21/3/2009, get confirmation with CP that the order for the pistons had been placed, at this stage, still no confirmation with pauter that rods order has been placed. CP stage 3-4 week lead time on the pistons. After talking with Shaun I decide that EDM drilling of rods and resizing of big end (originally I had specified 5sfe size, however, on the new crank we decided to go 3sgte size) and agree that I will pay for the added cost. I end up ordering myself a gen 3 timing belt (ex japan) out of my own pocket around this point in time, as shaun cannot get access to any aftermarket items easily in the states.
9/4/2009, Shaun sends me invoice for the EDM drilling & crank grind to 3sgte big end size, totally $560USD. I make payment immediately.
18/4/2009, I email Pauter to confirm the order had been placed. Below is the reply I received:
James,
We seem to be having a bit of a snag in communication between the 4 of us. Don replied to Shaun on the 9th but has not heard back from him with any payment information. On any custom order, we require prepayment before we start the parts. To help avoid confusion, I'm sending this from Don's e-mail account so he will be able to have both sets of e-mail and you can reply directly to him.
Thanks,
Steve
At this stage I give up on chasing up everything myself, and leave it in Shauns hands, so never actually confirm when/if the rods got ordered.
Some time passes, a bit of pestering on my behalf for updates.
5/7/09 In response to an email of mine asking for a status update, Shaun says they have shipped! Considering I had never supplied a current address. I asked to where. He replied with my original address the motor was sent to in 2007. I email back and tell him thats a problem, as I don't live there anymore, and give him an updated address. He says he will get onto fedex and have it redirected.
For a couple of weeks I beg and plead for some tracking details.
18/7/09, I receive an email from Shaun
"It is resolved - I'm on travel, will send you info when I get to the hotel... At airport now... Same tracking number.."
Thats funny, because I had just been requesting a tracking number for the last two weeks, and hadn't received one, so have no idea what the 'same tracking number' is.
24/7/09 I email Shaun telling him I haven't see the parts yet, and asking whats going on.
25/7/09 Shaun replies to my email
"James,
I talked with Fedex this morning... It seems that when I *tried* to change the shipping address it reverted back to us... Just another snafu in the big scheme of things. I apologize.
It should be here this afternoon, we'll get the right address and get it re-shipped!
559705830054421
Best,
-Shaun"
I check the tracking number supplied, it doesn't work.
28/7/09, I check the tracking number again, it works, however, there is are inconstencies, considering the parcel is meant to contain a crank, pistons and rods. Below is my email to shaun
"You got that parcel out to me yet.
I will likely be moving again in about a month as I am looking at purchasing property. If it doesn?t go out soon I can see more issues arising.
What can I expect to the receive. That tracking number you gave me certainly wasn?t for my gear, unless I got some sort of super light variant (at 4.6lbs).
Would appreciate if you were just up front with me.
Cheers,
James."
The tracking info listed the parcel weight @ 4.6lbs.
30/7/09, Shaun replies, admitting the parcel hadn't been shipped
"James,
Trying to be as upfront as I need to be.
I/we/MCS has not shipped the package yet. I/we/MCS hope to ship it this week. I have had family in town, so my time at the shop has been 0.
I apologize for the delay but I can't do anything more at this point in time.
Not what you wanted to hear, but I'm being honest.
-S"
30/7/09, I send an email asking when I can expect it to go out, as I will be moving shortly
4/7/09 I send another email asking an ETA
6/08/09 Shaun replies
"James,
We plan to get it out tomorrow... I'll send it to any address you want. Your fathers', mothers', sisters', etc. If you don't want to chance it, give me an address we can work with. =)
-S"
I opt to have it sent to my fathers address so there is no 'screw up' in transit again.
6/08/09->14/08/09 I send a number of emails asking for updates and a tracking number.
15/08/09, Shaun replies
"James,
My wifes' family emergency turned into a funeral, so I'm sorry for the delay.
Nick posted the items today - 2 packages. We shipped them as a *gift* so you can get away from taxes.
CJ195900764US
Please give it 24 hours to show up - Nick *just* dropped the items off today.
Sorry again.
-Shaun"
Sent as two packages, but only one tracking number, I find it weird. I ask what the second tracking number is, but never get supplied one. I email a few times but dont get any reply.
31/08/09, I get a parcel from MCS. Open it up, inside is a set of pistons and an 88mm 5sfe headgasket.
I email shaun telling him what has arrived, and asking where the rest of the gear is at, and what the tracking number for it is.
3/09/09 Shaun replies with some info inconsistent to his previous claims.
"James,
Nick will have to fill you in on that... I'll be at the shop tonight, I will ask him about it, but IIRC they were sent a few days apart."
Once again, I harrass with a few emails.
9/09/09 Shaun replies:
"It was a holiday yesterday here - I won't be able to talk to Nick until tomorrow, but will find out on the tracking/info on the second package."
11/9/09 I send an email, asking whats going on and if he had spoken to nick.
15/9/09 Shaun sends me a reply
"The parcel still exists at MCS, due to an honest mistake on the crankshaft with Nick's new employee Anthony.
We've had to get it re balanced."
More ____ing around ensues, me sending emails, trying to find out whats going on, yet being told little.
13/10/09, I get an email reply from Shaun
"James,
Sorry. We're getting the crank back today. I'll update you this afternoon.
Cheers,
-Shaun
On Sun, Oct 11, 2009 at 4:04 PM, James Colebourne <
[email protected]> wrote:
So whats going on, its been two weeks now since last report?
"
15/10/09 I send my last correspondence.
"So you get it back, and is it all AOK?
Cheers,
James."
Not heard anything back yet.
So, that is where I am at. Had my car sitting idle since the start of the year, as I don't consider it safe to drive with the tbelt problem. I don't want to have to pull the engine over and over and over again, so even though I bought myself replacement belt, I don't want to do it, just to have to pull the engine for the other work.
At this current point in time, I've got a set of pistons that are completely useless without the required set of rods. I have bought myself a late model 5sfe bottom end and a replacement tbelt out of my own cash, and have paid Shaun $560USD for the extra work I sought done.
I just want this over with. I am sick and tired of it. It has turned an enjoyable hobbie into absolute hell.
Please Shaun, just send me my remaining parts so we can forget about this entire mess. 3 years have sort of worn me right out. I dont even want to look at my car anymore, which is an awful problem for me, considering the amount of money I have spent on it.