BAER Brake Problem. I need opinions.

[MrAngry]

Hi Guys -

I am having a problem with my the brakes that I ordered through BAER. My buddy and I ordered the Track system for the front and the Touring for the rear, with all hardward, bells and whistles. Pretty standard for them, or so I thought. I placed my order on April 15th and have yet to see them. I ordered them through Pure Vision Design and delt directly with Steve Strope, very nice, honest, stand-up guy - answers his own phone and returns phone calls - A+ for him.

Anyway I was first told 4-6 weeks, then 6-8 weeks, then 8-10 weeks. This coming from BAER - I got to speak with a rep. from BAER yesterday and I am now hearing another 2 weeks. Something has to go to the plater now or something else is missing... whatever. Now, keep in mind I was going to go to Carlisle this weekend but, no go now as my front end is still not redone.

What I was most upset about was his BS attitude - I asked him if that if when the brakes are ready, could they be shipped out via FedEx - he said that would about $500 dollars and that someone (not BAER) would have to pay it. I said ok, but is there anything else that BAER can do for me - keep in mind that I did not ask them to pick up the shipping costs, but would have like some type of consideration from them. He told me flat out that he would rather loose the order then pay the shipping (which again, I didn't as for)... this close to a $4000 order. Am I wrong to be pissed at this... because I am all set to write a nice happy letter to Hal Baer explaining the pro's and con's of customer service about the about the almost 4k in brakes that we have yet to get... again - this order was placed on April 15th...

Any opinions on this would be great - thanks -

Mr (really) Angry...

[Roger Poirier]

Been there, done that. I went through the same thing. Very poor customer service. It took months to get my order. The customer service dept. always had a different story to tell my supplier every time they called. Oops, when I did get the order they forgot to sent me my tall reworked spindles. They claim they shipped them. I asked them to check the weight of their boxes they shipped, as spindles are heavy. Ok our mistake (Baer). They did ship them out overnight air.

It is my belief that they are just a holding company. I can't believe they
carry any parts in stock and order from vendors as orders are received.

R.P.

[vanzuuk1]

It sounds like you have been very patient and now its time to be angry.

[camcojb]

Baer is having a lot of trouble getting anything out. I know part of it is them trying to make their own calipers in-house so they don't depend on outside companies for parts (which has been a lot of their problems in the past). However, they are at a 10 week minimum for ANY kit ordered, which is absurd. If there was someone in place with a similar product that could deliver they could deal a deadly blow to BAER.

I really like their stuff, I've had it on my last few cars. But this 10+ week wait time and the sales guys attitude needs to go. I cannot believe that they do not stock a single kit on the shelf for any application.

Jody

[MrAngry]

Just received a phone a call in response to an email I sent to Hal Baer this morning in regards to my back order dilemma and customer service issue. Todd (Hal's partner) called me directly to apologize for any inconvenience and explained the back order situation that was going on with them. He was very pleased that a customer took the time to email them and let them know of their experiences in dealing with BAER. He was extremely courteous and professional and I applaud him for getting back to me so quickly. He addressed all my concerns and was very forthcoming to rectify my situation and actually went beyond what was necessary - needless to say, I will have my parts next week.

Sometimes it pays not to loose your cool.

thanks for listening to my rant -

Mr. (not so) Angry (anymore)

[CamaroAJ]

sounds like i need to talk to him, i ordered my track+ rear kit at the end of Feb. and have everything but the calper brackets ( baer sent me the wrong ones and then said that they didn't know when the correct one will be ready) and i ordered the Extream+ kit mid march and was told last week it would be another 2 weeks at least. talk about someone thats a little more than pissed.

[USAZR1]

I ordered a Track kit for a customer the first week of May and was told it would be approximately eight weeks for delivery. The order showed up last Friday. Yep,eight weeks is about right. Once I place an order,I rarely ever call and bug them. It's been my experience that it doesn't speed things up very often.

[Steve Chryssos]

I've had great experiences with Baer--though I have not tried recently. Sounds like growing pains. Please feel free to PM me for the email addresses of Todd Gartshore and Beth Seelye. At least get a straight answer and comment on your customer service experience. At the very least, your communication may move your order up the priority list.

And know that when you order a kit from Baer--you are getting brand new parts that fit and work--which is more than I can say for my previous brake vendor.

Wilwood also makes great brake kits--though you may have your brain turned on during the installation.

[andrewb70]

How about one of our sponsors, Touring Classics? Wilwood is great stuff too!

Andrew

[DeepBlue68]

Had a similar thing happen to me with Baer. Around the end of last year, I ordered a set of brakes for my '68 Camaro through Year One. Track (13") fronts and Touring (12") rears. I had the order customized to include a set of 2" drop spindles for the front, which was about an extra $300. The total cost was over $2500, and I was told 3 weeks for the ship date.

For two solid months, they kept telling me "hopefully they'll be finished this week" and "they're in the machine shop right now." This went on and on until finally I decided that I didn't trust Baer's ability to make a spindle if something that simple takes 2 months worth of machining. I started wondering if they even knew what the heck they were doing. I eventually canceled the order and just re-ordered a regular kit with no drop spindles. They're lucky I didn't drop them and go with someone else. I looked into SSBC, but it seemed like their kits were more expensive for something comparable, and not as complete and nice-looking as Baer's (lucky for Baer, or they would've lost about $2200).

I've also gone around and around with Baer (and Year One) on whether their master cylinder is gonna clear the hood on my Camaro. I had never heard of this being a problem until I called Baer for something else and ended up bringing this up. They told me that they'd never found a brake booster that would allow their master cylinder to clear the hood on 1st gen Camaros. I went back and forth with them and YR1 until I just gave up and ordered one anyway; I haven't put it in yet. I guess we'll see. I'm not that impressed with anything at Baer besides their actual product.

[sinned]

Baer is having a lot of trouble getting anything out. I know part of it is them trying to make their own calipers in-house so they don't depend on outside companies for parts (which has been a lot of their problems in the past).
JodyHUH? Am I missing something? Last I checked Baer was using either PBR or Alcon for the higher end kits, neither of which they build themselves.

Go Wilwood, way nicer stuff, no waiting, better customer service, easier to find replacement parts for (any circle track supplier), way more pad choices (and way cheaper pads too).



BTW, their "custom spindles"...I installed a kit last year and could not get the toe set for nothing, then I realized the left steering arm was bent. Thanks for the wrecking yard spindles. (They did send a replacement spindle)

[shmoov69]

Well, I hate to bash them (in public) because they are very nice people to talk to in person (on PT), I have talked to all of them several different years and they have been great, but that is the OWNERS that I was talking to!
I ordered a kit from Steve about 3 or 4 years ago and it took FOREVER to get them! It is not like it was a odd kit or anything, a freakin' 69 Camaro!! Hell, even red!! How much more common can you get?!?!? :banghead: But anyway, I finally got them and they forgot to send the instructions. Not that big of a problem, because I am somewhat mechanically inclined, but no stinkin' mechanic either! I called (and I always try to be nice even when someone is an ass to me) and the guy copped me major attitude and did not want to send them to me, it wasn't worth the effort, it is not that hard. I asked him to fax it to me at least, so he did do that after some prodding. I am fuming now. Go to put the stuff on and they send me the wrong hardware to attach it to the spindle. WTF!?!? CAMARO!?!?! :Alchy: Called again and got major attitude, said they would call me back. No call back. Weekend now. I got the right bolts at a bolt place in town here, so not that big of an issue. If I lived in Podunkville USA, I would have been screwed tho. I finish the installation and the brakes lock up AFTER driving, cherry red after I get around the block. Turns out, the wrong master cyl was sent. I just went to Orielly and got one so I would not have to deal with them anymore. All this would be ok if I paid Wal Mart prices for them, but they were freakin' expensive!
But they work for now and I am stuck in getting rears from them because nobody will match the rotor look (that I can find). I will prolly just leave the truck drums on them so I won't have to deal with it again.
I would prolly go Willwood next time. Also Aerospace makes awesome drag car brakes, not sure about the street ones though.
Off rant!

[protour_chevelle]

HUH? Am I missing something? Last I checked Baer was using either PBR or Alcon for the higher end kits, neither of which they build themselves.

Their building their mono block 6 piston in house now, If I remember correctly.

-Matt

[chicane67]

I say in the future look at Touring Classics........ they throw down some product for much less moola.

I will note that Todd is a class act though.



HUH? Am I missing something? Last I checked Baer was using either PBR or Alcon for the higher end kits, neither of which they build themselves.

Go Wilwood, way nicer stuff, no waiting, better customer service, easier to find replacement parts for (any circle track supplier), way more pad choices (and way cheaper pads too).

Uh... yeah. That's just it. PBR and Alcon CANNOT supply Baer with the quanity in which the market demands. Which is their main reason for getting into the manufacturing business and recently releasing their own 'monoblock' six pistons..... as well as a few other products soon to be released (mum).

As for Willwood and replacement parts..... they dont even come close to PBR. The pad availability isnt an issue either. Alcon on the other hand is another story..... FORGET turn-around time on replacement parts, but, the pad selection is pretty good.

Man... I remember when I though PBR was the shiznit back in the late 80's early 90's.... and then Willwood in the early to mid 90's.... and then Alcon.... and now AP..... and the funny thing is the better it/they get, the harder parts and sometimes pads are to find.

Ya know..... it never ends. :pat:

[gEtyOpAPiOn]

Maybe In A 2 Month Waiting Period You Can Engrave Baer On Your Pbr Calipers Haha

[yody]

yeah, really, that is why i do my own brake kit
http://geocities.com/codybouc/caliperpage.html

[4MuscleMachines]

Boy was I lucky!! I had tried Wilwood six-piston on my 70 Mustang and was pleased. Decided to try Baer on my 71 Mustang for kicks. Got the 13" front and 12" rear in less than one week shipped to my house, I sh@t you not!! I ordered directly from Baer. I guess Mustang brakes are the only ones in stock...

[camcojb]

HUH? Am I missing something? Last I checked Baer was using either PBR or Alcon for the higher end kits, neither of which they build themselves.




They are making their own calipers now. They're moving in the direction of doing their own for all their lines. Still using PBR's but having problems getting them. The Alcons are all but gone according to the Baer guys on Power Tour. I wanted to get a 4 piston Alcon rear to match the front. They can't even get those anymore. They are still ordering the 6 piston versions.

Jody

[ertoys]

HUH? Am I missing something? Last I checked Baer was using either PBR or Alcon for the higher end kits, neither of which they build themselves.

Go Wilwood, way nicer stuff, no waiting, better customer service, easier to find replacement parts for (any circle track supplier), way more pad choices (and way cheaper pads too).



BTW, their "custom spindles"...I installed a kit last year and could not get the toe set for nothing, then I realized the left steering arm was bent. Thanks for the wrecking yard spindles. (They did send a replacement spindle)

Wilwood also has my vote-great customer service, fast shipping and amazing quality! I cant believe the trouble some of you had, and honestly that was the reason I went with the wilwoods.

[dhardison]

I LOVE my Touring-Classics discs! :yeah: 1000% better than stock brakes. Even better is their customer service. I had a couple small issues and Noel returned my calls/emails promptly and stood behind the product better than any vendor with which I've ever dealt.

Dan

[6'9"Witha69]

Wilwood for me!! Enough said.

[protour_chevelle]

Took me 2 weeks to get my BAER's... Tech support was very helpful. Maybe I got the nice guys?

-Matt

[phaseshift]

My experience is that dealing with them is more trouble for less product. Dealing with AP, Wilwood or any of the other bigger companies seems to give more performance with less trouble, both in terms of product and service.

I can see how the company calling you back to say they are sorry is a neat thing, but you should not be in this situation in the first place. If they have a BOM on the design, it would be easy to make a set, one-off in short order.

[Pro69]

I've also gone around and around with Baer (and Year One) on whether their master cylinder is gonna clear the hood on my Camaro. I had never heard of this being a problem until I called Baer for something else and ended up bringing this up. They told me that they'd never found a brake booster that would allow their master cylinder to clear the hood on 1st gen Camaros. I went back and forth with them and YR1 until I just gave up and ordered one anyway; I haven't put it in yet. I guess we'll see. I'm not that impressed with anything at Baer besides their actual product.

Mine hit when I put it in. It looked like it would barely clear so I closed the hood very lightly and didn't feel anything. When I raised it, I noticed there was a small paint chip on the underside of the hood exactly where the handle sits on top of the master cylinder. Further investigation revealed the master cylinder was the culprit. :banghead: