Look Out For Adc Racing- Still Waiting For My Engine

[PHANTASM]

this is a warning to anybody looking to do business with ADC RACING ENGINES in wyoming formerly of fort collins colorado.

this began in march for me. i have been waiting for my 3.8 buick engine for almost 5 months.
i have been told so many things that i think i have heard them all.

i was told this last time i would have my long block by or on the 20th of july, "no problem" by charlie sikes.

i have been told that it would only take 4 weeks,waiting for parts,motor was dropped, motor was lost in shipping, guys quit working for him, ect .....

i have been very patient waiting, and know it is over.

excuses are like a-holes, everybody has one !!!

when i call i know charlie answers the phone and then says he is someone else. i called this last time and had another person ask for him when i was just told he was gone for the day out of the shop. 5 minutes later he answers the phone? i don't think so.

i have given him alot of money for the longblock and was going to pay him the rest upon delivery. that is what we aggreed on. he sent me estimates for the engine.

i have talked and heard from several people about them and figured i would give them a chance and order the engine. wrong decision !!!

i am foced to ask for my money back and if that doesn't work i have already talked to the attorney general about it.
i sent all the money as personal checks thru the post office certified mail and he had to sign for them as well as some of my parts i sent u.p.s.

i hope no one else has to go thru this.

i know there are alot of honest people on the site as well as vendor. i have bought stuff from alot of people with no problems at all.
i work hard for my money and when a business owner lies to you over and over it gets old fast.

so if charlie or anyone who knows him, please send tne engine and quit the b.s.

sorry to vent.

 

[Turbo Indian]

one thing I have to say is NEVER & I mean NEVER pay for anything up front. if a buisness can not afford to front the tab untill the job is complete, they may not be in buisness when you go back to get your product. I learned my lesson the hard way. I dont care what it is or if it's the deal of the century, $ don't leave my wallet untill the job is either complete or in my hand.

 

[Nick Micale]

one thing I have to say is NEVER & I mean NEVER pay for anything up front. if a business can not afford to front the tab until the job is complete, ......

That is one approach to take. Another is to find out about the company or person you plan to use. Some engine builders, like us, will not start a custom rebuild without a down payment as special order parts are needed. Having an order cancelled with $2500 worth of the customer's parts on the shelf is not a good position. Neither is waiting weeks for a customer to pay for and pick up his engine after it is finished. This is the "other side" of the transaction.

Lots of points to look for when choosing a shop, but one of the best ways is to check references - satisified customers or any customers, then ask lots of questions.

Personally, I encourage posts like this as shops with poor service and other problems should be exposed, so ones that are reputible can survive and prosper.

 

[XLR8]

I heard Ken Moser (of Turbo-Link fame) in Ft. Collins just had a motor built by ADC?? I also think he hangs out at gnttype.org a lot more than here.

 

[bruce]

IMO,

For engine work, I'll foot the bill for parts, but the shop is on their own til the job is done.
For a tranny, nothing til the job's done.
Converters, COD.

Body work, not til inspected, during day light.

I never arrange to pick anything up after the shop's closed for the day.

Before the job, I get at least a verbal estimate, and I get clear with the who ever, that they don't spend a penny more, without my prior OK. I also, find out what the warranty/ guarantee is, before any work is done.

Even with these rules, there's sometimes conflicts, but not very often.

 

[PHANTASM]

i have talked to charlie alot about the progress and the parts and such.
we agreed to half down and the rest upon delivery. i paid him more than half and was promised lots of things. nothing ever came to be.

all i get is a buch of b.s. excuses.
it is not my fault things happen and i understand they will and do, but to lie and keep bull ****ting around. i don't think so.

i have talked to several people that have had work done or sold him parts and he seems like a real stand up guy. no one has said they have had any problems with him.
i know ken hasw had a motor and other htings done by charlie, maybe he will chime in.
but this **** with all the lies and having to wait that long for a short block?

i just want my money back and my parts i sent.

i have bought parts from some of the vendors here off this site and have nothing bad to say.

i am going to file a complaint with the attorney general and get them involved, because i am getting nowhere fast with charlie.

 

[Intercooler]

I have a roller motor that will be for sale next week if you get your cash back. Ready to roll! Good luck!

 

[Chris McDade]

I've done allot of buisiness with Charlie over the last couple of years and have had really good luck dealing with him. Charlie, will make it right. I've talked to him about your motor and he said the freight company lost the motor and they are trying to find it. He said if they can't find it he will have to build another for you. Charlie has to much invested into his new shop to burn you. I will try to call him today and see what going on for you.

Chris McDade

 

[PHANTASM]

Motor

I have tried to call him numerous times in the last week and nothing.

he said the freight company lost the first motor. and he sent another one last friday and i would have it by the 20th of july.

i have called the 2 places he uses to ship stuff and neither of them has picked up or had anything shipped by him in the last 2 weeks.

my brother works for one of the companys and i asked him if he seen anything from adc and he said the same thing, nothing been shipped.

i just want my money back. i have had enough b.s. to fill the metrodome.

chris, if you talk to him just let him know. it would be nice to get a call back.

 

[badboy86gn2]

sounds familar

Ive out of all people had to go through hell to get my motor and Ive convinced at least 18-20 guys here in Albuquerque to not get there motors even done (just by experencing my problems)

Im positive that if my motor takes a dump im going with a v8 theres just to much B.S to deal with engine builders and it appears to keep getting worse

1. Do it yourself
2. Do it locally
3. Meet the person (in person)
4. always double(sometimes triple ) the time and money they quote

Johnny

Oh watch out for "Hes a good guy" because if he was you wouldnt be here posting about it

Good Luck

 

[PHANTASM]

Update

i have tried to call charlie all week and left several messages on his phone and with one of his employees at ADC RACING ENGINES.

charlie sikes has not called or left any return message(s) and i have no other choice but to turn the paper work in to the attorney general and get my money back.

i can't believe that i have not even got a voicemail about the situation.

totaly avoiding me. a phone call or my re-fund of parts i sent and monies sent would be nice.
if you can't do the job i will go somewhere else.

ken mosher was even nice enough to mention my unhappiness to him when he talked to him so i know charlie is available to talk.

i will update this thread as stuff unfolds.

 

[Pronto]

That bites. I think it would be better for you to try to find a local Buick guru and see who he uses. Sometimes there are shops that you never hear about or advertise that are excellent to use.

 

[PHANTASM]

Update

Tried calling all weekend and left some more messages.

still no return call.

paperwork has been sent to the attorney general.

 

[88ZNX]

Getting the runaround

I hate reading about this kind of stuf. But driving to were he is might be the best way to find out what you need to know. I know not everyone can just jump in a car and go cross country, hey take a truck you might be able pick your motor up and bring it back with you . At least youll know and dill with the guy face to face. Good luck.

 

[PHANTASM]

i have been trying to get ahold of adc racing and no one ever answers.
i have tried almost everyday, all day calling and nothing.

i have filed with the attorney general in my state and wyoming, hopefully they are able to help me out and i can get my money and parts back.

 

[PHANTASM]

also filed a complaint with the BBB

 

[PHANTASM]

update

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well i did a little more checking and came up with the following:

i went to the bbb and read what was listed under adc racing. the owners name- jerry sikes(charlies brother? dad?).
i went to dex online and got his home phone number.
i called this morning to see if he is affiliated with adc racing. he says yes after his (wife?) gave me his number at the shop in fort collins, co.
apparently he has a shop in fort collins and in cheyenne.
i tell jerry what is going on and he says he will call charlie and see what the status is on the engine.
i call jerry back a few hours later and he says charlie said my engine is almost done(heard that before) and i ask him why charlie told me so many lies and that the engine has been shipped already. he says that he is not answering any phone calls so he can get the projects done that he has.
i tell him i want my money and my parts back and i told him to have charlie call me either way.
still no phone call (like usual).

what a bunch of b.s. he knows what he is doing and he is trying to screw me out of my money and parts.
i don't think so.

if you own a business and people are buying things you don't not call them back and you most certainly DO NOT LIE TO THEM.

if i have to make i trip out to his shop i will with a few other people. i will get my money and parts i sent or some collateral until i am refunded my money and parts.


what a shiity business practice this guy has. a least call back and don't lie about things.
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87' GN