61 replies to this topic

[Blake Clements]

Is polishing the insides of your intake manifold legal??????

If it does not say you can, you can not. But, can you get away with it is a different question.

Not accusing anyone, just making a point.

Dave
Still 2 seconds off the pace

Sounds like we need to pull some shocks apart?

[Rob Gibson]

Just wanted to chime in that I've always had good experiences with Bernie, both from a quality and customer service standpoint. I'm guessing the complaints outweigh the compliments at least in part because complaints are usually voiced more often than compliments.

I also noticed most complaints are about customer service. While I've always had good customer service from Bernie, I have to pose the question: if you have to choose between good quality work and good customer service, which do you choose? I'm lucky that I've never had to choose, but if I had to, I'd take good quality work. So even if I didn't get the good customer service that I get from Bernie, I'd still use him.

[Jaime Florence]

I have been really amazed by the flakiness of many vendors in this industry in the past. It seems like if someone just did what they said they would do, and delivered when promised they couldn't help but be successful...but let's face it, it isn't easy to make money in racing.

For what it's worth I have been working with Bernie at SD for a couple of years (3 sets of shocks) and he has always delivered on time with no surprises. He has been one of the vendors that I wish others operated like.

[Dan Cooper]

Just wanted to chime in that I've always had good experiences with Bernie, both from a quality and customer service standpoint. I'm guessing the complaints outweigh the compliments at least in part because complaints are usually voiced more often than compliments.

I also noticed most complaints are about customer service. While I've always had good customer service from Bernie, I have to pose the question: if you have to choose between good quality work and good customer service, which do you choose? I'm lucky that I've never had to choose, but if I had to, I'd take good quality work. So even if I didn't get the good customer service that I get from Bernie, I'd still use him.

While I see your point in choosing between the two, I don't think its reasonable to "give vendors the excuse." We pay for a product service. Product + Service = ???

When at a restaurant, if your server is sub par it is usually shown in the tip after the meal. Right? How is it fair that others can get away with poor customer service just because we don't have to tip them in the first place?

[Rob Gibson]

While I see your point in choosing between the two, I don't think its reasonable to "give vendors the excuse." We pay for a product service. Product + Service = ???

When at a restaurant, if your server is sub par it is usually shown in the tip after the meal. Right? How is it fair that others can get away with poor customer service just because we don't have to tip them in the first place?

I know you didn't just use the word "fair" in a discussion about racing...

[Mike Collins]

For what it's worth. Bernie has always got me what I needed by when I needed it. No I did not get the "BEST" customer service I have ever seen. Yes I have paid for service and then waited a few days after I got the first shipping notice to get what I needed. But inthe same vein, I have twice called Bernie for a rush job and ot stuff the next day. Like Dave Wheeler, I know what I have ordered for my customers and have tested the results. Those that wanted stuff "on the edge" got exactly that, stuff that "might" pass. Those that wanted legal stuff got that got what they asked, legal stuff. Those wanted shocks for thier DE car got DE shocks ....

If you don't like the service or the product go somewhere else. If you are getting a value for what you are paying then continue to buy and know what you are likely to encounter.

For a small operation, you get what you get a one man band doing the best that he can. If you have something constructive to say feel free. Even if its negative thats OK. But lets not bash the person.

[Dan Cooper]

I know you didn't just use the word "fair" in a discussion about racing...

Touché. Discussion over

[Ryan10]

Hi everyone, I am with Stewart Development. I have been at SD for about 4 weeks and have been trying to help streamline some things in the shop and help customers out who have been waiting patiently! If you did not know the business moved, we are at 2454 D North Fayetteville Street Asheboro, NC 27203, our telephone number is still the same Tel: (336) 472-8772 but if you need immediate help please feel free to contact me here on Mazdaracers.com or email me. Our new shop gives us more room and provides a better work environment to service your shocks.

I have seen a lot of good comments on this forum and some unhappy ones. Our plans are to focus on our customer service moving forward as that is the major concern I hear about, it is one of the reasons I am here.

I look forward to hearing from you guys.


Ryan White
Stewart Development
www.stewartdevelopment.com
336-313-9638

[Muda]

Ryan told me "The shocks are in the mail".

Should see them on Tuesday.

[Ken Wilkinson]

Thanks to Ryan's post above, I contacted him and he was able to take care of getting me my rebuilt shocks.
Thanks again Ryan.

[Todd Lamb]

Well this is certainly a positive sign - hopefully SD can get things turned around for everyone!

[Ron Alan]

Well this is certainly a positive sign - hopefully SD can get things turned around for everyone!

Again!

But I cant complain...Mueller got me in and out!

[Alberto]

Been reading on Miata.net that Stewart Development is up to their old tricks.

http://forum.miata.n...ad.php?t=492913

[john mueller]

As of Mid-October 2011 Weekend-Racer.com is no longer reselling Stewart Development shock services and we are also not handling transaction & customer support. The reasons are varied but it boiled down to me not willing to accept delivery date slippage despite it being the nature of shock rebuild process.
 

I posted this way back in October 2011...  Just thought it stood to be repeated seeing that I've been getting emails & phone calls again. I wish I could help but I've not heard from Bernie for over 6 months.

[Johnny D]

Also Ryan White, AKA Ryan10 ^^^^ here, is no longer working with him, so please don't call him for status or pricing either.

J~

[steveracer]

Isn't FatCat rebuilding shocks now?

 

has anyone tried them?

[Rob Burgoon]

Isn't FatCat rebuilding shocks now?

 

has anyone tried them?

 

He has both sets of mine right now, I'll letcha know.

[marcusmazza]

1. RE Suspension (Roehrig Enders) also rebuilds Bilstein Shocks.

[Mike Collins]

For what it's worth. Bernie has always got me what I needed by when I needed it. No I did not get the "BEST" customer service I have ever seen. Yes I have paid for service and then waited a few days after I got the first shipping notice to get what I needed. But inthe same vein, I have twice called Bernie for a rush job and ot stuff the next day. Like Dave Wheeler, I know what I have ordered for my customers and have tested the results. Those that wanted stuff "on the edge" got exactly that, stuff that "might" pass. Those that wanted legal stuff got that got what they asked, legal stuff. Those wanted shocks for thier DE car got DE shocks ....

If you don't like the service or the product go somewhere else. If you are getting a value for what you are paying then continue to buy and know what you are likely to encounter.

For a small operation, you get what you get a one man band doing the best that he can. If you have something constructive to say feel free. Even if its negative thats OK. But lets not bash the person.

 

I have been a fan of Bernie for years and a defender of his business.  

 

In full disclosure he has had four sets of my shocks for over 7 months with payment in full at the same time.  He has contacted me several times, as had Ryan while he was in Bernie's employ, and while a number of promises have been made.  I have no shocks.

 

I know of two other racers with Shocks at Bernie's now with no response and no shocks.  

 

I would love to hear of results from other vendors.

[john mueller]

I have been a fan of Bernie for years and a defender of his business.  

 

In full disclosure he has had four sets of my shocks for over 7 months with payment in full at the same time.  He has contacted me several times, as had Ryan while he was in Bernie's employ, and while a number of promises have been made.  I have no shocks.

 

I know of two other racers with Shocks at Bernie's now with no response and no shocks.  

 

I would love to hear of results from other vendors.

 

 

I worked with Bernie for most of 2010, these sort of delivery issues soured our working relationship and caused it it end.  However the man is not a thief by design, but it has indeed defaulted on that all too often.

 

When he and I first started working together he had a large back-log of shocks he owed folks (none were SM), all were one-off's for street miata's, Ledgend's and various other race cars.  One of the first things Bernie wanted my help with was to get this back-log shipped and the customers happy... With the exception of a very small few he accomplished just that in about 45-days.

 

This disappearance feels different to me, I hope he is okay.