I have the above and am very upset over the lack of customer service. The issue is the cable they use to download the computers information for reprogramming. They have pulled all the cables from their "partners" except three, two in Canada and Randy Webb in Denver. It's been, so far, impossible to get a response from Randy.

When I purchased I was led to believe that it was a simple matter to get it reflashed, taking less than 1 hour. Their web site still makes that claim.

Powerchip says I must deal with Randy.

I entertaining the idea of a lawsuit against the local supplier, Randy and Powerchip for misrepresenting their customer service in order to induce me to buy their product. My purpose in posting this here is to determine if there are others who are having the same problem and would care to join in such an action.

 

I wonder what the big deal is to provide a cable.

If you want a cheap alternative to Powerchip...or any other chip tuner...well here it is:

http://www.mth-powerchip.de/
All the Germans swear by him on their forums and it is cheap.......60 Euros...which is like 70$ US.

You have to read out you ECU and send him the file. A day or two later you will get your modified file and you upload it. Before you think that you can just upload it to any car....well you can not since it has a key code that you will receive over their webpage in order to upload the new file which looks for the VIN.

You need a cable which is another 82 Euros + shipping 15 Euros available here:
http://www.obd-interface.de/pages/mth_interface.html

So at a total of under 200$ US I am happy to see a gain of 6-9hp even though that dyno sheets on the German boards are very promising at about 210PS with 15% pulley which is a little less in HP.

I will have my pulley installed next Wednesday and soon after I will have a dyno sheet with software, Milltek and Alta Intake.

Programs are avaialbe for Cooper and Cooper s with and without pulley in 91 or 94 which is 95 and 98 RON.

Hope this helps a bit,

Alex

 

PowerChips (the company) has the absolute worst customer service of any business I've ever encountered. They're argumentative, rude, arrogant... and they forget who pays their bills (customers like us!). I regret that I spent almost $700 on their questionable product for my MCS.

Randy, on the otherhand, is a great guy. Admittedly he lacks understanding of good customer service and responding in a timely manner. If he doesn't get that straightened out, it's going to ruin his business. He's got all the knowledge and know-how and does a great job with MINIs. He just needs to answer customers right away.

If you're going to take legal action, take it against PowerChips. They have made life miserable for Randy, too, and not just customers.

 

Yes, I'm worried that I could never version up without loosing my investment. I now wish I had waited for the Unichip. Put me down against Powerchip

 

Unichip has been very good, for those that might consider that option. :smile:

 

I got mine reflashed when I upgraded my pulley and exhaust without any problems. I have not had any Customer Service issues.
-Brad

 

I agree about Randy, but I may have no choice except to include him because many of the representations came from him to my local supplier who is also getting hosed by Powerchip.

 

Brad, how long ago was that and who provided the cable?

 

I had it done redone 2 weeks ago directly through Powerchip, not a single problem. and it was "a simple matter to get it reflashed", took about 20 min in my case.
It seems more like the problem is more with Randy's Customer Service than Powerchip in this one case. You got the chip from Him and he isn't supporting you by sending the cable to you.

Just call Powerchip and talk to Travis, 1-800-495-0777.

He will be able to make things right by you.

 

I can see if you are local it would be a simple matter.

Oh, Travis called me and told me that because of my posts here they are refusing to get me any new software, threatening to sue me for exercising my free speech rights. He claims that they have no responsibility because I bought from their distributor, what nonsense. He also told me that my distributor no longer represents them. If that is true then where can I go for satisfaction? It would have been so simple if when I first contacted them they had put me on the list to receive the cables then none of this mess would have occured but his attitude seems to be that threatening the customer is the way to go. At this point if they, directly, wish to refund my total purchase price some $750 I will return the car to the state it was in before their software, delete my posts here and not comment on them further but short of that.......I may have a lot more to say. Long live the 1st admendment and my right to sue.

This is probably not what you meant when you said Travis would make it right?

 

I paid $700 for that kind of stuff I may have to deal with in the future? Man, bad customer service left and right. Makes me want to wait a few more years to continue modding.

 

I got precisely the same runaround when I tried to reflash a couple of months ago. The guy at PowerChips in California (the owner/founder, whose name I've wiped from my mind) was screaming, ugly-natured, unbelievably rude, uncooperative, and absolutely refused to make good on their product. He also threatened legal action if I posted anything negative. My statement to him: COME AND GET ME, *********: The truth is the strongest defense, and you haven't got a leg to stand on! And I've got a witness to your behavior and statements... There were 2 MINI owners on the phone with you at the same time!

PowerChips either misled Randy, or they misled the final customers (us). Evidence: last year, after MINI installed a new version on my ECU (don't remember the number now), I simply phoned PowerChips directly and they immediately sent out the cables and "key". The guy (Jessie, who left when things became out of control there) also reaffirmed that customers get free "reflashes" for life, just paying postage to get the cables. Can you pronounce "class action", Mr. PowerChips?

So, buyer beware. Their product is/was okay (there are now better products out there), but their support doesn't exist for many of us.

Just my $.02 worth...

 

As soon as the mess settles down I'll be looking for something else. Care to share your recommendations? If you would prefer privately, that's fine

 

Yikers ...

I am an otherwise satisfied PowerChip user who is very unhappy to read/hear of these re-programming issues. I will attempt to try my luck at contacting them for cables and let you know the results.

-B

 

Hah.. in light of this post

I will never buy a powerchips product.

Why give money to people who are ugly-natured. That's just horrid!

It's funny how he's gonna sue you for bad mouthing them

It's not weird-funny, but ha-ha-ha funny.

 

It is too bad Powerchips does not just suck it up, provide great service, and get return customers, it always pays off.

Threatening your customer base it is the fastest way to go out of business or at least loose that market segement. I am dreading the day I need to re-flash.

If you want to read something pathetic, read the links on the webbmotorsports forum and their grass roots messaging trying to get cables to each other directly. It is like bartering soap for toothpaste in a 3rd world country. "the good kind, with tar tar control..."

 

fishey72,
What I don't understand is why webbmotorsports isn't sending the cables to there customers like they where suposed to? That was there job not Powerchips.

 

I guess that's a question to be answered by Randy. I've been trying for well over a week to make contact to no avail. In my case, now, however the point is moot because PowerChip refuses to deal with me, so I must attempt to get my money back because the warranty issues are not being met.

 

i hope powerchip comes here and starts talking. do they frequent the forum?

they look pretty bad right now... not even dealing with the customer? and where is randy?

 

I thought Randy's lack of availability for Webb Motorsports wasn't a problem, or supposed to not be as much of a problem with the hire and organization of an extra helping hand(s). Yeah? No? yeah?

 

Antranik,
I agree with you, that seems to be the issue here and not Powerchip the company. It's like calling up brembo and asking them why you have to pay for new pads after you used up the ones it came with. You go to the vendor you got the breaks from and buy new pads. If the dealer flashes your programing and you have to get it redone it's Webb Motorsports job to get you the cables and not Powerchips.
I will point out that every post synergy1 has made has been to this thread. BeerBrewer has been around longer than me (by 4 months.. ya got me) So I'm taking his words with a bit more weight. I want to know, Beer, Did you buy your chip from Randy, Powerchip, or a another vendor?
Has anyone heard from Randy on a Powerchip issue in a while? He still lists it as for sale on his website. Anyone who got there chip from Webb, did they say it would be them who send the cables or Powerchip?

 

Except that the pad company to use your illustration, does not warranty their product. Powerchip does. So whether I buy it from a distributor or not doesn't matter the warrantee has ultimate responsibility. (btw) your shot regarding the fact that all my posts have been in this thread almost makes one question how close your ties are to Powerchip. I've reported the circumstances as I see them as they relate to me. Sorry that doesn't meet your standards for veracity.

 

I will get this in the clear right now, my ties are as follows:
1. I am a satisfied customer.
2. I met and became friends with 2 employees of the company.
3. I am not and never have worked for the company.

I am defending a company that two people on this thread have listed problems with. These boards are for discussion, not a one way soapbox. I am trying to show that for everyone who has had a problem there are more who have not. Something that is often buried in conversations. synergy1, I am sorry that you took offense to my comments about your number of posts and length of time as a member of our community. People build up there reputations here by helping others and being helped by others. If I dropped in to a community you had been a member of for 2 years and started bad mouthing someone you had good dealings with on my first day would you not defend them? It's no different than any member here defending Pilo Racing, Out Motoring, MINI SWAG, or ProMINI.

Part of my issue with your complaints is that I feel they are in the wrong direction. From what you have posted it doesn't seem that your have a warranty issue with Powerchip. To me it seems like a service issue with Webb Motorsport.

Warranty:
A guarantee given to the purchaser by a company stating that a product is reliable and free from known defects and that the seller will, without charge, repair or replace defective parts within a given time limit and under certain conditions.

There product worked as advertised, it wasn't defective. The fact that your dealer flashed over it isn't part of the warranty. Your dealer 'broke' the programing. If your dealer broke your K&N Typhoon intake off the car would you complain to K&N? If your dealer replaced your EBC Greenstuffs with Stock BMW pads would you complain to EBC? My understanding is part of the purchase is the service contract. That's what gets you the free reflashes. That service is caried out not by them but by there resellers. If you bought your software from Webb Motorsports it's there job to send you the cables. That is the understanding I have always had. I know that you are mad at not being able to get the cables and so would I but direct your anger in the right place.

I will not get into a shouting match over this. Did Powerchip handle your case in the best manor when you called them, no they did not. For P.R. sake was that a good idea? probably not. Is is there responsibility to do Webb Motorsports job, No. If you have a document or an e-mail that says it's Powerchip's responsibility to send you the cables then I'm sorry I was mistaken, but I would like to see that document.

I have met Randy Webb, he is a nice guy. I have not had a single business deal with him. I can not and will not comment on his Customer Service as it isn't my place. I will say this, that guy can drive .

synergy1, I hope this post clears up any questions you had about me and my position on this matter.

 

I've been trying to get a hold of him for over 3 weeks now for overcharging me on a purchase with no response. I've met him personally twice and he is a great guy with great driving skills. I hope he isn't intentionally trying to burn me .

MiniBoost

 

Hooray, finally heard from Randy and we have been able to work through our issues. So all lawsuits are off