**Update** 1-17-25 My order was waiting for me when I got home today. Never received a tracking number to confirm it shipped, but it was shipped out 1-10. Had I known, I would have never made this post. Anyway, the parts appear to be good quality parts. Can't wait to get them installed!!! I hate to even post this, but when someone chooses to not reply to multiple attempts to reach him, I have to do something. Has anyone had problems with Ryan at Hot Rod Works billing a credit card for parts (charged on Dec 12th) and not sending them out? It has been over a month and no parts!!!! I was told they would ship on Dec 17th, and still no parts. I tried leaving voicemails, and emails, with no reply from him. Finally on Jan 6th I got him to reply on Instagram. He said he was waiting on rods ends for one of the parts, I asked him to send what he had and he said he would. So now it's Jan 14th, and still no parts. I asked for a tracking number NO reply, I left another voicemail NO reply. Let me say I run a shop as well, and I would never treat a customer like this. If anyone in Texas knows him, can you ask him to check his voicemails? Thanks, Larry
Not trying to defend someone that I don't even know. Sometimes, especially if it's a one man operation, the owner of the business has to do it all, answer phones, e-mails, social media and on and on. Then manufacture or acquire the ordered parts, perhaps assemble, package, ship, notify clients etc. Sometimes promised deliveries don't make it on time. Weather across the country has been atrocious, snarling transportation. I would try to be patient (I know that's not easy) and hopefully all will work out.
I understand what you are saying, but a return phone call ends a lot of aggravation! It is even more aggravating when I can see he has read the messages on Instagram, and still chooses to not let me know what is goin on. This is a perfect example of how to NOT run a business!!!! Oh, and maybe just be honest with the customer!
I understand all that and weather and holidays make things complicated but PICK UP THE DAMN PHONE, send a text, something. Website says they've been around 25 years but that Ryan is the new owner-probably a bit overwhelmed with more to do than he thought there would be. All that aside, there must be some HAMB guys in Waco. Start another thread with HAMBers in Waco in the title and get some help. And keep us posted.
Call your credit card company and dispute the charges. Generally, CC companies do not tolerate companies that fail to ship merchandise. The vendor will get the charge back and then maybe he will call you, if not, then you know what he is.
Update: Ryan contacted me yesterday, the parts are supposed to ship out today. He also said he would supply a tracking number. I hope so, this is the 3rd time I've been told the parts where shipping. Larry
It’s not just the car business that’s for sure! It’s everything you go to do now. You would think in this day and age communication would be easier. It’s harder than ever to get a hold of someone to get an answer for anything.
When Hot Rod Works was in Idaho I sent all my T5 customers needing an open drive conversion there. Due to some negative feedback from referrals to Texas I am currently not sending my customers there. There's the Speedway kit but it's very iffy as to a good fit. A return call or e-mail is mandatory. I have always made it a priority to do a return message within 24 hours. Many successful business's fail after a change of owners.
Not to first time I’ve read pretty much this exact problem. Hopefully they get it ironed out moving forward.
It may be as simple as more orders on pieces that are a bit complicated than they can handle in an expedient manner.
I can tell you first hand that when the Hot Rod Works was in Idaho communication was NOT a problem! Those guys were great!
If I call a vender and I get a live person or return call, I’m a customer for life and a permanent referral service.
Once my credit card is charged, if I don't get my stuff within two weeks, I call my credit card company for a refund. I will not tolerate BS from someone I am giving my hard earned money too.
He's promised twice to send it and hasn't, those are red flags. Check on what the time frame is for filing a dispute with your credit card, and make sure you don't give him the benefit past that time limit.
There's stuff that takes more than two weeks to fabricate so you may not want this as a hard and fast rule. It is also maybe not reasonable to expect a company to put all their work up front, hoping you'll actually pay when it's done. It's reasonable to put down a deposit with the balance paid when it' shipped.
Ditto^^^^. I have their banjo axle conversion. Very nice. The guys in Idaho made the adapter pieces but bought the axles from Dutchman. I would use the parts again if available.
Yup, they used Dutchman for their axles. Dutchman moved over to Idaho from Portland Or. some years ago.
The vender is not suppose to charge your credit card until the product is shipped. Not when they start to make the product. The rest is bullshit. They are using your money to build product that may or not be your product. It's just good business.
Correct. I was able to get everything I needed just before the sale apparently. I was informed the business was 'probably" for sale.
BJR is correct, the ONLY thing we take deposits for is frames/chassis, otherwise, we do not charge a card until the product is in the box ready to go out the door.
Parts showed up today. I edited the original post. I spoke with Ryan today as well, he apologized for the communication issues. I'm looking forward to get everything installed!
The Jalopy Journal
