We always see how a vendor issue has gone wrong, rarely do we see a report of how a vendor handled an issue where the customer was satisfied. I'm creating my vision of what a Mini can be I've dealt with multiple vendors and not every transaction has been perfect. This is an attempt to document how the vendor handled an issue and turned a negative into a positive. I think you will find in most of these instances the vendor need not bend over backwards, just did what I think is the right thing.

In no particular order.

Whalen Shift Machines - I ordered a custom shift **** with a graphic designed by my graphics artist. There were some difficulties in obtaining the file in the format requested from my graphic designer. Doug worked with the designer to identify and fix the issue. When he created the **** there was an area that had a slightly deeper cut. He sent me a picture showing me this and I could not see it and let him know it was fine. Doug continued to work the design until the issue was fixed. Not only that but since he knew I wanted the know before AMVIV to be safe he shipped it overnight instead of priority insuring there was ample time for the post office to deliver it late and still be in my hands. After all that he sent me a note saying that since I was a repeat customer I should not have paid the custom graphic charge and he refunded that amount. To me this is above and beyond excellent service.

Texas Speed Werks and Ireland Engineering - I purchased I.E. adjustable street/track camber plates through TSW and had them install the parts as well. It was noted a few days later at a another shop during an alignment that 6 of 10 bolts used to hold the plate to the slider were 5mm instead of 10mm. This had caused some galling on one of the plates. The shop replaced all the bolts with 10mm. I informed TSW who in turn received a new set of plates to replace the galled ones. Before I had the opportunity to install the new parts the Mini was another shop for multiple go fast mods. It was noted at this time the rubber bushing had seperated from the steel carrier. TSW asked me to contact I.E. directly in order for me to fully explain the issue. I.E. overnighted a new full set of the camber plates and once installed issued a pickup for the faulty ones. I am satisfied with the way TSW and IE handled both issues. The faulty part was replaced with brand new parts in both instances.

Custom Mini Shop and Kingsboune - I handled a group purchase of Kingsbourne Plug Wires for Metroplex Mini's through Custom Mini Shop. Of the 22 sets received one person had an issue with a plug wire where when it was removed the clip on the ignition side came off the cable and was on the coil. Custom Mini Shop was notified and they sent Kingsboune the mailing address of the person. A new cable is on the way to person. Please note that it was not my Mini that was effected but as the person that handled the order I felt some responsibility to help make the issue right.

M7 - I purchased an Under Strut System from a person on NAM, who informed me after the purchase that one of the bars was missing when they received the USS from the vendor they had purchased it from. This person contacted that vendor who in turn contacted M7. M7 send me a brand new USS directly on their dime. I was not involved in the disposition of the USS with the missing part. I fell M7 went above and beyond the call on this matter. I purchased it from an end user and they knew that. They could have done nothing and just had the end user send me the USS I had purchased.

M7 and Custom Mini Shop - I ordered the new rear wing in Feb knowing it was still in production. I had hoped it would be shipped and installed before AMVIV. However not all parts were on hand to ship and have installed on time. Peter delivered the wing to me in person at AMVIV having to visit the manufacturer on the way to AMVIV to obtain all the parts. He was only able to bring enough kits for 3. However the kit I received was still missing some hardware. Custom Mini Shop cannibalized their own kit, losing the ability to sell it at AMVIV to install mine. Also peter had given me an estimated price but the wing was not able to come in at that price in the end. He honored the price we had discussed months ahead. Again, M7 went above the norm and handled the issue in a manner that impressed me.

Revolution Mini Works - I purchased a head from RMW. Due to time constraints the exhaust valves were not production valves but hand made ones. A slight variance in the diameter of one valve stem, less then 10 millions of an inch, caused the valve to stick at the upper RPM limit and it was bent. RMW identified and fixed the issue within 12 hours and within 24 hours the head was reinstalled. RMW picked up the cost of all the labor in having a tech visit the location the vehicle was stuck as well the R&R of the head and replaced all the valves with the production units now in stock. I was in awe of this, I've never had a custom early development part repair covered by the vendor before. I know when one plays in this arena that one has to be prepared for potential issues. To me this shows real class and genuine concern for the customer.

Performance Speed Tech - Most of you have never heard of them, they are based at Motor Sports Ranch in Cresson TX, my home track. I ordered a set of harnesses during a very busy track weekend. Two weeks later when I had not heard from them I called and they told me they had dropped the ball and forgot to order them. On their dime they overnighted them from the distributor to me. After installing we found that I needed a little longer lap belt. They ordered a longer lap belt and we found that these were a pull up to adjust belt. With in the confines of a Mini one needs a pull down to adjust lap belt. They swapped out all the belts and since the pull down was less expensive refunded the difference. I had no idea there was a price difference as none of the pricing information I consulted showed one. They could have easily kept the difference me being none the wiser.

Braille LLC – I purchased the lightweight battery and battery holder. At the time they were out of the custom lightweight battery holders. They informed me of this and sent me a standard battery holder at no cost then shipped the lightweight version later at no additional charge.

Discount Tire – I purchased multiple tires from a local Discount Tire, each time receiving competitive pricing as compared to Tire Rack. I stopped in one day with a set of wheels and tires I had not purchased from them to be mounted and balanced. They mounted and balanced them at no charge. Not only that but they were extra careful being these were freshly painted centers and newly polished rims. This shop handles all my wheel and tire work and I do give them a good bit of business. On my next visit they gave me a brand new Craftsman Digital Torque Wrench and a soft coated 17mm deep socket.

TCE – I placed an order for a BBK with barely enough time to have it delivered and installed before AMVIV. Todd shipped same day and then ended up sick. Some parts were to have come directly from Wilwood and were not sent in time. Todd, while recuperating, took it upon himself to work out the issue with Wilwood and have the proper parts sent overnight to me. He also sent me a set of pads to try and enough brake fluid to completely flush my system, on TCE.

I’ve also worked with many other vendors where everything just went right. Call. Place order, order is shipped in a timely manner and all is correct. No muss, no fuss, no drama. Of the 50+ vendors I worked with on the Mini to this point only Palo Uber and Mini Works are ones I would caution people to stay away from. All the rest are good decent businesses offering a good value and good service.

 

gnatster,
Great review. Its nice to see kudos for the venders.

Frodo

 

Good stuff!! Its nice to see positive reviews, glad you have had good experience with so many vendors. I personally have had good experiences with many of the vendors you have mentioned.

 

K&N sent me "any parts I would need" to get my K&N Typhoon kit to be the only working "prototype" kit to work on an automatic S. It is now fully working and growls like a cheetah.

 

Eric at Helix.

Showing up on a Saturday morning to work on my Mini and making sure all was good for my long Drive back to philly.

 

Brent at MiniDoMore (previously Minature Trailer). www.minidomore.com. His products are, indeed, priced at a premium (note, however, his market is a small one), but his customer service is over the top.

Have to compliment Techtonics Tuning and wish they did Mini work as well - they're a VW tuner who's been at the top of their game since the '70s I believe.

 

Tim, Hubie, Brian and the whole Fireballed! team. These guys overnited my head as their machine shop was slow. not them. I can't image how much that cost them $$-wise, but it earned them my continued loyalty and pretty much a direct deposit slip from my checking acount to them for future work. Way to go guys! See you all ina few day!

 

Great reviews, great shops.

 

M7 is a great company, they will be happy to help you with any of your problems reguarding M7 products or even if you have questions. Also another company I had a great experience with is GOMINIGO.

 

I haven't worked with any of those vendors except for Whalen and Texas Speed Works. Both are AWESOME as I'm sure the others are as well.

 

Nice review. It does give a fair bit of idea about the good ones out in the market.

 

It's so nice to hear about so many postive transactions with excellent vendors. I've made a copy of your list and am keeping it for reference for the future. Thanks.