Transmission Vendors: READ this post....To the end

[WE4]

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/feedback/201366-se-turbo-what-joke.html


It is about time we stood up!
Feel free to post up.


Bruce
WE4

 

[Alky V6]

Couldn't of said it any better my friend. Your exact sentiment has been circulated for years behind the scene and in different ways in postings throughout the years, but dang, you wanted to clear the air didn't ya.

Another thing that should be mentioned, since we're talking about the perception of the Buick community. As racers at a race track, we all need to try and be more courteous to other racers at the track. I'm talking about the non-Buick fellas. Ditch the high and mighty attitude and try to make some friends. It might bring up the interest in our cars more. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that all Buick owners are jerks, but the few that are make themselves very visible to the other racers. Not a good thing for the rest of us.

By the way, I like the blacklist idea. Maybe it would cause more people to think twice before posting some of this garbage.

 

[1dmbth]

That guy needs to go to anger management.

 

[Devil Car]

I don't frequently post on this message board or any message boards for that matter, but I've been on here for a long time and before that I was on the mailing list.

I can't believe how badly people have gotten on these message boards over the years. For the longest time, the Turbo Buick community was always about the "Going fast with class" motto. Of course there were always some rotten apples, but it seems as though the rotten apples are increasing in numbers. Other message boards generally had a lot more of the bad apples, but for the most part, the turbobuick.com board always seemed to be comprised of those that were intent on helping and weren't out to cause a lot of commotion.

The vendors we have in this community are amazing! Sure sometimes orders get messed up and incorrect charges get made, but the vendors are always willing to make things right. There's absolutely no reason that any person on this board should immediately post negative feedback about a vendor at the first inclination that something has gone wrong. When you sense that something is not right with your dealings with a vendor, contact them first. Give them the opportunity to make it right before you bad mouth them. There's no reason that anyone should make unjust claims against a vendor in a public forum when the vendor hasn't been given a fair chance to fix the issue. All you are doing by this is creating a negative issue for a vendor that is only out there to help the Turbo Buick community.

I'm not a vendor, but I know for a fact that these guys are not getting rich off of us. The only reason that any of these vendors are here is because they share the same love for these cars that we do. If we as a community continue to make negative comments about our vendors or complain about a few measly dollars increas in a part, we will likely find ourselves without vendors that cater to us.

Do you really think that we can all get by doing business with the big name companies like Summit, Jegs, Napa, CSK, etc.? They aren't going to go out and make specialty products for a car that hasn't been made in 20+ years, and they sure as hell aren't going to give us they type of support that any one of our vendors is willing to give us.

Rather than bashing our vendors, let's all stand up and applaud them for all of the hard work that they do for us. And let's make damn sure that they know just how much we all appreciate them.

I for one would like to thank all of the vendors. Whether I've done business personally with you or not, I appreciate everything you do for our community!

-Craig Kolb

 

[cruzn57]

Hey Donnie

now that my cars back together, am I on your black list, ??
Thanks for all the help buddy, I appreciate your going the extra mile to get it back together for PHX.
all I can say is more folks like you, and we'd all be better off.
oh, and Wayne too !

again thanks!
cruzn57

 

[chris718]

this is unfortunate for all of us.i do understand the nature of the beast of some in the community.after 2 dead attempts at becoming familiar with the buick community at the previos 2 buick shows at etown it was quite disappointing at last years e town event when i brought a cut open converter display,my most radical valve bodies and planet sets etc. and no one even bothered to look at anything.i didnt go there expecting to go home with pockets full of money but did expect to spend the day talking racing transmissions etc with the crowd.after that i have vowed to not go to the buick events to talk or promote transmissions but to be a spectator like everyone else.and for the record id really rather not sell to someone who is only interested in polishing his fenders.there are only a select few making parts for these cars and for most of us it is not solely based on income obtained but the sense of pride and accomplishment only recieved from taking an idea and making it a real living object that allows others to go further with their project vehicles.if i quote a price i will however stick to it ,BUT to go public is very unfair.it is not se turbos fault that the cost of materials has gone up ,because the have,i know first hand as i purchase metal on a regular basis.it may be their fault for not keeping things updated however we are all human beings and these things happen.i myself am guilty of it.i suggest to anyone that likes to see people hang in public that you look in the mirror at the face you wash and stop and think how he would like it if the was situation was reversed.tahnks to all of you who appreciate all of the vendors efforts to make your car more enjoyable.just think what would happen if everyone making chips decided to stop.wed all be screwed.

 

[turbojimmy]

Another thing that should be mentioned, since we're talking about the perception of the Buick community. As racers at a race track, we all need to try and be more courteous to other racers at the track. I'm talking about the non-Buick fellas. Ditch the high and mighty attitude and try to make some friends. It might bring up the interest in our cars more. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that all Buick owners are jerks, but the few that are make themselves very visible to the other racers. Not a good thing for the rest of us.

I always try to be courteous and strike up conversation at the track, but ususally it's just my brother and I wheras most people show up in pretty large posses. I try not to condemn an entire group of racers, but the foreign car population has exploded at the track and with many of them come younger drivers who think they know everything. As a result of conversations with more than a few of them, I usually just keep to myself at the track. Earlier in the year I was standing by my car and a bunch of them came up and started loudly making fun of the fact that I have a reducer coming off my turbo going into my FMIC. I'm not sure why that was so amusing, but these are the attitudes you have to deal with.

Aaaaanyway, I don't want to take the thread off in another direction. I've been burned more than a few times trying to save a buck by going outside the Buick vendor circle. Most recently was with a Walbro fuel pump. Had I paid another $15 I'd have had the correct parts for my application. Also, without exception, vendors who support the Turbo Regal have the best customer service (one obvious exception is no longer in business). I think it's because they 'get it'. They own or have owned the cars and manufacture and/or sell products that makes owning the cars a better experience for people who buy their stuff.

< cue the humming of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic (glory, glory hallelujah...)" in the background > Every time I get into my car and put it in gear I'm reminded of the people who have contributed to keeping it running and who have improved upon the basic package that Buick delivered 20 years ago. People with far greater skills and knowlege than I'll ever have. The engine guy, the transmission guy, the chip guy, the alky guy, and all the people over the years who have experimented with different parts to come up with a better mouse trap. If you look back to when people first started modifying these cars, some of the things they tried were almost comical (crushing a fuel pressure regulator to increase fuel pressure comes to mind). It's because of the innovation and support by these vendors that we have fast, reliable TRs that we can be proud to show and race. They should be rewarded with our business and treated with the respect they deserve.

Some people need to think before they let their anger over a particular transaction come pouring out their fingertips and onto a web site. The web has become a very powerful tool that when abused has real-life impacts to vendors. I would have to be SERIOUSLY wronged by a vendor before I put it out here for all to see. Despite all this new-fangled technology, there is still that thing hanging on the wall (the phone) - it's often the best tool for quickly resolving problems. < /cue "The Battle Hymn of the Republic >

Jim

 

[TexasT]

Just short sighted

I always try to be courteous and strike up conversation at the track, but ususally it's just my brother and I wheras most people show up in pretty large posses. I try not to condemn an entire group of racers, but the foreign car population has exploded at the track and with many of them come younger drivers who think they know everything. As a result of conversations with more than a few of them, I usually just keep to myself at the track. Earlier in the year I was standing by my car and a bunch of them came up and started loudly making fun of the fact that I have a reducer coming off my turbo going into my FMIC. I'm not sure why that was so amusing, but these are the attitudes you have to deal with.

Realize you are dealing with some relative newcomers to the sport of drag racing and when dealing with newcomers a bit of patience is called for. This group obviously believes in strength in numbers and are mostly followers. The addition of these 'foriegn car' owners only helps the track make money and stay in business and is good in my opinion. I may no agree with what they have to say but will defend their right to voice their opinion.

Aaaaanyway, I don't want to take the thread off in another direction. I've been burned more than a few times trying to save a buck by going outside the Buick vendor circle. Most recently was with a Walbro fuel pump. Had I paid another $15 I'd have had the correct parts for my application. Also, without exception, vendors who support the Turbo Regal have the best customer service (one obvious exception is no longer in business). I think it's because they 'get it'. They own or have owned the cars and manufacture and/or sell products that makes owning the cars a better experience for people who buy their stuff.

< cue the humming of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic (glory, glory hallelujah...)" in the background > Every time I get into my car and put it in gear I'm reminded of the people who have contributed to keeping it running and who have improved upon the basic package that Buick delivered 20 years ago. People with far greater skills and knowlege than I'll ever have. The engine guy, the transmission guy, the chip guy, the alky guy, and all the people over the years who have experimented with different parts to come up with a better mouse trap. If you look back to when people first started modifying these cars, some of the things they tried were almost comical (crushing a fuel pressure regulator to increase fuel pressure comes to mind). It's because of the innovation and support by these vendors that we have fast, reliable TRs that we can be proud to show and race. They should be rewarded with our business and treated with the respect they deserve.

"Dance with the one who brung ya" as my Grandfather used to tell me. I'm not saying don't try new things but man, if the vendor has taken care of you in the past, 'help a brother out' as is said. As stated if the difference in price is gonna hurt your budget, maybe one needs to rethink the budget.

Some people need to think before they let their anger over a particular transaction come pouring out their fingertips and onto a web site. The web has become a very powerful tool that when abused has real-life impacts to vendors. I would have to be SERIOUSLY wronged by a vendor before I put it out here for all to see. Despite all this new-fangled technology, there is still that thing hanging on the wall (the phone) - it's often the best tool for quickly resolving problems. < /cue "The Battle Hymn of the Republic >

Jim

Well said!

To conclude "It's all on the wheel" what comes around goes around.

Rich

 

[turbojimmy]

Realize you are dealing with some relative newcomers to the sport of drag racing and when dealing with newcomers a bit of patience is called for. This group obviously believes in strength in numbers and are mostly followers. The addition of these 'foriegn car' owners only helps the track make money and stay in business and is good in my opinion. I may no agree with what they have to say but will defend their right to voice their opinion.

I didn't say they can't voice their opinion, but when they voice it to me it should be with the same respect and willingness to learn that I show them. I don't know much about their cars, and they don't know much about mine. It's they who have the 'tude, not me. I like talking about anything with anyone at the track - it helps pass the hours you have to spend standing in the staging lanes at Island.

Jim

 

[84TXGN]

This thread is a joke. I saw one guy making an ass out of himself and now there seems to be a crusade to save the vendors and fight off the evil customers who complain needlessly on a message board. It was one guy. There will always be unhappy customers, anyone knows this(or should). I'd bet I could find atleast one person who had what they would call a bad experience with every single vendor on this site. It just happens. Anyone intelligent could see that guy was out of line, however I do think if its listed at a price the vendor needs to honor it. That guy thought that too but his reaction to them raising the price was rediculous. Im not defending the guy, he was wrong, but the vendor defender stuff is just hilarious. I have purchased parts from several vendors and plan to make a rather large(to me) purchase from a vendor very soon. I have had nothing but good experiences so far but if I should have a problem I won't hesitate to make it known to the vendor(and the public if necessary) just because the vendors have a small margin of profit. They are still a vendor and I am still a customer no matter how large the profit is.

 

[turbojimmy]

This thread is a joke.

See how funny it is when you can't buy parts for your car anymore.

The reality is that vendors need to make money in order to continue to operate. With the volume of business that comes from Turbo Regals they'd never be able to do that without branching out into other makes/models where there is a lot more volume. Then, when someone representing a very small minority of their business makes a public spectacle and begins to impact their overall business, they just eliminate that annoying, low-volume portion of the market. It's not worth the hassle to support it. It's happened lots of times over the years. That doesn't mean that vendors should be able to do whatever they want, but regardless of which side of the sale you're on you need to treat the other party with a little respect.

Jim

 

[Alky V6]

It takes two to tango. And people need to remember that. Some do and some don't and need to be reminded. Business is like building a friendship and people should treat each other as such.

It reminds me of an instance I was guilty of myself. Treating a vendor badly. Have a chair and listen up.

I was just out of high school. Thinking I'm the big man now. I went to my long time family doctor for an infection (I think it was). It was the typical doctor's visit. He prescribed an antibiotic or something and sent me on my way. I was now paying my own way at that time. When my infection didn't get better after a few days, I thought the doctor was a quack. I refused to pay the bill when it came. I eventually did and when I look back on it, I should have just gone back to him so he could re-examine me and prescibe a different antibiotic. With age we learn. Most of us anyway.

 

[84TXGN]

See how funny it is when you can't buy parts for your car anymore.

The reality is that vendors need to make money in order to continue to operate. With the volume of business that comes from Turbo Regals they'd never be able to do that without branching out into other makes/models where there is a lot more volume. Then, when someone representing a very small minority of their business makes a public spectacle and begins to impact their overall business, they just eliminate that annoying, low-volume portion of the market. It's not worth the hassle to support it. It's happened lots of times over the years. That doesn't mean that vendors should be able to do whatever they want, but regardless of which side of the sale you're on you need to treat the other party with a little respect.

Jim

There will always be vendors. There is a market for parts for our cars and someone will always attempt to supply us. I have no issues with vendors making parts for all sorts of cars. I don't want that guy to represent the buick community. Why does one bad customer or even 5 bad customers mean that all buick guys are asses? It seems to me the vendors could easily refuse to deal with those that are difficult and continue to serve the good customers without making threads like these. I doubt the guy in the other thread called all of his friends for support...

 

[Ttype83]

There will always be vendors. There is a market for parts for our cars and someone will always attempt to supply us. I have no issues with vendors making parts for all sorts of cars. I don't want that guy to represent the buick community. Why does one bad customer or even 5 bad customers mean that all buick guys are asses? It seems to me the vendors could easily refuse to deal with those that are difficult and continue to serve the good customers without making threads like these. I doubt the guy in the other thread called all of his friends for support...

Watch out...If you keep giving out your option you'll be on the list
I really don't think there was a need for this post either (Oh crap I'm now on the list) We are all adults and know how to read. The guy posted badly, SeTurbo replied like professional as they should.