Potential ACG Automotive Customers: My Warning to You
12-30-2013, 11:42 AM
#27
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
I also want to make clear that ACG did do some good work on my cars, there is no question. That is the reason in the past I pubbed them up. I tried to look past the mistakes and thought that as time progressed, and as I addressed these issues with them, the problems would not reoccur. I was wrong, and have no one else to blame but myself for giving them more business time after time.
I also texted and emailed ACG a couple hours prior to posting these threads, alerting them that I was going to post a detailed thread -- motivated by my recent discovery (the scratches to my M3). None of these problems were ones that I hid from ACG and all of a sudden sprung in these posts. I also told ACG once the threads went up.
I am not trying to sabotage or torpedo ACG as a business. But I will be honest, if these issues persisted with other customers from this point on and the "quality control" problems did not get remedied, I would not be upset about them no longer being a viable company.
12-30-2013, 09:45 PM
#28
^
Pert studied with the Benedictine monks for years, searching for God through prayer, work and reading. He sings his midday prayer and vespers in both English and Latin. He's an especially erudite soul and on a spiritual level that few will ever achieve. Perhaps his level of forgiveness is something that should be applauded rather than denounced.
Pert studied with the Benedictine monks for years, searching for God through prayer, work and reading. He sings his midday prayer and vespers in both English and Latin. He's an especially erudite soul and on a spiritual level that few will ever achieve. Perhaps his level of forgiveness is something that should be applauded rather than denounced.
His post is laden with detail and fact and is non-judgemental. He leaves it to the reader to draw a conclusion.
Honestly he doesn't sound angry or vindictive in the least. He appears to have just wanted to 'get it off his chest' and share some insight that may allow others to be better prepared when dealing with this particular shop.
Sounds like he has moved on and harbors no ill will.
And why rip him for being generous and giving someone a bonus and a meal? People who accumulate some wealth seldom get taken, you don't do that by being a sucker, chump or stupid with $$$$. Just because he can afford to be generous doesn't make him weak.
It seems we are not exposed to enough good things these days, but when we are, we feel compelled to make it 'bad'. Your people I do not understand....
Last edited by Ingenieur; 12-30-2013 at 09:48 PM.
12-30-2013, 10:18 PM
#29
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Thread Starter
this explains a lot (I assume what you you say is true)
His post is laden with detail and fact and is non-judgemental. He leaves it to the reader to draw a conclusion.
Honestly he doesn't sound angry or vindictive in the least. He appears to have just wanted to 'get it off his chest' and share some insight that may allow others to be better prepared when dealing with this particular shop.
Sounds like he has moved on and harbors no ill will.
And why rip him for being generous and giving someone a bonus and a meal? People who accumulate some wealth seldom get taken, you don't do that by being a sucker, chump or stupid with $$$$. Just because he can afford to be generous doesn't make him weak.
It seems we are not exposed to enough good things these days, but when we are, we feel compelled to make it 'bad'. Your people I do not understand....
His post is laden with detail and fact and is non-judgemental. He leaves it to the reader to draw a conclusion.
Honestly he doesn't sound angry or vindictive in the least. He appears to have just wanted to 'get it off his chest' and share some insight that may allow others to be better prepared when dealing with this particular shop.
Sounds like he has moved on and harbors no ill will.
And why rip him for being generous and giving someone a bonus and a meal? People who accumulate some wealth seldom get taken, you don't do that by being a sucker, chump or stupid with $$$$. Just because he can afford to be generous doesn't make him weak.
It seems we are not exposed to enough good things these days, but when we are, we feel compelled to make it 'bad'. Your people I do not understand....
12-31-2013, 09:16 AM
#30
MBWorld Fanatic!
Dang sorry to hear about your problems Matt, I always wanted to ask you why you stopped buying your HRE from ACG as you normally did, but I didn't want to open a can of worms.
Thanks for sharing your experience, I never had a chance to experience their service cuz the quote I got from them on my HRE was too rich for my blood (wish I was a lawyer like you Matt lol). Good luck in your future projects!!
Thanks for sharing your experience, I never had a chance to experience their service cuz the quote I got from them on my HRE was too rich for my blood (wish I was a lawyer like you Matt lol). Good luck in your future projects!!
12-31-2013, 10:14 AM
#33
Senior Member
Sorry to hear that. Over the years with several different automotive projects I too have had many bad experiences by seemingly responsible business professionals. Sad to say but there is an abundance of poor quality workmanship in the automotive world regardless of the type or class of the vehicles.
I had a sit down heart to heart discussion once with a manager of a MB Service department after they failed repeatedly in correcting a problem I had with an ML500. Not only did they fail but they were blatantly negligent. I own a business in aircraft maintenance and I see how this happens. The point I tried to make with that manager was to set a higher standard and focus more on quality control, work on improved final inspection and testing processes. It made no difference, it is a tough business and competent technicians just aren't that easy to find. I just dumped a local shop in Dallas I thought I would try based on their reputation and referrals. After three separate visits they struck out with me. I have learned to cut it off when it starts this way, it only gets worse and becomes very costly.
I had a sit down heart to heart discussion once with a manager of a MB Service department after they failed repeatedly in correcting a problem I had with an ML500. Not only did they fail but they were blatantly negligent. I own a business in aircraft maintenance and I see how this happens. The point I tried to make with that manager was to set a higher standard and focus more on quality control, work on improved final inspection and testing processes. It made no difference, it is a tough business and competent technicians just aren't that easy to find. I just dumped a local shop in Dallas I thought I would try based on their reputation and referrals. After three separate visits they struck out with me. I have learned to cut it off when it starts this way, it only gets worse and becomes very costly.
12-31-2013, 01:09 PM
#34
sometimes 'no response' is the best response
The OP crafted the post so as to not impune, slander or defame the shop: only to convey his personal experience. Whether he did so because he's a lawyer and knows the 'rules', or because he is a nice guy. I'll leave it to each reader to form their own opinion. I tend to go with the latter. Because if it was otherwise, a lawyer could take another tack to cause a party that he took issue with some grief; rather than some internet 'bashing'.
People want to classify this as some of the typical internet 'venting'. It is not. We have all seen plenty of that: some entitled twit ranting about some imaginary slight the big bad 'man' imposed upon him. lol.
He gave them ample opportunity to give him the service he deserved, they did not respond. He cut ties and laid out his reasons. There is something healing about writing something out. It some how allows you to expel it and move on. He seems to have done that.
We seem to have the tendency to attack when we see 'character', not sure why: jealousy? fear? envy? perhaps it makes us nervous since we see so little of it, in ourselves, and others. As someone said, we should be appreciating this, maybe even emulate, not denigrating it: episodes like this seem to be too far and few between.
I'm not sure many of us would respond as he did. I probably would want 'satisfaction', or more succinctly, revenge: how dare they treat me so callously!
I'm important! Don't they know that!! I'm special dammit!!!as someone's mommy once said: your heinny is special, unique, it's different than everyone elses
Last edited by Ingenieur; 12-31-2013 at 01:13 PM.
12-31-2013, 03:36 PM
#35
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Dang sorry to hear about your problems Matt, I always wanted to ask you why you stopped buying your HRE from ACG as you normally did, but I didn't want to open a can of worms.
Thanks for sharing your experience, I never had a chance to experience their service cuz the quote I got from them on my HRE was too rich for my blood (wish I was a lawyer like you Matt lol). Good luck in your future projects!!
Thanks for sharing your experience, I never had a chance to experience their service cuz the quote I got from them on my HRE was too rich for my blood (wish I was a lawyer like you Matt lol). Good luck in your future projects!!
As far as the HRE issue, I was actually getting a good price. It wasn't the money that was the problem, it was that they new for over a month prior to me placing my order that the pricing discounts they could give had changed. And then it took them a week until after placing my order for them to finally inform me that they would have to charge me over $1000 more than I originally was quoted (and the price that I based my 50% deposit on). I could have held them to that original price, but I they are a small business and I knew I would never buy wheels from them again, so didn't feel the need to add insult to injury. The guys at Wheel Enhancement are an absolute dream to deal with and as HRE's West Coast Distributor, they have a direct line into HRE if there are any issues. That isnt a pub for them necessarily, but insight into why I am so happy no longer ordering wheels from ACG.
Sorry to hear that. Over the years with several different automotive projects I too have had many bad experiences by seemingly responsible business professionals. Sad to say but there is an abundance of poor quality workmanship in the automotive world regardless of the type or class of the vehicles.
I had a sit down heart to heart discussion once with a manager of a MB Service department after they failed repeatedly in correcting a problem I had with an ML500. Not only did they fail but they were blatantly negligent. I own a business in aircraft maintenance and I see how this happens. The point I tried to make with that manager was to set a higher standard and focus more on quality control, work on improved final inspection and testing processes. It made no difference, it is a tough business and competent technicians just aren't that easy to find. I just dumped a local shop in Dallas I thought I would try based on their reputation and referrals. After three separate visits they struck out with me. I have learned to cut it off when it starts this way, it only gets worse and becomes very costly.
I had a sit down heart to heart discussion once with a manager of a MB Service department after they failed repeatedly in correcting a problem I had with an ML500. Not only did they fail but they were blatantly negligent. I own a business in aircraft maintenance and I see how this happens. The point I tried to make with that manager was to set a higher standard and focus more on quality control, work on improved final inspection and testing processes. It made no difference, it is a tough business and competent technicians just aren't that easy to find. I just dumped a local shop in Dallas I thought I would try based on their reputation and referrals. After three separate visits they struck out with me. I have learned to cut it off when it starts this way, it only gets worse and becomes very costly.
perhaps there is nothing to say?
sometimes 'no response' is the best response
The OP crafted the post so as to not impune, slander or defame the shop: only to convey his personal experience. Whether he did so because he's a lawyer and knows the 'rules', or because he is a nice guy. I'll leave it to each reader to form their own opinion. I tend to go with the latter. Because if it was otherwise, a lawyer could take another tack to cause a party that he took issue with some grief; rather than some internet 'bashing'.
People want to classify this as some of the typical internet 'venting'. It is not. We have all seen plenty of that: some entitled twit ranting about some imaginary slight the big bad 'man' imposed upon him. lol.
He gave them ample opportunity to give him the service he deserved, they did not respond. He cut ties and laid out his reasons. There is something healing about writing something out. It some how allows you to expel it and move on. He seems to have done that.
We seem to have the tendency to attack when we see 'character', not sure why: jealousy? fear? envy? perhaps it makes us nervous since we see so little of it, in ourselves, and others. As someone said, we should be appreciating this, maybe even emulate, not denigrating it: episodes like this seem to be too far and few between.
I'm not sure many of us would respond as he did. I probably would want 'satisfaction', or more succinctly, revenge: how dare they treat me so callously! I'm important! Don't they know that!! I'm special dammit!!!
as someone's mommy once said: your heinny is special, unique, it's different than everyone elses
sometimes 'no response' is the best response
The OP crafted the post so as to not impune, slander or defame the shop: only to convey his personal experience. Whether he did so because he's a lawyer and knows the 'rules', or because he is a nice guy. I'll leave it to each reader to form their own opinion. I tend to go with the latter. Because if it was otherwise, a lawyer could take another tack to cause a party that he took issue with some grief; rather than some internet 'bashing'.
People want to classify this as some of the typical internet 'venting'. It is not. We have all seen plenty of that: some entitled twit ranting about some imaginary slight the big bad 'man' imposed upon him. lol.
He gave them ample opportunity to give him the service he deserved, they did not respond. He cut ties and laid out his reasons. There is something healing about writing something out. It some how allows you to expel it and move on. He seems to have done that.
We seem to have the tendency to attack when we see 'character', not sure why: jealousy? fear? envy? perhaps it makes us nervous since we see so little of it, in ourselves, and others. As someone said, we should be appreciating this, maybe even emulate, not denigrating it: episodes like this seem to be too far and few between.
I'm not sure many of us would respond as he did. I probably would want 'satisfaction', or more succinctly, revenge: how dare they treat me so callously!
I'm important! Don't they know that!! I'm special dammit!!!as someone's mommy once said: your heinny is special, unique, it's different than everyone elses
I love forums like these because you learn so much...and while not everything you read is the truth or black/white, you can at least get some perspective on whether a certain mod is right for you or whether a vendor is reputable enough for you to trust. That is why I posted, to share my experience. I am not a baller by any stretch. So the money I spend on my cars is money I worked hard for and money I could otherwise use spend elsewhere. I care about details -- like many of you on here; and so when I spend my hard earned money on products and the labor to install them, I may not expect perfection...but I do expect the entity I am paying to be as meticulous as possible.
When I decided to do my supercharger for my M3 this fall, I remember talking to Sean at ACG. He quoted me a price. I looked around at other shops, and ultimately decided to go with MRF Engineering in Lake Forest (about 60 miles north of me). Sean asked me after I told him I was going somewhere else, what made me choose them over ACG. I told him it wasn't a price issue, but the fact that: 1) ACG had never installed a supercharger on a BMW before; 2) the past quality control issues I listed about the BMW mods installed by ACG I had done up to that point; and 3) the fact that my cars had never been returned to me on the day or time I was promised. I told Sean, mincing no words...that ACG just doesnt pay attention to the details and that needs to be remedied. Since then I never bought another mod from them.
If any of you have further questions, feel free to PM me.
01-01-2014, 03:13 PM
#38
I used to go to a shop in New York called RPMNorth and Craig, that ran the shop, moved out to Cali somewhere to run a place called WORLD Motorsports. Once he left here I have been in a similar situation of not knowing where to bring my car.
I don't know how far World Motorsports is from you but you should look them up and see if they are close to where you are. They are located in Los Angeles.
Craig is a very straightforward easy to deal with person that was really honest and fair. He was far from the lowest cost shop around but the shop was many of the local New Yorkers favorite shop to go to. He used to have killer BBQ's and he would have car meets on Thursday nights. It was like a fun a friendly family atmosphere.
I don't know how far World Motorsports is from you but you should look them up and see if they are close to where you are. They are located in Los Angeles.
Craig is a very straightforward easy to deal with person that was really honest and fair. He was far from the lowest cost shop around but the shop was many of the local New Yorkers favorite shop to go to. He used to have killer BBQ's and he would have car meets on Thursday nights. It was like a fun a friendly family atmosphere.
01-01-2014, 04:53 PM
#39
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
01-02-2014, 08:07 AM
#41
MBWorld Fanatic!
01-02-2014, 08:19 AM
#42
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Well I definitely don't have so much money to get any woman I want, and I'm sure some of the OCD behavior I exhibit I with my wheel purchases correlates to why I am single. Lastly, San Diego is not like Brazil where there is an overwhelmingly higher ratio of women to men. They don't call it "Man Diego" for nothing.
01-02-2014, 11:20 AM
#44
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Interesting update: ACG blocked me from the Instagram but still hasn't responded -- for the benefit of enthusiasts on here -- to any of my posts.
01-02-2014, 11:40 AM
#45
MBWorld Fanatic!
I have been quietly watching this thread since it started, waiting for the other side of the story. I have been on this board since 2008 and ACG has been here just as long or longer, I have never read anything bad about them in that time, they seem like one of the handful of good vendors still out there. I have met James and hung out at a few events, seems like a good guy to me. If they really blocked you from Instagram that is the most childish thing I have ever heard. There are always 3 sides to every story(your side, their side and the truth) but the fact that they have not chimed in to give their version yet speaks volumes to me as a as an outside 3rd party observer, to put it bluntly they look guilty as hell at this point. They might think they are taking the high road by keeping quiet rather than get into the inevidable pissing match that these things usually turn into but you have not even been that harsh on them, your first post actually praises them so I am not sure why they do not chime in. If they do not want to have it turn into a public pissing match they should at least be reaching out in private to you.
01-02-2014, 11:55 AM
#46
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
I have been quietly watching this thread since it started, waiting for the other side of the story. I have been on this board since 2008 and ACG has been here just as long or longer, I have never read anything bad about them in that time, they seem like one of the handful of good vendors still out there. I have met James and hung out at a few events, seems like a good guy to me. If they really blocked you from Instagram that is the most childish thing I have ever heard. There are always 3 sides to every story(your side, their side and the truth) but the fact that they have not chimed in to give their version yet speaks volumes to me as a as an outside 3rd party observer, to put it bluntly they look guilty as hell at this point. They might think they are taking the high road by keeping quiet rather than get into the inevidable pissing match that these things usually turn into but you have not even been that harsh on them, your first post actually praises them so I am not sure why they do not chime in. If they do not want to have it turn into a public pissing match they should at least be reaching out in private to you.
Just so you know I am not making this up:
01-02-2014, 12:12 PM
#47
MBWorld Fanatic!
JCart I couldnt have written it better myself. As you pointed out, I praised them in the opening post for being honest good guys. And I have readily acknowledged that they have done some good work on my cars. I also state and actually did, give them a heads up before and after I posted these threads (and as me being blocked from the Instagram evidences - they at least have some idea I posted -- otherwise why would I be blocked)? Also, for the record, I have not posted anything negative on Yelp, their instagram or mine.
Just so you know I am not making this up:
Just so you know I am not making this up:
I am staying out of it now since I have no issues with either you or ACG.
Good Luck and hope things work out for you.
01-03-2014, 05:07 PM
#48
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
More of ACGs handiwork I discovered today when removing my front lip from my M5 (I'm referring to the black paint chips, not the 3M tape debris):
Last edited by Pertplus; 01-03-2014 at 05:31 PM.
01-03-2014, 05:17 PM
#49
MBWorld Fanatic!
man I'm glad I found this thread...I applaud you for your thoughtfulness and candor. We owe it to each other as enthusiasts to share this kind of information so that the very best vendors can get our business and flourish.
