I was part of the original group buy back in Jan., and I finally got my cat-back after giving John a deadline, and contacting the sub, who stated that he had not received orders from John, and he has 30 units on the shelf ready for delivery. I had charged the purchase on my girlfriends' Amex ( I'm not sure what to call her, we've been living together for ten years now, but I digress...) and she called and found they can reverse charges with no hassles to the cardholder for a period of 60 days from purchase, and if they have to do this for non-delivery of merchandise reasons, they start their own investigation. I emailed John and told him I was not O.K. with losing this option and that lit a fire under his butt and I got the cat-back at my door about a week later. I did speak to him on the phone and he is up to his neck in work without enough help, and he did mention that Michael Wienstien and one other were still due their cat-backs. I don't absolve him, however of charging the purchase before shipment, that's just not how you're supposed to do things.

 

Michael, I would be doing the same as you. $600 is worth talking about. As far as reversing charges, my personal preference is to use my AMEX card - if you dispute a charge, they credit your card immediately and I have known them to call the vendor in question and assist in resolving the issue.

I can't believe that John has not spoken up on this, by now he has to know about this thread.

Maybe Danno can shed some light when he gets down there. Good luck Michael, money or exhaust.

 

Hey Michael, maybe it's some sort of California vs. Florida thing. I don't know if you remember seeing my posts about Huntley Racing. The CA vs. FL thing is a joke by the way, for all those who takes this board a little too seriously sometimes. During that fiasco with Huntley, I talked to John. He seemed like a pretty good and honest guy. Of course, so did Derrek from Huntley. That brings me to the point. I don't think either of them is dishonest. But I do think there are some issues with the shops overextending themselves and then just hoping to avoid the issue until they finally get a resolution.
I tend to think Michael would probably be okay (or at least less angry) if he were getting regular updates as to what is happening. Regular, HONEST updates. The only reason I add honest is because of my personal experience with Huntley. I was able to verify through independent sources that, at least, one excuse for his delay to me was simply not true.
With all that being said, Derrek did make things right eventually and the work was good. He also sent me a few extra items, which was a nice gesture. I think the real issue that these shops need to be a little more honest with people in their estimates of time to get the finished product to the customer. I think that they are maybe worried that if they tell people how long it will really take that they won't get as many orders. Which is probably true. But in the end, when these issue are brought to a public forum such as Rennlist, the damage is far worse.

Here is the link to a couple of threads about California vendor problems...

<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=014475#000000" target="_blank">http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=014475#000000</a>

<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=015014#000000" target="_blank">http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=015014#000000</a>

 

Does it take a rocket scientist to figure this one out? It's so obvious if the vendor cannot fill the "charged" order within 30 days he must refund the customer! Anytime something like this happens we ought to keep each other informed. I've seen for myself, auto garages specializing in big name marquees, treating customers like crap with sloppy workmanship. Let no vendor think they can slack off...without consequences <img border="0" alt="[nono]" title="" src="graemlins/nono.gif" />

 

Micheal, you have my support 100%. I've been ripped off to the tune of $5,000 by crap *** mechanics and tuners. Overcharging, shoddy workmanship, not delivering, and taking money without producing product is inexcusable. Do I work so I can just give my money away? Nope.

 

Ok, I just got word; the fedex package is not the catback. So, I still haven't received mine either. I believe it's been over two months now since I was charged. Dave's story about contacting the sub does not make me very comfortable. So what's the deal here? I'm not very comfortable dragging this out in public, but after repeated emails I've heard nothing back, and I'm not really in a position where I can play phone tag during the day.

 

I just spoke to John Anderson live and in person. He told me that he would refund my money by mailing me a check tomorrow. I will let the board know if and when I receive it.

I won't speak for John. He can tell whoever is interested what his problems are and were. He tells me that he won't post a response here, and I think that's a good idea. It wouldn't serve any purpose at this point.

I don't consider this over until the check is in my bank and cleared. I really don't think I should have had to go to this extreme to get action. I didn't want to, but exhausted all of my other options and my patience. And I have a LOT of patience.

I want to thank all of those people that lent me support, publically and privately. Its nice to know that some people out there understand the difference between right and wrong. The rest of you - good luck. That is all I can politely say. I just hope you aren't the next one to be screwed with. I hope that this will show some of the suppliers out there that we aren't going to take this crap any more. Always remember, that its YOUR money and you all have rights. I hope that this is now over once and for all.

Zakk - John said he would take care of things with you as well. Please call him.

 

Slightly off topic but...
I dropped thirty large on a brand new Olds Aurora a year ago.

I went to a "new" caddy olds dealer (the one i bought the car from shut down) this morning. after waiting in the lot for 35 minutes the lone service advisor gets to me. He cant input new customers, and is pissed i have a list of ten nitpicky things covered under the bumper to bumper warrantee.

I told my wife, and friends that from now on i am leasing cars. no hand washes on leased cars since the dealer doesnt care about swirl marks like i do. no 4,000 mile synthetic oil changes, since the dealer says change with cheap dino every 7,500+. no caring about eating in the car since the dealer deosnt care how bad the car smells, etc. if i leased the car i wouldnt care that the exhaust tips are rusting, that there are a few runs in the paint, that screws under the hood that were rusting were replaced with the wrong ones. that the suspension got all mushy in 10,000 miles. things i wouldnt care about if the car was someone elses.

bottom line is most people dont give a crap about another persons property. leased cars with a who shives a git attitutde. thats the way to go. schmucks like us trying to take pride in our cars, Ha!

oh yeah, the service advisor was upset i had a list of nitpicky things on a car i bought elsewhere. GM says i get a $1,000 loyalty rebate on the purchase of a new car. fool me once shame on me....

 

Hmmm, has our dear little friend Mideastmafia suddenly gained command of the english language. Ya know, grammer and puncuation...concise, articulate thoughts, I think not. In the past, Mr. John has used shauns ID to pass along messages. I think he is doing it again with his comments on this post... Think about it, have you ever known shaun to write so well...

lets hope this post brings resolution to Michael's problem...

 

Strange that he wouldn't just credit your visa...

 

John A.
Hey I'm still interested in your cat back system! Tell you what, when available send it to me and when I get the time (I am sooo over worked) I'll send you the money. Sound fair?
my phone # is 555-1234 yeah, thats the ticket..................

Lazarro, 86'951

 

Peckster... Yep, that's mighty strange... just one more factoid hinting at troubles to come...

 

Check's in the mail! <img border="0" alt="[blabla]" title="" src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" />

 

Michael and Zakk, if you guys are interested, I know a source for a relatively cost effective 3" catback (about $150 less than what you were paying).....not as pretty but gets the job done. I receive it any day now.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica"> In the past, Mr. John has used shauns ID to pass along messages. I think he is doing it again with his comments on this post... Think about it, have you ever known shaun to write so well...
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">wascally wabbit! <img border="0" alt="[icon107]" title="" src="graemlins/icon107.gif" />