wheelsup351
09-13-2011, 07:36 PM
Here is a chronology of a really bad dream that I have yet to awaken from.
On July 11....
I ordered a really nice set of ported, polished, flow benched tested and assembled 3 valve heads for my 408 on July 11. The manufacturer quoted me higher than a third party vendor so I made what I thought was the better business decision and got them through the vendor (500 miles away from me). When I placed the order, I was told shipping would be free. They immediately charged my card for 50% of the total agreed upon amount. Would have liked an invoice or a receipt to go with that, but whatever. The vendor has a decent reputation, and, really, I care more about getting these heads so I can finish my motor asap.
A few days later, after several demands for an invoice, I get one. The invoice states the estimated ship date would be August 24. I have no problems with that wait.
August 17
My card is charged for the balance of the heads. I call up the vendor and ask if they had shipped them early. Vendor said no but assure me they will arrive by the August 24 arrival date on my invoice. For the first time I noticed that I was charged for shipping. The vendor tells me they never waive shipping charges but he would look into it and "take care of it for me."
August 24
Estimated arrival date per my invoice. Nothing.
August 25
I call up the vendor and ask if my heads have shipped. They inform me they haven't but they should any day arrive any day from the machine shop and then he would send them to me.
September 2
I call the vendor and asked if the heads are back from their machinist and he asks for a few hours to find out. I hang up and immediately call the machine shop directly and they say my heads were finished the week before but nobody came to get them. The vendor never calls me back.
September 6
I call the vendor and again ask where my heads are. He says he has no idea why there weren't sent from the machine shop but that he would send a driver the next day to go get them on September 7. He promises to ship them on September 7 and I'd have them September 9 or at the latest, Sept 12.
September 8
I finally get a tracking number. UPS.com says a shipping label has been created on Sept 8 an with expected delivery of September 12.
September 9
UPS tells me nothing has been picked up. Vendor says it's been shipped.
September 12
Nothing shows up but the Vendor again states the heads have been shipped. I call UPS to verify and they tell me nothing has ever been picked up. Vendor tells me there was a scanning error and the heads will arrive on September 14. The tracking info online has not changed since Sept. 8.
Today AM
UPS again tells me nothing has been picked up and suggests I file an investigation. I call the vendor and he tells me if I don't get a working tracking number this evening he would voluntarily give me a full 100% refund for 100% custom 1 off set of cylinder heads. Weird.
Today PM
I get an email from UPS.com that my heads were picked up this evening, with scheduled Friday delivery.
Has anyone ever been given the scanning issue story by a company? :hmm: Did this company assume that since I was born at night, I must have been born last night?:pat:
I'm a pretty chill guy and have been abundantly patient with this vendor. I wish there was a better explanation for the way they handled my patronage and hard earned cash. We'll see what shows up on Friday.
On July 11....
I ordered a really nice set of ported, polished, flow benched tested and assembled 3 valve heads for my 408 on July 11. The manufacturer quoted me higher than a third party vendor so I made what I thought was the better business decision and got them through the vendor (500 miles away from me). When I placed the order, I was told shipping would be free. They immediately charged my card for 50% of the total agreed upon amount. Would have liked an invoice or a receipt to go with that, but whatever. The vendor has a decent reputation, and, really, I care more about getting these heads so I can finish my motor asap.
A few days later, after several demands for an invoice, I get one. The invoice states the estimated ship date would be August 24. I have no problems with that wait.
August 17
My card is charged for the balance of the heads. I call up the vendor and ask if they had shipped them early. Vendor said no but assure me they will arrive by the August 24 arrival date on my invoice. For the first time I noticed that I was charged for shipping. The vendor tells me they never waive shipping charges but he would look into it and "take care of it for me."
August 24
Estimated arrival date per my invoice. Nothing.
August 25
I call up the vendor and ask if my heads have shipped. They inform me they haven't but they should any day arrive any day from the machine shop and then he would send them to me.
September 2
I call the vendor and asked if the heads are back from their machinist and he asks for a few hours to find out. I hang up and immediately call the machine shop directly and they say my heads were finished the week before but nobody came to get them. The vendor never calls me back.
September 6
I call the vendor and again ask where my heads are. He says he has no idea why there weren't sent from the machine shop but that he would send a driver the next day to go get them on September 7. He promises to ship them on September 7 and I'd have them September 9 or at the latest, Sept 12.
September 8
I finally get a tracking number. UPS.com says a shipping label has been created on Sept 8 an with expected delivery of September 12.
September 9
UPS tells me nothing has been picked up. Vendor says it's been shipped.
September 12
Nothing shows up but the Vendor again states the heads have been shipped. I call UPS to verify and they tell me nothing has ever been picked up. Vendor tells me there was a scanning error and the heads will arrive on September 14. The tracking info online has not changed since Sept. 8.
Today AM
UPS again tells me nothing has been picked up and suggests I file an investigation. I call the vendor and he tells me if I don't get a working tracking number this evening he would voluntarily give me a full 100% refund for 100% custom 1 off set of cylinder heads. Weird.
Today PM
I get an email from UPS.com that my heads were picked up this evening, with scheduled Friday delivery.
Has anyone ever been given the scanning issue story by a company? :hmm: Did this company assume that since I was born at night, I must have been born last night?:pat:
I'm a pretty chill guy and have been abundantly patient with this vendor. I wish there was a better explanation for the way they handled my patronage and hard earned cash. We'll see what shows up on Friday.