Kustom Metal Werks

[Don]

While I did not have all the difficulties everyone else has had, I did want to share my experience so everyone can form their own opinions. Here goes:

* Contacted George mid-December 2001 leaving a message I wanted to place an order. Received a reply phone call allmost immediately.
* Ordered a side exhaust system for the Classics Roadsters Cobra , specified the mufflers could not exceed 85DB at normal road speeds, to which George had agreed. Included with my letter were detail pictures of the rear mounting bracket which attaches just in front of the rear wheel. I did this not knowing if CR had used different mounting brackets, wanted to match the installed system.
* Had received very prudent advice not to pay in advance. However, by paying in advance the order would be expedited and there would not be any shipping charges, savings of $60
Letter with my check was mailed on 12/23/01, check was deposited by George on 12/31/01.
* During January and February '02 made phone calls and sent e-mails as to the order staus, no replies. Requested tracking numbers, but was not aware that he ships by USPS, not UPS
* George later explained that he had lost my letter and e-mails so could not ship without knowing how to contact me. Thanks to Don Scott, who George had contacted, and Don suggested to me that I advise George again which I did do. System was shipped on 2/21/02 via Parcel Post. Had expected the shipment in mid-January
* Shipment arrived with a COD fee of $101. Since I already had a sizeable investment by paying in advance, I elected to pay the COD and rationalized that I could resolve the charges at a later date. In later e-mails from George, the COD fee was for shipping charges as he changed his policy after the first of the year. in 2002. Even though I ordered in 2001 and paid in advance, the shipping charges still applied.
* Order was shipped in a very sturdy well built aluminum container with excellent packing and protection of the ends, no intransit damage. Overall, the quality of the fabrication is excellent. Mounting bracket was welded to the muffler, not to the end pipe as requested and shown in the pictures I had sent.
* George also informed me the "silencers " had been shipped on 3/7/02. Without my knowledge he had substituted this approach rather than using the mufflers as agreed upon and ordered. He explained the "silencers" fit in between the primaries and the side exhaust system. To this date I do not know what they are or look like since the shipment has never been received. Numerous follow-ups have been made since 3/7/02 with no response
* Requested a refund of the $101 COD fee since I paid in advance, in 2001, and George had agreed to pay the shipping charges, have not received a reply or the refund.


.......please excuse the length of the experience, but................