DuckStu
08-27-2006, 03:56 AM
Just thought I should post a warning about a business practice of a local store here in the Detroit area.
A new shop called "Street Legal Customs" opened up selling parts for tuner cars. Nice place, right on Woodward Ave at about 11.5 mile.
I stopped in to order a downpipe for a Subaru I bought the day before. The manager owns the same car. He asks to look under my hood and tells me I also need an up-pipe as mine has a cat in it. I figure he knows what he is talking about as he is the manager of a tuning shop and owns the very same car, so I say OK and we order one. We also order the downpipe I had come in there for, and some header wrap. (The shop is new and has precious little in stock).
I had owned the car all of 1 day at that point and did not know until later that day that my car (a 2004 WRX STI) did not really have a cat in the up-pipe, and did not benefit from an up-pipe until about 500 hp.
So I call the manager back (still that same day) and ask him if the parts had shipped. He said they had. I told him that I didn't need the up-pipe, but would be more than willing to pay the shipping and re-stocking fee (if any) as I did not want them to be out anything. He said that they wanted one for inventory anyway and that we would work it out when I came back to pick the downpipe up.
I speak to him a few days later and he tells me that they do not give refunds on special order parts. I later tell him that there is a law in Michigan that if you buy something on a salesmans recomendation, and you do not need it, that they have to give you a refund. Doesn't matter they say, no dice.
He does issue an in-store credit, but that leaves me over a barrel. I can no longer go elsewhere with my money so there is no reason for them to give me a descent price on anything. I wanted an Apexi AVCR, so I ask him for a price on one. I see them new-in-box from EBAY power sellers for $395, and on line for $430 - $600. He gives me a price of $640 plus tax ($678.40). I buy one on line for $439, (plus a cat-back exhaust, a BOV, braided brake lines, shift light, new chin spoilers and new foglight covers).
They could have had that business and lots more, but I now have no interest in shopping there again. Anyone can order stuff online, I don't need them to do it. The reason you go to the store is because you want advice, installation and to get the part you want right away. If they aren't knowledgable about your car (even when they own that very car themselves) and don't have the parts in stock,.......what's the point. I actually went in there to support a local store, even though I knew I could get the stuff cheaper elsewhere. I think it's cool to have a place like that around and thought it worth a few extra dollars. Reminds me of a saying I sometimes hear in business, (no good deed shall go un-punished).
I know I'm going long, but I just thought I should warn everyone about their return policy. I didn't have my glasses on me (and told him that at the time of purchase). There is a lot of legal writing on the back including their return policy. (I hear the managers dad owns the place and is a lawyer)
I don't mean for anyone to not do business with them, I just want to warn everyone about their return policy. Do your research FIRST. Their mistake will cost YOU,...not them.
A new shop called "Street Legal Customs" opened up selling parts for tuner cars. Nice place, right on Woodward Ave at about 11.5 mile.
I stopped in to order a downpipe for a Subaru I bought the day before. The manager owns the same car. He asks to look under my hood and tells me I also need an up-pipe as mine has a cat in it. I figure he knows what he is talking about as he is the manager of a tuning shop and owns the very same car, so I say OK and we order one. We also order the downpipe I had come in there for, and some header wrap. (The shop is new and has precious little in stock).
I had owned the car all of 1 day at that point and did not know until later that day that my car (a 2004 WRX STI) did not really have a cat in the up-pipe, and did not benefit from an up-pipe until about 500 hp.
So I call the manager back (still that same day) and ask him if the parts had shipped. He said they had. I told him that I didn't need the up-pipe, but would be more than willing to pay the shipping and re-stocking fee (if any) as I did not want them to be out anything. He said that they wanted one for inventory anyway and that we would work it out when I came back to pick the downpipe up.
I speak to him a few days later and he tells me that they do not give refunds on special order parts. I later tell him that there is a law in Michigan that if you buy something on a salesmans recomendation, and you do not need it, that they have to give you a refund. Doesn't matter they say, no dice.
He does issue an in-store credit, but that leaves me over a barrel. I can no longer go elsewhere with my money so there is no reason for them to give me a descent price on anything. I wanted an Apexi AVCR, so I ask him for a price on one. I see them new-in-box from EBAY power sellers for $395, and on line for $430 - $600. He gives me a price of $640 plus tax ($678.40). I buy one on line for $439, (plus a cat-back exhaust, a BOV, braided brake lines, shift light, new chin spoilers and new foglight covers).
They could have had that business and lots more, but I now have no interest in shopping there again. Anyone can order stuff online, I don't need them to do it. The reason you go to the store is because you want advice, installation and to get the part you want right away. If they aren't knowledgable about your car (even when they own that very car themselves) and don't have the parts in stock,.......what's the point. I actually went in there to support a local store, even though I knew I could get the stuff cheaper elsewhere. I think it's cool to have a place like that around and thought it worth a few extra dollars. Reminds me of a saying I sometimes hear in business, (no good deed shall go un-punished).
I know I'm going long, but I just thought I should warn everyone about their return policy. I didn't have my glasses on me (and told him that at the time of purchase). There is a lot of legal writing on the back including their return policy. (I hear the managers dad owns the place and is a lawyer)
I don't mean for anyone to not do business with them, I just want to warn everyone about their return policy. Do your research FIRST. Their mistake will cost YOU,...not them.