Engine Labs Part III - Edit **Cliff nots at the bottom for you lazy folks

Over a month ago I thought they were great and would recommend them to anyone. Unfortunately I have learned a hard lesson, ANY quote should be in paper and signed. I guess even written quotes are not always fool proof. :bbb:

Engine Labs dropped the ball hard on this one. I had a short block there getting extensive work to hold some serious power. The bill totaled up so somewhere over 2k in machine work and assembly. Half way through I decided for my power goals I would need a complete custom forged stroker motor. So I put the block up for sale while it was still receiving machine work. A buyer was found in CA and wondered if Engine Labs could ship it to his location.

Mid September I spoke with Susan at Engine Labs to see if they would be willing to ship a complete short block. They were more than willing to comply and gave me a quote (this one verbal) of $140 to ship and $40 bucks to pack up the block. Well Great, I corresponded with the buyer and he said that would work fine. Somewhere along the lines of payments I received a copy of the invoice stating packaging and shipping $200.

Engine Labs was going to ship the block out Oct 6-8. I called on 10/14 or 10/15 to receive the POR number and to make sure the block was on its way. Engine Labs was waiting on some packaging foam you can buy at home depot to come in :rool: At this time I spoke with John and he explained that they had been waiting on this foam. Getting mad wasn’t going to help the situation so he just guaranteed me it was shipping out on 10/18.

10/25 I speak with my client to make sure he’s pleased with the block and did not have any problems. To my shock the block was STILL at Engine Labs. (they have not called me ONCE at this time) I called ASAP and speak with John whom say’s the block hasn’t shipped for unknown reasons. Later the same day I spoke with Susan who now explains shipping is NOW $539.00 plus the packaging fee. Now I’m furious they have not ONCE called me, Fucked up the quote BIG time, and now my customer is pissed off because he has no block. I call get a few quotes from trucking companies (which keep their quotes) and arrange the pick up that day since Engine labs in incapable of communication and keeping their quote/word. I fax the bill of lading over to Engine Labs and the block is FINALLY on its way.

But it does not end here. I have all ready paid the $200 for shipping and packaging. I call to see how I can receive a refund and ask why the hell they never called me or didn’t stick to their quote. (I don’t like paying for others mistakes) Now the price to package up the block was 100 bucks and they can only refund me 100 for shipping. After arguing a bit and getting NO where I say “fuck it, refund me $100 bucks) This was on 11/3/04 and I have yet to receive the refund for $100.

Then even fucked with the bill of lading I faxed to their location and Penciled in LIFT GATE NEEDED. With any trucking company that on the bill of lading is an additional fee of approximately 100. So my total shipping cost will be somewhere over 400 including their $100 dollar packaging fee:rool: Oh well you live and learn. My main concern was just hold up my end of the deal with the customer. I hate it when people fail to communicate and try to cover up their mistakes with lies. Now I look bad to the guy we sold the block to.

Now really why give a quote if your not even going to come close to that original number.

Cliff Notes– Engine labs is poor at corresponding, gives false quotes, and will make up petty excuses to why they didn’t hold their end of the deal.

I have not even seen the block to confirm the actual machine work, but at this point I don’t care if it’s the best ever. I will never deal with a company whom has made the mistakes in which they have.

Grrrr, guess I have to call again to get my $100 bucks they promised two weeks ago. Guess they are still

I noticed someone else respond in another thread to a machine shop in the area that also has the same equipment and more experience. I think it was a guy with a Mustang. I would strongly recommend using this shop in the future.

 

From dealing with them in the beginning this was a total shock. They were as nice as could be then they messed something up and was trying to cover for it again and again.

 

That's really awful. I've heard nothing but praise for their work....I guess they just suck at everything else. Sorry you're having to go through all that nonsense, hon.

 

Thanks, I guess you live and learn.
Unfortunatly I have been doing too much learning lately.

 

I think we are hearing one side of the story. I will not pass any judgement.

 

That's a shame.

 

I did call and try to resolve the matter over the phone. I was looking for mainly just an apology and maybe a discount on future work. (I do realize we are human and mistakes are made) Right off the bat they got very defensive and started making excuses. I have all corresponding email, faxes with payment dates, confirmation pages they received the fax, and my phone number listed on everything.

They simply gave me a quote for shipping out of their ass and were unwilling to deal with their mistake. I guess they even avoided the confrontation of calling me to say they were wrong and there was a problem with shipping. And this is why the block sat there a month longer than necessary.

And they still owe me 100 bucks