(Note: This was intially posted in the VT Engines Forum but I never considered the fact that the moderators over there are directly involved and conviently deleted the post as I am sure they have for other customers in similar situations. Hopefully it will remain at least long enough to prevent others from sending money and parts to this business.)
In September 06 I sent VT engines a brand new set of 4v heads, a Teksid block, & a $4,000 advance payment to build a Cobra Long block. A month later, and before I made it up the wait list, I found out I was getting deployed to Afghanistan for 15 months. I called and spoke with Scott and explained the situation and planned to put the build on hold until I returned. Due to other financial issues that came up I was forced to cancel the build in September 07.
To me it was very simple, deduct the cost of the work completed (heads were ported several hundred dollars) shipping and other reasonable costs, ship me the ported heads, untouched block and a check for what was left of the $4,000. That was 7 weeks ago. I have tried to work through Scott to get this worked out but he says he does not even work for VT Engines anymore and there is a new owner. I had a buyer lined up for the heads but when I did not have them a month later the guy gave up.
I was sent an email on NOV 3rd saying they would ship Monday (NOV 5.) I asked for a tracking number several times so that a friend could track them and pick them up. No tracking number has ever been provided. If they were shipped as stated they are long overdue. I have a friend who has to drive to my house to check everyday not even knowing if they were ever shipped.
For anyone who is considering doing business with these guys I would hightly reccomend you be very careful. Has it stands right now I am out over $5,000 in parts and cash and nobody seems to want to do the right thing.
Below are the cut and paste of the most recent email traffic:
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From:
info@vtengines.com [
mailto:info@vtengines.com]
>>Sent: Saturday, November 03, 2007 2:07 AM
>>To:
xxxxxx@us.army.mil
>>Subject: Block/heads
>>
>>Are packed up and should be shipping out on Monday. Would you prefer a check be sent, or a credit back to your card? (assuming the expiry date hasn't passed on the card now).
Thanks bud. Stay safe!
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: xxxxxxx USA 1-158 IN BN
>>Sent: Saturday, November 03, 2007 8:48 AM
>>To: 'info@vtengines.com'
>>Subject: RE: Block/heads
>>
>>Actually, I would prefer a check to be sent. The credit card I initially used has expired and the account number has changed. Can you verify the cost of the head porting?
Also, can you provide tracking numbers for the block & heads so that I can have someone track them and make sure they are picked up?
>>Thanks
************************************************** *********
Scott, or whoever is in charge of this shop:
>>
>>
>>This is the third email I have sent asking for the same thing:
>>
>>1. Here it is 6 weeks later and I still do not have my parts returned to me nor have I received a refund for my initial deposit minus the work completed. **** I don't even know the exact costs even though I have asked Scott and whoever reads these emails to verify that several times.
>>
>>2. Supposedly my block and heads were shipped on NOV 5th. But I don't know for sure because nobody can give me a tracking number. This is bull**** has I have explained to Scott because I am in Afghanistan and somebody else is supposed to track them and secure them in my house. Has it is they have been having to drive to my house everyday just to check so that they are not left outside to be stolen because you ******** can't send me a tracking number. I am assuming you would not lie to me by telling me they were to be shipped 10 days ago but I am probably asking too much since you can't get parts sent out in over 6 weeks.
>>
>>3. I am tired of getting dicked around-I have more important things to worry about then somebody doing the right thing and not ripping me off while I am deployed.
>>
>>4. If I have not received a reply with the information requested in 48 hours I am going to start:
>>
>> 1. Burning up the internet explaining the situation to every Mustang forum I am involved with. I am sure a lot of potential customers would go to another shop after learning how you treat customers-especially ones that paid in advance, you have had plenty of time to complete the work so that cannot be used as an excuse. I know a lot of people would go somewhere else just knowing you are dicking someone around from the
military not to mention one who is deployed to Afghanistan.
>>
>> 2. I am going to contact the JAG office to seek legal counsel.
>>This will also be posted on the internet for all to see. I should not have to go to that trouble but you have been blowing me off for 6 weeks now so I am sure you don't give a crap.
>>
Send me my parts.
Send me the tracking number for them.
Send me a check for the balance of my advance payment minus work completed-immediately. If this had been done within a reasonable time from when I first asked on September 29, 2007 over 6 weeks ago you would not be receiving this email.
xxxxxxx>-----Original Message-----
>From:
info@vtengines.com [
mailto:info@vtengines.com]
>Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2007 3:28 AM
>To: Tucker, Darrell R USA MSG USA 1-158 IN BN
>Subject: RE: Block/heads
>
>Scott is not with Vt any longer, he has quit because of BS like this that we have to deal with everyday in this industry. The shop has told us repeatedly the stuff is shipping, so we pass that info along to you. We do not work in the shop, we work in a seperate sales office 3 hrs away. We do not own the shop and cannot control what gets done and how quickly it happens..so you are pissing on the wrong people. Instead of me sitting hear getting berated by you, feel free to do it on your own. The phone number to the shop where your stuff is located is 517-272-7728. I've tried and tried to get info form them and am done trying. I don't need this attitude from anyone. I dont care what you do for a living.
Chris@vtengines.com is the owner and you can figure it out with him.
>
>Thanks
(Note: I am assuming this email was from Scott but I do not know for sure since the author neglected to or refused to provide any type of signature. It was from the info@vtengines email address)
************************************************** **********
(My response)
Customers do not get pissed off unless they are ignored and not treated fairly. I have sent you $4,000 (via credit card), a brand new set of 4v heads, and a $500 aluminum block. I have also patiently waited over 6 weeks to have them returned to me. In return I have been blown off and lied to. This should have been fairly simple process since you never touched the block and supposedly the heads were done already. Yet through mismangement or whatever excuse you care to come up with you have failed to complete this. You will not stay in business long by treating people like that. Would you do business with a company that you knew treated customers this way?
>
>It is your attitude that is the problem not mine-I am not the one who has stolen over $5,000 worth of parts and cash. Good luck in the unemployment line.
-----Original Message-----
From:
info@vtengines.com [
mailto:info@vtengines.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2007 6:58 PM
To: xxxxx USA 1-158 IN BN
Subject: RE: Block/heads
Like I said...it's not my company and I can't force anybody to do anything. I gave you the appropriate info in the last e-mail and maybe you will have better luck than me getting results.
(Like above I am not sure who the actual author was becasue there was no signature.)
Final comments: When I was still in the states Scott told me on the phone that the company was sold in an auction and the new owner did not get along with the old owner. I am guessing this is a contributing factor.
QTRPONY
Major Issues with VT Engines
RIP Dad, i miss you and love you.
Linear Mode
