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The Driveshaft Shop Will not stand behind products, inept, discourteous, ignorant, dishonest and thieving Salisbury North Carolina
On or around 8/14/07, after many phone consultations with Frank Rehak regarding his required measurement procedures, i ordered a set of custom axles. When these were ordered, Frank told me that the measurements were odd, so i had a Honda technician take them again and they were the same, so Frank moved forward with the order, with the understanding between us that they would be what i need for my vehicle. He did mention to me that there is no warranty against breakage and that he can't guarantee the length since i took the measurement, but there was the guarantee (of course) that the product would be received in useable condition.
They were shipped to me on 8/21 and i received them a couple days later. On 8/31, i travelled to a repair facility to have these axles installed. The location was Weisenthal's Shell in Ocean City, NJ. Upon removal from the package, the proprietor at the facility, Don Weisenthal, expressed concern about the quality of the outer CV of the axles. His partner, who also has been in the business for 30 years, Glen Weisenthal, stated the same thing. The technician who is employed by these experts, Chris Hartmann, was concerned as well. They were installed into the vehicle and they rendered the vehicle, which was previously operable sans a slight axle vibration, now inoperable due to immense clunking and vibration. We removed one side, and replaced with a stock axle, and did vice versa, and the only time there was a remedy is when Frank Rehak's product was totally removed from the vehicle.
I contacted Frank 9/3 and described my issue and my concern that the product was defective. He doubted they were defective and said it's merely a case of them being brand new (despite the fact that they rendered my vehicle inoperable and were seen as defective by certified technicians) and offered to take them back to review their condition. I decided to send them to him under the premise that the outer CV was defective on both axles, and the length possibly needed to be shortened a tad upon his inspection. On 9/5, i brought the axles to a performance vehicle tuning facility, RT Tuning in Lansdale, PA. The proprietor Vince checked the axles and deemed them to be defective in some capacity due to an overly tight outer CV.
I sent them from RT Tuning via FEDEX on 9/5 with the following RA # 12795 and with a tracking number of 651108460000757. The package was received on 9/7. I called on 9/7 to assure they received it and they did. I called on 9/11 to check on the process. The customer service contact Tad stated that they were still being examined. I asked him to have the owner call me before they were sent out or anything was done as the owner was not available. I called back on 9/14 as i did not hear back from them and the customer service contact Tad stated that there was a problem with the outer CV's in that they were defective in construction. I confirmed this with him, and stated I am glad they were honest about the situation. I asked what is the next step and he said they will attempt to salvage what they can, reassemble a new set of axles for me, and send them out. I asked him to have the owner call me so i had a better idea of what is going on with the situation as the owner was not available according to Tad.
I then called back on 9/21 to see what was going on with my axles and Tad said they had some issues taking the axles apart and needed to charge me for some labor or parts with the outer CV's since they were hard to remove. I asked how could this be, since they were already defective; i should not be charged for taking apart something that is defective to start! He renigged his previous statement on 9/14 about the outer CV's being defective and told me to contact the owner. I stated to him that I'd love to, however he has not called me in weeks. I told the customer service contact Tad I do not want the axles at this time due to these issues and their incompetence and he said I need to discuss that with the owner, who evidently is unreachable and has been unresponsive for 2 weeks. I then told Tad I would dispute the charges with my bank because of the ineptitude and unresponsiveness of their company.
I filed a dispute with my bank on 9/21 and about an hour later, Frank calls me, finally. I explain my problems again to him and he tries to convey to me that this is not his fault because i took the initial measurements and he was uncomfortable with making the item based on them. I asked him how else can he offer such a service, if he does not have a reliable system on which to base the production of his products? Regardless, the defective outer CV problem is totally independent of my measurements and the 'custom' aspect of these axles. After reaching no resolution with Frank, I stated to him that because I received no response from him about my axles, and got nothing but cryptic and untrue responses from his customer service people about my paid-for item which was defective, I felt the need to dispute the issues with my bank. He then told me that he has nothing else to say to me because I disputed with my bank, and he claimed that 'it doesn't matter anyway because I (Frank) will win, as it states clearly that the item is custom and there is no warranty'. I told him that that does not mean he can send me something that is not what i paid for and that is defective out of the box. He then terminated the call by hanging up on me.
JPM
Seaville, New Jersey
U.S.A.
11 Updates & Rebuttals
Mike
Eureka,California,
United States of America
Did Jared's bank refund his $300.00+ dollars?
#12Consumer Comment
Fri, June 15, 2012
I too have been a customer of the Drivehaft Shop, and have spoken with both Frank and Tad. Frank is a busy guy, but he has heard me out, has answered my questions, and has taken the necessary steps to have the distributor I dealt with, Lethal Performance, up-date their description of the Driveshaft Shop driveshaft I had ordered, to eliminate discrepancies, all before it was made and delivered to me.
Later inquires with Tad, including one this morning, have been informative, professional and agreeable. My question is, as Jared's mater is about three years old, was he ever given a refund by his bank, or did his bank decide Frank had done all he could, and in a professional manner?
Builthatch
Seaville,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
...
#12Author of original report
Sat, December 22, 2007
Thanks "Jeff"
Although i'm sure someone somewhere appreciates your insight and opinion, however, you are wrong. I did what he told me to the enth degree in terms of gathering information on which he could base his production. If he felt it was not going to work, he certainly never conveyed that in any manner worth mentioning and i certainly could never and would never "bully" him to sell something to me. I left that to him. Why would i consult an "expert" only to force him out of his realm of comfort or expertise? I wouldn't....
I would appreciate it if this was not a forum for public commentary or opinion vs. a simple public diagram of what has occured with this situation between this business and me. he doesn't have you money or your axles, he has mine. don't try to make anything worse than it is....
Jeff
Manda,Nebraska,
U.S.A.
He Said - She Said
#12Consumer Comment
Fri, December 21, 2007
I am inclined to go with the supplier on this. If the measurements were incorrect, it's your problem.
I sell parts, and I DAILY have people call me that want a part without supplying the information I need to provide said part. I'm polite, but firm, in refusing to provide the part UNLESS I get the information that I need. People don't understand that for some reason!
I'm getting the impression that you simply bullied the guy into selling you a part he didn't want to sell.
Builthatch
Seaville,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
haha, incredible. simply incredible.
#12Author of original report
Tue, December 18, 2007
i get a box from DSS today via UPS. actually, from Frank Rehak...
so i open it...
it's a freakin' box of chocolates and a happy holidays form letter.
unbelievable.
and i was dumb enough to think that maybe this guy decided that since it's the holiday season, he changed his mind about robbing me and sent me my money back.
so much for that...
Builthatch
Seaville,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
haha, incredible. simply incredible.
#12Author of original report
Tue, December 18, 2007
i get a box from DSS today via UPS. actually, from Frank Rehak...
so i open it...
it's a freakin' box of chocolates and a happy holidays form letter.
unbelievable.
and i was dumb enough to think that maybe this guy decided that since it's the holiday season, he changed his mind about robbing me and sent me my money back.
so much for that...
Builthatch
Seaville,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
haha, incredible. simply incredible.
#12Author of original report
Tue, December 18, 2007
i get a box from DSS today via UPS. actually, from Frank Rehak...
so i open it...
it's a freakin' box of chocolates and a happy holidays form letter.
unbelievable.
and i was dumb enough to think that maybe this guy decided that since it's the holiday season, he changed his mind about robbing me and sent me my money back.
so much for that...
Builthatch
Seaville,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
haha, incredible. simply incredible.
#12Author of original report
Tue, December 18, 2007
i get a box from DSS today via UPS. actually, from Frank Rehak...
so i open it...
it's a freakin' box of chocolates and a happy holidays form letter.
unbelievable.
and i was dumb enough to think that maybe this guy decided that since it's the holiday season, he changed his mind about robbing me and sent me my money back.
so much for that...
Builthatch
Seaville,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
still nothing...
#12Author of original report
Tue, November 20, 2007
he still has my money and his junk axles. check the date!
my bank is still working on it as per their policy.
i've spoken to my attorney to see what kind of outlay this type of thing would require if it were to escalate. it's extremely obvious it's not a smart investment, however the principle is what's at stake here.......
Builthatch
Seaville,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
met frank face to face and still no resolution
#12Author of original report
Wed, October 31, 2007
well, i decided to pay frank a little visit at the SEMA show to see if there was any way to settle this. Evidently, there isn't. He is such an arrogant POS i can't believe, in all honesty, that he is able to sustain his business. I told him politely, despite his rambling about things we've already discussed ad nauseum, that i'd simply like my 300some dollars back because i don't trust him if he was to send me any sort of axle product (considering how this has gone, can you blame me?). He steadfastly refuses to oblige and continues to be concerned about everything other than how i was treated and where his customer currently stands in regards to his business. he then tried to call me a liar because he could not keep track of the sequence of events (surprise surprise); my bank told me that DSS has 31 days to react to a returned item before they can investigate. unfortunately i disputed it about 2.5 weeks after he was originally sent the item, so i had to reissue the dispute about 1.5 weeks after i talked to frank for the last time. this came up because frank told me he hasn't seen anything from the bank as of yet. he then decided to pay no regard to the truth and say that i disputed the charge before i said i did, which is absolutely hilarious. my bank certainly has records of every step i've taken, so i don't see why he'd argue that, but alas, that's good old frank and his stubborn nature.
he then got all red faced and kicked me out of his booth. i then told him to not judge a book by it's cover as i left. evidently frank believes he's the only one protected in this world, or financially 'able' as it were, so he thinks can do whatever he wants because "he will win" and "i'll just deal with his insurance"
i followed up with a call to my credit card company/ bank to check to see why they didn't supposedly contact him yet. they said it takes up to 60 days, which makes sense as i believe i filed the OG dispute 9/21, and the follow-up to that after the 31 days from the date of receipt, which was like 1.5 weeks after 9/21 to complete the 31 day requirement with my returned item.
they then asked me what he said when i approached him. i quoted him and they took said information down, including his boast, similar to last time but this time with more 'zest', that his insurance company would protect him if it became a legal matter and also that i evidently 'want to play hardball'
"hardball"...
over 300 dollar axles....
and people continue to patronize this delusional man's business?
what a freakin' scumbag. just give me my money you p***k...
Builthatch
Seaville,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
DSS is WRONG!
#12Author of original report
Fri, October 05, 2007
"When JARED MCXXXX first contacted me (Frank Rehak owner and 33 year veteran of the drive line industry) he wanted a set of axles for his vehicle, he sounded desperate, he told me wanted me to make them without measurements and each time I explained to him we do not do this."
I never wanted axles made without measurements.That is PREPOSTEROUS! Since the initial call to the Driveshaft Shop, I attempted to measure according to DSS procedue. I had Tad, on the FIRST CALL, fax me the diagram from which to measure because his intial description of measuring was not accurate. I then had these measured accordingly by a PROFESSIONAL HONDA TECHNICIAN at ROSSI HONDA in Vineland, NJ. I called back with my measurements, and I was then told the measurement had to be done w/o axles in the car, so I then went back and had the SAME technician measure, without axles in the car, and had another technician double-check HIS measurements under the car's weight, as directed by Frank. They were the same d**n measurements. What else can I do other than take the car to Frank himself? These measurements were correct to the utmost measuring ability at this Honda dealership. But even so, the beat-from-the-box outer CV's have nothing to do with this!
"After several more phone calls he gave me the measurements for the car. I explained to him why his measurements were not and could not be accurate I told him his measurements should be very close to a stock style measurement as the Custom Swap in his car was very common.
After many more phone calls explaining my position to this customer and arguing with him over his inaccurate measurements, JARED MCIVER still insisted on continuing with the job, I explained to him that if I made the axles as he wanted them, I would be unable to give him any warranty/guarantee that the axles would fit properly due to the fact that we were asked to work with such inaccurate measurements for the car."
False...haha; this is crazy talk! Why would you make something you don't think is going to work, and. more importantly as it pertains here, why would I want/pay/order something that you don't think will work? You are the "guru" to which i was referred. I am using YOU to get me what I need- I'm not in a position to make determinations on what will work, otherwise I'd have my own axle shop. That's what I pay YOU for! I 100% would never demand something against your expertise, however, that said, the measurements were as correct as they can be had other than taking the car to you in NC. (which, by the way, isn't even an option. Frank himself won't measure cars!!!!!)
"He was completely aware that there would be no warranty/guarantee on the axle level he wanted. He still insisted on continuing with the job, this is after having tried 4 other sets that did not work from other company's including Factory Honda units and being told by us we didn't think the measurements given were correct."
I was completely aware that the length might not be correct for some odd reason and that custom axles are not covered if they don't fulfill the custom application need, typically, but that is not the debate here. Frank, the debate is that the outer CV's were defective from the start. Do you know what that means? That they did not work OUT OF THE BOX, independent of length issues. The plain fact is your junk outer CV's were defective, everyone who handled these in NJ (and PA for that matter, haha), experts included, knows this, and you can't stand behind them. Custom aspects aside, this should 100% be covered. The fact that the length isn't right is something I can't help- I did what I could and left it up to you. The defective outer CV's are your issue and you should have stood behind it, made the bars right to whatever length they should be (as a GURU), put GOOD outer CV's on them, and given me my axles.
"On 08/15/2007 he ordered the axles and we sent them on 08/20/2007.
JARED MCXXXX called soon after and said his car was still having the same problem, he believed the axles measurements were too long and asked if we could shorten them down to the stock style measurement we make for the custom application.(these are the same measurements he was told to use to start with) We explained to him that brand new parts do not separate easily and if they need to be cut apart for disassembly there would be a charge of $75.00. He was told if they came apart without any problem we would change the bar length at no charge to him. He agreed to the possible charge, was given a return number (RMA) for the new job and sent them back to us"
I didn't say anything about length when I called back because I can't speak about length, I have no way of knowing other than the checks you told me to do. From the get go I stated the outer's are defective, but you would not hear this. You only wanted to stick to what is NOT covered. You said you'd check the inner's to see if anyone showed evidence of hitting. In that case, if there was said evidence, you'd shorten them IF you could get the outer CV's off. The main reason I sent them, again, sheesh, was the defective, binding and notchy outer CV's. You are too proud to admit that your (probably chinese) outer CV's for your basic stage 0 axle could potentially be defective.
"We were able to get one axle apart but the other axle needed to be cut apart. In addition, on disassembly of the axles we found witness marks on the inner C.V showing the axles were in fact to long and proving his measurements could not have been correct to start with. At this time he was informed by our customer service rep Tad Todman that there was a $75.00 charge due. Even though he was aware of the possible charge and had agreed to the charge prior to the return, he became angry and argumentative. He left one message for me to call him, this was the only time he asked to have me call him back."
False, once again. Tad told me the week before that the outers were defective. I DOUBLE checked this statement with him, and told him that I was happy they admitted that. He said he'd get more details as they progress and I said at that time to have Frank call me before they made any moves. I received no call just as i hadn't after the first week they had them. I called back a week later, still not hearing back from Frank or Tad despite my second request, and Tad then sprung on me that they could not get one apart and wanted to charge me. I asked him again about the previous statement he said, and he tripped himself up over and over, but ultimately what I could pull from his cryptic response was that they were now not defective, but just could not be removed. He was not really sure and stated I needed to talk to Mr. "Impossible to Reach" himself, Frank.
Of course at this point I was aggravated and told Tad that this charade is not acceptable, I can't ever get Rehak to call me, so screw this deal, after a month of this BS with silly Stage 0 axles, forget it- REFUND ME and keep your junk. He once again said I have to talk to Frank. Wonderful Tad, just wonderful...I COULDN'T BECAUSE HE WON'T CALL ME!
"Later that day I returned his call. I spoke to JARED MCXXXX for the better part of an hour trying to see what else might be causing the problem with the car, he sounded desperate just like when he first called. He was frustrated, angry and argumentative, and I even offered to send the axles back to him at no-charge. About 50 minutes into the conversation he informed me he had already disputed the original charge with his credit card company (this was after 50 minutes of trying to help him) I explained to him again that at the time he placed his order he was aware that if I made the axles as he wanted them, I would be unable to give him any warranty/guarantee that the axles would fit properly, and that knowing this he still insisted on continuing with the job, I told him if he was going to dispute the bill there was nothing more for me to try to help him with."
I was never desperate, until it got to the point where i was being given the run around by Tad, and Frank not calling me back after multiple requests. I have been dealing with this vibration issue in my car since April...several months. I have another brand new car which I drive daily. I've spent about $6,000 on the complete tuned swap, and then another $2500 in add'l troubleshooting for the problem. I'm not in a rush and I do things right, independent of cost or time prohibition. Calling me desperate at any time other than after I was ripped off is a perception issue on your end. Your supposed "help call" was nothing more than going over the same crap we went over since day one. Insulting me by asking me for the probably fourth time if I changed my wheels and tires, asking me about add'l troubleshooting moves, mounts, exhaust, ball joints, ugh...I don't know how many times I had to, over the course of this whole thing, tell Rehak over and over what I've done to get me to the point where I'm ordering custom axles. Take some notes on your customers, write something down, do SOMETHING as opposed to insulting your customers and making them repeat themselves over and over about what they've done to the car to help fix the problem. I covered all my bases, and my bank account and car shows it, before I contacted DSS. You failed to realize on that call that I was the customer and you caused me a problem. Despite what you feel or think, I wanted you to call me for two weeks and you didn't. I was told one thing, and then told another by your right hand man. How would you have felt? You had my money, and my axles, and I could not, no matter how I tried, get you to call me. So, yes, at that point, I spent 45 minutes at my bank and disputed the charge. That never entered your head. You were just concerned about your machismo at that point. You didn't give a crap about what I've been through, you just heard that I reported it and you said you had nothing else to say to me. You failed to realize that I could have easily revoked the dispute. You asked me what can you do for me. I said i'd like axles that work, and would readily take them if they are not defective, however, I admitted to you that prior to your call i disputed the charge due to said ignorance. I could have revoked the dispute and we could have gone on our way, but you were instantly overly macho and butt-hurt about the fact that I reported you. You instantly zinged back that you have nothing else to say and that 'you will win anyway'. Really great way to deal with a customer who has been put through such paces with your company.
"Since our last phone conversation JARED MCXXXX has not made any effort to contact me. His axles are still here at our facility. We would like to send them back to him (at no charge as I had offered). We would need this customer to contact us with his current address info and a confirmation for delivery. Someone like this should be confined to an electric scooter, as this is about the mind set of someone who would carry on like this. JARED MCXXXX should be restricted to a electric scooter, this display of immaturity is what makes companies like us not want to try to help people with problems like this"
Ha- you said you had nothing else to say to me. Does that mean you wanted me to call you? Ha, didn't derive that from what you said, surprisingly enough! Next time don't let your defenses and testosterone get in the way of what you REALLY mean, because I surely didn't catch that you wanted to talk to me....
Driveshaftshop
SALISBURY,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
He was aware!!!
#12UPDATE Employee
Fri, October 05, 2007
When JARED MCXXXX first contacted me (Frank Rehak owner and 33 year veteran of the drive line industry) he wanted a set of axles for his vehicle, he sounded desperate, he told me wanted me to make them without measurements and each time I explained to him we do not do this. After several more phone calls he gave me the measurements for the car. I explained to him why his measurements were not and could not be accurate I told him his measurements should be very close to a stock style measurement as the Custom Swap in his car was very common.
After many more phone calls explaining my position to this customer and arguing with him over his inaccurate measurements, JARED MCIVER still insisted on continuing with the job, I explained to him that if I made the axles as he wanted them, I would be unable to give him any warranty/guarantee that the axles would fit properly due to the fact that we were asked to work with such inaccurate measurements for the car. He was completely aware that there would be no warranty/guarantee on the axle level he wanted. He still insisted on continuing with the job, this is after having tried 4 other sets that did not work from other company's including Factory Honda units and being told by us we didn't think the measurements given were correct.
On 08/15/2007 he ordered the axles and we sent them on 08/20/2007.
JARED MCXXXX called soon after and said his car was still having the same problem, he believed the axles measurements were too long and asked if we could shorten them down to the stock style measurement we make for the custom application.(these are the same measurements he was told to use to start with) We explained to him that brand new parts do not separate easily and if they need to be cut apart for disassembly there would be a charge of $75.00. He was told if they came apart without any problem we would change the bar length at no charge to him. He agreed to the possible charge, was given a return number (RMA) for the new job and sent them back to us.
We were able to get one axle apart but the other axle needed to be cut apart. In addition, on disassembly of the axles we found witness marks on the inner C.V showing the axles were in fact to long and proving his measurements could not have been correct to start with. At this time he was informed by our customer service rep Tad Todman that there was a $75.00 charge due. Even though he was aware of the possible charge and had agreed to the charge prior to the return, he became angry and argumentative. He left one message for me to call him, this was the only time he asked to have me call him back.
Later that day I returned his call. I spoke to JARED MCXXXX for the better part of an hour trying to see what else might be causing the problem with the car, he sounded desperate just like when he first called. He was frustrated, angry and argumentative, and I even offered to send the axles back to him at no-charge. About 50 minutes into the conversation he informed me he had already disputed the original charge with his credit card company (this was after 50 minutes of trying to help him) I explained to him again that at the time he placed his order he was aware that if I made the axles as he wanted them, I would be unable to give him any warranty/guarantee that the axles would fit properly, and that knowing this he still insisted on continuing with the job, I told him if he was going to dispute the bill there was nothing more for me to try to help him with.
Since our last phone conversation JARED MCXXXX has not made any effort to contact me. His axles are still here at our facility. We would like to send them back to him (at no charge as I had offered). We would need this customer to contact us with his current address info and a confirmation for delivery. Someone like this should be confined to an electric scooter, as this is about the mind set of someone who would carry on like this. JARED MCXXXX should be restricted to a electric scooter, this display of immaturity is what makes companies like us not want to try to help people with problems like this