Note to HUFF or Vividracing staff
10-10-2004, 11:58 PM
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Negative Billy Boat Racing
I ordered from you guys and had a very smooth transaction, Huff was great, thanks. This thread will probably be moved to good guy/bad guy forum, but I hope not until I see the results of the letter below. That's if I ever get any results from the Boat man himself or the staff, highly doubt it, but we'll see:
Dear Billy Boat,
I recently purchased a B&B catback and race pipe through Vividracing.com. Since Vividracing is just a distributor, I am contacting you directly with my complaint. I called your customer service line when I was having problems with the installation of your system. I was treated with arrogance on the phone from one of your representatives. Since this was about a month and a half ago, I do not remember the name of the person I spoke with, possibly "Mike". I did install the system in the end, but with some bumps in the road that should not have been there.
First, the system does not come with enough replacement gaskets. Yes the catback system does come with one gasket for the connection between the muffler and the pipe leading to the front of the vehicle. Although there is not a replacement gasket for the connection of the race pipe at either end. I do not understand the meaning behind not providing this equipment to the consumer of your product, after I paid over eight hundred dollars for the system. A few gaskets will cost around ten dollars total, and I could only conclude that your company would get a discounted price for these raw materials. In the end I went out and paid more money for gasket material to fabricate a gasket for the race pipe and exhaust manifold connection. I also paid another fee, for a Meineke technician to fit and install a gasket for the race pipe and catback connection. I could have used the old gaskets, which is what your customer service representative advised me to do. You, Billy Boat, know very well about the use of an old gasket on a new system. Would you use an old gasket on a new system for one of the race cars you own? I'm sure you wouldn't, as you can guess, I did not want to.
Another problem was that there were not any replacement bolts for the new system, I was also advised by your customer representative to use the factory hardware. Dealing with automotive technology, I would think your design department would take into consideration that the factory bolts will more than likely be rusted or locked on pretty tight. For someone as myself, I am on my back under car that is on ramps, attempting to break these factory bolts loose. I'm sure you can relate from your earlier days of building cars. Another trip to Meineke was necessary, and I had them install new hardware, this I paid for again.
The final problem I have with your system is that now the pipes, not the muffler, but only the pipes, seem to be corroding. I am very disappointed because, lack of thought went into the "bolt-on" design of this system. Many "regular" car enthusiasts without the proper shop equipment (hydraulic, rotor lift, air tools), would be installing your systems.
I have spent so much time and money, sweat, blood, and tears, installing your system, that I have dissolved any thought of returning the system for my money back. I do like the sound, and I do not want to trouble my time with the removal of this system.
I belong to a sponsorship, and I am in many car shows, I also belong to RX8club.com and reflect my opinion of products that are installed on my vehicle. I don't know if any of this will impact the way your systems are built, or the way your customer service representatives tend to your clients, and consumers, but I had to let you know, as one car enthusiast to another.
Thank you for your time,
Dear Billy Boat,
I recently purchased a B&B catback and race pipe through Vividracing.com. Since Vividracing is just a distributor, I am contacting you directly with my complaint. I called your customer service line when I was having problems with the installation of your system. I was treated with arrogance on the phone from one of your representatives. Since this was about a month and a half ago, I do not remember the name of the person I spoke with, possibly "Mike". I did install the system in the end, but with some bumps in the road that should not have been there.
First, the system does not come with enough replacement gaskets. Yes the catback system does come with one gasket for the connection between the muffler and the pipe leading to the front of the vehicle. Although there is not a replacement gasket for the connection of the race pipe at either end. I do not understand the meaning behind not providing this equipment to the consumer of your product, after I paid over eight hundred dollars for the system. A few gaskets will cost around ten dollars total, and I could only conclude that your company would get a discounted price for these raw materials. In the end I went out and paid more money for gasket material to fabricate a gasket for the race pipe and exhaust manifold connection. I also paid another fee, for a Meineke technician to fit and install a gasket for the race pipe and catback connection. I could have used the old gaskets, which is what your customer service representative advised me to do. You, Billy Boat, know very well about the use of an old gasket on a new system. Would you use an old gasket on a new system for one of the race cars you own? I'm sure you wouldn't, as you can guess, I did not want to.
Another problem was that there were not any replacement bolts for the new system, I was also advised by your customer representative to use the factory hardware. Dealing with automotive technology, I would think your design department would take into consideration that the factory bolts will more than likely be rusted or locked on pretty tight. For someone as myself, I am on my back under car that is on ramps, attempting to break these factory bolts loose. I'm sure you can relate from your earlier days of building cars. Another trip to Meineke was necessary, and I had them install new hardware, this I paid for again.
The final problem I have with your system is that now the pipes, not the muffler, but only the pipes, seem to be corroding. I am very disappointed because, lack of thought went into the "bolt-on" design of this system. Many "regular" car enthusiasts without the proper shop equipment (hydraulic, rotor lift, air tools), would be installing your systems.
I have spent so much time and money, sweat, blood, and tears, installing your system, that I have dissolved any thought of returning the system for my money back. I do like the sound, and I do not want to trouble my time with the removal of this system.
I belong to a sponsorship, and I am in many car shows, I also belong to RX8club.com and reflect my opinion of products that are installed on my vehicle. I don't know if any of this will impact the way your systems are built, or the way your customer service representatives tend to your clients, and consumers, but I had to let you know, as one car enthusiast to another.
Thank you for your time,
Last edited by devious12; 10-21-2004 at 10:16 PM.
10-21-2004, 09:48 PM
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Ok, attention Moderators please move this thread to the good guy/bad guy thread, thank you.
UPDATE:
Let me start with the fact that even though the outcome of my letter and the call from Billy Boat wasn't what should have happened in "good" business perspective, but Billy was nice on the phone and that is all I can say positive about this man.
I received a phone call from Billy Boat personally (oh I was so excited
) anyways; his explanation for not including gaskets for the system or new hardware was that he was trying to cut the cost of production so he could offer the system to the public for a cheaper price. Now many of you already know the overprice tag for this B&B system, so I questioned his answer. I said to him: "well, Billy, how do you justify a system that costs over 700.00 as being cost efficient to the public?" Also, I asked: "would you replace old gaskets with new ones or use old ones on your race car?" He replied with: "I would use old gaskets if they were still good" (yeah right) I said, "Come on now" he replied that he did not think it was necessary to supply new gaskets and hardware because the RX8 system isn't in demand from his company!!!!!
Do you believe this guy, a business owner, supposedly reputable name like B&B, and these are the answers that Billy Boat himself is giving to me!
Ok it gets better; he said that he appreciated my letter so that he and his staff could work out any problems with the systems for future customers. He also justified his technical service representative's nasty attitude on the fact that his company doesn't specialize in customer service!?!!??? I thought my head was going to roll off of my neck! I really was in shock by this man's answers.
Anyway, he did not say: "hey I'll compensate you for the 60 bucks you spent on extra labor and material and hardware", no he just said: "thanks, and have a nice day".
I then stated before he got off the phone, "I would like to return the system". He didn't have the slightest idea why I would want to do that! Also, he claimed that I shouldn't want to return the system after having it for 2 months. I told him ok and hung the phone up.
I sold the system. Nothing is wrong with it, just my bad experience with B&B and Billy Boat personally causes for his named not to be mentioned in any reference to my RX-8.
In conclusion, I purchased the system from Vividracing.com and they are working with me to get another system for cheaper. They have been nothing but nice. Thank you Vividracing and NO thank you B&B.
UPDATE:
Let me start with the fact that even though the outcome of my letter and the call from Billy Boat wasn't what should have happened in "good" business perspective, but Billy was nice on the phone and that is all I can say positive about this man.
I received a phone call from Billy Boat personally (oh I was so excited
) anyways; his explanation for not including gaskets for the system or new hardware was that he was trying to cut the cost of production so he could offer the system to the public for a cheaper price. Now many of you already know the overprice tag for this B&B system, so I questioned his answer. I said to him: "well, Billy, how do you justify a system that costs over 700.00 as being cost efficient to the public?" Also, I asked: "would you replace old gaskets with new ones or use old ones on your race car?" He replied with: "I would use old gaskets if they were still good" (yeah right) I said, "Come on now" he replied that he did not think it was necessary to supply new gaskets and hardware because the RX8 system isn't in demand from his company!!!!! Do you believe this guy, a business owner, supposedly reputable name like B&B, and these are the answers that Billy Boat himself is giving to me!
Ok it gets better; he said that he appreciated my letter so that he and his staff could work out any problems with the systems for future customers. He also justified his technical service representative's nasty attitude on the fact that his company doesn't specialize in customer service!?!!??? I thought my head was going to roll off of my neck! I really was in shock by this man's answers.
Anyway, he did not say: "hey I'll compensate you for the 60 bucks you spent on extra labor and material and hardware", no he just said: "thanks, and have a nice day".
I then stated before he got off the phone, "I would like to return the system". He didn't have the slightest idea why I would want to do that! Also, he claimed that I shouldn't want to return the system after having it for 2 months. I told him ok and hung the phone up.
I sold the system. Nothing is wrong with it, just my bad experience with B&B and Billy Boat personally causes for his named not to be mentioned in any reference to my RX-8.
In conclusion, I purchased the system from Vividracing.com and they are working with me to get another system for cheaper. They have been nothing but nice. Thank you Vividracing and NO thank you B&B.
10-26-2004, 10:09 AM
#5
Original Turbo 'd Auto !!
I myself am not a fan of Billy. The B&B line is good stuff, well at least the parts I've dealt with. My father-in-law used to work with and at one time for Billy's mom. BTW not @ B&B
It was APS. For a long time his mom had ownership of B&B, not Billy. That may have changed in the last year or so. Billy when I have met a him few times in the past seemed cocky and arrogant. The comment about the "not in the bussiness of customer service" from him, If you don't have customer loyality you won't have their money either.
Because of the cost considerations I'm in the process of fabbing my own test pipe.
Rock on brother and buy someelse's cat back. :D
It was APS. For a long time his mom had ownership of B&B, not Billy. That may have changed in the last year or so. Billy when I have met a him few times in the past seemed cocky and arrogant. The comment about the "not in the bussiness of customer service" from him, If you don't have customer loyality you won't have their money either.
Because of the cost considerations I'm in the process of fabbing my own test pipe.
Rock on brother and buy someelse's cat back. :D
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