I feel kind of bad with what happened in the last thread about the STi GB offered by TRi Tuning. It seemed to turn into a flame-fest of sorts and that was not my intention. I merely wanted to offer a thread devoted not only to new developments in the on going saga(http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif) but also a place were people could post info regarding Customs apparently lame-ass rules(I know that's an ignorant comment just venting a littlehttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif) regarding importation. This thread is devoted EXCLUSIVELY to new developments regarding this subject. So in closing I'll mention just a couple things:


Please!!! no more flaming! at least not on this threadhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif I fully believe in freedom of expression on a P-U-B-L-I-C board, there is always a time and place for everything.

That being said, I feel that it was unfair of Fishguy to terminate the original thread. A good warning would have done just as good.

I am thankful TRi offered to do this GB however... in a situation such as this, unless you have specifically stated in the GB terms that shipping will be delayed, prompt, take a couple months, or hijacked...you MUST keep EVERYONE involved in the endeavor up to date. By thier nature, GBs are probably best left to things you don't need right away. unless the vendor has the means to guarantee timely shipping, you probably ought to just sit back, relax, put a big smile on your face because you just saved yourself some mulah, and wait for the stuff to arrive.

I'm a big fan of efficiency, so logic seems to point to ----> rather than responding to X amount of PM's , emails, phone calls.... death threats(10th Warrior http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif j/k)have one post/thread that can be updated weekly/daily etc. , so that ANYone can see where the issue stands. And especially if you are going through some sort of drama!!! I've felt for a while that I have been part of a family here and the key to that is communication. Tell us what's up... even if the news is bad i.e. couldn't get the part, parts damaged, parts delayed, or "our sweatshop got raided by the INS, the company is bankrupt, and we're all going to jail!!".
So PLEASE TRi... use this thread wisely. And to ALL vendors -- keep us informed, no matter what the outcome. And we'll stand by you!! ......Or we'll burn you at the stake, but I don't think that's been done for centuries!!!http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

Thanks everyone who trys to provide honest services by day and secretly attempts to rid the world of renegade Customs Officials by night!!http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/biggrin.gif

Christian



[This message has been edited by PURE EPI (edited April 05, 2001).]

This may seem a bit of a useless post, but I'd just like to say I agree... it seems that most people only respond when there is something wrong, and that's when things turn bad... So here is my effort to chang that. Thank you TRi for the group buy, and thank you Christian for this thread!

bump

bump

bump

Thanks Christain, let's keep info flowing everyday here. First, I'll give a customs lesson.

1. We pay the importer for the products, and they prepare to ship them.
2. They send them through companies such as FedEx, DHL and BAX Global.
3. The products fly into an airport, and sit there.
4. We get a list of items in which they need detailed descriptions of what we are importing.
This is where it gets tricky. We WERE NOT ready for the barrage of details we needed. Here, we run into problems. We contact the shipper, and tell them we need details of EVERYTHING, about what percentage of what is used in each article. Of course, they don't have it on hand, and they need to contact STi. This takes time, too much time.
5. Then we actually have to clear the packages. This is not fun. Since we do our own brokerage, there is a mess of paperwork to do, and it takes time. Hell, for this order I had to type 4 pages of detailed descriptions on what products were and what they're use was.
6. Customs is not cool. If we import something through say DHL we have to go through this crap. If we import through FedEX, the shipper handles it, and we pay about $85. However, shipping is very expensive.

Now, for our proposed solution:

Faraz and I are working on a stocking plan for STi, but the right distributor is what we are still looking for. We need someone to give us answers NOW, not in 2 weeks or when they feel like it. Well, we think we can make it happen, and annihalite all this waiting crap, as I don't like waiting either! Hell, I have been waiting on something for my car thats been in customs since January 6th, don't ask me why.

Also, I have hired a broker for future importing needs.

But now I pose this question:

If we hire a broker, maybe we raise prices 10%. We can also start shipping everything FedEx. Thats another 10%. Would you, the people, pay an extra $18 for those STi pedals you ordered, knowing that you'll get them within a week or two?

Thats the question we have been pondering, and hope to answer. Hey, we hate this as much as the next guy, but there's nothing we can do about it, yet.

So, thanks to those who have offered support, it is gratefully accepted. And it is our hope that we can start the STi system shortly, and we'll have these parts to your door steps in PA to whereever time, instead of Japan to wherever time.

I'll keep this post updated everyday.

Thanks,
Chris
TRiTuning

thanks Chris...

and good luck.

C

I did it because I felt that the thread was going to turn bad.

like a "warning" is going to stop people from venting.. no.

You may have felt it unfair, but it was done in the intrest of TRi.
I consulted with other members/moderators on that and they agreed.

so with that I feel 100% about my choice.
and you are entitled to your opinion.

Well Chris,

It's been 11 Days without any "everyday" update on this post.

Care to let us know what's happening?

I just want my pink I-mark badge http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/tongue.gif But I know customs can be a real biznitch, so I can wait http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif Things will start to trickle in as customs realizes that TRi isn't importing anything illegal, besides, TRi actually gives a crap, unlike some other vendors that I've heard about http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

I agree, though it has been alot more than a couple days Chris. I know it's difficult, but important... where are you guys?? <(like Tom Green) wonders around...babbling incoherently.." mommy ?....mommy? where are you....mommy ...........mommy....>http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/wink.gif

TRi, are you saying that by using a broker and FedEx we will conclusively get our orders in 2 or 3 weeks and all we have to do is pay 20% more? That's a big percentage but I for one would be willing to pay it if I were gauranteed to get it in 3 weeks or less.

its actually 21% more total if you do the math

Just a suggestion, next time split the shipping up and use USPS. I have shipped big stuff (differentials, suspension bits) from the UK (via USPS!) and have never been charged duty or even had it held up in customs.

Glenn

any update TRI?
anything at all?

*sigh* http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/frown.gif

We had 3 boxes of stuff, one has arrived (and all items have been shipped from that) and we are waiting on the 2 other boxes.

I promised some that I'd have the other boxes by Thursday, and ship Thursday and Friday, which I hold myself too.

Chris
TRi

I want my pedal set already! (throws a temper tantrum and stamps on floor). Sigh

I hope my items will be in the box....

your not the only one, man i hate customs

[This message has been edited by auricom (edited April 23, 2001).]

bump

Hey Chris,
did you get the Richmond mailing address that i sent you??

How did I miss this post before?

Called TRi today and talked to the machine.

Hope my items are in the box too...

Hope my stuff is in 1 of the 3 boxes. Not long now!!! Thanks for the updated info!!!

Woo hoo...Hope my badge found it's way into that box that already arrived http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

hey TRi: If you still haven't even recieved some of the boxes of items yet, you should not have sent out an email 3 weeks ago saying everything was about to ship!! What kind of crap is that?! Nothing like lying to everyone!! Just tell the F-ing truth next time, and everyone will be happoer!

JGard,

Hell, we're told that EVERYTHING IS ON IT"S WAY TO YOU GUYS (as in me). So, we're leaving for vacation, figuring yes!, we can egt all this stuff out, and let everyone know in a mass email. I was lied to, yet again. Ok, if you want to say I lied to you, then go ahead. But your wrong.

It pisses me off more than anyone that the stuff isn't in guys, I'm the one hanging out to dry here. I've got thousands of dollars worth of stuff sitting in a warehouse in Baltimore. Sorry, but thats not my idea of a good time.

Chris
TRiTuning

but you could have relayed that information to us...your customer. I've been completely in the dark on the whole situation. From the email I got, I've been waiting for my part for two weeks now. Remember, piss us off, and you've got nothing.

Everyone that contacted me has been told that, I am sorry I should have contacted you, but I was contacted by quite a few people, and figured the information would get passed on.

Anyway, back to work. As I said, I am told I will have them on Thursday. Nothing more to report.

Chris
TRi

bump

alright every body.....<scolding look>

bump

Chris,

Thursday's come and gone. Do you still hold your words to shipping out the rest of the orders yesterday and today?

Please let us know what's the status of the last ETA you gave, which is now behind us.

*bump*
Any news?

Nope. No news. Working on it my hardest, please understand.

F'in customs! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/mad.gif http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/mad.gif http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/mad.gif

Chris
TRi

bump.

anything new?

I basically demanded that we get everything NOW as I told them this is hurting me very badly. This was this morning. I started getting alittle loud and mean, hopefully that'll spark a flame under someone's ass.

We'll see come tomorrow or Wednesday what they decide to do.

Chris
TRiTuning

*bump*

News?

My badge is out there...all alone in the cold and dark ::sniff sniff:: http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/frown.gif Come home, Badgey! Come home!

I really don't want this to turn into a rant about customs, but what gives? Seriously, you can get anything into the country you want to, fairly easily but illegally, so why do they care so much when someone tries to ship something simple thru the legal channels? The only people that suffer are the ones that try to follow the rules...
But ANYway, good luck TRi, I hope to hear good news soon!

I wonder what I'll see first... a WRX STi in the states, or my STi shift knob?

Folks, I don't want to start a negative thread against TRi/Chris, because I know they are doing everything they can to expedite this problem...but...how much longer is reasonable for our money to be tied up in this GB with no delivery of the goods?

Any update would be nice, I'm sure something has happened since last I heardhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/confused.gif

well ain't in the store since wed. and won't be till monday, maybe tuesday ...we are at Carlisle...so if anything came in or any more news came in we don't know... if I can get anything more out of chris this weekend i'll see, but that's all I know as of today.

Chris told me he would have all the stuff from his Dealer, and customes by Thursday May 3rd.

Why did he promice a date that he knew he would be out of town (Carlisle's). God, if your going to quote a date, at least have it be one when you'r going to be in town. Then it would appear to be a honest statement. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/rolleyes.gif

are you guys going to have a tent or something set up at carlise?

Dave maybe because when you talked to chris it was before we got our vendor spot at carlisle. That's what I'm guessing.

what all stuff do you think will be there to sell?

Chris,

What's going on?

Hopefully, nothing from STi!

bump

Well, Good luck to the rest of you people in the GB. I pulled out of the GB and got my money refunded.

It's too bad it had to go down this way.

I have sent several emails asking for a refund, and they wanted my paypal info to refund me. Well I have sent it twice in the past several days and Nothing has happened?
Where is my refundhttp://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/confused.gif

TRi, of course there maybe another choice for you in the future. I am PCSing to Inchon Korea and my family will be moving to Yokota AB Japan. They have US mail there and prices are based on a 96326 California) zip code. The only draw back in nothing over 70 lbs and nothing over 108" girth.

Good news even if you choose forth class mail it will fly from Narita Airport to JFK then truck to you location. So basically you can mail two boxes on Monday one 4th class the other priority mail and they will both arrive to JFK on Monday. Then priority will fly to location and 4th will be trucked. Average delivery to your neck of the woods is 3-6 days.

Best of all nothing automatically goes to customs or the other (arr brain fart). It is all randomly selected. Over the last five years I have mailed about 40 boxes or so from Japan to here in Oklahoma with none getting ding for inport duties, some were stamped passed free US Customs...

Jim

I'm still waiting for Chris to send me the refund I requested on Monday of last week. Or even to email me telling me what the status of my refund is.

Chris, please communicate with me.

kastle
azscooby.com (http://www.azscooby.com)
kastle1516.com (http://www.kastle1516.com)

Jim thanks for the info we'll be contacting you about it
Kastle thought it was done before (i'm almost sure it was) check paypal ...I just did it again.
kaos200 your money has been refunded. A one day turn around for a refund isn't uncommon. Chris left early yesterday so I couldn't do it.

Faraz
TRi Tuning
610-759-7000

[This message has been edited by Faraz (edited May 12, 2001).]

Thanks Faraz for helping me out / fixing the request.

I hate to break it to you but that is what happens when you buy things from kids who do not know what they are doing. that is why i would rather pay ten dollars more for something and see it this year, makes me laugh TRI tuning, I remember when they came here, i guess they will be leaving now as well.
Brad

?

Whoa...That was kinda uncalled for...

I'm forced to agree ....
Dude, if you want to start a fire, go post a new Thread somewhere else...

1. We're not kids.
2. We know what we're doing.
3. We're not going anywhere.
4. The group buy is in it's closing stages, and everyone is communicating via email, this thread can be closed.

Thank you,
Chris
TRiTuning

hey 2.5RSandWRX, why do you have to be such a prick man, don't start something you can't stop. TRI are good guys trying to do a good service for us, they don't need to put up with people like you. i got an idea. why don't you sell your wrx wagon and 2.5, buy a honda and leave everyone alone.

Deleted.


[This message has been edited by Faraz (edited May 14, 2001).]

I agree, that was uncalled for, unfortunately there were some things that went bad with the gb, but they are handling it, not like kids but like a business that has potential. So they had a bad break with a dealer abroad, now they can find someone more reliable and have things go the way they should have. it doesn't mean they are a bad company or that they are leaving at all...

If this goes Flame... I'm locking it... just a warning before the little spats turn into a problem. Solve them off-channel.

-Nick

heh..

new company tag line?

TRi Tuning
We flame better than most

not a good plan.
keep it civil.

Locking by request

-Nick