In getting ready to install new wheels (used or new), always chuck them up on an electronic tire balancer and spin them to check for lateral run-out and such BEFORE putting tires on them. Proceed as is appropriate from there. Just basic precautions.
I know that in modern times, we have become accustomed to ordering things off of the Internet, then blindly installing them when received. Usually, NO quality control verifications at that time. So that when the tire/wheel combination is done, put on the car, then road-tested, should a problem be discovered just then, the seller will automatically claim the problem was caused by the buyer, as the wheel passed all of the vendor's QC checks before it was boxed and shipped out.
Had the wheels been purchased by and shipped to the installer, directly, that can insert another operative which is knowledgeable about how to do things correctly. Which CAN work to the buyer's advantage should any problems arise. The ultimate price might be a little bit higher, but you can be effectively buying "insurance" against any possible warranty issues.
All things considered, as things have progressed over the past decade, ONE place to consider for wheel/tire installations are many new car dealerships. Why? Because over the past 25 years or so, THEY have had to upgrade their tire balancing and installing machines to handle current OEM sizes of wheels and tires. Which also means fancier electronic balancers/road force checking machines. Things get pinpointed really quickly with these machines. Additionally, whether many in the tire industry want consumers to realize it, MANY new car dealers are in the tire business. Price-matching, too, usually. Especially considering that the number of wholesale tire distributors has tended to decrease and now EVERYBODY is pulling from the same tire warehouses. There are still some warehouses which sell only to tire stores, but most sell to everybody, by observation. So, you get a consistently high level of equipment and people who should be trained to use them. NOT to forget their leverage should a bad product be received.
I might be a little bit flakey as to "over-shopping" things well before I decide to spend money, the closer you can get to the ultimate source of a part, the better off you might be should any issues arise, by observation. In the case of wheels, Summit and Jegs can probably work well, too. Especially IF you are close enough to go get them yourself. Just de-escalate your excitement enough to get the tire shop to check them before installation. Videos of any issuses might help, too. Along with an immediate phone call to Tech Assistance! Any issues need to be resolved as soon as possible, for best results for all involved.
Corky Coker has been in the tire/wheel business and the vintage car hobby since at least the earlier 1980s, if that might matter. But that also means that they do many of their own tires, now, but do not expect that everything they might do is perfect. Just as any other business, they probably have learned from past mistakes, which can be reflected in their current policies and such. So, before summarily condemning then for anything, consider how things look on the other side of the road, from their point of orientation. And what YOU would do if you were in their place. In the current economic climate, everybody wants to make and retain customers, IF possible.
We choose to spend our money where we might desire. In the case of wheels and other car parts, many vendors can sell the same part at different prices and such (check prices on eBay, for example). So getting as close to the ONE original producer can help, many times. BUT also do not believe that when a vendor claims "lowest prices" for any part that the ultimate purchase price is really the best price (even if the shipping is "free"). Diligent shopping is necessary, no matter what. AND, or course, to be safe, read their "Return Policy" from one end to the other.
Happy Shopping!
CBODY67
