So, I call Dennys Driveshaft because Id stripped the threads on one of the u-bolts that Id bought from his company. First, the tech line number has a recording on it: The tech line isnt available today, so, please call back tomorrow. Okay, so I get a little annoyed and call the order line, the 1-800 number. When the guy answered, I told him that Id stripped one of the threads on one of the $3.50 u-bolts Id bought from his company, and although it was not a big deal, was there anything he would do about replacing it. He immediately seemed to be on the defensive, and started telling me about the torque specs on his 1300 series u-bolt being only 22 foot pounds, and that I could strip a thread on a Bic pen if I applied more than 22 foot pounds of torque to it. This interesting bit of information was news to me, as the u-bolt kit came with no information as to installation. I knew I was clearly in one of those conversations in which I occasionally find myself and know isnt going to end well unless I take out the kid skin gloves. I chose not to do that, and pressed ahead. So, what youre saying is that even though it is a nickel and dime item, it is totally my issue that it didnt work in its application, and even though I am the customer and you are the seller, Im out of luck. "No, I'm not saying that. I am trying to explain the torque specifications on that part to you, but you don't seem to want to hear that. It could even be that there was a ******ed thread on the thing," he says. "Is a ******ed thread the customer's concern, or is it the seller's concern?" I asked. "We cannot be responsible for everything you do," he said. "What I called about," I said, "is if you intend to make good on the part?" Then, he says, Maybe youre just having a bad day. Maybe you didnt hear what I was trying to say. And, just so you know, this is Denny, not one of my guys. And, Ive got your name on my caller ID, and I plan on marking your name in my files so that I know youre just a complainer that calls and makes trouble . . . or, something close to that. Moving ahead, I said, Im not having a bad day. And, Im not normally what you would call a complainer, but I appreciate knowing how you run your business so that if Im ever looking for a drive shaft, Ill know who not to call. Then I proceeded to reiterate my displeasure with his business practices and at***ude, but the conversation had already deteriorated from bad to worse. My parting shot was to grouse about how businesses like his were probably having a hard time doing business in this depressed market, and how it would be no surprise when his business went out of business. Then I told him to have a nice day, and hung up. Disgruntled, I wanted to whine to someone. Seems today most people in the old car hobby are pretty decent folks. Some, though, could use some work on their customer service skills, or, maybe it is just me. Thanks for the rant.
Surprised to read your story. I've used Denny's for two driveshafts in the past couple of years. Great products and good prices. Maybe Denny was having a bad day.
After all of the outstanding products and service I've received from Denny's over the last 15 years or so (they've always been on time, their stuff has always fit PERFECTLY, I never broke anything he's made, and I beat the **** out of stuff), I have to admit I'm a little biased. That being said- You stripped a 25 cent bolt, and you want someone to ship you a new one? Seriously? Don't you have a hardware store near ya? You said yourself it was not a big deal..so why did you make it one? YOU stripped the bolt, right? Just my opinion...
I simply would have said, "Hi Danny, My name is______ . Maybe you can help me? I stripped a U-bolt on the kit I bought from you and need a replacement. How much is a new one?" Oh, and by the way, how tight should they be?
I Talked to Denny one time about making a driveshaft.He knows his stuff and has a good reputation........but.....I got the impression he can go off on a rant .............
You can't be serious... You screwed up the part and expect him to give you a new one? Maybe if you'd been a bit more tactful he might have helped you out. All I see in your post is you giving him at***ude. Sorry man, just pony up the few bucks, install the part correctly and move on. No need to trash someone on here for your mistake.
Its like asking for a new sandwich after you dropped it. Your pissed, get over it. We all mess up sometimes, some try to p*** it on.
I don't believe this. I've NEVER stripped a U-bolt; what does "Denny" make them out of? Or, does he, like a lot of other "businesses", import cheap JUNK, and p*** it off as "his" product? I'm with the OP on this one, CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NUMBER ONE in the business world. It's Denny's at***ude that's key here. If ANY of you accept this kind of treatment, then you're dumber than Denny. Basically, for $4.00, Denny has lost a customer, who will tell, on average, 17 people about his bad experience. But, it's on the HAMB now, where a lot more than 17 people will know Denny treated a customer like a JERK would treat a customer. That's right, having a "bad day", and being a jerk does'nt let him off the hook. I don't like "TUNER" cars, but guess what my daughter wanted me to buy for her? Her alarm quit working, something I know absolutely nothing about. So, we took it to the "tuner shop", where they treat me like it's a "priviledge" for me to do business with them. I already said I don't like tuner cars, now I don't like tuner car parts/service/salespeople! To those of you that have had a good experience with Denny, good, let's hope it remains that way. Now, they say, "any publicity is good publicity", but is it really? I don't think so, and neither will Denny. Butch/56sedandelivery.
Denny custom makes all his u-bolts....I doubt there was a problem with it...but just in case there was, the lesson here is to inspect all parts before putting them on. And, when you are threading a bolt or nut, and it starts to get tight before it should, maybe take it apart and check it out, don't ram it home and hope for the best....
I'd sure like to hear a recording of the actual conversation. one of the benifits of having your own business is you can tell whiners to screw off.
I have to step up and say I have delt with Denny and I had a Great experence. They built the drive shaft for my 50 and did a real good job. They make quality products, very profesional, and are quick. I can not believe that you are upset about a $3.00 bolt. it sounds to me that you called because you wanted something for free and to p*** it off as good customer service. Why not drive down to the parts store get a new bolt and be done with the issue. As much time as you spent talking on the phone, posting on the HAMB and getting all worked up for nothing you could have the correct part and be working on or driving your car...
If I was Denny I would have hung-up on you after the first two or three words - then blocked your tele number. What a freakin ****.
YOU stripped it and you think SOMEONE ELSE should pay for a new one. hmmm.... sounds like whining to me
Sheesh! What a whiner......YOU stripped the bolt.....and YOU gave him at***ude about it.......you need to man up and admit that you made a mistake, buy a new U-bolt, and move on...........I seem to hear nothing but positive statem,ents about Denny, whomever he is..........YOU screwed up and you come on here and trash HIM?? Get real, man.... CB
If your quick about it. You can erase this thread and chok it up to being pissed for having stuff break when you just want to be done with it.
I used to work a tech line for a major header company...you would not believe the calls we would get...and the crazy **** people would do, and try to blame us!!! no one wants to admit they screwed up!!!! DUDE you stripped a bolt get over it!
its a U bolt dude..not the end of the world.. its not like it was the only one on this planet..go buy a new one..put the nut on it right and tighten it up..dont reef the **** out of it, because it dont need to be. than call up Denny and man up to your mistake..im sure he will respect you after that, maybe you all can have a laugh over it..or not
Is it April 1st? No, it's September 3rd. What a joke. If a bolt gets you upset, you have a long hideous life ahead of you. And yes, I've used Dennys & never had an issue.
Anyone want to hear my experience with Denny's ? He's a total ***hole that thinks he's some kind of elite premadona. I walked out of his shop a year ago, drove home and ordered my drive shaft, yoke and u-joint from Enland Empire out of California. Denny kept asking me if I was from Fleet Pride (competing business) because they would be the only ones to ask a dumb question like that. After about three of those with his elite at***ude and then him wanting me to pay up front for the yoke that he wont make until he gets a certain number preordered. I ask him what if he didn't get his majic number for another 6 months and he "said ****s to be you" I bid him a farewell with a remark about treating customers like **** and a f*#k you. I ordered my stuff from the opposite side of the U.S.A. and got outstanding service and my "dumb" questions answered on the spot. I could totaly see that *** wipe Denny doing what the orginal poster said he did and would never recomend him to anyone.
looks like the other shoe has dropped......they can't all be golden guys, I've had no bad dealin gs with the aforementioned business, but had my fair share of grief from "great" shops...........human nature rears it's ugly head sometimes.
I admit to having been annoyed with Dennys at the time I posted today, and although the little voice said wait, dont do this, I plowed ahead and posted it anyway. And yeah, the post was a cheap shot. My bad. Of course many HAMBers saw the post for what it was, a whine from an unhappy customer over a stupid $3.00 part. All that said, fine, but damn it! Is no one else feeling uneasy about the place we have come to in our hobby, p*** time, whatever you want to call it? For something as simple as a $3.00 car part, many, many suppliers are only interested in the sale. Make the money, to hell with the jerky customer that has to use the stuff were importing from Bangladesh, China, Honduras, or Ethiopia. And, yeah, as it turns out, the u-bolt I was ranting about IS made form cheap, junky mild steel. When I went to the Ford garage to buy new u-bolts, (USA made, hardened steel,) the parts guys laughed at the piece Id bought from Denny. So say what you will, think what you like. Ill stay with my original point. Companies that sell cheap junk, yeah, even if its a stinky $3.00 part, need to look at there motives and listen to their customers. To the guys that predict I am doomed to a long miserable life, Ive already had a pretty long, pretty good life, thanks. I was in sales for about 40 years, and I was taught that when a customer or prospect is on the phone, that he/she is to be treated with respect and consideration. Period. If youve bought from Denny and think hes a good supplier, thats great. I didnt think the same thing and was foolish enough, or annoyed enough to post what I did. Thankfully we are all en***led to an opinion here.
dude, were you there? did you see him use a 3 foot breaker bar to tighten up a tiny nut or somethin? i woulda called and asked about it too. and hell, i thought he was very civil in this conversation. the businessman(denny), seems to be ***uming this guys a idiot, like 90 percent of the people replying to this post. AND, he seems to have gotten confirmation of it being a **** part, when he went to get a new one.........
well i think 43gman already manned up to the damaged part i have to admit to reeeally poor people skills but if a customer calls me pissed about my work i always deal with them politely until i get the whole story usually can get it smoothed over if not and its not my fault thaem i tell em to **** off i think thats what the op is most pissed off about that and then find out about the poor quality of the part just my thoughts
Could have saved a lot of derivation by going to the local parts store and buying a new $3.50 cent part. Or Seeing you are in NC and Denny's is in Buffalo, NY (I think), just go buy that same item locally. Support a local business who might have entertained your wants. I live in Rochester, NY (about 45-60 minutes from Denny's Driveshaft) and I wouldn't go that far for a driveshaft for something that can be made locally. Wahhhh! I want what I want and I want it right now! Get over it. Go spend 3.50 and be done with all of it.
The Jalopy Journal
