ridetech setup(from frustrated to happy) [Archive]

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66larkgs

01-20-2012, 08:04 PM

I just wanted to start this off with i just purchased all new RideTech control arms, shockwaves , and to me being a automotive high school shop teacher that is getting married in 5 months i have spent alot of cash with ridetech(i sold my other hotrod so i could afford to finish this one for the wedding). i purchased a e2 setup with a compressor, tank and a computor but it was missing the controller. I called ridetech exsplained i was missing the controller and ordered a e3 controller. $316.00 dollars later one is on its way.At that point i was as happy as can be.I thought i had a e3 setup but while looking at the setup closer i realized it was a e2 setup. Once i realized I messed up i called ridetech to let them know what happened and they were great about returning the e3 for exchange of the e2.i never opened the box and the day it hit my doorstep i paid to have it shipped back. well a few weeks have went by while my car is tieing up a lift waiting for a controller with it's brand new shockwaves mounted and uninflated and today the e2 arrives. i am so excitied to get it on the ground ,Well i must have made another mistake. When i opened it thier is no wire from the computor to the controller. I should have asked if it came with the controller, so i go on jegs to look to see if i can get a harness from the computor to the controller.. well i found the controller @ jegs part# con7003 for $200.00 . When i called ridetech the second time to let them know i messed up i asked if thier was a price difference and they said NO. I looked up the part number on my slip and it is con7001 which shows up as a e2 system. Why is jegs $100 cheaper and why didnt i get the 4 wire harness?Why was the part # different on my slip? shouldent it be 7001? i have been so excited about this setup because i am tring to build this 66 skylark and make it a real head turner and a performer and this just made me feel like i got lied too. any insight on this would be great.. i havent called them yet because i wanted some of your opinions first..
Thank You

Paul Estrella
66 skylark pro-touring
buick 401 nailhead with garret turbo 7psi boost
th400,c5 brakes, ridetech suspension
billet specialties wheels
built custom 9"with stange case and detroit locker

MrQuick

01-20-2012, 08:16 PM

you might get the owner or rep here.

jegs is cheaper cause they buy in volume and can sell near dealer cost.

ROLLDAMTIDE

01-20-2012, 08:19 PM

Not quite the same situation, but, I ordered upper and lower arms, and coilovers about a month ago to take advantage of their special, only to find out that the coilovers are on back order and am still waiting...

66larkgs

01-20-2012, 08:25 PM

you might get the owner or rep here.

jegs is cheaper cause they buy in volume and can sell near dealer cost.

when i bought my shockwaves, The prices @ ridetech, summit and jegs were all the same. The parts were even shipped directly from ridetech when i ordered the rear setup from jegs.

Paul

bret

01-20-2012, 09:34 PM

Not possible for you to have recently ordered or received an e2 from our shop...we haven't sold those for 3 years. I'll be back in the shop on Monday to gather the facts on this. Then you'll be able to rename your post (happy, enthusiastic) Hang in there until Monday.

If any of our dealers (including Jegs) are priced differently than our price at the shop, they have made a mistake...a typo or data entry error.

On the coil over order...our December sale was quite successful and we simply ran out of some sizes. As of today all coil over backorders have been shipped. My apologies for the delay!

AndrewNTX

01-21-2012, 05:54 AM

.. i havent called them yet because i wanted some of your opinions first..
Thank You

Paul Estrella
66 skylark pro-touring
buick 401 nailhead with garret turbo 7psi boost
th400,c5 brakes, ridetech suspension
billet specialties wheels
built custom 9"with stange case and detroit locker

I found RideTech to be outstanding in customer service and attention to issues. I did a Falcon a few years ago, my first time installing an air suspension and their assistance made it a whole lotta fun. They have an excellent website with a forum where questions are answered promptly. Give the vendor a chance to resolve the situation, in my experience they went above and beyond, I was especially impressed!

marolf101x

01-21-2012, 11:52 AM

First I have to state that we have not sold the e2 control system for a couple of years. As such the e2 is no longer "technically" supported, but we consider each case on an individual basis and do what we can to come to the best possible solution for the customer. So purchasing an e2 display is not an issue (so long as we have parts available).

Price Difference between Ridetech and Jegs:
As we have not sold the e2 for a couple of years it's very possible that Jegs is incorrect. I state this also as we changed our entire part number system (each part now has an 8-digit part number). Jegs lists the old style part number, not the new one.
We make every effort possible to keep everyone's prices the same. Whether you buy it from your local hot rod shop, directly from us, or from the "big box" part stores the prices should be the same. We don't give huge price breaks to the big guys because they buy more.

Receiving the correct parts:
As you did not purchase the control system directly from us we are relying on the customer to tell us exactly what parts they need to make the system complete. I'm sorry it was not explained that the display you purchased was the display only and did not come with the harness. Please contact us during business hours and we'll make sure you get the harness you need.

Car stuck on lift:
We have a very simple solution. . .put air in the bags and move the car. (You can drive it like this for months if you'd like.) We offer an inflation kit that allows you to do just that (it's some airline and Schrader valves):
http://www.ridetech.com/store/inflation-kit-with-1-4-elbows.html
Or you probably have enough fittings and parts laying around the shop that you can get this accomplished and not spend any money.

What to do now:
Please contact us Monday and we'll do whatever we can to get your vehicle up and running! Bottom line, we are all hot rodders and have been in your situation. . .all we want at that point is the issue resolved!

Protour_Pinto

01-21-2012, 12:24 PM

I purchased a used Ridetech kit for my Pinto/Caddy project. I had a couple questions, called Ridetech and they guy on the phone was more than helpful and had the information I needed. Topnotch customer service.

Once its on the ground you will enjoy the product!

66larkgs

01-21-2012, 03:57 PM

my orginal invoice number is 0177247-in which i purchased the e3 and the second one is 0177660-in which i ordered the e2 (part#31297001)from you guys). i have been very impressed with that a company as big as yours i get a reply within one day from the president and a R&D guy!! This says alot about your guys and company I thank you for that. It is easy to be like i wont answer it today and deal with it on monday but you put me at ease with just a simple we will work on it.. Thanks Again for that and if possiable please let me know the part for the harness and i will order it up on monday.
Thank You
Paul Estrella

Not possible for you to have recently ordered or received an e2 from our shop...we haven't sold those for 3 years. I'll be back in the shop on Monday to gather the facts on this. Then you'll be able to rename your post (happy, enthusiastic) Hang in there until Monday.

If any of our dealers (including Jegs) are priced differently than our price at the shop, they have made a mistake...a typo or data entry error.

On the coil over order...our December sale was quite successful and we simply ran out of some sizes. As of today all coil over backorders have been shipped. My apologies for the delay!

MrQuick

01-22-2012, 09:55 PM

marolf101x

01-23-2012, 01:02 PM

Paul,

You are looking for part # 31900032 (e2, 12 foot ECU to display cable).

darren@ridetech

01-24-2012, 06:27 AM

Paul, tried to call you a couple times, you voicemail is full, so i can't leave a message. Give me a shout when you get a chance. 812-481-4706.

66larkgs

01-24-2012, 01:43 PM

Just so everyone knows these guys are great!! they all went out of thier way to make sure my issue was solved in a fast manner.. can't say you get this type of service everywhere but will buy again from in a heartbeat and reccommend everyone else do the same.

Thanks again

Paul

ROLLDAMTIDE

01-24-2012, 03:25 PM

I have a positive update as well..... Uh, well sorta..... All my parts shipped I/5/12, just not to my house. They shipped to the dealer (for whatever reason) .. So I'm just assuming the dealer is waiting on parts from another couple of sources (combine shipping?) anyway, I talked to nick at ridetech today and he was of great help. I'll be ordering direct from now on.... #lessonlearned

brownz

01-24-2012, 05:34 PM

Ride tech = great customer service!!!

BulldawgMusclecars

01-24-2012, 05:39 PM

Great parts, great service, great people...you can't go wrong with RideTech.

SicMonte

01-24-2012, 07:07 PM

Darren is the man over there!! He has helped me out alot...and still continues to help!

AintQik

01-30-2012, 08:35 AM

I like their stuff, and service a lot. I was leary about the new coil overs because I see them as air bag people but I was wrong. The coil over and 4 link were pretty neat. Customer service was above and beyond.

68vert

01-30-2012, 06:24 PM

Not to hijack your thread but I think it's awesome Brett is on here and responsive. I just ordered the first round of my ridetech setup and can't wait to get it on my camaro so I can autocross with Brett & the rest of the ridetech guys;)

JRouche

01-30-2012, 10:52 PM

Same satisfaction I have been getting from AR all along. In a way for me who deals with many aftermarket performance parts companies as a cunsumer its CRAZY!! AR should patent the customer service ethics they have. OH WAIT!! Customer service USED to be like this across the board. Solly, no patent, its public domain now its so old, people just forgot about it.

Its almost a shame that a company that puts out some solid high performance parts is just as well known for the customer support. And the shame is NOT on them. Its on ALL the other companies that DONT want to expend the payroll to hire qualified folks that CAN answer the questions or dont want to work with a customer that had issues that was completely out of their (AR) hands.

I think in this day and time when folks have to spend wisely its wise for any company to put some effort into the other side of the business which goes beyond production but ALSO customer care.

Many companies have lost that skill or are too greedy and dont want to deal with a dissatisfied customer. Its cheaper for them to drop a customer VS hiring qualified personnel and having a support staff that is ready to handle the entire product line. Skilled support staff can be as expensive (if not more) than skilled production staff. Many companies choose to save some money on the support side. Ridetech has not!!

I really hope that trend continues. JR

ROLLDAMTIDE

02-09-2012, 05:09 PM

If only that same great service extended through the dealers... #stillwaitingandfedup

darren@ridetech

02-10-2012, 02:41 PM

Not sure what the situation is. Give me a shout and I'll see what i can do. 812-481-4706

jlcustomz

02-10-2012, 04:33 PM

Ridetech is the top of the food chain in reliable handling airride setups & has upheld there customer service standards.
However, I had one complaint with one of their guys I talked to at daytona rod run a few years ago. I was explaining to him that I,d been wanting a ridetech setup for years & not someone elses, But like many other people, my job pay had drastically dropped from what it was &wanted to know what might be the most affordable setup I could be happy with just to get going with a basic air system for now, & upgrade later.
Well the first thing out of his mouth after me explaining that was we can get you in the door for$5,000 plus. That didn,t set well with me & I,ll do my air ride like I do everything else, Build my own using common knowledge, common sense, sweat & blood. I understand a company that makes good product spends a lot to develop &make it, but to arrogantly try to upsell to a person who just explained he can't afford much now , but wants your product is just plain bad.
If my pay gets back to what it used to be, I may just have DSE suspension components mixed with my air ride setup.
Sorry for the rant here.

Steve Chryssos

02-10-2012, 04:45 PM

Glad it all worked out, but DON'T invite the Ridetech guys to your wedding. They will drive all the way from Indiana in some loud hot rod, stay for the whole weekend and say something really embarrassing in front of your future mother in law.

makoshark

02-10-2012, 04:50 PM

I think that this is a situation to Ridetech appealing to a certain niche in the market. They produce an excellent, American-made product with hands-on R&D. A company full of car enthusiasts trying to put the best product out there for their market. With all that said, they cannot appeal to all budgets. If their products are out of your budget, then don't bash them because of it.

Ron.in.SoCal

02-10-2012, 05:26 PM

SicMonte

02-11-2012, 07:34 AM

66larkgs

02-11-2012, 09:32 AM

[QUOTE=jlcustomz;881126]Ridetech is the top of the food chain in reliable handling airride setups & has upheld there customer service standards.
However, I had one complaint with one of their guys I talked to at daytona rod run a few years ago. I was explaining to him that I,d been wanting a ridetech setup for years & not someone elses, But like many other people, my job pay had drastically dropped from what it was &wanted to know what might be the most affordable setup I could be happy with just to get going with a basic air system for now, & upgrade later.
Well the first thing out of his mouth after me explaining that was we can get you in the door for$5,000 plus. That didn,t set well with me & I,ll do my air ride like I do everything else, Build my own using common knowledge, common sense, sweat & blood. I understand a company that makes good product spends a lot to develop &make it, but to arrogantly try to upsell to a person who just explained he can't afford much now , but wants your product is just plain bad.
If my pay gets back to what it used to be, I may just have DSE suspension components mixed with my air ride setup.
Sorry for the rant here.[/QUOT

I consider myself to be a normal guy and I wanted the best and I wanted to run ridetech. With quality comes cost!! I sat up at night and started brainstorming to figure out how to get a e2/e3 system and the shockwaves and control arms to fit in my budget. I started hustling and buying and selling used ridetech stuff and flopping it on ebay.I started with a complete e2 setup with complete skockwaves front and rear minus the controller. I ended selling the shockwaves and the level sensors for the cost of the whole setup. I than bought a new set of front single adjustable shockwaves for$855 shipped and a set of rear coolrides from ridetech for$300. I also purchased their lower control arms and bought 1/4air line for$22 from the local parts store.I am in to my whole setup for under$2400 with new front shockwaves,new control arms,and new coolride. If you want it bad enough you can hussle and find a way.

jlcustomz

02-11-2012, 02:05 PM

66larkqs, understand what you're saying.
Mako shark, tried to word my comment carefully. my point was not to blantantly bash one of our sponsers for having something that I can,t afford. This thread was about customer service & customer service starts before the sale. At the time, the base ridetech setup for a g-body was right at $2,000.My point was after alittle explaining of what I wanted to know, tring to upsell me immediately over double the starting system price is poor customer service.
In my business, I many times help people with something lower price or less at a time, especially when they compliment us on our reputation. Several times we've gotten larger jobs off of these people themselves or a referal that we wouldn't have gotten by not treating them right before the sale.That was kinda the point here. In this economy, struggling people today may make more than you tommorrow.
As for what I,m planning on doing on suspension, I,ll make my own brackets that years agoI would just have bought , fit an engine driven compressor off a work truckI already have, Possibly a used alum air tank off a semi or ambulance, a few top quality industrial parts, & for now new manual gauges & Manual air valves {yea, don't say it}.This will get me a working system & can upgrade later.
Besides, I have other innovations to spend money on.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/12/lakeoffire2b20copy-1.jpg

66larkgs

02-12-2012, 08:16 AM

We have had a family owned auto sales and repair shop for almost 40 years so I understand what you are saying. I was a ASM @ a big Toyota dealership and we pride ourselves with getting %100 customer service and the sale will follow. I found ridetech customer service to be excellent with me. I would say give them another shot and you wont be dissapointed. Deal with Darren, he is a normal car guy with great customer service. Try to Watch ebay for control systems. You can save alot and then spend the money on nice SA shockwaves. I went to sears and bought one of thief 5 gal air tanks for$25 and used that on a rod we built before. Welded two 1/4 npt bungs and saved over $75 for a bought tank. Gd luck on your other project! My dad called me to let me know last night that we have a new boat to work on...My ADHD is on HIGH speed and I love it!
Paul
Turbo Buick Nailhead
Pro-Touring 66 Skylark

SparkyRnD

02-13-2012, 09:02 PM

sounds like you need to have a mod change the title of this thread to RideTech, rocking & happy!

Larry Callahan

02-13-2012, 09:08 PM

glad it all worked out, but don't invite the ridetech guys to your wedding. They will drive all the way from indiana in some loud hot rod, stay for the whole weekend and say something really embarrassing in front of your future mother in law.

lol!

MonzaRacer

02-15-2012, 02:07 AM

I can say one thing, you wont find better people. This was back in 98, I had my 71 Monte, the rear springs were sooooo bad I had TWO coil spring lift kits welded together, my springs were so bad in back sitting on ground they were about 4 in tall!
Well this was back before East Coast Power Tour 98, I wanted to go with my buddy. Finding right springs,,,6 weeks out.
Didnt want to pull ones from my 70.
So I drive the 30 miles from home to ART back when Bret was still working out of his brothers computer business. He was working on parts for the Bonneville he was building for his wife.
So I asked him about how good of a deal I could get, and could I use individual lines and do a manual fill,,,sure no problem.
And I got 4 brackets, two quick connect 90s, roll of 1/4 in line and few bolts.
Went to local truck shop for couple of fittings and local hardware store for couple bladder tank nipples.
Bolted the fittings through the holes in ends of bumper, pointing down. 55-65 psi and installed that night and next day went to Vincennse Indiana and hauled back 4 blocks, 6 heads, 4 or 5 cranks and some misc other parts,,,in the trunk,,yes Montes have huge trunks. and with 75 psi it drove like a dream.
My current 78C10 has CoolRide all around and 3 paddle switches and I use a 5 gal tank and AC compressor for air supply. heck it even has a air hose to air up tires and such. Did it on limited budget. and built it as nearly true bolt on. Only welding was for axle brackets.
Well and I had to weld up a frame dimple for stock shock on left rear.
Miss driving my truck,,,need to get it running again.
Had hoped for some good luck this spring. Time and luck will tell.