New EMPI Website

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I posted a comment on Empi’s FB page about their new site, but since it had negativity, it was erased by them. I figured I’d post here, and elaborate a little with the added space.

Anyone that has used Empi’s site in the past remembers it was basically page views of their current print catalog. I found this to be extremely easy to navigate with an alphabetical index that told you the page(s) that had the components you were looking for. Once on the page, it had a grouping of any variations of the components, and listed the Empi part numbers that went with them.

While searching for a customer, I came across a new Empi 5.5 width 356 replica wheel being sold on JBug’s site, 10-1171-0. Wanting to know if it came in a 4.5 width, I looked on Empi’s “new” site, only to find there wasn’t even a listing for the 10-1171-0 wheel. Also, while searching for the wheel, the site listed EVERYTHING associated with a wheel in the “wheels and components” category. This ment I had to sift throughout 111 randomly listed unwanted items, such as wheel spacers/adapters, and lugnuts I had zero interest in. The old site would have directed you to the page “range” in which the wheels were nicely grouped together in the print catalog. You may have needed to page through some wheel designs you were not looking for, but at least it was a much cleaner grouping of wheels only where ALL variations of a wheels color/polish/bolt pattern were listed together.

Wanting to see how the rest of the site was laid out, I searched some other items like crankshafts, and connecting rods. I found a little nicer grouping of cranks that I didn’t have to sift through unwanted items, but there were only listings for 69, 76, and 86 strokes. Doesn’t Empi sell 74/78/82/84 stroke cranks in Chevy/VW journals anymore? The “connecting rod” section only had listings for stock replacement rods. I guess you need to be a little more specific to look for “H-beam”, and “I-beam” to find the performance connecting rods. Once the H-beam listing came up, the 5.4 VW journal rod was the only listing. Have the 5.5/5.6/5.7 in the VW/Chevy journal’s been discontinued?

Empi has made a lot of inexpensive lesser quality items in the past, because that’s what some VW enthusiasts are willing to pay for/settle for the level of quality, and that has given them a reputation here that everything is crap. I’ve gone out of my way to promote items that I feel ARE of quality like the cranks/rods. While I’m glad the new owners are moving forward trying to make things “better”, there are a lot of things I question, or are significantly disappointed in with some of their attempts. The new site is still in it’s “testing” phase, but it’s going to need a lot of work to have the info/ease of navigation of the previous version.

[67rustavenger]

I just checked the EMPI site. It's down. The catalog page is down too.
I think you killed it!
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[Bryan67]

I just looked at it. It seems that they have a LOT of work to do on it though. And if their suggested retail pricing is accurate, they have raised some of the prices up a whole lot. Thats not going to go over very well with the people.
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[67rustavenger]

[cbeck]

Low bid web site builder?
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[JDMbeetle]

Even though there is a clear problem with website indexing right now, I do think it does look more visually appealing now.
What I found more interesting than the website itself, is the new faq tab stating who owns EMPI, which is the Dubin Clark & Co. On a quick google search, I found the Dubin Clark & Co website which states what they do to businesses they acquire.

[Bryan67]

[Erik G]

yeah you really can't find anything on the website. search is erratic too
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[Zundfolge1432]

Prices at the retail level go up every year just like clockwork, they all do it. Concerning Empi they have an opportunity to make and sell quality products but what will they do? , that remains to be seen. Generally speaking fewer consumer choices by whatever means, vertical integration, buying up other competitors, and consolidation means higher prices.
I’ll sure give empi a chance and see what they do and how they treat me. I’ve been rough on them in the past but only because I’ve longed for a higher quality.

[aa390392]

Hey EMPI its 2020...what a pos website.
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[andk5591]

What I am guessing is that its under construction. They do have a few products to enter. But usually you leave the old site up until you beta test. Once its fully functioning, will probably use it more. Hated the old one.

And as far as prices...not sure if anyone noticed, but there have been some issues with China over the last 6 months or more....
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There's more, but not keeping them...

[Bryan67]

When they did the big changeover they raised all of their prices. Typical when someone new is in charge. But when wheels go from $90 to $130... thats not going to help sales.
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[andk5591]

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[74 Thing]

That new site sucks! I cannot find part numbers to what I need even by typing in the search field!