Hi all,

I ordered a couple of items from VTEC Direct recently, and as the first of these (a J's Racing Tsuchinoko intake) is now two weeks overdue from the delivery estimate they gave me, I am really starting to get concerned. I have never spent so much money on one single upgrade, which is probably why I'm feeling so twitchy.

I have called to enquire on the whereabouts of the item 3 times, and each time I call, it appears to be getting further away rather than nearer. The first time I called, they said that it would be with them in the next couple of days. The second time a week later, they said that it was expected in the country shortly, and when I called yesterday, they said that it left Japan the day before.

I understand that there may have been a problem that I'm not aware of, but I would have thought that it would only be polite to keep me informed, but they never bother to reply to emails, let alone send updates.

If any of you guys can vouch for them, then I will just accept that I am having a rare bad experience, but my wife is advising me to cancel the order and get my money back, and as time goes on, I think that may be a good idea.

I'd be interested in hearing your experiences. Hopefully you can put my mind at rest.

Thanks.

 

I know they charge big money for everything, but generally have a good reputation across the forum.

Funky power on the other hand......

Maybe you can ask for their parcel/shipping number, so that you may track it for yourself?

Or, ring again, and get the name and position of the person you're speaking to, and note what they say, on which time and date etc. Then, if the parcel still hasn't arrived by mid next week, ring again, and speak to exactly the same person, it'll be less likely to be dismissive bullshit second time round.

 

Yeah, I did think about getting the tracking number. That's a good idea.

I was quite impressed with their pricing to be honest. The two items I ordered (the Tsuchinoko intake and some J's rain guides for my type V bonnet) were the cheapest I could find. Sumo Power were WAY more expensive. I had dealings with Funky Power back when they were called Funky Product when I owned an FTO. They always seemed pretty good. Maybe they have gone downhill in the last few years?

 

Sumi - I believe one of the main guys there is called Andy. Next time you call, ask for him.

 

Have you actually called them?

It's annoying when people don't keep you up to date, but email isn't the best way.

If it helps, J's Racing don't stock items, they make to order so things can take a long time. I've waited 10 weeks for parts before.

I'd highly recommend Yasu from here: http://j-sracingusa.com/

Or GoTuning.

 

Yes, as I said, I have called them 3 times since placing the order. When I first called to place the order, I was told that they had access to J's racing stock database, and they had 3 of the intakes in stock, so was given a 2 week approx. shipping time. If J's don't keep items in stock, then it would have been fine for them just to have said that.

I don't mind waiting - I DO mind when I'm told one thing, and they clam up when I try to ask what the holdup is. I still haven't been given a reason why there has been a delay, only that there 'has been a mixup'.

 

Dealt with Andy many times and he is a top guy and a real enthuisiast.

He is a very busy guy so very occasionally he needs a phone call to remind him about stuff, but generally it's because he's waiting for stock. I remember waiting for a throttle cable which took a while and I eventually called my dealer who did the cable in the same ballpark price and had it in stock. Andy had no problem with me cancelling the order and going elsewhere.

Can't recommend his work and his prices highly enough. He did me some work on my ATR a few years ago - genuine clutch, droplinks all round, engine mount and full service. All done within 6 hours and the bill was under £600 IIRC.

 

I'd agree with Bass above. They are a good outfit and very helpful when you are there for work but it can be a bit of a challenge arrangeing things in the first place. A phone call reminder to any email enquirey can be the norml and Andy is often not in the office when you call but there is a least somebody who answers and takes a message. If you perservere and get to speak to Andy you will get an update.

 

I'd trust orders from Andy (just the same as with Bazz before hand) but the nature of shipping things nearly half way around the world, most things are also made to order and having to deal with customs makes any timescales difficult.

If I've ever needed something urgently then I've always ordered direct and had to pay the ££'s for it, anything else then VTEC direct and a few others have usually been great.

 

I used them a few years back
Brought some brakes & exhaust & a few other bits
Paid nearly £800
Took around 6 weeks for parts to turn up at my house
The exhaust was a JIC Majic, was told by Bazz it was a cat back
Well when it did arrive it was only a back box
Bazz sent me a Vision R b pipe free of charge

Found the service was pretty good but they do need chasing up on delivey times as i never heard from them

Looked at their website the other day & wow they are not cheap!