Strange Engineering
 

Is it just me? Every time I call these guys, I end up pissed off. **** customer service. Am I talking to the wrong guy or what?

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019

Re: Strange Engineering
 

The good people that used to work at Strange Engineering are gone.

Re: Strange Engineering
 

I ordered brakes front and rear and a master cylinder, they sent me a proportioning valve instead of the master cylinder. They did make a right but took some time. Ask them to send me a shipping label so I could send them the proportioning valve back never got it, they didn't charge me for it. Called them and reminded them I still have the valve and will send it back if they pay for it, haven't heard a word from them.

Randy Wells
I/S 5628

Re: Strange Engineering
 

Lol I called to order a set of axles earlier his year in Feb and never even got a hold of anyone..... I called Moser afterwords

Re: Strange Engineering
 

After trying to talk to the guy at strange I called Mark Williams lost sale for strange.

Re: Strange Engineering
 

Jason at M/W does a good job.

Re: Strange Engineering
 

I'm going to try and order a driveshaft from them online. Will see how that goes. LOl

Re: Strange Engineering
 

I just bought one from M/W, call Jason he will get it right the first time. I received it in a week.
Randy Wells
I/S 5628

Re: Strange Engineering
 

Mark Williams is the best.

Re: Strange Engineering
 

I just placed and received an online order and everything was as expected and timely.

Re: Strange Engineering
 

We have been using, and retailing Strange stuff probably before I was born. Bob and Jeff always did everything to get us Sportsman racers what we needed in a timely manner. If there are ever unknown issues these days, JC Cascio is the guy who needs to know whats going on. jc@strangeengineering.net or 847-470-6569 Hope he doesnt wanna kill me for posting that information............. but I know how them people are very well. If they dont have Edwin and the same crew working now, then I can about guarentee JC will kick them into shape, and fast.

Even though Dad isnt with us, I can still help any racer who needs to get something ordered through them. Lyn, you have a PM.

Tony

Re: Strange Engineering
 

I placed an online order with them for brakes last night and had a shipping confirmation around noon today.

Re: Strange Engineering
 

Carl,
Back in the '70s when there was a K&G across from Burholme Park did you use to come in there?

Stan

Re: Strange Engineering
 

My grandfather did.

Re: Strange Engineering
 

Carl,
I know I am no youngster but that makes me feel really old. lol Does he still enjoy the races?

Thanks,
Stan

Re: Strange Engineering
 

Mark Williams is the BEST!
I know a little pricey, but you will be very happy with the products when you install them and they are in the race car for years!
If you order axel's from them, you should get three - two for the car and one for your mantle.

Re: Strange Engineering
 

I've had nothing but great service from Strange,,,,even helped source bearings for a set of old Summer Brothers axles. -Al

Re: Strange Engineering
 

Yes. We just picked up a stocker. We will be out racing next season.

Re: Strange Engineering
 

Some Wednesday morning thoughts in ref to service and products.

Personal service is well noted with me because of being a business owner and customer. With any business transaction, I notice the service I receive. A pleasant, polite, respectful experience is always my desire, and when received, itis muchly appreciated. The thing is, if I do not pay attention, I can easily slip into my "entitlement" mode. I can easily think I am important; after all, I owned and operated a successful business for 48 years, civically active, a board trustee for Kilgore College, and have earned respect from my peers. [tonge in cheek]

On the other hand, I consider the product I am buying. Sometimes I overlook less than ideal service if the product is what I expected.

Think about the other side of the sales counter. Has that person had a stressful customer just before you? Has the salesperson had to deal with a rude customer who did not know what he wanted? Does the salesperson have a sick child or spouse?

In my mature years, I have learned to be more tolerant of things. I do not like poor service, but it seems a business transaction that can focus on the complete transaction if you are pleased with the product.

In summary, after having ordered, installed, raced, and sold Strange products for 30 + years, I remain happy and remain a loyal customer.

Re: Strange Engineering
 

OK, I'll bite. First off, I have no issue with products from Strange, over the years I have made numerous purchases from them for shocks, struts, 3rd members, axles, brakes and more. My issue specifically is their customer service specifically over the phone. This is not the first time I have got off the phone pissed off at the way I was treated by their customer service, I had the exact same experience with them last year but here is my most recent experience. I noticed that Strange was having a sale over the next few days so decided to purchase some parts for an upcoming project. Among other items I needed a set of the long stroke FWD conversion struts. I wanted to duplicate exactly what I had previously purchased from them which deviates from their normal package and, as I couldn't seem to get their online contact to work, I called instead. What I needed was to substitute the medium brake package for the heavy duty units, I needed a lighter spring than was listed and I needed the struts revalved. Initially, he told me that this couldn't be done, I told him that they had done this for me in the past and I could send him a photo to prove it. He then recalculated the price which resulted in a higher price than the list price on their website. I asked how it would cost more to put the heavy duty brake parts back on the shelf and give me a less expensive part. I figured so be it, go ahead and shut up and proceed with the order. I then asked how I proceed with the order as I was not able to get their online order form to work (it didn't work for me last year either), if nothing else give me an email address and I will outline the specifics. He said I can't have the discount unless I order it online. At this point, I'm getting pissed. First off you tell me that I apparently don't have the struts that I do have, then you want to charge me more for a less expensive part, lastly you tell me that I can't have the sale price because your website doesn't work properly.

And after all this you want to imply that I have an attitude?

Re: Strange Engineering
 

And after all this, you want to imply that I have an attitude?

No, not at all. I think in the same situation, I would have had a similar reaction. You described one of my pet peeves, failure to accommodate and flex for a repeat customer.

Thanks for giving more explanation.

Re: Strange Engineering
 

Many companies now only offer online discounts and not over the phone discounts. It sucks but they do that because it saves them money.

Re: Strange Engineering
 

I am lucky, MW's is a 20 minute drive for me. I did the addition to Mark's house back in the 90's. Nice house!

Re: Strange Engineering
 

I felt that it would be appropriate that I post a follow up on this subject. A few days after I posted on Class Racer and Facebook on this subject, I got a call from JC Cascio at Strange as he had been made aware of the posting. He obviously wasn't happy to hear that people were having issues with tech help and said that there would be internal discussion to improve the situation. In the end, he got my order clarified and I have received my orders. As I had previously stated, I have never had an issue with Strange as far a the quality of their products, this was just a communication issue. I hate to dump on JC after he helped me out on this but I would suggest that you keep his name in reference to Strange in case you run into similar issues. Happy ending to my experience.

On another subject, here's to wishing everyone a better racing year than our last one.

Jim Caughlin
SS 6019

Re: Strange Engineering
 

Just to see if I got this correct Strange was having a online sale of a prepackaged Strut set. But that is not what you needed so you wanted them to do a custom package with different brakes, spring and re-valved struts. Custom ordered over the phone But you expected the online price of the prepackaged struts. Am I missing something?

Re: Strange Engineering
 

Not the first time that I have bought struts from Strange:
1. Brakes are in a separate box, take the medium duty brake box off the shelf instead of the heavy duty brake box, seems pretty easy?
2. Springs are in a separate box, need 90# springs, take the box with the 90# springs off the shelf, seems pretty easy?
3. Need the struts revalved, no problem with paying the extra, just want it done before they ship. Seems pretty easy?
If making minor customizing to orders was harder than that, we would have been bankrupt a long time ago.