TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

This part concerns Hawks’ 3” flange v-band clamps and replacement t-bolts.


I’ve had y-pipe fitment problems from the beginning. Had to take to my second choice shop just to physically bolt-up. Shop guy positioned the v-band t-bolt downward so that when I left his steep incline driveway, the bolt bent before even arriving home. Now, I finally took to 1st choice shop, and fixed it the way I want it. Knew I had to cut the bolt, so I began looking for its replacement.
I called Stainless Works to get some tech facts. They said Hawks’ are using flanges that they do not use, so they are proprietary and I’d have to call them. I reluctantly called Hawk’s and got nowhere; you can go outside and measure the flange yourself; there are no replacement parts, you have to buy the whole clamp; ‘the v-band clamps are $75.’ I told the phone rep on the phone that he was not telling me the truth, that I would prove it, and that I would post the proof on TGO. Here’s proof!

A quick internet search shows the clamp can be had for $26.25; http://www.summitracing.com/parts/vp...FcxAMgodX1QA2g

That’s 285% markup! I know businesses need to make a profit, but WOW! Even Summit is below Vibrant’s own website of $32.95; http://vibrantperformance.com/catalo...1022_1125_1161

I called Vibrant and one of their resellers trying to obtain replacement t-bolt parts. Both said they were possible, and then dropped the ball (several calls and e-mails). It’s probably too small an order and too much time to deal with. I even sent Vibrant my Hawks’ invoice as proof of purchase.
I decided that I would have to find the OEM, as Vibrant is a reseller, also. There could be 4 or more resellers in the supply chain, here. I found the OEM, but they would not sell me replacement parts unless I could verify their part #. They would not discuss Vibrant part #’s, which is understandable, but frustrating. They do not want their parts on others’ clamps. Again, understandable, but frustrating. BUT, I found it!

The OEM requires a minimum order of $75 per part! I was not willing to purchase the nuts – same price as the bolts! I only purchased the t-bolts. S&H brought the total to $92 for 12 bolts. I’ll offer 5 pairs to those who PM me and can paypal; $18 for two bolts plus S&H. I’m making $16 on the whole deal – time and gas to post office will eat that up. Tracking number says I’ll have the parts, tomorrow. I’ll post pics of the bolts in my hands.

Hawks’ phone rep was not helpful, did not tell the truth, and I’ve proved it. Once the 5 pairs are sold and I’ve recouped my costs, I’ll post the invoice with the part #’s so everyone can purchase the OEM replacement parts. Beats $75 per clamp!!

Lonnie P

It would be worth it to have a spare.
Padded envelopes at the Post office are only about $2, so shipping would not be that bad for something that small.

Do you take paypal? Gift option has no fees.

TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

Have them in hand. Yes, they're stainless.

$10 - one
$18 - pair

S&H - $3.75

Once they're gone, I'll post the invoice and the part #'s for future use.

blackgloves

Welcome to Hawks... Rip off city with a "stellar" customer service reputation

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

damn that is expensive for the part, glad you found a viable alternative

DiabolicalRS

damn this month is bash hawks or something, his prices have always been high but some reason people are just now complaining bout it.

Blade09

I think its because there have been a couple noteworthy issues here recently so now everyone is nervous about dealing with them. I have bought a few small parts from Bruce that I couldn't find anywhere else period and no issues. But I will say that his prices on most stuff are crazy high. I bought a HSR from summit for $355.00 and Bruce has it listed for $429.00. That seems ridiculous to me, but I won't complain because it was of no more difficulty to just take my business somewhere else.

In all, Bruce and Hawk's have done the community a great service by accumulating all of the common parts us third gen enthusiasts always need, but I fear he has gotten a bit lax with customer service as of late.

DiabolicalRS

im not taking sides but I just saying what I've noticed. but I do understand whats happening could be avoided if prices would go down a little and if I were him I would see wtf is going on with my staff and customer service, perhaps give them a class on how to tend to customers and such. that wuld help out, but on the other hand put yourself in his place he could be going through something and it could be affecting his work. idk im trying to look at both sides of the field

TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

I've worked for a major dept store chain in distribution. Clothing mark-up was 110%, which was their highest mark-up. Sales floor place, had to have on hand, hangers difficult for distribution, etc. all played in to profit margin. 285% is pretty high, even when I don't begrudge a profit margin double the cost - 100%. Knowing that, it was more irritating knowing that what they were telling me was not the truth (intentions aside).
To me, it seems as though the business views customers as a means to their own ends. But that's just my opinion. Don't want them to fail, just intensely dislike be told something that is untrue. That's why I posted this - I proved that the t-bolts are a replacement part! The customer does not have to purchase an entire v-band clamp.

Bigseth

iTrader: (11)

You can get those clamps at any big truck dealership (Freightliner, Kenworth, Mack, etc) for way less than 27 bucks..

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

I never would have even thought those bolts were a "replaceable" part. That's almost like trying to order new needle bearings for a U-joint!! Glad you figured it all out.

I worked at a furniture store in high school and the mark up was over 400% then... Enjoy.

88 350 tpi formula

iTrader: (9)

its nothing new, people have complained for years. usually there was someone who would jump all over the poster and tell them they were dirt for expecting what they paid for and the thread either got locked or stopped getting posts and died.

ive gotten parts from them several times. usually I get half the quality im told I will get.

last time I bought something from them it was a set of lt1 formula tips for another car I had that needed to stay 100% factory looking. I received them in a timely manner but they clearly were bottomed out a few times on the bottom side and painted over by the prior owner in what im guessing was the cars color

I paid a lot for these but due to past exp. I knew better than complain again In the end I took another one for the team and used paint remover and a buffer to get them as clean as possible and used them.

DiabolicalRS

[QUOTE=88 350 tpi formula;5606867]its nothing new, people have complained for years. usually there was someone who would jump all over the poster and tell them they were dirt for expecting what they paid for and the thread either got locked or stopped getting posts and died.

I see, i just been seeing alot of threads recently about hawks.

TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

Not sure about that. OEM said this was not an off the shelf clamp - custom for vendor, but same kinds of set-ups offered. Vendor couldn't/wouldn't sell me a replacement though they said it was possible. Stumbled across the OEM, and they said they were currently out of stock, but had a production run scheduled, so I purchased direct through them - thus, the minimum order.
I believe the same bolt can work for several different clamps - but they wouldn't sell me them unless I could come up with their part # - not the vendor's part #.
Apparently, engineers figure out clamping forces and tensile strength for all this. Regardless, I proved it!

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

I like how hawksthirdgen will only respond to select posts when they come on here and see all of these posts....but my experiences have been positive with them. Gonna be placing another order real soon.

Now, I am sure summit buys that HSR a lot cheaper than he does at hawks. And summit obviously sells a higher volume of parts. but still needs to be competitive.

Richboll

Interesting...

86TA355SR

iTrader: (1)

I usually read these threads and keep opinions to myself....

However, I have to chime in.

I called Hawk's last fall about headliner material. I wanted the material so it would be an exact match. $75 per yard!

I did what everyone can do...thanked her for her time and bought somewhere else. Give me a break.

As said above I think they have done a great service to the third gen community. But with internet, e-bay, and craig's list, people are aware when they are paying too much money for something.

Just my thoughts.

jmd

iTrader: (4)

ebay 310713085715

There is a lot in the details that's funny about that auction.

actarnoff

iTrader: (1)

You can get that at Joann's.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Most of the replacement headliner material uses foam that is almost double the thickness it should be.
Make sure you get the correct stuff or it looks way to puffy.

Richboll

Even using spell check wouldn't help that ad.

Richboll

Or most good fabric stores. I bought mine at Hancock Fabrics and paid about $12 a yard. You couldn't tell it was any different than the original material.

86TA355SR

iTrader: (1)

I know you guys are being helpful. The point is this:
Hawk's is $75/yard when you can buy somewhere else for about $15-20/yard...Even my little Euclid mind can put that together!

TEDSgrad

iTrader: (4)

I don't get worked up over price alone. People will either pay it or not. Buyer beware. First person to market can generally sell higher till competition comes in. Then you have to re-evaluate your pricing.
When falsehoods and UN-helpfulness get thrown in to boot, people will squawk. That's what motivated me to prove them wrong - price by itself would not have given me the motivation. I knew I was not being told the truth in real time. In fact, it would have been cheaper for me (and less time invested) to just order the clamp from Summit and be done with it. But I didn't need a whole clamp - just some replacement bolts which others will probably need, as well. Why buy a cow if you only need fresh milk? I felt that Hawks' was looking out way more for themselves than their customer (they do have to look out for themselves in some sense).
I'm not an engineer or mechanic. My degrees are in Philosophy and Theology. Some tweaking in Business Principles will go a long way to help them. Maybe hiring a business manager and some publicity for "under new management" would really help as well. Bruce could still be owner/front man and let someone with the business skill set run the business behind the scene. Happens all the time.
Bruce turned a passion into a business - way to go! It's not easy in this business killing climate. I'm not one who says Bruce is evil or has bad intent. His business has grown (good for him) to the point where he doesn't/cannot have all the skill sets needed to keep growing further.
I don't mind paying top dollar. I bought his top exhaust system. I paid top dollar to my body work guy - No Mechanical Sanding Used!! It really shows once sprayed. I just have a philosophical and theological disgust with falsehood. It's who I am.

rusty vango

I bought a "perfect" used horn button from hawks. what I got was a horn button that had been destroyed by some one with a hot glue gun. when I called to find out what happened to my "perfect" horn button .bruce just said that they were hard to find that still worked!!WTF!!

jmd

iTrader: (4)

www.ebay.com/itm/380735361847

Why does Bruce list the wrong GM PN instead of the current number for this?
Because every single retailer online sells for less than his eBay price.

Edwardgp

He has lost my business until further notice. I thought this stuff was just happening to me.

86iroct5

there are a number of things wrong with this complaint... things that come to my mind

why must hawks provide a replacement part that was damaged by the user when in its original design not even supposed to be replaced?
if the price isnt right why did you buy? no one held a gun to you..

im not defending hawks, ive read reviews and have had my own discrepences with them, not the point, but it seems like the OP is making a big fuss about something that is 1 not hawks fault and 2 could've been prevented with a different menthod of installation.

just food for thought i buy my v band clamps off ebay.. t304 stainless clamps and mild steel flanges for around $18 and change. shipped from china got to NJ got it in a week, cant beat it. t304 stainless is the same here nor there and havent had a problem with them