anyone having trouble getting cars/parts from SAI ? - Page 4

Excaliber · #61 (**permalink**) 06-26-2003, 10:39 AM

Whew,,,,what a nightmare for all concerned. Knowing the history of the people involved I have to believe they are proceding with all due haste while making sure the product is "spot on" when finally delivered.

As to the "quality control" issues. Stuff happens, it's impossible for ANY company to get it right 100% of the time, there WILL be problems that come up. Man I wish every job I did went "perfect" everytime, yeah right, like THATS going to happen!

I went over budget and came in late on my last job simply because the customer had "issues" that I bent over backward to address. I COULD have simply said, "It's NOT in the contract to do that". But I bit my lip and made them happy at MY expense.

Ernie

csx700? · #62 (**permalink**) 06-29-2003, 10:01 AM

well here we go again. now i've been told the car missed several boats for the return trip and it will not even be to kirkham's shop until july 26th, there goes the laguna seca "historics". i'll still be there though right in front of shelby's tent..........guess what i'll be doing??

TomH · #63 (**permalink**) 06-29-2003, 11:07 AM

Where is the dealer in all of this and failing the dealer strepping up to the plate, where is SAI? It's unbelievable that this is being dumped in Kirkham's lap. Kirkham, as a supplier is going waaaay beyond the pale in dealing with a 3-yr old body. But SAI and the dealer aren't following generally accepted practices for customer service. (SAI is responsible for selecting the dealers who represent their brand.) Sure, these cars are not like a Whopper where you can "have it your way" in 30 sec., but that's not what CSX7K signed up for.

Did SAI or the dealer provide CSX7K any opportunity for input regarding remedies for the defect? Listening to David's explanation of trying to diagnose the problem over the phone from third hand information, it's easy to see how the time estimates could be off, but once the facts were known, what options were given to CSX7K?

I must have missed the post where the customer was asked the question: "What can we do to make this right?" I hope that CSX7K will enjoy the car despite his sales experience. For the rest of us, the lesson appears to be disintermediate and deal with Kirkham direct!

southernfriedcj · #64 (**permalink**) 06-29-2003, 12:00 PM

CSX700?, I look forward to your post: "I've got my car and it was worth the wait". When you get your car, can you post some "before and after" pics?
Are you going with under car exhaust or sidepipes?

Yours in 289 FIA's, southernfriedcj

427sharpe · #65 (**permalink**) 06-29-2003, 12:37 PM

Just my .02, as taken or left.
I read many stories here and on the other forums about how this or that vendor is a great guy, or a rat ba$tard, but I believe that the TRUE verdict on the vendor comes out when there is a problem. In my view, Kirkham/Shelby are working thier tails off to fix a 3 year old car, and throwing in a lot of extras to make it right for csx700?. WAY TO GO! In a hobby riddled with fly by night clowns, it is SO refreshing to see a manufacturer (and a supplier)
stand up and do the right thing. And to answer the next question, NO I do not own either a Shelby or a Kirkham. I have been debating for quite some time on selling my Cobra to a friend who has been nagging me for 3 years.......maybe it's time to take him up on it and pay Kirkham Motorsports a call, and maybe visit Shelby on the way home.....

csx700? · #66 (**permalink**) 06-29-2003, 08:55 PM

i would like to state that i don't feel this problem is kirkham's responsitility. i do belive that this problem is the reponsibility of my dealer "newport shelby cobras" and shelby / sai and here are the reasons:
1) at the time i paid in full (as per contract) for this vehicle i was told that it would be delivered in 2 weeks. i paid dec. 2,02 and it was delivered feb 03 (not nearly 2 weeks).
2) any vehicle should have gone thru some kind of quality control before being delivered to the customer (front wheels hit body when turned, rear wheel center (wheel centered in the wheel well) was off 2.5" or more, steering column / shaft was damaged, etc....). obviously shelby / sai have quality control issues that need to be addressed (it's obvious this vehicle needed MAJOR aluminum body repairs).
3) my dealer "newport shelby cobras" should have performed their own quality control before taking delivery from shelby / sai.
4) total lack of communication or actually misleading the customer so as to buy some time (delivery dates, repairs, etc...).
5) total lack of respect for the customer that is devoted to buying a "true cobra"
question- would i do this all over again, even differently knowing now what i know about the way i've been treated in this purchase?
answer- HELL NO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!

csx700? · #67 (**permalink**) 06-30-2003, 12:16 AM

i think people who read this thread need to be aware there is also a related thread under the manufacturer's forum in c.c., the title is "hi dave" ..............john

csx700? · #68 (**permalink**) 06-30-2003, 07:17 PM

well i've just been given an email that explains why my vehicle has missed so many shipping dates. evidently the container my car is in has been given a "low priority" status. i can only guess the reason for this being that both kirkham and sai are not making any money on this one so it's of "low importance" to them. meaning there probably being charged less to ship this way......go figure!!!!!!

rphubbard · #69 (**permalink**) 07-01-2003, 09:26 AM

John,
I think you need to do a little research on shipping a container. The priority is not assigned by the customer, it is assigned by the shipping company. These are not time critical items like food and clothing are. These time critical items take priority on the ships. Also it is very hard to estimate hold ups in customs and everything else. I am working with one shipping company that had there shaft break in two pieces in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It took three days for the tugs to get out to the ship and then another four to tow it into Hawaii. So delays happen and they are usually lengthy in the shipping world. Also it is hard to squeeze a container on a ship at the last minute. They have to make calculations based on the weight of the containers and to where they need to be put on the ship to keep the ship in balance. So they just can't put the container on anywhere. Also right now in the shipping industry is the time they are starting to recieve all the holiday merchandise. THe next few months is when all the Holiday stuff is being sent to the United States. This will cause delays because again these items recieve the priority.
So it is not Kirkham's or SAI's fault for the container being given low priority.

Also, I don't understand that you are saying that Kirkham is not responsible but you are mad at them that they are not calling you and keeping you informed. But you also say that they are talking to you and returning your calls. It sure sounds llike you are holding Kirkhams to high standard. It seems they have been upfront and honest and the reasons for the delays have been out of their control. Hope there is a happy ending to your situation.

Excaliber · #70 (**permalink**) 07-01-2003, 09:41 AM

Hey Ryan,
that ship was in the local news here for a couple of days. It was carrying perishables and that ONE container ship missing it's "on time" delivery was enough to affect the price of food on Oahu. Pretty much everything comes in here on a ship.

Uh,,,,,I'll take the toilet paper barge over the "car" barge anyday, LOL. I can recall more than once when you couldn't FIND toilet paper in the stores!

Ernie

Dream Master · #71 (**permalink**) 08-18-2003, 11:16 AM

CSX700, How about an update. I've just stumbled across this thread/book, and would like to know more.

I think the real "stand-up" thing to do was to give you your money back and then have you pay for the car once it was corrected. Why should anybody keep and use YOUR money for all this time. Where is their "lesson to be learned" for this experience? Their incentive to correct the problem should be at the end of the correction......their premium payment for a premium product. Can you imagine going to a Contractor and paying him $100,000 up front for your dream house. Then him missing the promised date of completion, then taking another 6 months to try and correct your house.

What about your loss of Intellectual value? All this time you could, and should have been enjoying a wonderful car and an emotional experience. That has value, we all only have so many good days left in our lives.

I am not knocking anyone here, just stating my opinion. Shame on you for being so trusting and giving someone all your money upfront, but you'rea big boy and you made that decision. I don't fault them, that is they way they choose to do thier business. I, as a Superformance dealer choose to do things differently. I have never taken more than $10k deposit ($5K on a car I have in stock) and have only collected payment in full upon deliver and satisfaction. I've even waited weeks for final payment in some instances, when my customers CD hadn't matured, etc. This doesn't make me right and SA! wrong, it just points to the fact that things can be different. If you were sitting there will only $10k out of pocket, I'm sure you would feel differently, especially since it seems you do not have the deep pockets, as many do who buy theses SAI cars.

Why is this referred to as a "three year old car"? Did I miss something?

I feel your pain, and hope to see a smile on your face when this saga is complete.

Doug

rphubbard · #72 (**permalink**) 08-18-2003, 11:40 AM

Dream Master,

If you go to this thread you will see the conclusion to this.

Dear Mr. Bessy

Also as far as the car being three years old. THe body and frame were delivered to SA from Kirkham Motorsports almost three years before CSX700? purchased the car from a SA dealer.

csx700? · #73 (**permalink**) 08-18-2003, 02:53 PM

Dream Master
this issue is still open at this time. in reference to the reason i paid in full i can only relay the SAI contractual agreement that states that the vehicle must be paid in full 2 weeks before the vehicle was delivered. my dealer informed me that the vehicle WOULD be delivered in 2 weeks, payment was made Dec. 2, 2002...........

Dream Master · #74 (**permalink**) 08-20-2003, 10:26 AM

csx700 wrote:
my dealer informed me that the vehicle WOULD be delivered in 2 weeks, payment was made Dec. 2, 2002...........

Why in the Heck should it make a big diffference, whether the dealer gets his money two weeks BEFORE, delivery or a certified check upon delivery...........It's only two freakin' weeks. They have had all your money for going on two freakin' years. Where is the logic in this? Just imagine buying a new Porsche/BMW/ Chev or Ford, then having a warranty problem and them keeping it for 20 months without even a loaner car. That just doesn't happen in the real world, and certainly should not happen in this "emotional purchase" situation. This can break a guys heart and soul.

Too bad the agreement didn't state "payment must be made two weeks prior to delivery of a satisfactory, Industry accepted quality vehicle" Sorry, this is nuts. I'll bet had you been dealing directly with David Kirkham, it would have been handled differently regarding your money. He sure seems to be a stand-up guy.

Good luck,
Doug

Dan Semko · #75 (**permalink**) 08-20-2003, 10:42 AM

Dream Master,
This nighmare was precipitated by several malapropisms and appropriate but somewhat less than expeditious resolutions have been attempted. I enjoy the company of BOTH camps and will attest to the integrity and honesty of Bob Marsh and several of his colleagues.

Dream Master · #76 (**permalink**) 08-20-2003, 11:06 AM

Dan, I certainly did not mean to slander anybody, and hopefully was not perceived that way. I am simply pointing out the obvious, glaring problems with this whole deal, that could have and should have been handled differently. I would hope this could at least be a lesson lerned for all involved.

Hopefully we will not ever see this of thing happen again. It's a shame, but you just can't do business on a handshake anymore. And in this case, Bob Marsh may have not had the authority to give this gentleman his money back. I do not doubt that Bob and Daivid's intentions are honorable, but the fact remains that this poor working class individual paid notes with interest on his loan against his house, for 20 months or so and still does not have a car. There is just something really unjust about that. I would hope that SAI and Kirkham are in a etter position to absorb such real/actual losses. I do applaude David for going the extra mile and doing more than what was paid for in finishing out his body.

Nuff said, I let my compassion overflow from time to time, I have always pulled for the underdog.

Doug

csx700? · #77 (**permalink**) 08-20-2003, 11:09 AM

dream master
you are right this would not have happened with d. kirkham and he has been trying to correct the situation. i had a meeting with b. marsh and my SAI dealer at the monterey historics and i'm waiting to see what their reply is going to be. as for d. semko i'm elated that you had a good experience during your purchase anyone spending this much money should have a good experience, actually anyone spending ANY amount of money on someones product should have a good experience..............john

csx700? · #78 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 10:14 PM

...........well it's been 3 weeks and i'm still waiting for a reply from SAI, guess their to busy selling their new s. african cobra? i hear that sai is actually moving and down sizing it's operation in L.V. also........

computerworks · #79 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 10:42 PM

This might sound strange...and please don't take it the wrong way...

but, have you tried the telephone?

...instead of "talking down a drainpipe" on an internet forum?

csx700? · #80 (**permalink**) 09-03-2003, 11:36 PM

yes, as a matter of fact i have tried the phone, email, etc.........need i say more........