SSAUTOCHROME NIGHTMARE - BE WARNED!

[Edub1]

Like the title says, I was stupid enough to attempt to purchase something from SSAutochrome.

Because they do not give a phone number, (now I know why) only email and fax that goes unanswered for days, I was unable to get any information on the item I wanted and ended up ordering the wrong one.

After pleading with them and finally getting the proper info, I decided to change my order. But of course, just as I feared, they didn't bother to respond untill after the item shipped - a few days later. I took it uppon myself to ship it back at my own expense and then proceeded to beg them by email and fax to get back with me and let me know what was being done so that I could get on with my work. I offered my office phone, cell phone, email and office fax.

It was not untill I informed them that I was going to cancel payment that I recieved a response. Below is the response they sent after I sent them numerous other emails and faxes. Notice the "all caps" and exclamation points.

My 4th or 5th message to them:

As you can see, I have sent a number of correspondences trying to straighten out my intercooler order. Evidently, things did not get straightened out because I came home to find the incorrect item on my doorstep. At this point I assume I will be required to ship the item back at my expense.

I would appreciate it if someone would contact me, or provide contact information so that I may resolve this issue before the close of the next business day.

Me, the following afternoon after again getting no response:

I have sent numerous emails and faxes. You seem to be refusing to> respond and you are obviously not interested in my business. I have> sent back the item that was sent and will now call my credit card company> and have the charges reversed. I have saved all of our corespondances as> proof of my efforts to resolve this issue and to post in a number of> automotive forums.

SS:

OK , FIRST OF ALL , I DONT KNOW IF YOU THINK YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE THATWE GET EMAILS FROM WE DONT ! NOR DO WE SIT AT OUR DESK BEGGING FOR ANEMAIL . UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A 24/48 HOUR BUSINESS PERIOD WHEN WEREPLY , UNDERSTAND AGAIN "BUSINESS " DOES NOT MEAN ON >>> SUNDAY ! WEHAVE ALREADY FOWARDED YOUR INFO TO OUR SERVICE/SHIPPING DEPARTMENT ANDWE ARE JUST WAITING ON A CONFIRMATION BACK . BE PATIENT , IT WILL NOTHURT YOU !! IF YOU CHOOSE TO REVERSE YOUR PAYMENT , THAT IS CERTAINLY UPTO YOU , ITS NOT OUR LOSS .

Me:

Well, it's about time. I've been trying to get things straightened out> for a few days now and you have left me 100% in the dark. I am patient,> but I lose my patients when companies act as if they don't have time for> their customers and keep their money tied up without explaination. I'm so> sorry for bothering you and I promise not to do so in the future.> Are you planning on sending me the 12" unit or refunding my payment since> you don't value my business?

SS:

LEFT in the dark!!! Are you kidding me!!!!!

I have emailed you EVERY DAY since monday!!! [this is a lie] I have a line of emails to prove so! [where?]

You are just way to impatient and we ARE refunding you because we dont value your business!

We dont need someone who needs to be hand held and babied! So no, youll get your money back and you can go bother someone else!!!!!

Well there you have it. This is how they treat their customers. Now you see why people refer to them as "SSautocrap." Funny thing, I typed, printed and faxed all those messages and emails, AND I went to UPS and sent back the intercooler then went to work and faxed them the shipping info while they took their sweet time holding up my project. Now, due to their sloth (going on 1 week and unresolved), I have no intercooler to install this weekend. And then they have the nerve to critisize me!

I have bought a lot of stuff for my car and I buy a lot on Ebay. I have never recieved such poor customer service. I would avoid doing business with them at all costs.

You have been warned!


Modified by Edub1 at 6:46 PM 10/13/2006

[tiger]

thank you for sharing that, I'll remember not to buy from them... I have heard bad stuff more than once about them. Thanks ;-)

[WDRacing]

For everyone else who has thought of using SSAC, simply don't. There are more threads on the internet about how much they suck then there are asking almost any other question. SSAC doesn't even fabricate these manifolds, they're simply a middle man who profits off of mass production...and profit they do. If you would like to buy these ultra cheap manifolds, then use a different company. There are several that sell these very same manifolds and various other mass produced items. But buyer beware...the items are cheap for a reason. Do I have any right to make such statements, yes I do. I have experience in the welding field, I've been involved in forced induction for the last...oh 12 years in some way or another. I've also owned 3 different types of manifolds that are exact replica's of the SSAC units. They were of poor quality and not somthing I'd want to install on my own car, let alone sell to another person.

WD

[NSR_s30]

My brother had a SSAC header for his B15...didn't have any problems with them. Shipped fine and got here in a reasonable amount of time. The quality of the header was really good too. Don't know how they dropped the ball with you? That sucks.

[nvrplzd240]

i have to admit i have an SSAC exhaust.. and it really does look great. the welds are good and such

but i wouldnt trust them with anything other than my exhaust.. i mean seriously.. how can you screw up making an exhaust

[WDRacing]

I dunno man...I'd have to doubt the actual quality of the piece. With a regular header you can't see inside the colector, I'm willing to bet it looked like a blind kid welded it.

The flange on mine were also...well just bad. The ports were all mis-shaped, like I cut them with a dremel. All in all, for a turbo header they blow. I've heard very little good about the customer service also. I suppose if they have your parts in stock, then things will go smoothly, but if you have an actual issue, then you're up ****z creek without a paddle.

WD

[themadscientist]

I don't care if they sell the best product on the planet. The complete lack of customer service would be enough to deter my business. It sounds like a IM from a 15-year old who screwed somebody on som Yu-gi-oh cards and is trying to cover, are you f-in kidding me?

[Deftec]

I had one of their exhausts and it completely went to crap on me...all the hangers broke around the welds and the hanger towards the cat completely broke off. I've also seen several stories about their exhaust manifolds

[Edub1]

I don't care if they sell the best product on the planet. The complete lack of customer service would be enough to deter my business. It sounds like a IM from a 15-year old who screwed somebody on som Yu-gi-oh cards and is trying to cover, are you f-in kidding me?

Thank you!

[574-240sx]

I really don't understand why people keep buying crap from them, it keeps them in business making crappy parts. Their **** is cheap for a reason.

[yelnatsch517]

I wonder where they are from...

Seriously those replies sound like they are from someone incredibly immature and have no previous work experience dealing with customers.

[themadscientist]

with all the people out there that they seem to have screwed why has a lynchmob not been formed? Hell, I'll bring the torches!Some company f-s me like this and I am going to find thier office and if it is feasable to pay them a visit, IRL after hours then it's on! Too many shady people out there, time to start making examples out of some of these E-bay scammers.

[WDRacing]

What r u gonna do, swim from Spooky Mountain???

[Dattebayo]

Maybe they have british employees. I have heard about british coustomer service...

[themadscientist]

What r u gonna do, swim from Spooky Mountain???

.Well I never was a strong swimmer. I thought I would stowaway in a crate of JDM Honda parts bound for SoCal

[Bumnah]

wow. a business actually said we do not value your business.

short sighted to say the least.

i don't tend to send $ of large amounts to people i have a hard time getting in touch with.

good luck with getting your $ back.

[ricebike]

i have to admit i have an SSAC exhaust.. and it really does look great. the welds are good and such

but i wouldnt trust them with anything other than my exhaust.. i mean seriously.. how can you screw up making an exhaust

they screwed up w/ mines; came defective outta the box! & slow replies from their customer service dept ended up w/ a 1/2 of an exhaust system in the garage & Full refund... same type of reply as the OP... (already answered on his 240 thread)

[nsrZ32]

I really don't understand why people keep buying crap from them, it keeps them in business making crappy parts. Their **** is cheap for a reason.

[S13inBatnRuge]

I was actually looking in to buying a header soon for the s13. Anyone have any recommendations on a good company or brand to go with.

[drftsil8ty]

wow, that sux. thats why I buy from XAT.

[BobWithBoobs]

its all what your wanting to go for...

exhais\headers are fine on ssautocrome... just dont expect anything to last over ahuge period of time , like most aftermarket parts.

and as far as high end performance... you should know better then to go cheap... no matter what company sumthing is bound to break.

[Nismochick240]

I've heard a lot of bad stuff from them, that's why I'll never buy from here. Just goes to show you should really research the company before you purchase something, 'specailly if it's for your car

[themadscientist]

It's from China man, what do you expect? They make carnival prizes and $20 kitchen appliances with no on/off switches. How do people expect them to suddenly make quality stuff? I blame the buyers more and more these days. A little truism that has saved me trouble over the years is "It's cheap for a reason". It is, the question is why? When someone sells something, be it an individual or a company they have stake in profit or in the absence of profit, recouping loss. Quality stuff costs money! America is so used to Walmart quality that they refuse to recognise or seek real quality anymore. You can forgive a pair "Redoks" that fall apart on your feet in two months or a "Rolek" that is slow but when your turbo is dangling from a "Truzt" manifold made of recycled tin cans brazed together with a coathanger but polished really purtylike I have to question the persons judgement. Physics has no mercy guys, it doesn't care whether you beleive in it or not, it will break your heart if you piss it off.It costs what it costs for a reason, determine what that reason is and decide if you are comfortable with it.

[amolao]

I can believe these clowns actually "attempt" to run a business in today's competitive world.If you really want to see some serious disrespect going on, check their feedback on Ebay.

I would NEVER buy anything from these loosers....

[davidricardo86]

Wow this really helps in crossing them out of the picture. Thanks for the warnings and advice.

That really sucks that they are like that though and theyll most then likely disappear sometime in the near future.

[94_240sx]

I've dealt with them before. Bought a part on eBay, but it looked slightly different from the pictures. Emailed SSAC w/photos and got a reply like 3 days later saying 'They are identical.' Went through Paypal and got a full refund right away. Don't bother with SSAC. They LIE.