The Webb pulley used to be advertised as an "ALTA pulley, with the name buffed off", till ALTA told the world that it was not .... turns out It was an unmarked, outsourced "German made" pulley-seems to work well !!!

Get an m7 pulley or ALTA pulley, ask for them by name

 

I was introduced to Randy through RSpeed and Randy installed my first pulley, Borla street, sway bar, and Dinan intake .....he was available on the phone to me and spent a lot of time answering my questions...... subsequently I bought my Unichip, WMS head/cam, AP brakes, honed intake manifold, header, and more all from him.....I was the "beta site" for the WMS exhaust (OEM 1 hr away) and did dynos (at my expense) and with the help of Eric, shot videos with commentary, answered many, many PMs about the exhaust.....as well as on the "thread" ..... I talked with Randy several times about his business model etc.... Randy and I had a long talk about what participating in racing was doing to his businesss and cash..... he was going to give it up and concentrate on the business and the next thing I know....well meaning fans encouraged him to keep racing..... I can't blame them.....but It bothered me that Randy was accepting this offer because it had to negatively impact his plans for the business....the good news is that Randy is shaking it up with one other opponent and the bad/sad news is that these threads persist partially if not all because of it.....the money necccessary to race and the money, time and energy necessary to run a small business are clearly at odds in this case..... (insert analogy) I feel for Randy.... tough soul searching possibly ahead.....Randy is still quite young and full of "**** and vinegar" as my mom used to say......tough for guy like that to hang up his gloves and boots.

 

To all involved...it is the supporters that have extended the racing time for Randy and Brian...at the supporters request. Randy was aware of business related issues and TRIED to get out. When the community offers support what was he to do? We all will be the benefactors from R and D thru racing.

Business aspect...if you want parts in a hurry...probably not a good time until the racing season is over. If you are like myself and can wait for parts...ALL of my MINI business will be with Randy. I have met him, visited his shop, hosted 2 Pulley Parties and consider him an innovative and creative person. If I need to trust anyone, I will trust a hard working family guy like Randy compared to a mail order shop. Individuals in the USA need to be encouraged or else all our manufacturing will be done in China...cookie cutter style.

Racing aspect...Someone makes a claim they are the FASTEST MINI and the world ends. For that race Randy was the fastest. Racers deal with this all the time, relax, regroup, and compete fairly the next race. Talk of T boning is just crazy. This limited racing group needs to develop and grow the series. Next race...have someone else be the fastest and let them carry the title. So be it.

Person - Randy is an over extended dude. Support for him will keep another supplier in the MINI world and a good tuner to boot. Like or dislike we need passionate individuals for our cause. Family time on a vacation is important also.

 

I live about 20 minutes (if that) from the shop. I can try to stop by sometime next week and get the word. I know Randy has been trying to get things straight as far as fullfillment is concerned....also, I know he is on vacation.......

 

As far as getting a pulley from someone else...unfortunately I can't get ahold of Webb to cancel my order with them. So, knowing my luck, I'll get my M7 pulley installed, drive home, and the Webb pulley will be on my doorstep. So I will just wait. Hopefully not too long.

Do Randy and Brian have no friends that they trust? HIRE SOMEONE TO WORK THE SHOP! This would allow Randy and Brian to race, thereby supporting the community that so graciously support them, AND allow Webb Motorsports to flourish. As we can all see from this thread demand for Webb products is very high, however customers are going elsewhere because of customer service.

Now I too run a small business. Small business is really a euphamism because it is just me and my detailing tools. I know it is tough to keep a business running while you have other concerns in life (in my case college baseball). And if someone told me how I should run my business, I would lose it. But with that said I hope Webb Motorsports stays around and is successful.

Just hire someone.

 

Agreed. Randy and Brian both seem nice I a can appreciate the time they have put forth as far as pulley parties, the "how to" section and such.

But...as I said in my post above. When I spend money I want parts plain and simple. If they had of told me their schedule as far as going racing, taking turns on vacation and such I would've replied "Sorry guys I need this now". I would've bought somewhere else and returned as a customer next time. No big deal for either party.

I did not get that respect. I still have no clue where my Unichip is. As I said what really pissed me off was they day I saw they had both posted on NAM numerous times (July 6ish) to tell their "racing stories" yet my calls (3 - 5 per day every day for 4 weeks now) go unanswered. Thats just ignorant.


Seann

 

Back in april this entire situation was predicted to a T( see below ) . I feel Randy has done a lot for the community and that was the only reason I offered my advice to him and his supporters. In my opinion they , the " sponsors " ,were making a mistake in helping him race and I made the point that what Randy could not afford was TIME. The sponsor program went ahead anyway , he raced, won one and lost much more. Unfortunately he is now reaping what has been sowed.

mark




04-25-2006, 11:16 PM
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First let me say that this is a admirable effort for a great guy but it is not in his best interests. I am a fan of his and his company but if you read his message an we are honest with ourselves what Randy can not afford to spend on racing is TIME. If you frequent the boards you are certainly aware of the main and almost only complaint with Webb Motor sports is customer service. By that I mean return of phone calls, emails and product delivery. I am not bashing I am only stating what has been said on here many times and even by Randy himself. He needs to stay at home for now and get back on track. As randy has noticed there are other vendors that offer many fine products and more and more people will not wait forever for what they want. Lets support randy's efforts to get his ship back on track. Once it is " all good " again he can get back out there and kick everyone's *** ! Now is not the time.

Mark

 

Another analogy (that Randy should be able to relate to): Pilots and airlines. It takes much more than a pilot to run an airline. Racing is probably the distraction that he doesn't need at this point in his businesses evolution. I really hope he can get re-focused on his business.

 

Proof is in the pudding. This thread just started. What a shame actually.

Mark

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...93#post1039693

 

My emails go unanswered and their telephone mailbox is full.

What's the deal this time?

 

It is up to around 3 pages if memory serves.

 

Not another thread

Does these threads really need to be started? Do they help at all?

 

They are kind of like weeds....

Especially when a thread (with a similar theme) is already active.

 

Thanks for the link. Sounds like business as usual.

 

threads merged

 

Posting about my issues with Webb support was the only way I received a response last time I was forced to do so.

So yes, they help.

 

I am glad that happened (threads being merged)!

 

I feel that Randy races for a couple of reasons... First, for personal reasons - he enjoys racing, and he is very good. Secondly, for business reasons, the recognition, especially if he were to win and represent the US in Europe, would be a nice score in visibility for Webb Motorsports. Ironically, at least in the short-term, this seems to be doing otherwise...

While his Pulley Parties have stopped with the aim to better provide a focus on his business operations, he now is very much engaged in racing. His availability is apprarently still an issue for some...

Maybe just being manufacturer and distributor (to vendors), and not dealing direct with the public would be a step in the right direction. I know that he's talked about that before though...

I just know that he has had nothing but good intentions... but I also understand that most folks look at actions ultimately.

As much as I was touched to see the efforts to finance Randy's racing, I too just thought that maybe this wouldn't be the best for Webb Motorsports, at least as it currently exists.

I'm truly sympathetic and empathetic to all involved!

 

I come to this fray in a neutral corner but will add my two cents.

Personally, I've met Randy, a great guy, gave me good insight into some stuff.

As to business practices, look at is this way ... As I believe Porsche will proclaim ...

"Racing Improves the Breed"

By actually racing, he can only make his products better and I applaud him for that. On the other side is the Business. If you cannot contact the shop, get parts, get things fixed, then the average consumer will move on. Its a simple as that. He will sink or swim NOT based on racing but on customer service. I've read lots of complaints where people just gave up waiting. Thats all lost business and business pays the bills.

I am sure 100% he tries his hardest to please everyone but in the end .... if you don't please your customers, you will not have any.

 

I'm not trying to add fuel to the fire, but share my WMS experiences, which seem to reflect the sentiments expressed on this thread.
I met Randy in person about 20 minutes after taking delivery of my 2005 MCS in Denver. I drove out of the dealership and down to WMS to have Randy do his magic for a Stage I mod. The car had 12 miles on the odometer. I set all this up while waiting for my car to be built and delivered, and it was one of the great moments of my now 13 month MINI ownership. At the time Randy was racing, doing pulley parties and running the shop well, but at a low volume. He spent a lot of time during the install talking to people on the phone.
Randy installed the first $5000 of my mods over the next 6 months and he showed me how smart, experienced and excited he was to be working with MINIs, in particular designing products and making them available to us.
As documented here, the last 6 months have not been so good. My next $5000 in mods were spent on products from other manufacturers and dealers. I installed them myself.
Two weeks ago I installed a header and was about to send my Unichip back to Randy to get it remapped (gratis, as I had bought it from him.) I sent an email and he said to just ship it to him. I called the day I was to mail it to him to check he could give me a fast turn around. No answer, but a voice mail message saying he was racing and would be back on July 3. I decided to send it to Unichip factory, and got a 46 hour turn around for $25. Apparently I would still be waiting for my Chip had I sent it to Webb. This is a classic example.

I really Randy can sort his business out, as I feel, like others, that he is really adding something to the MINI community in sum.

cheers,

 

I don't think he needs to change anything. He just needs to be straight up. If he wants to spend all this time racing, travelling and such so be it. If WMS is not in his priority right now for whatever reason, fine. But be straight up with your customers BEFORE they spend the dough.

As I said I would be a lot less pissed right now if they simply said "it's gonna be a while". I would've explained my timeline and could've had the option of just using someone else no big deal.

My biggest peeve (already mentioned it) is being avoided or ignored after I drop coin. I friggan hate that. There are always circumstances that arrise and i can accept that. I cannot accept the fact that these two were posting on NAM while i am at home pulling my hair out waiting for a response in regards to my Unichip thats just rude.

To make matters worse I actually feel bad for being mad (cool it rhymes). As I said before these guys are great to talk to. I happened to call on the right day and got to shoot the breeze with Randy for 15 / 20 minutes. Very cool and knowledgable guy. This is very unfortunate situation.

 

When customer service declines, customers, no matter how loyal, will move on. I fear this will happen to Randy, an otherwise great guy, if he doesn't get it together real soon here and set some priorities.

I've gone by his shop on occasion because it's right on one of fave motoring routes out of Denver and no one's ever around. I ask neighbors and they say they rarely see any activity there....

I thought he had hired some help here awhile back? (after the last "what happened to Randy" thread) Did that fall apart as well??

 

I am very surprised that Randy or Brian have not responded to this thread for damage control. I have always had good luck with Randy. Almost every time I call I get Randy on the phone. I guess I am in the minority. Anyway, I hope he pulls it all together. Come on WMS -- at least let us know you are out there and listening BTW the WMS forum seems to be dead.

 

I bet they havent seen this thread for the same reason nothing has been shipping out recently. They probably not at the shop, and still on vacation.

They still have my business though.

 

I have met Randy at a pulley party and he is a great guy who is knowledgeable and passionate about Minis. He personally told me and many others that he is quitting racing and pulley parties so that he can focus on the business and avoid forum threads such as this. Based on this I decided to place a large order with WMS. A week passed before my order was processed since Randy was out racing, but I did eventually get my parts.

During installation, I discovered that some of the parts he sent me were incorrect. I e-mailed him and he replied that he would send the correct part out to me. It has been over 2 weeks now with no parts, no replies to e-mail, no replies to PM, and a full voicemail so I cannot leave him a voice message.

I really do like Randy but I highly doubt that I will be doing any more business with WMS. Their customer service is too inconsistent and unreliable.

Matt

PS - At the above mentioned pulley party, another customer received the exact same incorrect parts as I did, preventing Brian from finishing the installation. Shame on WMS for poor quality control.