Disapointing experince with vendors

This thread is running the risk of going way off line.

It is perhaps more pertinent that if someone needs to post complaining about a company then they should perhaps name names, rather than implying things.

This has now caused a misunderstanding between a supplier that has given the most excellent service to myself and has no way let me down. However they appear to have felt that my comments (intended to be constructive) were aimed at them, when it was not the case.

Perhaps if this thread is to continue people should talk plainly, not insinuate things.

A lot of mud is getting thrown arround and it appears to be sticking to the wrong people. This does not help either the good or the bad vendors.

Quote from SilverCarbon

This post was a rant. I was going to leave it at that. However, it turned into more of a discussion and I have every right to post what I feel I would like.
First of all. I run a small business in a niche industry as do these vendors who sell to the Slingshot Niche. I learned really quickly long ago, if you sell something you should follow up on quickly to inquires and especially not avoid those customers who have paid you.

This post was in general my experience with Several vendors. This rant came about because of many contacts before posting a rant with Phone Calls, Emails, Text Messages, Contact though Social Media Private Message. Most people would have gave up and moved on to the next vendor after getting ignored the first time. It was not just one experience with one vendor. This rant was in frustration of those who have poor communication of progress of a project or money spent or wanting to spend with credit card in hand.

Out of the 3 Main Vendors.

One has been in full communication with me and I am not going to put them on blast as they explained themselves to me and I feel we are on right track to completing the project. I will keep yall updated as it pans out.

Second, I had inquired to and followed up with and never got pricing. I went ahead and bought form another wheel supplier. No big deal as there is thousands of people who sell wheels.

Third one....As I described above in a comment. That Vendor horrible communication. I did get a reply again after my last update and he just simply said he is busy. However, in the first conversation he said he had two in stock. Which he is the only one that I know makes this sort of modification. This is why I am forced to wait till he gets his act together. By his own admission to me he says he is having trouble keeping up because can not find talent to grow his business. (I can sympathize with this). However, at least replying to email or calling someone back with an update on when they can get me pricing would be the least I would expect. Ultimately, I do worry that if I put him on blast on here. He will never want to wrap up this project with me and I will be stuck with no option. This is why I hesitate to list the person and company name.

So to finalize, Every Vendor should take this as a lesson that they should follow up with customers. That is super important.

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You're right..I went back and read your initial post and it was just a suggestion of sorts to vendors on how to do business, not really even a rant. I got lost in all the follow up posts and took a different meaning away from it. Sorry I posted what I did which is logical advice to follow but not really applicable in this case.. I deleted my post

Quote from SilverCarbon

This post was a rant. I was going to leave it at that. However, it turned into more of a discussion and I have every right to post what I feel I would like.
First of all. I run a small business in a niche industry as do these vendors who sell to the Slingshot Niche. I learned really quickly long ago, if you sell something you should follow up on quickly to inquires and especially not avoid those customers who have paid you.

This post was in general my experience with Several vendors. This rant came about because of many contacts before posting a rant with Phone Calls, Emails, Text Messages, Contact though Social Media Private Message. Most people would have gave up and moved on to the next vendor after getting ignored the first time. It was not just one experience with one vendor. This rant was in frustration of those who have poor communication of progress of a project or money spent or wanting to spend with credit card in hand.

Out of the 3 Main Vendors.

One has been in full communication with me and I am not going to put them on blast as they explained themselves to me and I feel we are on right track to completing the project. I will keep yall updated as it pans out.

Second, I had inquired to and followed up with and never got pricing. I went ahead and bought form another wheel supplier. No big deal as there is thousands of people who sell wheels.

Third one....As I described above in a comment. That Vendor horrible communication. I did get a reply again after my last update and he just simply said he is busy. However, in the first conversation he said he had two in stock. Which he is the only one that I know makes this sort of modification. This is why I am forced to wait till he gets his act together. By his own admission to me he says he is having trouble keeping up because can not find talent to grow his business. (I can sympathize with this). However, at least replying to email or calling someone back with an update on when they can get me pricing would be the least I would expect. Ultimately, I do worry that if I put him on blast on here. He will never want to wrap up this project with me and I will be stuck with no option. This is why I hesitate to list the person and company name.

So to finalize, Every Vendor should take this as a lesson that they should follow up with customers. That is super important.

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The ones that suck know they suck and just keep giving the excuses.. Get some more damn help if you have too much business to handle. When it comes back on the customer it comes back on the business!

Quote from Neosolidus

@TheRock I am glad you said it, I wanted to but didn't want to ruffle any feathers which i tend to do with my inability to "sugar coating" things.

If you have a problem with a vendor whether they are a sponsor or not on this site you should feel free to call them out when they have failed to meet "your" expectations(within reason).

If you are not willing to call them out so they can publicly respond/post their side(there are always 2 sides on a coin)this post might as well not exist, since it serves no purpose and is just useless scuttlebutt.

You should have done like @shortremover who came out swinging and straight up called Bill Hahns out and now has his problem solved but everyone knows about the way Bill Hahns treated him and if a fellow slinger decides to buy from him they have been warned and knows what to expect.

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Quote from SilverCarbon

I do not think that was being an ass. I am giving these vendors a chance to follow up. It was more a RANT. Check out the reply I just posted above. It might give you some more insight to the situation and update. The problem is far from being resolved.

I am taking my time to put them on blast as that was not the intention of this post. However, I am doing my part to follow up with questions the replies may have.

However, if anyone else has issues with vendors as I do and if they choose to put the vendors on blast on here in reply to this post. By all means they should if they feel they want to.

I wish you the best of luck. Hahn's customer service is terrible. The only time he responded in less than 2 weeks was when I was installing my turbo kit. After that it was after many calls and emails. I basically bought a turbo kit (over 5k) and have no warranty. My set up is still not perfect but it runs well thanks to many hours from @Dave@DDMWorks and some help from @Noel Hughes, and a new set of injectors I had to pay for.

Anyone who wants details on the bad and the good is welcome to PM me. I will give you my number and I will tell you all you want to know.....Maybe more.

WHO IS THE BAD VENDOR!!???
Oh my god this is like a horrible episode of Melrose Place . Either name them or don't.
Alpha Defense is a bad vendor. Do not buy from them.
That was easy. I just named a bad vendor to a whole Slingshot community. Do not buy from them. Their quality us crap.
My God. Either ban me or call this thread out for the attention seeking it is trying to do.

^^^ For the benefit of new SS owners, @tigershark is referring to a hoorag vendor & is NOT to be confused with Alpha Powersports, who is an OUTSTANDING vendor...

Quote from Tripod

^^^ For the benefit of new SS owners, @tigershark is referring to a hoorag vendor & is NOT to be confused with Alpha Powersports, who is an OUTSTANDING vendor...

Some would like to disagree with that. After 3 bad experiences you cut your losses and move on. Alpha Powersports will never be in my favor again.

Quote from WraithSS

Some would like to disagree with that. After 3 bad experiences you cut your losses and move on. Alpha Powersports will never be in my favor again.

Yeah, some people have had issues with probably just about every vendor. None of them are "perfect". Slingmods is arguably the best vendor we have. I know I've had issues with Slingshot Only - however, I still use them if they're the only vendor carrying a particular product. If Slingmods & SSO both carry a product I want, I will order it from Slingmods every time.

Quote from Tripod

Yeah, some people have had issues with probably just about every vendor. None of them are "perfect". Slingmods is arguably the best vendor we have. I know I've had issues with Slingshot Only - however, I still use them if they're the only vendor carrying a particular product. If Slingmods & SSO both carry a product I want, I will order it from Slingmods every time.

You are 100% correct. I've had small issues with Slingmods and Slingshotonly. However, they were quickly resolved with amazing customer service. Each time I had an issue with Alpha I was met with an argument. After the third time it was noticed to be a pattern. Not all things were bad with Alpha and Henry is a good guy. But, they have lost my business.

@WraithSS sucks to hear you had a few bad experiences with alpha. I've yet to have any issues with them. or any of the other major vendors. but i usually just shoot henry a text when i have a question, and he always responds with out fail. i usually use slingmods for everything easier to deal with guys just selling parts, i don't like to bother the guys creating all these mods figured they are to busy.i only go direct when it is a bigger order,like turbo and motor and a couple bigger items where i don't care for a middle man to relay the messages back and forth. and only issues i ever had with SS0 honestly was just quality i feel like you see one thing online and get something a little bit less quality in person but maybe thats just me . but still good service

@WraithSS if you don't mind me asking what issues did you have with them?

Hey Guys, Keith here with SlingMods.. I've been reading this thread and felt it necessary to chime in to just to reiterate our mission here at SlingMods!

Who is Slingmods and what do we stand for?

Automotive Enthusiasts
We were long time followers of the Campagna T-Rex and anxiously awaited that machine to enter into U.S. distribution. We even tried becoming a U.S. distributor for that machine at one point in time. When Polaris stepped up to the plate, we were absolutely blown away that this 3 wheel machine was actually hitting the streets. I anxiously hit up Bert's Mega Mall in Covina Ca. the moment I saw the first article, to put down my deposit and secure my place in line. We were later recognized by the forum as being the 1st registered owner of the Slingshot in the U.S.! We didn't waste any time with this opportunity and immediately began to pursue manufacturers to help us make and design products for the Slingshot.

Wanted to Pursue our Passion
We started the SlingMods website in Aug, 2014, a few months before I took ownership of my 1st Sling.

We started SlingMods because Josh (my business partner) and I were tired of our day job Selling Ink & Toner Cartridges on the internet. We'd been selling ink & toner since 2002 and it seemed to be a continual race to the bottom as manufacturers shifted away from supporting U.S. companies and began "knocking off" Ink & Toner cartridges overseas. We fought hard to try and keep our suppliers making product in the U.S... some listened, most did not.

Treating the Customer as we like to be Treated!
Customer Service is the backbone of our business. I'm still blown away when I enter a Restaurant or Retail Store and the clerk behind the desk treats me as though I owe them something. "It blows my mind". The equation is simple. Happy Customers = Prosperous Business. This is taught and re-taught to our employees at every meeting and inherently becomes part of their DNA.

We well understand this and strive to provide some of the best service you've EVER received.

Why do we understand this? Other than the fact, than it's how I was raised. We understand this because we've been selling online since 2002 and have received tens of thousands of online reviews. This was our Master's Degree in Business! The customers are actually the teachers for business. Some businesses neglect to realize that and inevitably fail. We embrace the customer feedback and thank them for their advice!

Consolidating all Vendors Under One Roof

We actively pursue relationships with manufacturers, to try and get them to express interest in this wonderful machine. It's often quite a daunting task to get their attention and I sometimes have to "beg" to get them to make products for our customers. We understand the frustration of dealing with MFG's direct. We have inherited that responsibility on your behalf as part of our business model and I think it's partly what makes Slingmods great! We deal with the stress of getting your tracking, handling returns, revising designs, getting questions answered, etc for over 60 vendors, so "you don't have to". Think of us your personal "concierge".

I can't express in words our enormous gratitude to the Slingshot community for your continual support over the years. I felt I needed to explain to you guys where we come from and what we stand for in case you don't already know us!

We're just a couple guys from So Cal.. , following our Passion!

Experts in business! ^^^^ So modest too...

Quote from jluna317

@WraithSS if you don't mind me asking what issues did you have with them?

The first two items were faulty exhaust systems. The one I currently have seems to finally be "ok". The fitment is way off though. That will be coming off once a specific exhaust I'm anxiously awaiting hits the market. The third item that flat out infuriated me was a powder coated valve cover that looked like someone did it in their backyard. There was junk in the coating and they did not mask off anything or plug any threaded areas. The order was for white PC , but got almond. They tried to say it was white pearl which was laughable at best.
People talk about Slingshotonly giving out some lesser quality items. But, that's all I received from Alpha. Which is why the only Alpha item left is the exhaust. All else was pulled and sold. Would have been the first purchaser of their supercharger, but after all the problems I switched to DDMWORKS and have been grinning ever since.

I will chime in here. I have lots of Alpha in and on my Sling with absolutely no problems and as for Slingmods I guarantee you I was one of there first customers...both of these vendors have proven to have excellent product and customer service for me and lots of my Sling friends! I will continue to patronize both the company's

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@WraithSS ya that definitely does suck to hear wondering if it was their adjustable exhaust ?I know they had a few issues with those but I chose to stay away from it since it relied on a remote and has a valve hat opens and closes and obviously with More moving parts comes the possibility of something going wrong. Really sucks to hear about the experience you had with alpha though because they have always found a way to make things right with me and a lot of others.

You can't go wrong with the odds @Dave@DDMWorks and Jeff@DDMWorks. Too notch and always go above and beyond. They reworked some things on my Sling for free just because they had a much better way of doing it. Those things added some reliability to the engine and made it perform better. They go out of their way to do things right and take care of the customer.

Quote from slingmods

Hey Guys, Keith here with SlingMods.. I've been reading this thread and felt it necessary to chime in to just to reiterate our mission here at SlingMods!

Who is Slingmods and what do we stand for?

Automotive Enthusiasts
We were long time followers of the Campagna T-Rex and anxiously awaited that machine to enter into U.S. distribution. We even tried becoming a U.S. distributor for that machine at one point in time. When Polaris stepped up to the plate, we were absolutely blown away that this 3 wheel machine was actually hitting the streets. I anxiously hit up Bert's Mega Mall in Covina Ca. the moment I saw the first article, to put down my deposit and secure my place in line. We were later recognized by the forum as being the 1st registered owner of the Slingshot in the U.S.! We didn't waste any time with this opportunity and immediately began to pursue manufacturers to help us make and design products for the Slingshot.

Wanted to Pursue our Passion
We started the SlingMods website in Aug, 2014, a few months before I took ownership of my 1st Sling.

We started SlingMods because Josh (my business partner) and I were tired of our day job Selling Ink & Toner Cartridges on the internet. We'd been selling ink & toner since 2002 and it seemed to be a continual race to the bottom as manufacturers shifted away from supporting U.S. companies and began "knocking off" Ink & Toner cartridges overseas. We fought hard to try and keep our suppliers making product in the U.S... some listened, most did not.

Treating the Customer as we like to be Treated!
Customer Service is the backbone of our business. I'm still blown away when I enter a Restaurant or Retail Store and the clerk behind the desk treats me as though I owe them something. "It blows my mind". The equation is simple. Happy Customers = Prosperous Business. This is taught and re-taught to our employees at every meeting and inherently becomes part of their DNA.

We well understand this and strive to provide some of the best service you've EVER received.

Why do we understand this? Other than the fact, than it's how I was raised. We understand this because we've been selling online since 2002 and have received tens of thousands of online reviews. This was our Master's Degree in Business! The customers are actually the teachers for business. Some businesses neglect to realize that and inevitably fail. We embrace the customer feedback and thank them for their advice!

Consolidating all Vendors Under One Roof

We actively pursue relationships with manufacturers, to try and get them to express interest in this wonderful machine. It's often quite a daunting task to get their attention and I sometimes have to "beg" to get them to make products for our customers. We understand the frustration of dealing with MFG's direct. We have inherited that responsibility on your behalf as part of our business model and I think it's partly what makes Slingmods great! We deal with the stress of getting your tracking, handling returns, revising designs, getting questions answered, etc for over 60 vendors, so "you don't have to". Think of us your personal "concierge".

I can't express in words our enormous gratitude to the Slingshot community for your continual support over the years. I felt I needed to explain to you guys where we come from and what we stand for in case you don't already know us!

We're just a couple guys from So Cal.. , following our Passion!

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Thank you Keith and Josh, I support you and SlingMods