This is a page that I am updating with my noteable experiences with part vendors.  By that I mean that if I have a exceptionally good or bad experience with a vendor, I will post it on this page.  I think those companies who go above and beyond should be recognized for their great customer service since it seems to be a rarity these days!  Conversely, those companies that screw people over for their own profit will be on here as well to warn people to stay away!

Noteable experiences with parts vendors:

Cyberdyne Gauges

GOOD

I got a Cyberdyne Fuel Pressure gauge from Summit which I didn't end up putting on the car until a year after I got it.  A couple of the LED's died on it about 2 months after I installed it.  I called these guys directly and explained the problem.  The customer service rep immediately informed me that they had sourced some bad blue LED's and they would courier me a new gauge free!  Within the week, I had a complete new gauge set with new fuel pressure sending unit they they sent by UPS Expedited.  With so many companies trying to cover their ass and squeeze the customer for as much as they can, it's nice to see a company that still has great customer service and is willing to look out for the little guy!

Maximum Motorsports

GOOD

I can't say enough good things about these guys. These guys are just a cut above everyone else in the industry. They know suspension inside out and backwards as if they live and breathe it. I have been through numerous other coilover kits including the QA1 and Steeda ones, and the Maximum Motorsport kit was the only one that rode smooth with no squeeking. It improved the ride quality immensely. These guys spent as much time as I wanted on the phone and spec'ed out exactly what I needed. All their decisions were made in my best interest, and even when they COULD have sold me something, they didn't if it wasn't right for me. These are the guys to go to for your suspension needs.

Dragon Performance

GOOD

These guys are also top notch and a cut above the rest in the industry. I was using a pre-production version of their 75mm throttle body that developed a vacuum leak after about a year of use (a problem that was fixed in the final production version). The car was at the shop diagnosing another issue and I was in a jam to get a new TB quick. I emailed Stefan (the owner) and he immediately made arrangements to send me a brand new one without even taking my credit card number! He just asked me to send back the defective one once I received it. He was in a different state when I called and made the arrangements by phone. He followed up later and asked how things were coming along with the car too. These guys have beautiful quality parts and they stand behind them 100%!

Niche Performance Industries

BAD

Oh where to begin.. I ordered the Hybrid Carbon Fiber hood (currently on the car) from David Simpson at Niche Performance Industries on October 14, 2004. The hood never showed up at the shop it was being shipped to.

Over the next few months, I inquired many many times as to the whereabouts of my hood. Dave kept saying that Reimer Roadway lost the export forms and he had to repeatedly refax them.

On January 13, 2005, I finally received a letter from Canada Customs indicating that they would dispose of the hood if I didn't pick it up! This was the first news that I received indicating that the hood was even at Customs. According to Canada Customs, David was informed many times that my hood was waiting there but had not informed me even once.

When I picked the hood up on January 19/05, I had to pay a $500 storage fee plus duties and taxes. They would not show me the hood before I paid. I received the hood and it was severely damaged. You should have seen how they packaged it for shipping! It looked like it had been packaged to be transported down the street! Some foam around the edges, cardboard and a big clear plastic bag over it!! It had numerous chunks missing and cracks all around it for shipping.

I took many digital photos and sent them to David to show the damage. He said he would file a claim with Reimer Roadway but didn't know what would come out of it because it had been so long (even though HE was the one that never informed me it was at Customs!). Over the next few months, I contacted David to find out the status of the claim and he said it was still pending. He advised me to contact Reimer Roadway myself, however everyone I spoke with at Reimer said that David (the shipper) was the only one who they could talk to. After escalating this to one of the managers in Reimer, he indicated that David had not even filed a claim! So he had been stringing me on for months!

In an attempt to salvage the hood, I took it to many body shops (many indicated that since it was carbon fibre, it was irrepairable). Finally, I encountered one that had a few ideas how the hood damage could be repaired with fiberglass and then disguised with paint.

On April 20/05 and again on May 1/05, I contacted David Simpson with a request to reimburse me the repair costs (estimated at $400 Canadian). He ignored all my requests.

I filed a claim with the BBB and he ignored that as well.. My advice, STAY AWAY FROM THESE GUYS!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

INDEX

Page 1 - Car Detail
Page 2 - Experiences with Part Vendors