Aircooled.net - [email protected]

[bugnut68]

I recently ordered a pair of the silicone valve gaskets from aircooled.net, just recently installed them...I'm VERY impressed with them, no leaks at all! I'm planning to order another pair as an extra set. Excellent product!

[[email protected]]

we are not perfect (nor am I), and don't pretend to be. You contacted us about a problem with the way your kit was running, and I replied (on a weekend) to tell you where to look to diagnose the actual problem, where you found a missing needle/Seat.

And when he told me of the missing part, and we did not have one on the shelf, I promptly raided a complete carb kit to get the part to send to him rather then making him wait until it was "in stock".

I recognized early on that nothing would satisfy this man. For the $35 Setup and Adjust fee he clearly felt that I should have flown in and installed them, so he could turn the key and drive off. And because I did not he has the nerve to accuse us of "poor service". And the claim of not doing the setup and adjust is BULLOCKS because we do it to every kit that leaves here (we are the only company that does).

I did tell him that if he didn't want to work on his car then sell it and get a Honda, because if you own a VW of this vintage it needs a lot of work to be performed on it. Obviously he took this comment the wrong way too, like everything else.

I don't appreciate false accusations to make yourself feel like a big shot, and told you to take your attitude and business elsewhere. I don't need assholes for customers, there are plenty of them and I don't need em' nor want them, shop elsewhere! I've said before many times that some folks are more trouble then they are worth, and I do not want them as customers.

I am not going to bow down to "customers" because of a mistake of this magnitude. I apologized and made it right, what else do you want? Let me guess: a full refund and you get to keep the carb kit? Gimme a break.

I laugh because of what WOULD have happened had this same problem happened from another store. The best result you would have had is what you already did, the most likely result was that you were still sitting at home waiting for a part to arrive that will never get there. Get over it.

John
Aircooled.Net Inc.

[harley_52]

I'd like to deal with facts here, not John's misleading inventions.

First, he's lying when he says " For the $35 Setup and Adjust fee he clearly felt that I should have flown in and installed them, so he could turn the key and drive off. And because I did not he has the nerve to accuse us of "poor service". And the claim of not doing the setup and adjust is BULLOCKS because we do it to every kit that leaves here (we are the only company that does). "

I never suggested any such thing. I paid him $35 to "set up and adjust the carburetors. I'd be interested in how such can be accomplished when one of the carburetors has no needle valve or seat. His invention of the "flown in and installed them, so he could turn the key and drive off" is a fine example of his attitude when dealing with me. I never suggested any such thing. It's a bald-faced lie. I never asked for a refund and I never asked for him to fly down and install it. Blatant lies and I challenge him to provide any evidence to back up those claims.

Second, I ended up taking a needle valve and seat out of my old 34 Pict3 and installing it into the "set up and adjusted" carb he sent me. He said he'd ship one to me on Monday the 10th. Another lie. Now, yesterday he claims he had to break up a kit to send me one. Where is it?

I originally thought one of his employees had simply overlooked the "set up and adjust" procedure, but now I see it's the owner who makes excuses for sending out defective material and then whining about it when asked.

Do business with Aircooled.net if you choose. Perhaps you'll get lucky. In my opinion, however, John is a very knowledgeable VW mechanic, but a very poor businessman who'd rather make excuses and invent stories than admit to a mistake by himself or his staff.
_________________
1963 Beetle Sedan
1964 Beetle Sedan
1965 Ford F-100

[Dave]

I must be the luckiest man in the world, then. I have dealt with aircooled.net on many an occasion, not only through a VW magazine, but as a "normal" customer. I've had nothing but great products and terrific service, every time.
I don't work for him, am not ordering anything from him (at the present time, I'm not saying "ever" or "ever again" just I don't need anything right now) and have absolutely nothing to gain from this post. It's what I have experienced, with John, Channa, and Eric @ aircooled.net
_________________
2003 Samba Chummie Winner- Best Story

"Those that matter, don't mind,
and those that mind, don't matter"

[harley_52]

I don't know if you're the "luckiest man in the world" or not, but I had a number of transactions with Aircooled.net before this one too.

I'm speaking of this particular experience and the specifics as to the product and services I purchased and the attitude and actions of the owner in this case.

I'll be happy to provide the e-mail exchanges between him and me and leave it up to the readers to decide the degree of professionalism, attitude, and "service" he's provided in this particular case.

I've already requested he back up his claims about the "full refund" and the "fly in to install" which are total fabrications. I patiently await his proof or his admission he just made it all up.

Beyond that, the "asshole" name calling is more than a little juvenile and hardly presents a professional attitude.

But, of course, your mileage may vary.
_________________
1963 Beetle Sedan
1964 Beetle Sedan
1965 Ford F-100

[[email protected]]

I quote our own product description for the "Setup and Adjust" option on our website.

"We customize the jetting to match YOUR engine and elevation, modify the LH carb body to clear the OEM shroud, and fix some internal carburetor problems that we know about. This does NOT mean we will drive to your house and install and adjust the carburetors!

Please list all engine specs and elevation in the special instructions during checkout so we can setup the carbs."

I find it ironic you can write pretty well but cannot read beyond a 1st grade level of comprehension.

Your last 2 posts show EXACTLY what I'm talking about. Re-read my post, you will see I never said you demanded I fly to you. I said you acted like you expected it.

Our Setup and Adjust option just solves a bunch of problems with the kit that we do easily since we do them all the time. However, you expect us to sync and set the linkage, idle speed, all that other stuff too, despite what our product description for that specific option reads! You want us to gas up your car too while we are at it?

IOW, you are someone who knows nothing about setting up carburetors, and this has resulted in unreasonable expectations that are impossible for ANYONE to meet, even us. I still strongly suggest you sell the VW and get an Accord.

The mere fact that your carbs are now running fine and you are still making a huge deal out of a needle seat (that WAS SHIPPED), shows you are not thinking even close to reasonably. The stuff shipped, it obviously hasn't gotten there yet, but your carbs run OK so stop having a panic attack already.

I'm done with this subject. Tell all your friends and buy your stuff elsewhere, I will sleep fine, and I'm sure you will too.

John
Aircooled.Net Inc.

[Dave]

I'll grant you, harley52, that John, **when you cross him**, can have all the tact and diplomacy of an oncoming Panzer Division.
But I also know you have to seriously annoy him, to get him to that point.
I've known companies, and maybe a few individuals, that have done it. John's an honest vendor, bends over backwards for people, and offers a valuable serice to the aircooled VW community.
But he won't take crap from anyone, either.
I'd trust him with anything I own.
I guess maybe your mileage has varied.
If he is as bad as you say he is, I wonder how he has stayed in business? He doesn't have mega-page ads in any magazines that I am aware of, AFAIK he relies solely on word of mouth.
I think you'll find 1,000 happy customers, for every disgruntled one, and I'll take those odds any day. I've talked with one or two of the latter, and from what I can see, from their own words, they had it coming.
And that's all I have to say about that.
_________________
2003 Samba Chummie Winner- Best Story

"Those that matter, don't mind,
and those that mind, don't matter"

[harley_52]

So you admit you made it up (the fly in comment) just as you did the part about the refund? Fair enough. If you honestly believe shipping a carbuerator without a needle valve assembly is fair game for someone paying you to "set up and adjust" the carbs they purchase from you your standards are far different than reputable businessmen I'm familiar with.

If you're happy shipping defective parts, dishonestly inventing complaints about customers and calling them names, and then just running from the discussion, suit yourself.

By the way, John, I'm anxiously awaiting the needle valve assembly you've repeatedly claimed you shipped on July 10th and I'll update this thread when I receive it and check out the postmark date. Since today is the 21st, I doubt if you shipped it when you claimed and will frankly be surprised if you weren't just inventing the story about shipping it in the first place.

You may rest easy in the assurance that I'll never waste my time or money with Aircooled.net again. I prefer doing business with merchants who make an effort to provide products they stand behind, don't whine when they make a mistake, and don't blame the customer for their own shoddy performance.
_________________
1963 Beetle Sedan
1964 Beetle Sedan
1965 Ford F-100

[mharney]

Harley, answer me this, since you said if anyone wanted to know more, you'd talk about it:

What size vents do you have? What are your idle jets and main jets as shipped?

Was one of the carbs marked LEFT?

Were the carbs clean?

Did the linkage clear the shroud?

[[email protected]]

See? He can write but can't read nor comprehend (like Pac-Man; All Mouth No Ears), and he's having hissy fit over a $2 part that he no longer needs anyways. If Harley ordered the kit without the setup/adjust option, it's still be in pieces in his driveway while he figures out why it won't fit.

I never said the needle/seat was there, I said we took care of the problem AFTER WE FOUND OUT ABOUT IT (which we did on a weekend no less). I also said MISTAKES HAPPEN, WE ARE NOT IMMUNE FROM THEM. The key is how they are handled after the fact. I think we handled it fine, and I think you are a jerk and I'm glad to see your "business" taken elsewhere!


John
Aircooled.Net Inc

[harley_52]

Another lie.

Here is a direct paste from an e-mail.

__________________________________-

Sent: Saturday, July 08, 2006 7:24 PM
Subject: Re: Solex Carbs


I'll get one out to you on Monday Tom.

________________________

That's a perfecly clear statement of fact. The date was July 8th. You said you'd send it Monday (July 10th). Simple question....Did you? Yes or no?



So far you've called me an "asshole," a "jerk," and other assorted juvenile names. You seem to enjoy name calling and ridiculing. It's fun being a tough-guy over the internet, isn't it?
_________________
1963 Beetle Sedan
1964 Beetle Sedan
1965 Ford F-100

[harley_52]

H***arley, answer me this, since you said if anyone wanted to know more, you'd talk about it: ***

Okay..


***What size vents do you have? What are your idle jets and main jets as shipped?***

I don't know what you mean by "vents." Perhaps you can explain. The idle and main jets are whatever were shipped. They seem to work fine.

***Was one of the carbs marked LEFT?***

Yes.

***Were the carbs clean?***

Yes.

***Did the linkage clear the shroud?***

Yes. I had to grind sufficient clearance in the linkage support arm that bolts to the shoud at the alternator plate. It wouldn't clear to let the carbs open completely without removing about an eigth of an inch from the top of the arm.

I'm curious as to the point you're attemting to make. Am I a VW expert? Nope. I've been working on cars and motorcycles for about fifty years, rebuilding several engines, clutches, and so forth. This is my first VW which is why I was impresed with Aircooled.net....until this experience with the attitude and juvenile behavior of the owner therof.
_________________
1963 Beetle Sedan
1964 Beetle Sedan
1965 Ford F-100

[[email protected]]

You are a total idiot.

"I'll get one out to you on Monday Tom. " IS NOT A FACT, that's a statement of intention. Note that it was e-mailed at 7pm on a SATURDAY. I cannot check stock status from my home, where I was using personal time to try to take care of a customer. I do not live at the warehouse, though many have commented that it seemed like it.

I know it did not ship on monday, because we were (and still are) out of them. It wasn't until later in the week that I saw they were not coming anytime soon, so I raided a complete kit on your behalf, and it shipped. I do not have the date and won't get it, because you aren't worth the bother.

I did call you a jerk, but not an asshole (though this is true, I refrained from that one). Re-read what I posted. Night classes (glasses?) might do you some good BTW.

Now STFU and go away already before you really piss me off! Guys like you make up for 50 nice customers and ruin the hobby completely.

John
Aircooled.Net Inc.

PS: Tom: do you know a guy named Terry?

[mharney]

Venturis.. are they the regular ones with the shark fin support?

Idle jet is the one on the outside on the right hand side of the carb as you look at them from the back. What's the number stamped on it?

Main jet is inside the float bowl.. you can't see it without pulling the drain plug.

Can you show me a picture of the part you had to grind?

[harley_52]

So now it's a "total idiot." You can't stop the name calling, can you? Does it make you feel like a really, really big shot?

Then you say...."I did call you a jerk, but not an asshole (though this is true, I refrained from that one). Re-read what I posted. "



You really are challenged about honesty, aren't you John? In an earlier post you said (and yes, I have re-read it)....

***I don't need assholes for customers, there are plenty of them and I don't need em' nor want them, shop elsewhere! I've said before many times that some folks are more trouble then they are worth, and I do not want them as customers. ***

Look, you obviously have a loyal following of folks willing to take your side here. Good for you. You've done a fine job of showing your attitude toward your customers (assholes, jerks, or total idiots) and I've presented my side of the story. You're happy shipping defective merchandise, defensive about having done so, and willing to lie and berate your customers to admit making a mistake.

That's a track record I wouldn't be proud of, but in your case it's apparently the standard you've set for yourself.

Best of luck to you.
_________________
1963 Beetle Sedan
1964 Beetle Sedan
1965 Ford F-100

[mharney]

wait, don't go yet.. answer my questions.

[[email protected]]

"I don't need assholes for customers, there are plenty of them and I don't need em' nor want them, shop elsewhere! I've said before many times that some folks are more trouble then they are worth, and I do not want them as customers."

Despite it's truth, where SPECIFICALLY in this quote do I say you are an asshole Harley?

You have your mind so made up you are seeing things, this is just one example of it.

I am incredibly loyal to our customers that are not jerks and assholes, and I think I have earned the same loyalty back. The wankers I want nothing to do with.

John
Aircooled.Net Inc.

[mharney]

He didn't answer my questions.. I thought he wanted to talk about it.

[bljones]

[mharney]

He's lost credibility with me.

So far, everything that he says goes against how they come out of the box, namely unabled to be installed without a lot of fiddling to make things fit, much less clean and jetted properly, which has not been determined as of yet. I'd bet they came with 55 idles and 145 mains, instead of those jets Scat leaves in them. He got what he paid for, minus a part that John wouldn't know was missing unless he took them apart, which is not necessary to make the changes he makes. The fact that he is a repeat customer in his own admission makes me believe that he is just a PITA to deal with when he develops a sense of entitlement for something that is out of John's control. I guess John has to take every carb apart completely now, to make sure that the supplier hasn't left a part out, cause that's undoubtedly what happened here.

If he expects John to do any more with the carbs than he's already doing, he hasn't made that clear, and at this point, he could say ANYTHING just to try to backpedal and make a valid point. John had an issue to deal with , and dealt with it. This guy makes it sound like the untimeliness of the situation is a matter of paramount inconvenience. Pfft. But I'll give him credit for having the wherewithall to scam a seat from a PICT and put it in. That's about all I can give him.

And THAT, Harley, is what I was getting at. I don't blame John a bit for not putting up with crap from people. You have a right to come here and say what you want, but don't expect the vendor to hide under the sheets until your tirade blows over.