TORQUE MONSTER Headers GROUP BUY

[Swervedriver]

Has the band wagon left for the group buy or can I still jump on for a discount?

 

[Turdle]

some of us cant drive our trucks until we get these.. im stuck in my mom 95 camry...not a great winter car by any means..

get a stock manifold to fix it then.

It's starting to look like an el-scamo-whamo.

Then you'd better get your money back. No headers for you!!

This June will be 10 years for me on the forum. I have NEVER seen non delivery on these tubes, save for the people who got impatient and demended $$ back. Maybe you guys should have done some reading before you sent money so you'd know what you were in for.

Building the headers takes time, sending them for coating takes time, waiting for materials takes time. Learn to be a bit patient. They have been making these things for some time now, and no one has been disappointed yet. You were ALL warned in the beginning that the wait time would be a MINIMUM of 3 weeks, probably more. Complaining about the headers not being on your doorstep within a week is not going to do anyone any good. It takes 3 weeks to make one of these headers and get it to someone's door. It takes even longer if there are wait times for materials, cutting the flanges, delays with the coating, or just a big number of orders. Plus, on top of that, no matter how much you all feel like you should be their only priority, you are not the only business they are getting, and they can't just turn away all their other customers, just because you guys feel like you gathered a big group and spent a lot of money.

And on top of all that, you guys expect them to answer 8 million dozen e-mails and phone calls a day from you guys begging to sneak your order to the front of the line, instead of them actually getting work done.

Well, I doubt they will ever want to make a deal with this forum again, and seeing how most of you are acting/thinking, I would recommend you never participate in a group buy again. I've been in MUCH bigger ones with MUCH more uncertainty. You aren't going to get screwed, 6000-10000 isn't a lot of money when you have a business to run, overhead and material costs. There are little burger joints that take in more money than that in less time. I used to sell that much in tires and oil every couple days, not to mention charging for actual work on vehicles or parts sales, and that was in a little two man truck shop.

Just relax.

^^^this

 

[bronchole]

It's starting to look like an el-scamo-whamo.

I tell you what, you can sell me your $300 or $350 deposite for $200.

Find is right. It is a well known FACT that although these headers are the best option currently available for our application, they are slow, unresponsive and uncommunicative (is that a word?), but eventually they will deliver. The main question for this group buy is will the headers be delivered first or will the baby be delivered first.

You should really do a bit of research before buying something like this. I realize it is allot of money for a situation that is less than comfortable. But you can't say that it is not expected.

BTW, do not order anything off of Ebay from China and expect it to be to your door in 3-4 days. It isn't going to happen.

 

[Turdle]

some of us cant drive our trucks until we get these.. im stuck in my mom 95 camry...not a great winter car by any means..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/98-99-00-01...ts=Model:Explorer&hash=item416adb5818&vxp=mtr

50.00 between you and driving your own truck. Venture to say you can then remove the manifold when your headers get here and sell it for 25-30 easy. Plus, swapping the manifold will give you some practice.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

wow. looking at some of the last comments here, some of you guys may screw it up for EVERYONE permanently. last year when i got mine from bob, it took about 3 months. it stopped me from doing my v8 swap dead in my tracks, but i knew it was going to take a while to get them done. they are giving you a price break on them. they could have said no, but they didnt. however, look at it this way. they could turn around and say the people that want these headers are PITA to deal with, and stop making them all together, and anyone that wants them in the future will be sol, as well as you guys. you dont know if they are making a set of headers for a race team that are shelling out 2000 dollars for. if that was the case, i would be busting ass on them first.
also remember this, good, fast, cheap. if you want it good, your not going to get it fast, if you want it fast, its not going to be cheap. if you want it cheap, its not going to be good.

 

[R1dd1cK]

I know if they where still selling them on there site me and 2 others would be trying to buy them. Is it to late to still get in on the group buy?

 

[FIND]

Best way to find out is to give them a call during business hours and ask. Their contact information is at the top of this thread. Don't expect the headers to get done fast.

 

[JCase]

Don't expect the headers to get done fast.

And don't expect them to answer the phone. And if they do, don't expect to get a call back if they take your number. And if they take your money, don't expect them to give you a time frame when you can expect them. And if you get justifiably impatient after 3 months of being ignored by them, don't expect anyone on this forum to have your back.

Jeez, getting these headers are like waiting to get a winning lotto ticket to board Noahs ark.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

Jeez, getting these headers are like waiting to get a winning lotto ticket to board Noahs ark.

best part, nobody is forcing nobody to buy them either.

 

[CDW6212R]

best part, nobody is forcing nobody to buy them either.

Wait a minute, bad customer service doesn't make it the consumer's fault.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

i do realize that, but there have been a lot of people saying there would be a long wait.

 

[JCase]

For clarification: I don't have any agenda or loyalties toward Al's Headers, or this forum for that matter.

I'm stating obvious problems with this company, which some are aware and used to but others are not. I am only expressing my issues (which many others have) about it.

Having a great product or service everyone wants is only half (or less) of every successful business. Bottom line, customer service is priority number 1.

I do understand there are people who ARE loyal to this company based only on them having an exceptional product and that it's the only header in town for application.

I understand that.

But I suggest not making excuses for some one or company you don't have a vested interest in. And if you do, make sure it's factual.

If he was working on "bigger and better things" like thousands of dollar race headers, it doesn't justify being ignored or not giving a time frame of expectancy to people you have taken money from.

First priority or not, every business is in business to make customers happy, and that means making every customer feel like they ARE top priority.

I could only wish I was "so behind" and had this many people knocking down my door for what I am making (and people defending me without paying them). The no brainer here is to hire more people to address the demand! More money in my pocket when all is said and done!

::Edited for diplomacy::

 

[JCase]

I tell you what, you can sell me your $300 or $350 deposite for $200.

I haven't had a chance to give them my money because Erica never called me back and they haven't picked the phone up the last 3 times I called.

 

[JCase]

wow. looking at some of the last comments here, some of you guys may screw it up for EVERYONE permanently.

If your taking about me, I'm not screwing up anything that wasn't screwed up to begin with.

If it takes walking on glass or humbling myself for the privilege of doing business with them, and if it takes one mans negative feedback about there lack of business sense on a public forum to upset them enough to never make another TMH for anyone ever again, then its not me who is the bad guy here.

 

[JCase]

Hey SKURZ,

Where are you buddy?

 

[FIND]

When exactly are you calling them, because everyone else seems to be able to get them on the phone.... Remember, this is a shop in California, so make sure you are calling on their time, not yours. Plus, I think Erica is only REALLY there part-time.

3 months of waiting on them? What? And what do you mean don't expect a time-frame? We were all given a time frame. No less than three weeks to two months. Skurz even stated that EXPLICITLY in this thread.

I'm a little confused by your post. First you talk about being a part of this group buy, that they just started taking orders on a couple weeks ago, then you say you have been being ignored for 3 months and haven't been able to get your order in, then you say they took your money and didn't give you a time frame on your order.

Which is it? You say you are expressing your problems with this company, but you are obviously not having all these problems. You wanted a third party not associated with them to explain why they take so long and don't answer e-mails, we answer, then you tell us not to make excuses for them. I can see you are angry, but blowing up at this forum over it, and accusing them of stealing isn't helping anything.


What exactly are you complaining about? From the way it sounds, you are complaining about them from only the impressions you are getting from some other people about them. How much of what you are talking about is even your own personal experience with them? If you don't like how you do business, don't do business with them. If you think you can offer the same product to the same customer base, and offer better customer service, then by all means, do so.

After years and years of dealing with people who make racing parts and other small-volume or custom automotive parts, I guess I am used to dealing with little bitty shops that don't always give you the same customer service experience you get when you stop into your bank. Once again, if you don't like it, don't do business with them, but don't call it a scam and try scaring people just because you have had a dissatisfying customer service experience.

Anyway, like I said. Lots of us have done business with them before. They are slow, and they are sometimes hard to get on the phone, but their product is of the HIGHEST quality, and they will do EVERYTHING they can to make sure you are happy with that product. Yeah, they can be a little difficult to deal with on the customer service front. That's why it kind of sucks that Bob doesn't sell them anymore, since he kind of dealt with some of the sluggishness and he knew the best times to talk to them, but hey. This isn't really a shop that usually deals directly with the end customers. They produce headers for a lot of different guys that sell them in pretty low volume. Honestly, we should feel kind of lucky that they kept making them and said we should deal with them directly after Bob stopped selling them. Still, this is basically a one-man shop that makes custom headers, and has a person who helps with the business on the side. This kind of customer service is actually pretty normal for shops like this.

Oh well, try them again on Tuesday. 714-630-1833 I think the best time to get them on the phone is probably between 10 and noon their time, but IDK, other people may have other suggestions. Don't bother trying to e-mail, they suck at e-mail.

 

[YoungMounty]

Thank you FIND, I've been watching this thread for a while and been wanting to chime in but you basically stated everything I wanted to say. It took me two weeks to get my order through after explicitly telling Erica I had money in hand. After that it took 4 weeks to get them to my door with one response from Erica the first week even though I e-mailed and called many times. I was worried as I was the 2nd or 3rd to get them directly from Al's but they showed up 6 weeks from when I first initiated the ordering process. The benefits FAR outweigh the cost and you are getting the best product, best "bang for your buck" bolt on modification you can do to your explorer, mountaineer, v8 swap ranger ever. If you are not prepared to wait up to two months (AT LEAST, IMO) then deal without them because that's what it takes. And I advise you to jump now (and wait the few months) because who knows how long Al will continue to make these.

 

[JCase]

When exactly are you calling them, because everyone else seems to be able to get them on the phone.... Remember, this is a shop in California, so make sure you are calling on their time, not yours. Plus, I think Erica is only REALLY there part-time.

3 months of waiting on them? What? And what do you mean don't expect a time-frame? We were all given a time frame. No less than three weeks to two months. Skurz even stated that EXPLICITLY in this thread.

I'm a little confused by your post. First you talk about being a part of this group buy, that they just started taking orders on a couple weeks ago, then you say you have been being ignored for 3 months and haven't been able to get your order in, then you say they took your money and didn't give you a time frame on your order.

Which is it? You say you are expressing your problems with this company, but you are obviously not having all these problems. You wanted a third party not associated with them to explain why they take so long and don't answer e-mails, we answer, then you tell us not to make excuses for them. I can see you are angry, but blowing up at this forum over it, and accusing them of stealing isn't helping anything.


What exactly are you complaining about? From the way it sounds, you are complaining about them from only the impressions you are getting from some other people about them. How much of what you are talking about is even your own personal experience with them? If you don't like how you do business, don't do business with them. If you think you can offer the same product to the same customer base, and offer better customer service, then by all means, do so.

After years and years of dealing with people who make racing parts and other small-volume or custom automotive parts, I guess I am used to dealing with little bitty shops that don't always give you the same customer service experience you get when you stop into your bank. Once again, if you don't like it, don't do business with them, but don't call it a scam and try scaring people just because you have had a dissatisfying customer service experience.

Anyway, like I said. Lots of us have done business with them before. They are slow, and they are sometimes hard to get on the phone, but their product is of the HIGHEST quality, and they will do EVERYTHING they can to make sure you are happy with that product. Yeah, they can be a little difficult to deal with on the customer service front. That's why it kind of sucks that Bob doesn't sell them anymore, since he kind of dealt with some of the sluggishness and he knew the best times to talk to them, but hey. This isn't really a shop that usually deals directly with the end customers. They produce headers for a lot of different guys that sell them in pretty low volume. Honestly, we should feel kind of lucky that they kept making them and said we should deal with them directly after Bob stopped selling them. Still, this is basically a one-man shop that makes custom headers, and has a person who helps with the business on the side. This kind of customer service is actually pretty normal for shops like this.

Oh well, try them again on Tuesday. 714-630-1833 I think the best time to get them on the phone is probably between 10 and noon their time, but IDK, other people may have other suggestions. Don't bother trying to e-mail, they suck at e-mail.

So the facts are clear...

1. 3 Months Waiting: They have only been ignoring me for two weeks (when this group buy started) since I gave Erica my number to call me back, and not getting a response (picking up the phone) the last 3 times I've called. Similar experience to others who have posted on this thread.

2. Time Zones: Yes, this isn't the dark ages, and I understand the world is not flat.

3. More on 3 Months Waiting?: Again. Even though I'm a new face on this forum, I have been reading what others have gone through with the previous caretaker and salesman of this product (Bob) and was just making a point.

4. Part Time Staff: Erica part time or not, why are you making excuses for her when she doesn't answer my calls when they are in the same time frame (within an hour and a half) from when she took it previously?

5. Third Party Association: Actually, I was the first and only one to comment to SKURZ that there is no need to have a third party between me and the person I would like to buy headers from.

6. Put Up or Shut Up: This is one of my gripes I didn't fully express in my last posts. YOU, the people who have NO real affiliation with this company that defend them are their, and the prospective buyers worst enemy. You make excuses for them and pacify people who have legitimate complaints, instead of us (the paying public) gathering together the give them a reason to change the way they operate. People like you FIND (for free, and I really don't know why) give them a reason to conduct business as usual. Like an enabler to a drug user, you screw the whole family.

7. The Scamo-Whamo Comment: I'm sorry for that. I'm not accusing anyone of stealing, just trying to get a response, which I definitely did.

8. Small Time Business: Well, I understand that. I understand also if they stay that way.

9.Feeling Lucky: Being on the receiving end of getting some $800 headers for my $2,500 Explorer just because I'm looking for a bit of performance doesn't and never will make me feel lucky. If your so insecure or elitist that you need them to feel cool for your own self worth, i will pray for you.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

So the facts are clear...

1. 3 Months Waiting: They have only been ignoring me for two weeks (when this group buy started) since I gave Erica my number to call me back, and not getting a response (picking up the phone) the last 3 times I've called. Similar experience to others who have posted on this thread.

2. Time Zones: Yes, this isn't the dark ages, and I understand the world is not flat.

3. More on 3 Months Waiting?: Again. Even though I'm a new face on this forum, I have been reading what others have gone through with the previous caretaker and salesman of this product (Bob) and was just making a point.

4. Part Time Staff: Erica part time or not, why are you making excuses for her when she doesn't answer my calls when they are in the same time frame (within an hour and a half) from when she took it previously?

5. Third Party Association: Actually, I was the first and only one to comment to SKURZ that there is no need to have a third party between me and the person I would like to buy headers from.

6. Put Up or Shut Up: This is one of my gripes I didn't fully express in my last posts. YOU, the people who have NO real affiliation with this company that defend them are their, and the prospective buyers worst enemy. You make excuses for them and pacify people who have legitimate complaints, instead of us (the paying public) gathering together the give them a reason to change the way they operate. People like you FIND (for free, and I really don't know why) give them a reason to conduct business as usual. Like an enabler to a drug user, you screw the whole family.

7. The Scamo-Whamo Comment: I'm sorry for that. I'm not accusing anyone of stealing, just trying to get a response, which I definitely did.

8. Small Time Business: Well, I understand that. I understand also if they stay that way.

9.Feeling Lucky: Being on the receiving end of getting some $800 headers for my $2,500 Explorer just because I'm looking for a bit of performance doesn't and never will make me feel lucky. If your so insecure or elitist that you need them to feel cool for your own self worth, i will pray for you.

 

[FIND]

Any second or third party diplomats willing to step in front of these questions?

If you don't like how you do business, don't do business with them.

I'll just quote that so you can remember why I responded to you, and quote myself so you know you have an option other than buying headers from them.

I don't know why I am being called insecure or an elitist because I bought headers last year... I buy a lot of things for my truck, so do lots of people. I like my truck to run well, and never give me any reason to wonder if I will have car problems. Plus, I enjoy the fact that I get better fuel economy out of my AWD V8 than a 2wd V6 got from the factory according to the EPA. I've spent enough on parts on restoration or minor mods that improve its functionality, plus the purchase price of my Explorer to have bought a new car. If I wanted to show off, I wouldn't be driving a plain looking, almost 14 year old SUV, where most of the modifications are either things you will never see, or things that are camouflaged as stock.

Once again. I get that you are a little angry. But you need to cool off a bit. Attacking me and throwing a tantrum isn't going to help anything.