ letter too
@Beast Quality control man!

 

again I recognize that, and offered to send out a new set.

I stand by my customer service, and that is the reason I am here right now despite this thread trying to make things right with OP. Still no response from him

 

Not only is the lettering off, the switches themselves are sticky and don't actuate anything like my OEM ones. Is it coincidence his don't have part numbers or QRs on the back? None of the parts feel/look authentic nor have MB markings like on my current wheel.
I'm sure others would agree replacment with more replica parts isn't the point here, nor is returning it with a 50% restocking fee!

 

again why not contact me directly, I’ve already reached out to you 10 minutes ago. I am willing to do something for you because you obviously do not know what you bought, which is totally ok. Next time do some research.

since you like to show screenshots, show me one where I mentioned the wheel being 100% oem.


waiting on your reply.

the first picture is a pic of the OPs steering wheel we made for him. The second screenshot is him approaching me initially and sending me a photo of a steering wheel that he wants. You can see the buttons have the same logos as the one I provided him. I did as he told me? I can continue all day if you want.

look at the shape of the wheel pic he sent me (third photo) THAT IS NOT EVEN AN ORIGINAL AMG STEERING WHEEL shape, Now compare it to my wheel (first photo) Proof is in the pudding.


THE STEERING WHEEL WE MADE FOR HIM:


HIS INITIAL MSG


PHOTO OF THE STEERING WHEEL HE WANTED TO REPLICATE. NOTICE HOW THE BUTTON LOGOS ON THIS WHEEL ARE THE SAME AS THE ONE I PROVIDED. I PROVIDED EXACTLY WHAT HE ASKED FOR.

 

That looks like rubbish mate. You need a full refund for that sh*t. Get your money back now or chargeback your bank asap.

 

I am working with OP on a solution. Thank you for your opinion and reading the entire thread .

EDIT***

I offered to take back the wheel at 25% restock fee instead of 50% fee. OP then tells me "Oh sorry the bottom trim has a scratch on it" I have photos of the steering wheel showing no scratch BEFORE IT WAS SHIPPED!! Why did the OP not mention this scratch to me before disassembling the wheel in an attempt to install it??? It is obvious this was caused by the OP during disassembly.

Despite all this, in an effort of goodwill, I still offered the OP to take back the wheel and he refused asking for 100% refund. I already have sent him back 225$ the price of the airbag cover.

I have been more then fair to the OP but his requests are totally unreasonable and unprofessional. I have screenshots to back up the entire conversation. I have done EVERYTHING in my power to resolve the situation but he does not want to. The OP is free to do what he wants with the wheel. It is no longer my headache.

Have a nice day.

 

Update, I just wasted another 10 mins on IG with him trying to convince me to keep it and to send me replacement parts. Apparently he sources cores from MB, but why no part #s then? I am done with him.

I see he posts on other sub-forums, so I will sharing this thread in those and on Audi/BMW forums that I know of.