kowboy59

iTrader: (8)

Okay guys so far i ordered an adjustable torque arm lower control arms tranny mount and now their top gun driveshaft.

My first order with them was okay except for the fact it took them over a week just to get the stuff shipped out of their place.

The next order was the driveshaft. I ordered it saturday and asked teh guy if i did 3 day priority would it make it here thursday for the drag event here. He said yes and it would be shipped out monday.


I get nothing from them and i called to find out. They still havent made the driveshaft and wont be shipped out for a little more. They email and tell me that on the website it says build to order. However i called them and was nowhere near a computer.

I think they should have told me on the phone. Kind of pisses me off. actually it pisses me off a lot when idk if my driveshaft i have no will hold up for the drag event

Timothayyy

iTrader: (2)

Sorry to hear that, I ordered some stuff from UMI before and it took over a week for them too ship it out and I called them and they said it would be sent out the next day.... well it acually shipped out 5 days later.

So its not just Spohn. Most important to me is the quality of the component, im never too worried about when it comes in. But then again if I was going to the track and NEEDED a part asap id be a little upset too.

Aaron91RS

iTrader: (2)

Ask about the people who prepaid for SFC's back in the day, how long before they shipped.
Shipping within a week is actually pretty good time, so you really have nothing to complain about on the first order.
HOWEVER, on the second if they told you something would be so, and didn't do it, that's crap and I've had the same thing happen before to me.
All vendors seem to exaggerate their times to be quicker then actual.
Why they don't just say upfront, no we can't do that and it will be awhile I don't know.

kowboy59

iTrader: (8)

thats what pissed me off. like then they emailed me today saying oh well you called our 24/7 hotline, they dont know much. Well im sorry but they need to know or tell us they dont know. im just mad cuz if i break my driveshaft ima lose it. lol

If they offered a hey we are sorry heres 10% off, at least they would have made things right.

Im gonna try bmr from now on. theyre like 40 minutes away too and give pickup discounts

SteveSpohn

Let me explain something and hopefully you'll be a little more understanding. This is besides the fact that all the Top Gun driveshaft product pages have this right on the product page:

"Note: This driveshaft is built to order."

Many of the parts we offer are built to order, look at all the options we offer on everything, it would be impossible to have every single conceivable optioned out product sitting on the shelf just waiting to ship. Many of them are, some are not, we stock the most popular set ups and the rest can be a week to be built, powder coated, assembled and shipped.

I can see being frustrated that someone told you it would ship right out on the phone, that I understand. You see our after hours order line is supposed to be just for orders for people who know what they want but can't call during regular hours or don't want to order on the internet. It's a contracted call center that is not even located in our state, the people are not our employees and don't have access to our computers to look up stock, etc. They should have never told you that....

The problem was the industrial complex we were located in burned to the ground. It took a miracle and a ton of begging to get one single phone line run back to our shop. So all of that time we have been operating on one phone line, therefore we had to have all of our toll free numbers ring to the same line. That meant every call got forwarded after hours instead of just orders only calls and our call center people did the best they could dealing with getting the full range of calls.

Fortunately as most of you seen we finally moved out of the charcoal pit last week and are now finally getting back to normal.

I'd like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during our down times since that disastrous day, we appreciate it. Thanks.

Steve Spohn

loud91rs

iTrader: (5)

I called a few days ago asking about shipping on a roll cage. The guy was very polite and got back to me via e-mail the next business day. I also sent an e-mail with a question and it was answered within 20 minutes. I'm sorry but customer service is not a flaw for spohn.

online170

+1 from me.

I ordered a spohn T56 x-member with DS loop a little while ago, and i NEEDED it THAT week to finish my swap within warranty period. I got the x-member in a very timely manner, and they were nothing but helpful with follow up questions i had regarding the install.

I was most impressed by Steve's reply time with e-mail, he got back to me the same day with a problem i was facing during install.

I hear about shipping delays often from UMI, (usually when they do a group purchase or just release a new item), but this is the first im hearing of one from Spohn.

An accident like the workshop burning to the ground, and Steve PERSONALLY apologizing for an outsourced call center is good grounds for forgiveness. Im sure Steve's gonna try to prevent this in the future.

But i agree with kowboy on the fact that if you call a number on SPOHN's website, that is clearly for SPOHN, they should be able to answer questions properly, or atleast ADMIT they do not have the answer. Unless it is clearly stated ORDER LINE ONLY (not for questions) or something like that.....

IROCThe5.7L

I just spent over $500 at Spohn. Couldn't be happier. My parts come tomorrow.




I really hope you don't expect anyone to take your post seriously.

The Project

iTrader: (6)

The fact that Spohn is up and running talks miles for Steve's committment to his customers.

RevItUpZ28

iTrader: (1)

Steve is one of the few vendors who actually take time to come on this website and address feedback about their company. That in itself shows alot about his commitment to his customers.

camaro_boy123

some people eh... { yes im canadian so **** off } if you are going to live by shipping times then you are out to lunch. I ordered some a/c components from a fellow on this board. He shipped them out and they mixed up the order in 3 different sorting plants.......... you cant blame these companies they are dealing wtih a high flow of orders and i know you would like for yours to be there within the hour but be serious. its just not going to happen. Quality takes time my freind.

Toehead

Steve,

I am sorry to hear about your misfortune, and i'm glad that everything is getting back to normal. I'm sure you'll have many more happy customers, as I've heard nothing but the best about you guys.

-Brendan

Confuzed1

iTrader: (4)

-And his commitment to making money.
-It's a smart thing to be committed to your business.....and customers that send in money for your product.

Don't get me wrong here, I've ordered a few things from Steve and have been happy with his products. It's getting hard to find thirdgen specific aftermarket parts nowadays. But it's his job he makes money with and pays his bills with. -And getting your company back up and running as soon as possible means you can start making money again sooner. To say it was because of his commitment to his customers sounds a lot better though doesn't it? Like something a political "Spin Doctor" would say...

As much as I'd like to think he responded to this post just out of pure concern for a fellow thirdgenner that got wronged, let's not take this out of perspective...it's his business. I'd respond too if it were my business - I don't want other customers thinking the answering service I hired was inadequate, even if they actually are.

Normally, when people are told that a product will be shipped on a particular day and it does not get shipped that day, they will inquire about it. 10% off on an order is a small profit margin to eat in order to maintain other customers.

Well put...I agree. But all the above being said, I'd still order stuff from Steve because he does make good quality parts.

camaro_boy123

regardless, how many times have we heard that they provide the best aftermarket parts? who else would you get them from at the same quality? sure enough things happen and if you cant accept that you are in for a wake up call every time something shows up late! i agree also with the order line, sadly alot of companies are doing it now because of the money issue they would have to face highering more employees and paying benefits and all that crap.

your situation sucks but sure enough it will show sooner or later

Ol'Blue

iTrader: (1)

I would be ashamed to provide a sorry service to customers....

calamitascamaro

iTrader: (5)

Hey Ol'blue, not gonna add fuel to the fire here, but the thread was started by a guy who had a complaint. Thats fine, he had the complaint to make. Then the thread filled up with people saying they had good experiences, and with the guy Steve who evidently owns the place apologising directly to the guy with the complaint. Where do you come into this? Oh thats right, the same place I do, not involved. You're just causing arguement for the sake of. Remember this is a place where we're supposed to help each other out, and listening to you act the way you do doesn't represent that very well.

sailtexas186548

iTrader: (2)

i'm ashamed to be part of a board with people who complain so much, when they can't build parts and have to buy them, then they complain about the parts and service others have taken the time to design, build, and market. if you have a problem with parts or service from a vendor, show it by buying from someone else, you dont need to come on here and bash one of the best parts vendors around for our cars. i have tons of spohn parts and i can't say that they are perfect, but i know i cant make them for myself, so i'll live with it, and just be grateful that guys like steve spohn make owning our cars that much more fun with tons of cool bolt ons, and suspension parts

kowboy59

iTrader: (8)

well since steve i guess(?) messaged me about two weeks ago i have heard nothing or received anything in my email about thats it finished or anything.

I understand about your situation and the burn down. But how bout saying that on the website or having the people warn you when you make a purchase. im on a stock driveshaft with 400+hp on motor and more on nitrous. im itching to spray or even launch hard from a dig but i know im screwed.

That why im a little frustrated. Lots of confusion with me and spohn and i have not gotten a sorry directly or anything to let me know we will rush your order...


Also i thought we got discounts being on here and them being a sponsor. thats how all my other forums work

kowboy59

iTrader: (8)

well thing is I wanted to give the benefit of the doubt to them. iive ordered lots of other stuff from them and didnt have any issues except the late shipping. im fine if i get told hey its gonna be a while, but when it takes over a week to get processed and then shipped it gets me mad when i get no info.

I just wanted to state what happened. I think if noone says anything then a company feels that they did fine and there were no issues. im tryin to bring up my experience and just let people know.

vwdave

What rearend are you running? Last I really checked, the driveshaft isnt the main weak point, its the rear. Footbraking a 700r4 isnt the most abusive thing in the world to a driveshaft.

92 Formula

iTrader: (2)

I'm not going to lock this thread because kowboy59 has a legitimate enough complaint.

That said, please remember this a FAMILY friendly website which means our language should be FAMILY FRIENDLY. It's not that hard to do. No name calling. You can be on whatever side of the fence you want to be on this thread, but you have to handle it in a decent way.

Keep this civil and quit saying things that forces me to delete posts when much of what you said was point on.

Thanks.

92WhiteZ28

iTrader: (1)

the thing that gets me, is if u have a 400 HP + motor, and a perfomabuilt tranny and all those nifty parts, why would u wait until a couple days before your day at the track to order the part you NEED to drive your car. I understand sometimes people dont have money and whatnot, but if you know your going to the dragstrip, and know that u will need the part, your not really leaving any room for error. I never get things in the mail on time, ever, thats why i always order them weeks before i need them. Spohn makes great parts, and im sure wen u get your driveshaft you wil be very happy with it. I understand your complaint about the call center, but sometimes you just need to suck it up and take the delay. I know how frustrating it can be, but spohn is a amazing thing for thirdgenners, alot of us are fully willing to wait a little while for a good part, especially if you get to know it was made only a few days before you got it.

ShakerScoops

Well said! These were my sentiments exactly!!
Now for the Kudo's to Steve Spohn for his tenacity to get his building back up and running!!
As a business owner, he did everything right in order to keep his business going and get everything back online in a timely fashion.
I would like to see any one of you who bashed him in this thread, experience these same circumstances and get your business back up and running in the timely manner that he is!! Plus endure the stress and everything else associated with it.
C'mon, anybody want to try???? Well??
Unless you understand what the circumstances are, don't bash, cause all it does is make you look like the guy who helped put the "oron" in "Moron"!!
Good Luck Steve!!!

AC

iTrader: (3)

I'll reiterate my deleted post: Spohn supports a good number of other model / mfg vehicles and most if not all of those are made to order items. Yes, a misleading conversation of a company representitive is bad, BUT to bash the entire business because of that...hmm. I'm going to lean with the majority here (which I'm a part of as well) who own a good number of his products. I think Spohn's is a decent business and the 8 years I've been dealing with him I've only had 1 bad experience and the company did stand behind the mistake so that made matters right with me.

on Spohn IMO.

kowboy59

iTrader: (8)

I agree with you. It was a week away or week and a hlaf. not sure, w/e it may be i would not have been mad at them if they were like look it wont be done till such and such a time. thats all. no biggie. im still wondering where my driveshaft went

kowboy59

iTrader: (8)

im not seeing anything from them. more than two weeks and nothing. im gonna try to get ahold of them now.

AC

iTrader: (3)

kowboy, I do feel your pain on this. You need to know how Spohn sells these driveshafts. He may be relying on other vedors to come through. In the manufacturing business (I was in it for 13years) alot of shops will tell you where to shove it because they know you can't get it from anything else. Nothing infuriated me more when I heard of these things. I'd need something fast or for a good price and the shops would say "Well, you can take the buisness elsewhere and when you come back, we'll charge you double." THEY ACTUALLY SAID THAT!.
Just asess the situation you're in. You've had a good experience once, the second doesn't sound to be going so smoothly so you also need to take into account the product quality (B+ to an A+). Talk to Steve, describe your frustation, displeasure, and round about bad experience. Any shop should understand this and the shops that stand behind their service wheter its contracted or inhouse are the shops you want to continue doing business with.

zracTA

For years Spohn's shop has had a bad reputation for shipping things late or promising products that were released months after if not years and if it isn't a move to another location reason it's a burned down shop or any other reason (I won't call them excuses, they could be legitimate reasons for all I know or care), that is enough for me to not buy his things, but on the other hand his products do seem to be good as the years have proven.

I don't mean to be beating a dead horse, but it is what it is and it will never change.

on a side note, I find the idea of an after hours "call center" for a business that makes aftermarket car parts little strange if not downright

Saigon_Bob

iTrader: (2)

Well Brad im gunna say STFU... your 275 street tires and stock posi arent helpin things either... you dont have anything to worry about and im sure your far from sprayin it still.

Remember when i was in the Auto industry... getting stuff on time is a misnomer... it doesnt happen. ever. unless you are 100% in house you can expect delays and what not..

A lack of communication yea that sucks. I know BMR listed the TH350 xmember incorrectly on they website for the 82 camaro. I still got it in the car with mods and I sent the mods i did to BMR. They had decent communications with me the whole time. On the other hand when I called TCI to complain about a loud clunk coming outta the tranny i got from them they told me to take it apart and they would send me the piece to fix it....


all depends... on a side note Im comin over later today to smack you lol and give you the money for the A/C delete and give you the gauge back.

jimmy92rs

iTrader: (3)

Id say two thumbs up! I ordered an adjustable torquearm and xmember and recieved it in 3 days. Another order I ordered a transmount and rear torquearm mounting hardware and received that in 3 days. A company cant make everyone happy, but it seems that 9 out of 10 are.

87BlackZ

I have never had a problem ordering stuff from them and I even called while I was in the area for business a few months ago and picked up the parts that I needed in a few hours.

I have had some parts on my vehicle for a few years and I am very happy with the products.

It would make sense to get your parts way ahead of time to make sure there are no issues not only from shipping but your own vehicle as well, and from what I read in the earlier posts the burning down of a business would be professionally and personally hard.

At least Steve posted and explained the issue which few companies do. Jeg's is one of them.

jimmy92rs

iTrader: (3)

Steve, I know this is of topic, but i was wondering if you have any ideas on making your crossmembers with double humps to allow a 4th gen "style" y-pipe for the guys running longtubes. There is very little ground clearance and the double hump design would help gain a couple inches. Just a suggestion.

Rayzor32

iTrader: (1)

**** it just go blow up your old driveshaft (unlikely u joints are weakest point) and put the new one on when it comes

Ol'Blue

iTrader: (1)

I find it funny that the we have claims of a shop burning down. We have people recieving items and someone not. Then another saying they've used these types of excuses before... That's my .02 cents. Noone liked my last dollar but I also think those were bias opinions for an awful reason. Personally I think BMR make far superior products with UMI 2nd. Kowboy, ask for a refund and move on....

kowboy59

iTrader: (8)

Thats the thing. I called to cancel my order. she gives me some number says they will help you. then theyre closed. I leave a message and say i need to cancel blah blah blah. nothing. I mean honestly what is going on.

racing geek

iTrader: (5)

I sent an e-mail to the Spohn tech people on 7/2/08 and still have not gotten a response. The greasable bushing they sent me for my 36mm front sway bar is not closing all the way. Even when it is torqued down, there is still about a 1/8" gap on each bushing.

I was very pleased with their shipping time for the many parts I ordered considering they had to go half way across the country. It just doesn't seem right that they can receive an order, process the order, gather the parts, package it, and have it dropped off at my door step faster than they can answer an e-mail. What the heck is up with that??

Mike
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