Advice Wanted -- Sticky situation [Archive]

Fastbird

10-29-2008, 12:23 AM

Right now I have an order in with Ohio Forced Inductions for a LT1 hot parts kit. I made the order on August 7th, paid $2525 for the kit to be built and delivered. Was told at time of payment 4-5 weeks and mailed my JGS 50mm Wastegate to Joel at that time.

Obviously I haven't received my hot parts. I know there's a LOT of issues going on with OFI right now, just look at LS1Tech.

I spoke with Joel today, he called me back after leaving a message. Last contact I had was almost a month ago after calling and asking WTF to which he replied I'm in line and should be about 4 more weeks. Today, I'm still #2 in line and it's going to be 2-3 weeks before he gets to me then another 3-4 weeks to build the kit. This is starting to be unacceptable.

Now, the sticky part. I'm not sure I can count on Joel to come through, I need to get started on my car without waiting another few months. I'm pushing right up against the 90 day window for a chargeback from my CC. I've watched refunds from Joel over on LS1Tech take a VERY long time. If I call and ask for a refund I'm quite sure that it would go over my 90 day window at which point I'd be hosed if he decided not to send. So..........

I'm debating just calling him up and saying I can't wait any longer, please ship my wastegate back to me along with a refund ASAP, and if it's not received by 5 November I'm doing a charge back against you, or do I just do it and blindside him?? I don't want to be a dick, but with all the issues he's having on LS1Tech, I don't know if I can trust that he's going to come through.

Thoughts?

Fixxer99TA

10-29-2008, 12:33 AM

Thats sticky for sure man, Id hate to be blindsiding people if it was me but.... What other choice do you have to protect yourself?

Not like he started your kit anyways yet....

YZF

10-29-2008, 12:51 AM

Man, I really wouldn't want to be in that crunch. I think I would be straight forward with him and let him know how your end of the spectrum is looking and how that's not what you had in mind...

chevy42083

10-29-2008, 01:01 AM

Maybe let him know the entire situation, tell him you are going to do a chargeback, and tell him if he really will have it done within 3 weeks, that you'll make another transaction right now ... just make sure he knows you don't want another 90 day wait.

But yeah... tough situation.

Tyler Wheat

10-29-2008, 01:02 AM

I would just call him and tell him the situation. He doesn't have a reason to get mad at you. If anything, all this should be an opportunity for him to improve upon his business. Customer service and satisfaction should be the #1 thing on his list. Doesn't sound like you're getting a whole lot of either.

Fastbird

10-29-2008, 01:13 AM

If I get a refund/do a chargeback, he's not getting my money. Jon (RealQuick) and I have already talked again now that he's back in business, and I'll be getting on of his header kits if it goes this route.

Camaro_94

10-29-2008, 09:37 AM

Thats a real tough situation. If it was me, I would ask for a refund and the parts back.

- Mike

BLOWNDFIZ

10-29-2008, 09:47 AM

Thats a real tough situation. If it was me, I would ask for a refund and the parts back.

- Mike

Me too!

AChotrod

10-29-2008, 09:53 AM

If he hasnt even started yet I dont see a problem with you getting a refund

Ponyhntr

10-29-2008, 11:08 AM

Get your money back. I don't see how people can wait weeks, even months on end for parts like that. We have customers that can't wait the 5 days it takes us to ship a kit!

Fastbird

10-29-2008, 12:12 PM

Oh hell. Just found out that USAA tightened their reigns on the dispute window. it's only 60 days now. Just left OFI a message asking for a call back. see what happens.

Fastbird

10-29-2008, 12:51 PM

Update: Just spoke with Joel. He and I had a miscommunication yesterday, and I'm reportedly just 2-3 weeks from delivery, not 6-8. More to come. I'm out of my transaction dispute window so I'll just wait it out for now.

Tyler Wheat

10-29-2008, 12:53 PM

Well, hopefully it works out for the best. 2-3 weeks isn't THAT bad

Fastbird

10-29-2008, 02:28 PM

Well, hopefully it works out for the best. 2-3 weeks isn't THAT bad

Bringing the grand total to 14 weeks on a promised 4-5 at time of purchase though IS that bad. :(

Neil350

10-29-2008, 02:46 PM

Unless your having a shop like Speed Inc or LMR build you a custom kit, just doesn't seem worth going that route. I can count at least 5 of these kind of turbo shops that have closed, I'm sure there are a lot more out there.

Tyler Wheat

10-29-2008, 05:58 PM

Bringing the grand total to 14 weeks on a promised 4-5 at time of purchase though IS that bad. :(

Yeah definately not good. Better than having to wait another 6-8 though.

I bet you are pissed the F OFF! I know I would be lol.

Fastbird

11-19-2008, 02:21 PM

Three weeks to the day and guess what? No kit. :(

Camaro_94

11-19-2008, 03:11 PM

Three weeks to the day and guess what? No kit. :(

Thats not right.. If you want to ride it out, ask for a discount because thats complete BS.. And if he says no, tell him to give you your money back then as well as your parts. You have been more patient than most other people would have ever been, and I definately wouldnt wouldnt give him my business after his horrible customer service...

I hope everything works out for you though..

- Mike

Brandon

11-19-2008, 04:10 PM

If I were you, I'd tell him "I need my money now. Quit screwing around and send me back my shit. I have waited far too long, and this is ridiculous."

BLOWNDFIZ

11-19-2008, 04:30 PM

Keep your fingers crossed that the money you paid has not already been spent...

KissMyWhtSS

11-19-2008, 05:47 PM

Roadtrip time?

Fastbird

11-19-2008, 06:23 PM

Gee....no call back today either. Starting to get angry.........

Camaro_94

11-19-2008, 09:07 PM

Gee....no call back today either. Starting to get angry.........

I am really sorry to hear that you are having to go through all this BS with him..

- Mike

Fastbird

11-19-2008, 09:27 PM

It's ok. If it progresses to me wanting my money back and him not giving it, I'll put him out of business legally. I have every email and PM saved, down to the ones at the end of july with him saying 4-5 weeks for a kit.

Tyler Wheat

11-19-2008, 09:36 PM

You have got some pretty rotten luck, Sean.

IronOutlaw

11-19-2008, 10:20 PM

Roadtrip time?

x2

Or, you could just do it the boring old legal way. :shiner:

Fastbird

11-25-2008, 10:07 AM

One day shy of 5 weeks since last conversation. No call back from Wednesday last week when I called. I just left a very stern message. If I don't talk to him today, I'm going to try to file a chargeback. If I can't, I'm going to file in small claims court.

He is close enough though to where I can say "Hey, I'll be by on Saturday to pick up my kit and my wastegate that you have."

Fastbird

11-25-2008, 01:54 PM

SONOFA!!!! Number was disconnected between this morning when I left a message and just now when I was called.

Ponyhntr

11-25-2008, 02:00 PM

SONOFA!!!! Number was disconnected between this morning when I left a message and just now when I was called.

Ouch! Hope it works out in the end for you! :(

Fastbird

11-25-2008, 02:10 PM

Bank won't help, out of date range. Google is worthless. Lawsuit time. Joel, prepare for the thunder.

Camaro_94

11-25-2008, 02:33 PM

Bank won't help, out of date range. Google is worthless. Lawsuit time. Joel, prepare for the thunder.

Well.. I really hope you get everything back from him, and everything goes as smoothly as possible.

- Mike

camarobird92

11-25-2008, 02:41 PM

Atleast you didn't drop your whole car off with him. I had a buddy drop off his 69 nova to get a cage put in it, shop closed down, car disappeared. Along with the 377 with Brodix heads, 8-71 blower, alcohol injection setup, built powerglide tranny, etc... The race car was done except for the cage.

Fastbird

11-25-2008, 03:50 PM

Was that at GMR or are you saying that OFI's shop is actually closed and gone?

FYI the number came up but it's too late for him. Two messages today, one yesterday, and one on Wednesday last week with zero response.

RumbleZ

11-25-2008, 04:00 PM

At this point I wouldn't expect anything. It's too bad you can't do a chargeback at this point and the bank is no help. If you have followed the many threads on tech about OFI and people not getting their stuff, he always tells people their stuff will be ready in a few weeks if they can manage to get ahold of them or get a call back. Then a few more weeks. Then it's on it's way. Then it's oh I didn't have one part so i didn't ship your shit. Then it's I'm waiting on coaters. Then it's I'm waiting on this and that (that he never ordered..). It's ridiculous. I am really surprised no one has paid Joel a visit yet. He has a lot of peoples dollars.

If you are considering a lawsuit, you should talk to the other guys on LS1tech about this if you have not already and see what they are doing.. you guys might be able to get together and file one suit. I know there were a couple others talking about it more than a month ago. If I remember right, there are still at least 4 or 5 of you guys that have posted about not getting stuff.

Good luck man.

Fastbird

11-25-2008, 04:06 PM

One mass suit = no small claims court and high unlikeliness of a payout. One small claims court case I probably have a good shot of recouping my cash. Big threat or little threat.

I'm seriously considering a drive up there this weekend for a face to face. I have full name and address for both shop and home on him at this point.

RumbleZ

11-25-2008, 04:10 PM

Yeah you might be right. Still might not be bad to touch base with the other guys just to see what they have going on.

Fastbird

12-02-2008, 10:56 PM

Tyler Wheat

12-03-2008, 01:12 AM

Wow. That's absolutely ridiculous. Good luck with everything Sean. Go get 'em!

Camaro_94

12-03-2008, 09:48 AM

Update: The past four times I've tried to call on three different days, I get the same "the party you are trying to reach is not accepting calls" message.

I'm hoping to have the small claims court case filed by the end of the week. I'm anticipating OFI to fold under this pressure and not be able to pay, and I've found the loophole I need to push through the corporate veil of protection and sue Joel as a person too if need be.

:doh:

Everytime I think of OFI I get soo pissed off. They are a bunch of scam artists, and I dont know how the hell they can justify doing this to people. If someone pays you to do something.. Then f***ing do it, or dont take their money!

:shame:

OFI or Joel will never see a single cent of my money and I will NEVER consider doing any business with them if they do end up staying in business. This is beyond rediculas.

- Mike

boosted95z

12-03-2008, 10:35 AM

:doh:

Everytime I think of OFI I get soo pissed off. They are a bunch of scam artists, and I dont know how the hell they can justify doing this to people. If someone pays you to do something.. Then f***ing do it, or dont take their money!

:shame:

OFI or Joel will never see a single cent of my money and I will NEVER consider doing any business with them if they do end up staying in business. This is beyond rediculas.

- Mike

Scam artists indeed! Not a widely known fact, but Joel is the reason for GMR going under. Took personal loans out in the name of GMR and used it to make his own shop (OFI) and left the guys and cars at GMR out to dry. They couldn't press charges since Joel was partial owner/founder of GMR.

I would personally never take my stuff there, or even hope it gets done. I know a guy with a stout twin turbo 2v mustang that pretty much had to refab piping and shit because his kit was junk. Even if you get the kit, don't expect it to fit and you'll have to do major refabbing. Low quality junk is the only thing that comes out of that shop. Good luck with everything.

Camaro_94

12-03-2008, 11:59 AM

Scam artists indeed! Not a widely known fact, but Joel is the reason for GMR going under. Took personal loans out in the name of GMR and used it to make his own shop (OFI) and left the guys and cars at GMR out to dry. They couldn't press charges since Joel was partial owner/founder of GMR.

I would personally never take my stuff there, or even hope it gets done. I know a guy with a stout twin turbo 2v mustang that pretty much had to refab piping and shit because his kit was junk. Even if you get the kit, don't expect it to fit and you'll have to do major refabbing. Low quality junk is the only thing that comes out of that shop. Good luck with everything.

What kind of work did they do at GMR? I've never heard of that company before.

- Mike

Fastbird

12-03-2008, 01:07 PM

I would personally never take my stuff there, or even hope it gets done. I know a guy with a stout twin turbo 2v mustang that pretty much had to refab piping and shit because his kit was junk. Even if you get the kit, don't expect it to fit and you'll have to do major refabbing. Low quality junk is the only thing that comes out of that shop. Good luck with everything.

See, that's actually opposite of what I've heard. A lot of the guys on Tech say his fab work is actual pretty top notch, but it's getting the parts that destroys things.

Either way, I know where he works, where he lives, and though I'm normally a pretty laid back guy, he's fucking with one of the biggest loves in my life (second only to family) and causing me to miss out on a lot of time doing what I enjoy, not to mention bilking me for almost $3000 at this point. Have car, will travel, that is all.

Tyler Wheat

12-03-2008, 01:32 PM

Have gun... will travel if you need someone for the ride, haha.

Fastbird

12-04-2008, 02:44 PM

Paperwork is being mailed today. All notarized and everything. I'm not jacking around.

Fastbird

12-05-2008, 10:08 AM

Ok, now the waiting game. Early next week I should be getting a call with a hearing date.

I've moved this thread out of the public eye due to me not wanting Joel to have any idea what my next move is going to be. I know he's got to be bringing in money somehow, so once I fold OFI because they can't pay me my money back I'm going to go after him personally and really tear his life apart if I have to.

Fastbird

12-05-2008, 10:10 AM

To those who were watching, I pulled it out of the public eye just on the chance that OFI might be watching anticipating a move. Events have been set in motion, and I'm leaving it at that. Will update when I can. Thanks for the support everyone.

Camaro_94

12-05-2008, 10:16 AM

good luck man.. Wish you the best and hope everything works out.

- Mike

Neil350

12-05-2008, 11:24 AM

Yowsers schnauzers Sean, had you kept the Pro Charger I imagine you woulda saved so much head ache over dealing with these turbo kit hussies.

Fastbird

12-05-2008, 01:52 PM

Yowsers schnauzers Sean, had you kept the Pro Charger I imagine you woulda saved so much head ache over dealing with these turbo kit hussies.

Only one has been a headache. Jon w/ LT1 Boost was fabulous to deal with, and I plan to head back his way when this is cleared up.

I'm already really regretting my decision to swap to the turbo at this point though. I'd have easily had the car running by now if I'd have only stayed with the blower. Actually thinking about, if things roll right, I might go back that way depending on money and how things with the suit turn out.

1hottcamaro

12-06-2008, 07:52 AM

what does OFI mean?

Pony_Killer

12-06-2008, 11:04 AM

what does OFI mean?

Ohio_forced_Inductions

Fastbird

12-10-2008, 10:03 AM

Bringing this back up with good news, and I merged both threads together.

On Monday I called Joel at his new place of work, information I attained from another customer of his. Spoke with Joel, caught him off guard.

I have my money back and he is sending me my wastegate. I have subsequently pulled the lawsuit paperwork I filed, and for me at least, all is well. I'm a bit irritated at the steps I had to take to get my money back, but in the end it all worked out.

RealQuick

12-10-2008, 10:45 AM

Good job Sean!:metal:

Tyler Wheat

12-10-2008, 02:17 PM