View Full Version : DNA, Rotormaster and PowerMod response to false allegations


dnaMotorsport
11-06-2006, 05:34 PM
Yesterday morning (6th Nov 2006) I checked the forum after a while to see news/pictures from the Nats. Instead I found all these posts from Kiet about DNA, Rotormaster and PowerMod. We had no idea about any of these posts until yesterday, otherwise we would’ve responded sooner.

Instead of allowing the workshops to resolve his issue at hand like a normal person would with any consumer issue, Kiet was instead slandering the workshops involved on the forum. A search around this forum for Kiet’s other posts will show the type of slandering and defaming posts he puts up about other products he has installed on his RX-8.

As with all of our products, performance, reliability and customer satisfaction are most important. Our reputation in the industry is valued and we endeavour to provide our customers the best products and services.

We have many customers in Australia as well as Internationally and have not had any problems whatsoever.

There are always two sides to every story. It is very disappointing that a customer we went out of our way to help was slandering us in a public forum.

Here is what happened:

1. Kiet was sold larger Primary Injectors by Rotormaster (which Kiet or his mechanic installed)

2. Kiet or his workshop was unable to tune the eManage with these larger injectors installed

3. Kiet contacted Joe asking for PowerMod with plug-in harness (plug-in harness was not in stock). Kiet AGREED to have the PowerMod directly wired in as he was in a rush

4. The car arrived at Rotormaster’s workshop on a tow truck (it was not driveable)

5. PowerMod was installed and tuned – Kiet was present during tuning

6. The car made good power and had good AFR throughout the rev range. During the tuning however, the engine was stalling (when you back-off throttle) because of the blow-off-valve being open to atmosphere (making the air-flow-meter readings unstable). We spent several hours trying to solve the stalling problem using tuning alone, but it was unsuccessful – Kiet was made aware this required fixing

7. Kiet KNOWING the problem was not fixed and not wanting Rotormaster to do this work, insisted on taking away the car to another workshop for tuning since he was in a rush. Although at this point tuning was NOT complete, the car was drive-able.

8. Kiet called the next day (after a day of attempted tuning by himself or his workshop) wanting the PowerMod removed and his money refunded. We agreed to do this even though the PowerMod unit was NOT at fault. We knew that without resolving the blow-off-valve issue, tuning would be a waste of time. At this point Kiet had wasted enough of our time.

9. PowerMod was removed and re-connector plugged in to re-connect the intercepted wires – this was done to allow the PowerMod to be plugged back in if necessary

10. Kiet still could not get the car tuned using the eManage and wanted the wires of the PowerMod unit soldered back instead of the re-connector

11. This was scheduled for the next day but he did not turn up. The day after he turned up and within 1 hour it was all done.

12. We have heard nothing from Kiet since that time although he still has the PowerMod control unit and has NOT contacted Rotormaster for a refund. We were shocked to read all these posts on the forums yesterday.

I am sure everyone will see that we have done all that can be done for Kiet. We have been falsely accused of incompetent work with no proof other than these useless blurry pictures showing an incomplete installation and nothing more. In fact all the pictures show is that Rotormaster issued an invoice for the installation of the PowerMod unit, nothing more.

In order to provide feedback to other forum members (who may be interested), here is our response to some of Kiet’s comments:

Advanced Technology brings on lights you normally dont see
This is the standard engine warning light. It sometimes appears on some cars (not all cars) when the standard ECU detects a certain number of ‘flags’ within a pre-determined period of time. There is a simple fix for this. Kiet NEVER contacted us or Rotormaster about this error. Instead he went straight to the public forum. Honestly, who does that and why?

A customer's ProCharged RX-8 that made nearly 300rwhp had the engine check light coming on several times in the first week after the installation. Even with the light on, the car drove fine without a problem. After about a week the light was never seen again.

In the “Lean Spot Spike Around 3500rpms. Suggestions???” post Kiet wrote:
problem is a crappy plug and play harness that doesn't control the maps like it should.
should have wired it up manually.
But later in the “PowerMod Review! No BS...” he wrote:
First thing i noticed was it had no harness it's wired in manually by cutting your wires
Make up your mind. Most PowerMod units (which we installed in the past) were directly wired in. Most PowerMod units sent overseas were sold with the plug-in harness. This plug-in harness is expensive to manufacture and gets sold very quickly, so we don’t always have stock. But it makes ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENCE to engine operation whether it is wired in or plugged in via harness. If it’s wired in, we have the re-connector to simply and quickly return it to normal connection state.

only other disadvantage is some of the hardware it uses is a bit old.
it connects via a serial cable instead of USB.
RS-232 is the most commonly used standard for interfacing any type of device that needs simple coms operation. If anyone thinks a device is ‘better’ just because it has a ‘USB’ port is only kidding themselves.

Joe wouldn't let me watch them do the installation and when i came at the end that's how they gave me the car.
THIS IS INCORRECT. Kiet never asked to be present for the wiring of the unit. He WAS present when the car was on the dyno. We were trying to help him and solve his issue until around 8pm at night. I don’t know of too many other workshops that allow customers to ‘watch’ their work or stay open well after business hours to help out their customers.

There is a large base of vehicles (not just RX-8, but Holden, Ford, Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, Harley Davidson, etc) out there with PowerMod units installed. We have NEVER had any unresolved customer issues with any one of these units. This is one of the reasons tuners (even competitors) who normally use other system highly regard the PowerMod. We invite everyone with experience using PowerMod (good or bad) to come forward and express their views.

At the end of the day DNA, Rotormaster and PowerMod have been made to look bad due to a customer’s impatience. What’s worse is even though we have done exactly what the customer asked for and offered him a refund, the customer is yet to contact us, but instead has been slandering us in public. We have lost the most during this ordeal.

We invite everyone to see our capabilities, products and services for themselves and make up their own minds.

Gomez
11-06-2006, 08:31 PM
Never heard of him. He's not a member of this forum. Doesn't sound like I'm missing much.

MazdaManiac
11-06-2006, 08:41 PM
Never heard of him. He's not a member of this forum. Doesn't sound like I'm missing much.I don't know what is going on, either. However, kiet1 is a member of this forum.

http://www.rx8club.com/search.php?searchid=1979989

timbo
11-06-2006, 09:06 PM
He made the remarks referred to on the .com.au site. When DNA contacted me about responding, I suggested they also post here, as I was aware kiet1 had also posted here in relation to a number of tuning issues.

IMO, serious allegations were made, which DNA were entitle to respond to in all forums.

Gomez
11-06-2006, 09:30 PM
Hope ya dragged him out behind the shelter shed and give 'im a little one-two timbo!!

takahashi
11-07-2006, 01:14 AM
Now we get both sides of the story. That is enough :nono: Let's just leave it there. :jerkit:

I am a person who does not take any side. And it is too boring to read.

Revolver
11-07-2006, 01:44 AM
Now we get both sides of the story. That is enough :nono: Let's just leave it there.

Agreed, but I do see why DNA felt the need to respond.

Rotor Convert
11-07-2006, 07:20 AM
It's saf that both parties can't get this sorted in person. If this guy has an issue what's wrong with talking to them on the phone/in person...not going into cyberspace to vent. Sad also that the response has had to be so long and drawn out and quite dull to read. It's all about communication and using the correct form of it to get your point accross. Seems like someone might have gone overboard though...I agree take him out behind the shed for some re-tuning. Seems he should say sorry....but I am sure he is not wrong rite?? :whipping: :bottom:

MissyK
11-07-2006, 08:22 AM
Thanks for making your post dnaMotorsport.

mogley
11-07-2006, 09:46 PM
The customer is always right.

MissyK
11-07-2006, 09:47 PM
The customer is always right.


So when you start working fulltime, and you do whatever it takes to please a client, but regardless no matter how much time and how many lengths you go to, they still complain - they still right then ?

Ciao
11-07-2006, 10:23 PM
The customer is always right.

In my line of work we say the customer is always righteous :hahano:

jormatom
11-07-2006, 10:31 PM
I agree with timbo that dnaMotorsport are entitled a right of reply.

Both parties have now had their say. Any more grievances should be sorted out amongst themselves privately and not on a public forum. :kiss:

For the rest of us, no one party is right or wrong. Kiets grievances serve as a warning to those having any mods done, not just turbocharging, whilst dna are within their rights to protect their reputation.

If it goes on any longer, we will need to ring TV Week magazine so they can write it up along with the other soapies. :)

Lets all get back to tlaking about the nats. :Eyecrazy:

Greg

Revolver
11-07-2006, 10:34 PM
The customer is always right.

Crap.

MissyK
11-07-2006, 11:05 PM
Crap.

i'm including this in my "WTF RX8 club comments"............... yes i have a collection of goodies :cwm27:

this is the smallest post you have ever made!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

and i totally utterly agree with you 200%!!

jormatom
11-07-2006, 11:47 PM
Crap.

Don't hold back Dave.

Tell us what you "really" think. :hahano:

Rotor Convert
11-08-2006, 04:47 AM
Don't hold back Dave.

Tell us what you "really" think. :hahano:

Dave, an elegant summation of a terribly boring thread really!

Mogley, this is for you. Travel the path of life a bit longer and your ideals will change like the sands!

Onya Dave withya on this one. Talk more about the NATS...I wish I could have gone :-(

kunz
11-08-2006, 05:31 AM
Always good to hear both sides of the story. Agree with everyone else, this is getting boring .. lets talk about something else.

mogley
11-08-2006, 06:31 AM
Oh man. I always start fights.
I don't get it.
=0

I was only kidding by the way. I don't really care. I just wanted to make a boring thread exciting.

Besides, the customer IS always right. Doesn't mean they aren't dickheads. But they're right. Because they have the $$. And we are all slaves for $$.

yellowrx8inoz
11-08-2006, 06:45 AM
Besides, the customer IS always right. Doesn't mean they aren't dickheads. But they're right. Because they have the $$. And we are all slaves for $$.

Crap. :mdrmed:

EZZY
11-08-2006, 06:52 AM
good on ya DNA!

slendering isnt always a nice thing, especially when you have a business to run.... do i smell deformation?

whats your view on this Dave?

MissyK
11-08-2006, 06:57 AM
eric are u saying that forum owners can be in trouble for not stopping this from happening sooner? i mean........... its not like it happened once or twice....... there have been cases of businesses suing forums for letting defamatory remarks continue.......

Gibbo
11-08-2006, 03:51 PM
I fell that another 2 cents worth is warranted.

In all the dealing I have had with Rotormaster when evaluating the Turbo and Super Charged RX-8 I have nothing but praise for the guys there.
They are more than accommodating and professional in their approach.

One person's opinion does not make a fact.
I guess it is easy to look for a scape goat when it is your own incompetence or error that has caused a problem, pride often comes before a fall.....better watch out Kiet.

As for the customer always being right.... that is only in the mind of the customer.

Revolver
11-08-2006, 05:21 PM
i'm including this in my "WTF RX8 club comments"............... yes i have a collection of goodies :cwm27:

this is the smallest post you have ever made!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

and i totally utterly agree with you 200%!!

:kiss:

Revolver
11-08-2006, 05:22 PM
Besides, the customer IS always right. Doesn't mean they aren't dickheads. But they're right. Because they have the $$. And we are all slaves for $$.

Crap.

Revolver
11-08-2006, 05:23 PM
Crap. :mdrmed:

Hey, that's my line! :nono: :mdrmed:

Revolver
11-08-2006, 05:26 PM
good on ya DNA!

slendering isnt always a nice thing, especially when you have a business to run.... do i smell deformation?

whats your view on this Dave?

Don't really have one.

Deffo cases are for rich people with fragile egos.

People are more intelligent than is generally suspected by the worst of my profession. Someone tells lies about you, make your side of the story known (as DNA has done). Most people can usually work out who is in the right. Those that can't aren't worth having as customers anyway.

Revolver
11-08-2006, 05:29 PM
eric are u saying that forum owners can be in trouble for not stopping this from happening sooner? i mean........... its not like it happened once or twice....... there have been cases of businesses suing forums for letting defamatory remarks continue.......

I don't believe moderators and administrators should be accountable to check the truth of every opinion published, whether it be expressed as a 'fact' or not.

Besides, I can't remember the fine print but don't most forums have an escape clause in their joining agreement (e.g. the views published aren't necessarily our own or some such)?

Revolver
11-08-2006, 05:31 PM
In all the dealing I have had with Rotormaster when evaluating the Turbo and Super Charged RX-8 I have nothing but praise for the guys there.
They are more than accommodating and professional in their approach.


I agree with that 100%.

These guys are reputable professionals and my own experience with them was positive in every way. I have also spoken with some of their customers who had nothing but praise for the service they received.

mogley
11-08-2006, 07:25 PM
Crap.

When I go in for my 30 000km service at West End Mazda, I'M ALWAYS RIGHT.

Rotor Convert
11-08-2006, 08:02 PM
When I go in for my 30 000km service at West End Mazda, I'M ALWAYS RIGHT.

And they probably pee in the water they wash your car with cause you so righteous!! :evil_laug

Rotor Convert
11-08-2006, 08:03 PM
Oh man. I always start fights.
I don't get it.
=0

I was only kidding by the way. I don't really care. I just wanted to make a boring thread exciting.

Besides, the customer IS always right. Doesn't mean they aren't dickheads. But they're right. Because they have the $$. And we are all slaves for $$.

Crapola :bootyshak

jormatom
11-08-2006, 08:08 PM
Crapola :bootyshak

Is that a new breakfast cereal? :evil_laug

MissyK
11-08-2006, 08:29 PM
And they probably pee in the water they wash your car with cause you so righteous!! :evil_laug

:rollingla :rollingla :rollingla

mogley
11-08-2006, 09:44 PM
And they probably pee in the water they wash your car with cause you so righteous!! :evil_laug

They don't wash my car because i tell them not to wash my car because i'm the customer and they will do everything i tell them to do cause i'm always right.

I don't know why everyone has so much sympathy for their local Mazda dealer.

They don't know squat about the rx8. And that makes me right. Again.

:hahano:

MissyK
11-08-2006, 10:08 PM
They don't know squat about the rx8. And that makes me right. Again.

:hahano:

But you know even less................

MissyK
11-08-2006, 10:39 PM
http://www.rx8club.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=937

Why is Kiet being only 1 flamed??

Revolver
11-08-2006, 11:30 PM
But you know even less................

:werd:

mogley
11-09-2006, 12:31 AM
But you know even less................

Enough to know that my brakes really are squealing.

MissyK
11-09-2006, 01:25 AM
mogley! search the forum, we ALL have that problem, very few dont. Its the brakes, its the make of the brakes, u want a sports car? DEAL with BIG brakes! U dont want squeel? buy a hyundai! but i'll assure u other things will squeel with that which dont with the rx8!

Theres a bulletin available which states that RX8 brakes tend to squeel, find it, print it, SHOW ur dealer if you want hard evidence! The most they can do is replace the brake pads, and even then its no guaranteed that the squeel will not come back.

OR

Slam the brakes a few times and it will relieve any dust amongst the pads which can cause some of the squeeling. Ive done that and it works! Ive even had my brake pads changed TWICE.

Just be thankful your brakes work!!

I'll tell you something...... when a customer/client annoys the shit out of a business, dont expect sympathy!! if you are nice, its almost 120% guaranteed you will get the same response. be an asshole, and u'll get treated back like 1. Put urself in their position. You know what - lifes a bitch not everything has to go ur way get used to it!

timbo
11-09-2006, 03:47 AM
Crikey Missy....don't be so impatient with the noob ;) Must be what happens to us after about, oh, er, 2 yrs on the forum :)

MissyK
11-09-2006, 05:52 AM
Oh i thought of something else to be fix the brake squeel...

TURN UP UR MUSIC