Lizard

I am writing this post about my experience with an order placed with Mode Carbon, a vendor here on MBWorld. I will use a timeline structure to make it easier to read.

•On 7/17/22: I placed on online order for a pair of 507 hood vents for a w204 c63. I was told that it may take up to 10 weeks to be completed. An amount of $518.30 was paid in full.

•On 9/6/22: I received an email stating that my order was completed, and a tracking number with FedEx included. I thought great, we’re ahead of schedule and did not checked the tracking number that day.

•On 9/13/322: I went back and clicked on the FedEx tracking #, and it’s showing as “label created…” I emailed Mode Carbon and ask to clarify the status.

•On 9/15/22: Received this reply from Mode Carbon “Your order is in production. I will have a ship date for you very soon. Thank you very much for your patience and enjoy the weekend! Samuel Akdemir. Director of Marketing.”
Assuming they are behind, which is understandable for business to face from time to time, I left the conversation there and figured I’ll wait a few days to get some updates.

•On 10/5/22: After three weeks since their last responded, I emailed and asked again for a status update.
After two days of no responses, I posted a public question on MBWorld forum in one of their ads (on 10/7/22) asking for some responses from emails, as their account does not accept PM from the forum. Not sure why this is set up this way as any vendors should want as many open channels as possible to get inquires and leads.

•On 10/12/22 (a few days after the public message was posted) Mode Carbon emailed me back with: “Hello, your order is now in the final stages of production. I will have a ship date for you very soon!! Samuel Akdemir, Director of Marketing”
Again, I leave the conversation there, waiting for them to catch up.

•On 11/5/22: I emailed Mode Carbon again asking to provide an ETA. No response has been received.

I completely understand that some projects can take a long time to build/develop, and that there may be delays along the way. Some of my firearm purchases took up to eight months to be delivered. The difference from these experiences, to that of with Mode Carbon, is that the vendors updated me along the way, and told me how long it may take, yet ended up delivering the products slightly ahead of schedule. Under promised and over delivered. This practice build confidence in me as a customer. It is something I’m not experiencing here with Mode Carbon.

With each passing weeks and non-responsive, or vaguely-responded communications, my trust in Mode Carbon has eroded and my desire for the item faded. I have no issues of waiting a long time for the product if there's an ETA provided and communications are available. Further more, the unusual practice of providing a shipping label for a non-completed product also struck me as questionable.

I am requesting a full refund of the paid amount and have this order canceled.


Moderators: Since I first posted the public question about delays on the forum (in Mode Carbon’s ad threads), I have received several PMs from other members on this forum sharing with me the same issues with this vendor.

I understand that the supports of sponsored vendors is necessary for the forum to exist. Your approval of selected vendors implies the endorsement of their business practices. This endorsement encourage users like myself to likely make purchases from these vendors vs. just some no-names on eBay. This means then you should be aware of how your endorsed/approved vendors are conducting business using your blessings.

Please take appropriate action if you believe that these practices do not warrant your brand.

AMGSIXTHREE

So they sent you a bull**** tracking number before the ten weeks was up to somehow cover their asses.

For $500+ and a ten-week production time, I would have cancelled the order as soon as it became apparent that they hadn't shipped it on time. That is totally overpriced to begin with. For them to take what has now become four months to produce two measly hood vents is totally ridiculous. Thanks for the heads-up on this company!

1JDM911

that's what happened if you buy anything made-in-China nowadays, factories are shut-down out there due to quarantine (yea, the pandemic is actually quite out of control out there), there's nothing these companies in the state-side can do about it, unless they move/create a new production line in the state-side, but you'd expect to pay at least double the cost, due to much higher labor & material cost.

if they tell you their products aren't made in China, well, their bluff is now blown because of this endless delay.

Sea63s

I can’t believe Mode Carbon is still a sponsor on here. I almost ordered the BS wing and canards from him but I just had a bad feeling about it. Didn’t feel right trusting him with that much cash after reading all of the stories from people he scammed.

I ended up ordering my dry Carbon Fiber wing and canards from Boca Design (through Jorge from Miami Benz Club) and I couldn’t be happier. From order to delivery, it took 2 weeks. So I don’t wanna hear that this is happening because of factory shutdown or delays. This is plain bad customer service and horrible business practice.

Lizard

It has been over five days since my original post as well as an email I sent asking for a refund but no responses on either ends. I will be taking more serious steps to recover my payment with my credit card company and the BBB (where their ratings is not so good - I should have checked prior to doing business).

Moderators: I ask you again to review this and take appropriate actions with this sponsor. I am not the only one who is having this experience, but I’ll let other forum members share their stories in their own words.

Lizard

An update to those who care:

Never heard back from Mode Carbon on any platforms since the original post and emails from a few weeks back.

I filled a charge back with my credit card company last week for a full refund. I’m looking to press a bit through the BBB as well so people are aware of this company as they also promote/sponsor on other car forums and not just this one.

I never hear from any moderators on MBWorld either, but it looks like Mode Carbon’s status is now “Former Vendor on MBWorld”

Sea63s

Thanks for the update and good to hear mode carbon is no longer a vendor on the forum.

1JDM911

whomever runs their forum account is still bumping the thread-of-lies, and their account status shows "Sponsors" underneath their handle.

Sea63s

Well it’s starting to feel like the forum is moderated by Mode Carbon themselves.

BMW forums didn’t blink on this when **** started hitting the fan.

1JDM911

every time it appears in their thread, this will be done as well, until the issue is resolved for the forum members.

MayhemD90

I noticed recently that Mode Carbon's MBWorld status showed as "Former Vendor" and thought finally MBWorld took some action but looks like Mode Carbon's status is now "Sponsor". WTF.

Quick search shows that Mode Carbon clearly has a reputation... buyer beware!

MayhemD90

here's another bump to ensure others are fully aware of other's experiences in purchasing from Mode Carbon.

https://www.google.com/search?q=mode...carbon+reviews

MayhemD90

Above search result yielded this interesting thread from last year

https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-c63s-...-bankrupt.html

1JDM911

that's crazy, just today, he replied to you with the same exact excuse:

so was he hospitalized from back then, got out, and went back in again? or hospitalized since last year, till a month ago? for 18mo.? maybe they should still keep him there?

MayhemD90

His excuse is he's been in the hospital so he can't respond to emails, phone calls or texts yet he CAN process orders, TAKE people's money still and BUMP his own product showcase threads - fascinating.

He's also got some "fans" on the BMW side.

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1920776

chrisridebike8

this makes me think of when Mike Tyson said his back was broken.

1JDM911

wow, something is seriously wrong with the guy in the head, he just posted this today in response to the issue with your order THIS year (2022):

but his accident was last year before the Summer (2021)...

Mode Carbon

iTrader: (-1)

The customers order was completed and his tracking information will be updated today. I was away on family matters which delayed their order.

Why Vegas

That’s one messed up way of handling orders and communicating with clients. You guys should revisit on few key notes on how to conduct business and customer service. Never ordering from you, glad I saw this thread

Mode Carbon

iTrader: (-1)

I was away on personal matters and this delayed all of our orders. I was receiving medical care.

MayhemD90

You were away on personal matters so couldn't handle orders but still somehow managed to still take people's money during that same time??

MayhemD90

I'll never order from him again either. And not sure there's anyone else involved as according to this post he's a one man unit... aka one man show.

https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-c63s-...ml#post8345451

Why Vegas

Away on medical leave yet bumping all the threads and ignoring clients? Cmon dude.

Mode Carbon

iTrader: (-1)

We didn't ignore anybody. We don't have a phone line right now.

Why Vegas

How convenient. How come a client creating a thread and asking for his order updates, gets no reply, yet you bump your promotional threads?