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02-08-2005, 05:40 PM | #1 |
Señor Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Edge of the world
Posts: 5,367
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Air Ride Technologies
I've been an extremely loyal ART customer for about 5 1/2 years (even taking regular abuse from the "they're stuff's overpriced" crowd). But I gave up long ago on the "Wal-Mart" low-price-is-all-that-matters philosophy. For me, while I certainly want a good price, I'm willing to pay more for the value-add of customer service.
Well... my most recent experiences with Air Ride Technologies seem to indicate that they're no longer into that whole customer service thing... and that they've simply become "overpriced stuff." I patiently waited for months on end for their much-anticipated Strong Arm control arms for my '69. They kept making commitment after commitment for when the product would be available (at least they didn't take money up front)... and kept failing to meet them. Finally the product was ready for sale. I ordered my set, paying full retail directly to ART (it turns out I could have saved a bundle buying them from Suicide Doors ). When they arrived, I was quickly impressed at how beefy they seemed to be. I passed off the upside down (on one side, at least) ART stickers as no big deal since I wasn't going to leave them on anyway. When time came to install them, I dropped the truck off at slammed67's house and waited for the end result. Well... the "kit" was missing lower shock mounts. and the lower ball joint dust covers wouldn't stay on. So I called ART and spoke with Jason (not the same Jason as slammed67). He came off as an arrogant and argumentative guy when insisted that 1) the kit would NOT have been shipped without these parts, and 2) that he had "been in the business for xx years" and he knew that the dust covers fit just fine. I got a little fed up and laid into the guy... reminding him that I'm not some 13 year old pimply-faced tire-kicker asking for prices (no offense to the 13 year old pimply-faced tire-kickers out there asking for prices ) and that I wanted him to send the rest of the kit, including the dust covers that he claimed would fit the lowers. I told him he needed to send them overnight, and gave him slammed67's address. He agreed. Three days later my parts had not arrived. Jason insisted that he had sent them but the tracking number he provided indicated that they were en route to MY HOUSE! I reminded him that they were supposed to have been send elsewhere AND overnight. He tried to blame the error on the "guys in the shipping department" until I reminded him that they only send things where and how they're told... that they don't just make things up. I then told him he needed to resend the parts TO THE CORRECT ADDRESS and OVERNIGHT this time. Parts arrived next day and they were installed. Funny thing is that I got the first "overnight" shipment the day after and it didn't have the dust covers in it. *sigh* </rant off... or so I thought> It turns out now that all 4 control arms are missing some other minor parts. I thought it was just the design that had raw rubber bushings on each cross shaft, but it turns out that they're supposed to include washers and bolts. *sigh again* I'm contemplating whether I should even bother to call them back. I'm sure they'll insist that they never send these kits without these parts either. So much for customer service. Anyone from ART who reads the board, feel free to respond. I'd love to hear from you. Kenneth
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02-08-2005, 07:59 PM | #2 |
67-72 parts collector,…
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,701
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I wondered why there were no washers and nuts, in the pics that Slammed67 posted. I would call them and send them a few of your pics.
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Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
02-09-2005, 01:06 AM | #3 |
'87
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Katy, TX
Posts: 632
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I would call them in a heartbeat. You paid retail on that kit and it should come complete, no questions asked. I hope you get everything you need to complete install. Good Luck..
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07-07-2005, 11:52 PM | #4 |
*************
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 17,858
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I ordered the same set, the boxes arrived fairly quickly. A week or two later I started going through the boxes looking at everything and realized that the lower control arms weren't even in the box! Called them up and they sent me the lower arms. A couple of weeks later, I started to get ready to install them and noticed that one of the bushings on the lower control arm was mushroomed and not pushed in all the way allowing for 3/8 inch slop in the cross shaft. Called them again on a FRI (spoke to "Jason") told him that I wanted them to send me another good lower arm and then I would send back the defective arm. A week later, no arm, called them up (Jason again) told him I hadn't received the arm yet. He told me that I was supposed to send the other arm back first. I told him to send me another arm (again) and I would then send the defective arm back. He said OK, well a week later, still no ARM. So, I'm with XXL, quality is starting to suck, service is starting to suck and prices have always sucked. I think I will buy elsewhere for my next set of bags.
Rob
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Rob - https://www.instagram.com/hart_rod_c10 As Iron Sharpens Iron, So One Man Sharpens Another. Proverbs 27:17 FOR SALE: DBW pedal bracket - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651123 FOR SALE: Hood Brackets http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=679945 1987 Silverado SWB - 34.5K original miles http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=801834 1969 SuperBurb - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200387 1968 Farm truck - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=358692 1968 SWB - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=551258 1948 Chevy - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=122164&page=3 |
07-08-2005, 01:03 PM | #5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 22,071
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Dang guys . . .... I think I'll sort through my stuff again & double check that all the required bracketry is actually attached & that the hardware is accounted for!
I'll admit I was getting frustrated w/them about the delays in getting these production ready..... then again when they overlooked my order (I was one of the first names on the 'list' of buyers). But once they came, the error they made was in my favor so I can't excessively complain .
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
07-08-2005, 02:11 PM | #6 |
Flamin' Bass
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Galloway, NJ, US
Posts: 315
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This post is about 3 years overdue, but I too had a bit of a hassle getting what I ordered from ART. Seems there's a big disconnect between the 'techies' (the Jasons), the shipping department and billing. Way back, I ordered the front and rear air bag 'kits' for my '67. I requested the MaxFlow (or whatever they called it then) with the 3/8" fittings for 1/2" lines. Of course, they sent front bags with 1/4" fittings. They told me the only way to fix "my problem" was for me to first BUY the CORRECT bags, then RETURN the INCORRECT ones they sent, and then wait for them to refund my credit card. I got the correct bags in about 2 weeks, but three months later I was still waiting for them to credit me for the 2nd set I was forced to but to fix THEIR MISTAKE.
It seems like just a minor PITA now, but when you're anxiously waiting for that big brown truck every day, it sorta gets on your nerves to get the wrong stuff. And, remember, this was 3 years ago. Nice to see some things haven't changed @#^%&*
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Rick Olson /nosto/ Galloway, NJ Pics : http://community.webshots.com/user/nosto53 1972 Triumph TR6 - full resto, now with a Toyota 5-speed 1975 F**D F-100 - rusty, but reliable 1982 HD XLH-1000 1967 C-10, shortstep, 350/M21 4spd, nitrogen tank fills fast bags on 4 corners, Toyo 255/45X20s on American Eagle 221 20X8s, shaved locks and handles, antenna, fuel filler, tiny C-notch, rear fuel tank, long headers, Edelbrock, worn 600 Holley, Checkmate flush hard cover, rear pan, custom LED taillights - painted it, too! But don't like it so I'm gonna do it again!! |
07-12-2005, 12:46 AM | #7 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Location: CT
Posts: 20
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Having worked in the largest Lincoln mail order parts biz place in the world, I can tell you that the return policy you speak of is VERY common in mail order parts (by far THE most common), although it sucks hugely for you waiting there for Mr Brown - If you've actually got a part in your hand most places won't send the replacement until the wrong/damaged/not as expected part is back in their hand - In their defense 9 times out of 10 it never comes back otherwise.
Think about it - how fast do you mail your cores out? Unfortunately, if you need the replacement fast - rebuying is the only way out. It truly sucks and I feel your pain. |
09-13-2006, 10:51 AM | #8 |
Señor Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Edge of the world
Posts: 5,367
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Re: Air Ride Technologies
14 months since making this post, and yesterday I received the missing parts. This was by virtue of a superb example of customer service... by Porterbuilt... to whom I've never even spent a penny with! He picked up on my grumblings in another thread (that pointed back to this one), and communicated with both me and ART to resolve the issue.
Thanks very much to Porterbuilt for his intervention.
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09-13-2006, 11:15 AM | #9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 3,737
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Re: Air Ride Technologies
dang, what a guy.
Good lookin out Porterbuilt!
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'72 2wd blazer, bagged w/ watts link & EDC '72 C10 "Lowered Farm Truck" STOLEN 5-18-11 '66 impala ht |
09-13-2006, 05:05 PM | #10 |
The LuvShack Garage
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side)
Posts: 30,468
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Re: Air Ride Technologies
Sheesh, I think I will reconsider ordering my stuff in the spring
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09-14-2006, 12:06 AM | #11 |
Designated A-hole!
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: South Mississippi
Posts: 36,448
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Re: Air Ride Technologies
Dang, 14 months, they're all over it.
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"If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck" |
10-30-2006, 04:03 PM | #12 |
Questionable
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 13,373
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Re: Air Ride Technologies
So, does this mean we should order from Porterbuilt instead of direct from ART?
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If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM. |
12-09-2006, 07:22 PM | #13 | |
Señor Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Edge of the world
Posts: 5,367
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Re: Air Ride Technologies
Quote:
(PB, go ahead and put that payoff money on account for me ).
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12-09-2006, 07:36 PM | #14 | |
Señor Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Edge of the world
Posts: 5,367
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Re: Air Ride Technologies
Quote:
One small follow-up to the above parts. After Porterbuilt got involved, the parts arrived reasonably quick (discounting the 14+ months prior ). From my end, I've been my usual 'too busy' to work on the truck, and so only this morning got a chance to install the hardware... only to find that 1 of the 8 jamb nuts is the wrong size. Instead of being .75-10, it was M20x2.5. Well... at least I got 7/8 of the hardware they owe me. To put things into "perspective," .400 is considered a superb batting average in baseball.
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Last edited by XXL; 12-09-2006 at 07:37 PM. |
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