[Ohkun]

Aside from alignment job itself, I don't think I ever met more rude person in my life. (well.. from customer-shop relationship anyways)

noting in specific, just rude in general.

simple question, (actual question about job that was done on my car) he just brushes off and walks away.. and few other things.


just not a shop that I would like to spend my money on future.

just my 2 cents..

another reminder why I should work on my own car..
no one gives fuck any more..

[impactX]

PDM was censored as "$$$" for a reason... :lol

[flagella]

Tough to find a good shop these days. Dipshits everywhere with shitty customer services.

[TypeRNammer]

Who was being rude to you?

[Solo_D33A]

That's why I like Garage5, customer service is top notch. One of the few shops I'd be happy to spend money in... if I never need something to be done that I can't do or too lazy to do anyways. :p

[thumper]

why is it everyone has had a crap experience with them? i admit i'm not a regular but in the half-dozen times i've had to go there (last time was about 1/2 year ago) i've had good service... someone even stayed late for me after i called in saying i wasn't able to make my appointment in time :o

[alex.w *//]

Who was being rude to you?


probably big fat DON

[Ohkun]

Who was being rude to you?

Don himself. the owner.

I'm not the only one who felt the same way.

too bad I didn't ask around before I went.

[jaretron]

I went to Don for an alignment and he was more than nice. He took me into the back of his shop and showed me around and pointed out some stuff on my car, we talked for a while. I'm always surprised to hear so much bad about PDM.

[turb0fr3ak]

Don is turd. but my alignment was good

[Expresso]

Just depends on if he is in a good mood or not and usually that is pretty rare it seems. lol

[SumAznGuy]

Aside from alignment job itself, I don't think I ever met more rude person in my life. (well.. from customer-shop relationship anyways)

noting in specific, just rude in general.

simple question, (actual question about job that was done on my car) he just brushes off and walks away.. and few other things.


just not a shop that I would like to spend my money on future.

just my 2 cents..

another reminder why I should work on my own car..
no one gives fuck any more..


Your recollection of the incident is a little vague at best.

Not having been there, I can't say for sure, but I don't have any problems with them when I go there, and I am not a true regular customer.

You might have caught him in a busy time, or you might have done something to make him upset.

[Phil@rise]

every shop has there moments
remember the shop is just a reflection of the people that run it and all people have there moments

[|<e|_]

yeah i went to pdm for alignment before too. i had a good experience with them. Don didn't just set the alignment and sent me off like other shops. He asked about how I like the handling of my car and what I would want changed and did the alignment according to that. The car felt great afterwards.

[Ohkun]

Your recollection of the incident is a little vague at best.

Not having been there, I can't say for sure, but I don't have any problems with them when I go there, and I am not a true regular customer.

You might have caught him in a busy time, or you might have done something to make him upset.

Like I said on my original post, "noting in specific, just rude in general"

They weren't that busy, I did not do anything to make him upset.
I did not even talked him for that long. After question or two, it was very clear that he was asshole so I didn't bother.

[SumAznGuy]

Like I said on my original post, "noting in specific, just rude in general"

They weren't that busy, I did not do anything to make him upset.
I did not even talked him for that long. After question or two, it was very clear that he was asshole so I didn't bother.

I hope you don't speak the same way you type.

If you do, that might explain why he was rude to you. :eek:

[Greenstoner]

I went there for alighment before and dont have an issue. I forgot if i was dealing with DON, but it was a skinny guy who helped me.

[Ohkun]

I hope you don't speak the same way you type.

If you do, that might explain why he was rude to you. :eek:

No I don't, they have my car, why wouldn't I be nice to them? I know better.


btw, are you saying shops have right to be rude to customer if customer is not nice?

[TypeRNammer]

probably big fat DON

Don himself. the owner.

I'm not the only one who felt the same way.

too bad I didn't ask around before I went.

Don is turd. but my alignment was good

Yeah what a douche, he was giving me shit cause my front camber kit, two bolts came off on daily driving I came back there and he wouldn't re-do my alignment.

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs248.snc1/9517_155696678759_507998759_3598577_3649860_n.jpg

:mad:

Dale's Alignment > PDM

[hotong]

+1 for garage five great customer service!

[Greenstoner]

I heard many good things about Dale's Alignment, but they are always fully booked and kind of out of my way in Langley.

[Truenosan]

Friend's car went in for an alignment, tie rods were loose afterwards, and he claimed it had nothing to do with him.

Although personally, he has been nice the few times I was there picking up parts.

[Doridori]

I was there before too,
He was pretty nice, he gave me a ride in his golf.

[Roach]

Bad mood or not, we all go through moods and it's prudent to keep your problems to yourself. This is business, not an opportunity to take your problems out on someone.

+1 to both Dale's Alignment and Garage Five. I've had excellent experiences at both and regardless of price I will return as a customer because they treat me with respect.

Kev

[¯uÁÖ§_]

The OWNER of PDM is so RUDE! you guys please circulate rapidly for not going to PDM shop. PDM has BAD service quality, quality of work, and quality of parts!!! DO NOT BUY, VISIT or even ThINK of PDM shop !!!

[RotaryX]

edit

[borabora]

ok..... wth

[!Tigger]

i buy parts from him, his work is fine, just hope you catch him on a good day

[BEEB]

DON is rude in general, period !!

I'd been there for Motul, Brake lines, exhaust, etc. And his employee seems fine sometimes, but once I'm there to pick up, DON would be like the last person you want your parts from.

- I've waited 2 week for a custom PDM in house Stainless brake line, and DON won't make it until I showed up in his shop watching him make it in 10 minutes.

- I've called for a quote to cut and weld an exhaust for a Subaru WRX, and DON told me to search Ebay because he would charge me closer to 6 bills for a simple cut and weld on 3" exhaust flange.

- I've called trying to book in an aligement for my Garage Queen and DON refused to do it cause his shop is busy. Told me to call again in a few weeks.


I might just be unfortunate to catch him on the wrong times, but ..... no way I'm returning to PDM and I'll continue to spread the bad words about their customer service. As long as I can inform all my friends to stay away from PDM even for small business, PDM probably lost about 30-40 business opportunity because of my bad experience with them.

[dton13]

Bad mood or not, we all go through moods and it's prudent to keep your problems to yourself. This is business, not an opportunity to take your problems out on someone.

+1 to both Dale's Alignment and Garage Five. I've had excellent experiences at both and regardless of price I will return as a customer because they treat me with respect.

Kev

Agreed. Especially if you know you're working in a business which has you constantly dealing with customers. Everyone has their bad days but professionalism means you can put the moods aside. Reflects badly on you and your company.

[SumAznGuy]

DON is rude in general, period !!

I'd been there for Motul, Brake lines, exhaust, etc. And his employee seems fine sometimes, but once I'm there to pick up, DON would be like the last person you want your parts from.

- I've waited 2 week for a custom PDM in house Stainless brake line, and DON won't make it until I showed up in his shop watching him make it in 10 minutes.

- I've called for a quote to cut and weld an exhaust for a Subaru WRX, and DON told me to search Ebay because he would charge me closer to 6 bills for a simple cut and weld on 3" exhaust flange.

- I've called trying to book in an aligement for my Garage Queen and DON refused to do it cause his shop is busy. Told me to call again in a few weeks.


I might just be unfortunate to catch him on the wrong times, but ..... no way I'm returning to PDM and I'll continue to spread the bad words about their customer service. As long as I can inform all my friends to stay away from PDM even for small business, PDM probably lost about 30-40 business opportunity because of my bad experience with them.

Can't comment on the SS brake line, but I won't make judgement without knowing his side of the story.

Simple cut and weld 3 inch flange. By any chance would this be on the exhaust or some harder metal to make a poor man's exhaust?
I know he charged very little to cut the stock pipes and weld on flanges for a 90 degree dump tube.

When did you try to book your alignment? If it was in the summer during racing season, there is a good chance he was busy getting his race cars ready for a big US event.

[cdizzle_996]

Dale's Alignment ftw.

[freakshow]

Not having been there, I can't say for sure, but I don't have any problems with them when I go there, and I am not a true regular customer.You're sure defending them a lot for a place where most of the people in this thread have confirmed the same things, that the guy is rude, and you need to 'catch him on a good day'.

[EndLeSS8]

I've been going to PDM for about a year now, anything from buying oil, to getting my clutch replaced, to coilover install, etc and here are my thoughts.

The technician is a great guy, good to get info from, and chill.
The owner is 90% of the time, a rude jerk. Terrible customer service skills.

HOWEVER..... They do good work, with good results, for fair prices. So I keep going. I've been to another shop in Burnaby, but their work isn't as good as PDM, unfortunately.
Because of this, I go to PDM.
However, I NEVER recommend PDM to anyone, even if they do good work.

I've never been to Garage5 because it's so far in Richmond. I might go to check it out.

[TypeRNammer]

The tech I absolutely don't mind, he's actually pretty nice.

But because of don, the one experience ruined it for me.
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[FeistyBearH22a]

I heard many good things about Dale's Alignment, but they are always fully booked and kind of out of my way in Langley.

I know Im in the minority but I had a fucked up experience with Dale's. I've done quite a bit of research and found that they had overwhelmingly positive feedback.

I call to book an appointment they asked about the car. I gave them the details. Anyways, on the day of the appointment they call me two hours before my appointment to get me to come in early. Because they're closing early. I told them that there is not way since I was still fixing something with the car and I won't be able to come in that early. They told me they wouldn't be able to do my car that day. I spoke to the shop manager and he then proceeded to give me quite the tongue lashing. About the fact that I was being "demanding".

Didn't feel I was really demanding pretty choked about the whole incident.

[tonyzoomzoom]

I've been a customer of pdm for more than six years -- bought parts, alignment services, and installs. Most of that was done by Don and I've never had an issue with him.

[SHIFT_drift]

droping mad cash = happy

small stuff = rude

[Ohkun]

Can't comment on the SS brake line, but I won't make judgement without knowing his side of the story.

Simple cut and weld 3 inch flange. By any chance would this be on the exhaust or some harder metal to make a poor man's exhaust?
I know he charged very little to cut the stock pipes and weld on flanges for a 90 degree dump tube.

When did you try to book your alignment? If it was in the summer during racing season, there is a good chance he was busy getting his race cars ready for a big US event.


I don't even care if PDM is own by your father or someting,
you can defece PDM all day long.

Bottom line is, Don at PDM is an asshole, and I'm not the one who felt the same way. (I'm actually very suprised by LARGE number of ppl who had similar experience)

I won't ever go again, and I'll stop every one I know from going to PDM.

done.

[SumAznGuy]

You're sure defending them a lot for a place where most of the people in this thread have confirmed the same things, that the guy is rude, and you need to 'catch him on a good day'.

I'm not defending him, but showing his side of the story since he isn't here to defend himself.

I've known him long enough to know what he is like and some of these stories makes sense and I can believe it is true. It it was 2 weeks before the National Tour weekend in Washington, even racers can't get a minute of his time as he is working on his own race car.

As for the custom brake line, maybe it is because it only takes 10 minutes to make, yet cost $$$ in parts in case the guy flakes. I can understand why he would wait till the guy shows up to make up the brake line.

But hey, it sure is fun watching a fight when only one side shows up.

:Popcorn

[freakshow]

While we're at it, I'll put in another vote for Garage 5. Nothing but top-notch service with great prices every time I've been. You can even go there any day they're open and expect the same friendly people!

[SumAznGuy]

I don't even care if PDM is own by your father or someting,
you can defece PDM all day long.

Bottom line is, Don at PDM is an asshole, and I'm not the one who felt the same way. (I'm actually very suprised by LARGE number of ppl who had similar experience)

I won't ever go again, and I'll stop every one I know from going to PDM.

done.

That's fine. You have your opinions and are free to express them here, just like I am free to express my opinions, but please use correct english for starters.

If PDM is as bad as everyone claims, I'm sure they will have no business and close up shop.

[SpuGen]

I bought parts from Don, and did my alignment there too.

Other than the pricey part, I would recommend them to my friends, and I have.

My Alignment only ended up being pricey because they were trying to fix my rear camber for a bit, but the bolt ended up being seized, and I had them redo my height twice. I also rebalanced my rims there too and found out that it was WAY WAY off on all of them. The shop I had it done at before did it twice and it still ended up being fucked until I brought it to Don.

They do great work, and I'd say I'm a regular customer there.

[Ohkun]

That's fine. You have your opinions and are free to express them here, just like I am free to express my opinions, but please use correct english for starters.

If PDM is as bad as everyone claims, I'm sure they will have no business and close up shop.


picking on grammar.. how classic :haha:

hey guess what? this is Revscene.

I don't need to speak proper English

[Kilinim]

+1 for Don and PDM as a business. I've had nothing but positive interactions since I've recently started bringing my car there.

[TypeRNammer]

This is the same ordeal as Muffler Man vs Quiet Muffler in Burnaby.

Both shops have their positive comments and their negative comments.

[hk20000]

Don's ok he knows his stuff. But Whiteline stuff don't last in Vancouver weather. Did have a mishap with Don in the past but he righted it for me. So I think it's all just business.

OP might have asked something really weird/retarded/stupid that he would rather not spend time to teach you how it really is?

Elaborate on what you "asked him about your car".

[spoon.ek9]

had my alignment done there too. as the others have said, technician was a nice guy but the owner seemed like an asshole. plus, i only heard him say one sentence and it wasn't even directed at me. his facial expression and body language sceamed "i'm an asshole" :eek5r:

[GabAlmighty]

Got the volvo aligned there one time, skinny tech dude was nice and talkative to me. Showed me the cars he was building. Don did seem kinda rude, hard to engage in conversation.

[turb0fr3ak]

dude why pay g5 "the middle man" just go to the source at sakos and pay half price

[Blinky]

Screw PDM!

I hear parts at AJ Racing are the total real deal steal and the staff at Advance Automotive is tops!

---

I've patronized PDM before in the past and experiences have been generally good - tire mounting, alignment etc. Don knows his stuff and will be helpful, especially if you're into motorsport. I would agree with SumAznGuy - when he's in "race mode" he can be quite unfriendly.

If you don't like it, it's your choice whether you choose to give him your hard earned $. There are lots of other options out there in Vancouver so if you don't like the parts or service, spend your buck where you feel happy. :thumbsup:

[blackg]

I had my "WORST" experience with DON at PDM. He was extremely RUDE to me when I tried to get an alignment done there. He screwed up my car's alignment and I need to go to another shop to fix it right away. And I actually paid him for the alignment. STUPID ME.

I WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN EVEN THEY HAVE SOME NICE TUNING PARTS AND A GOOD ALIGNMENT MACHINE! WORST CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE EVER IN MY LIFE.

THIS HAPPENED TO ME 2 YEARS AGO AND I STILL REMEMBER LIKE IT HAPPENED YESTERDAY! I even remember another shop guy there said "sorry" to me.

may be there's discrimination? I don't know.

[EndLeSS8]

had my alignment done there too. as the others have said, technician was a nice guy but the owner seemed like an asshole. plus, i only heard him say one sentence and it wasn't even directed at me. his facial expression and body language sceamed "i'm an asshole" :eek5r:

I think for me the first time I realized that he's an ass, was when I was sitting on the couch, and he answered a call. He answered the phone pretty rudely, and afterwards when he hung up, he swore under his breath, but it was pretty loud.

[alex.w *//]

all you nissan 240 fanboys must think don is god

[GabAlmighty]

I saw him at the bottom of Gaglardi one time in his 240 coupe. He had that mad tyte techno bumpin

[alex.w *//]

While we're at it, I'll put in another vote for Garage 5. Nothing but top-notch service with great prices every time I've been. You can even go there any day they're open and expect the same friendly people!

the reason why garage 5 is super nice is that they have service advisors. the 2 guys that sit at the desk all day only talks to the customers and never work on the cars. The tech's work on the cars and never talk to the customers.

while at pdm, DON does both tech and cs. If hes frustrated at working on a car at one point, then all his anger goes out to the customer.


this goes for evo garage in richmond too
- david has his good and bad days sometimes and it reflects

[jeffh]

you gotta remember PDM is one of the very few ACTUAL race shops in BC.
i can understand if Don comes off as a bit short with ricers that roll in with zero offset wheels on their civics and shady scabbed together welding projects and the like. hes got REAL race cars with customers with tens of thousands of dollars in their track only cars, with very real deadlines and performance goals to meet. he might not have time to talk shop with every stickered up pimply faced kid that rolls in to his building

ive competed against Don and his shop on numerous occasions and he is a gentleman and a true pleasure to get beat by, always a word of advise on a line or encouragement or even just hanging out in his big ass air conditioned trailer on the side of a paddock in 40 degree heat shooting the shit

[1990TSI]

I've dealt with don and PDM on the buisness side and had no issues. He's always been friendly and polite and answered questions without being rude or short with me.

I've also talked to him at the Auto-X, and he's been friendly as well.

He even made positive comments about the Hyundai at auto-x.


I think jeff has the right idea here.

[Ohkun]

you gotta remember PDM is one of the very few ACTUAL race shops in BC.
i can understand if Don comes off as a bit short with ricers that roll in with zero offset wheels on their civics and shady scabbed together welding projects and the like. hes got REAL race cars with customers with tens of thousands of dollars in their track only cars, with very real deadlines and performance goals to meet. he might not have time to talk shop with every stickered up pimply faced kid that rolls in to his building

ive competed against Don and his shop on numerous occasions and he is a gentleman and a true pleasure to get beat by, always a word of advise on a line or encouragement or even just hanging out in his big ass air conditioned trailer on the side of a paddock in 40 degree heat shooting the shit

Are you saying unless person has "REAL race cars", they deserve to be treated like shit?
last time I check, he is still charging $80/hr whether it's RACE car or some rice mobile.

I took my not-so-riced out s2k and asked him ONE freaking question about ACTUAL job that I REQUESTED.
oh and this was when I was there to pick up my car. first time talking to Don

[BEEB]

Should anyone teach DON a lesson on how to run a proper business here? If customers (people who pay the bill) have to "catch him on the right time", then customers should simply not go to PDM at the first place. However, when customer can't catch him on the right time, customers have the right to complaint for the bad service they received from DON.

If DON's a tech + Customer rep, DON should hire an extra person to represent the store or at least get "Hypa" to arm the front. It's not a legit reason to express his anger or frustration to anyone except himself.

DON might have good sportsmanship, but not Customer service skills.
DON might have good alignment skills, but not Customer service skills.
DON might have built fast 240s, but not Customer service skills.
DON might have an established race shop, but not Customer service skills.
DON might be busy with all the races he have to attend, but not Customer service skills.

Got that?

[BEEB]

Can't comment on the SS brake line, but I won't make judgement without knowing his side of the story.

Simple cut and weld 3 inch flange. By any chance would this be on the exhaust or some harder metal to make a poor man's exhaust?
I know he charged very little to cut the stock pipes and weld on flanges for a 90 degree dump tube.

When did you try to book your alignment? If it was in the summer during racing season, there is a good chance he was busy getting his race cars ready for a big US event.

I've dropped off my leaking Wilwood SS brake line to DON as a template or reference as of what length I needed it to be. And still gotta wait for 2 weeks for it. I could've purchased it directly from Wilwood and received quicker service. But I thought PDM would be a local shop with a quicker turn around time. Mind you that my car was forced to be undrivable for the period that DON had screwed me over.

Exhaust as in a Supersprint downpipe for an STi. The pipe was about 1 inch too long and I need it to be cut and welded, no extra material needed. DON told me that his minimum charge was like $175 for "blah" and $XXX for "blah". He proceed to tell me to buy a pipe off ebay. But Duh... the ebay pipe might need to be modified as well.

Yes, I was looking to get an aligement during summer. That's why I would drive my garage queen !! So, I should pre-book my alignment in the winter when DON's not too busy eh !

Thanks to this thread and I've released all my anger with PDM. I feel better now !!

[mx555]

don is an asshole. quoted wrong parts, went to pick up the parts when they arrived and he denied quoting prices completely.
did an alignment for me a while back. i watched by the shop door. told me to get out and sit down.
who in their right fucking mind would conduct business like that?

edit: if he's knee deep in his own shit, and has to go around snapping at people cuz he's too busy, clearly it's not a good time for him to have the shop open. OR have somebody else man the front.

nobody's asking for don to be a joy to talk to. just not to be such a rude little prick.
we're there to spend our hard earned money, not to suck up to some stuck up 240 racing god.

[SpuGen]

I watched the entire process of my Alignment and other work that I had his shop do.

It wasn't a party, but you don't bother a guy when he's working.

[!SG]

Just to be fair on this matter, no one likes being watched while they work.

There are signs there for a reason (employees only), but sometimes you need the bay door open as it gets stuffy and everything with exhaust fumes.

If you worked in an office environment, how would you like it if you had someone peering over your shoulder while you worked? I had a customer do that while we lowered his car, he was so paranoid, he pulled up a fold out chair, and sat right next to the hoist as we worked on the car.

sorry but thats wrong, and wcb wont like it.

small shops stay afloat by doing what they can, which means covering all little aspects of the job. this means paper work up front, to sales to technician. If you cant understand the stress of covering all those jobs when in reality they should be done by individuals per job, then maybe thats why sometimes u catch somsone off gaurd on a bad day. it cant be helped as everyone is human.

Maybe try bringing some donuts or snacks for the guys, everyones happier with a sandwich in their hand... unless they are knee deep in some automotive fluid, then ur just taunting them!




don is an asshole. quoted wrong parts, went to pick up the parts when they arrived and he denied quoting prices completely.
did an alignment for me a while back. i watched by the shop door. told me to get out and sit down.
who in their right fucking mind would conduct business like that?

edit: if he's knee deep in his own shit, and has to go around snapping at people cuz he's too busy, clearly it's not a good time for him to have the shop open. OR have somebody else man the front.

nobody's asking for don to be a joy to talk to. just not to be such a rude little prick.
we're there to spend our hard earned money, not to suck up to some stuck up 240 racing god.

[Greenstoner]

IIRC, the receptionist was pretty cute when i was there about 1 and half year ago.. lol (or at least sounds cute in the phone)

i cant remeber

[lowside67]

IIRC, the receptionist was pretty cute when i was there about 1 and half year ago.. lol (or at least sounds cute in the phone)

i cant remeber

Bwahaha... really?

[Wormiez]

I had good experience with Don in the past. My expectations were met as I went in for Don's skills in corner weight and balance.

Its been so long but I found my old car on their retail page... FC3S FTW!

http://www.pdm-racing.com/retail.htm

[SumAznGuy]

I had my "WORST" experience with DON at PDM. He was extremely RUDE to me when I tried to get an alignment done there. He screwed up my car's alignment and I need to go to another shop to fix it right away. And I actually paid him for the alignment. STUPID ME.

I WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN EVEN THEY HAVE SOME NICE TUNING PARTS AND A GOOD ALIGNMENT MACHINE! WORST CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE EVER IN MY LIFE.

THIS HAPPENED TO ME 2 YEARS AGO AND I STILL REMEMBER LIKE IT HAPPENED YESTERDAY! I even remember another shop guy there said "sorry" to me.

may be there's discrimination? I don't know.

I talked to Don about your incident and from what he said, it wasn't exactly as you described.

I'll leave it at that.

[mx555]

I completely understand that nobody wants anybody breathing down their neck. I also completely understand what Don goes through every single day. I've been in his situation, I've been in almost the exact situation many other time. I used to work at an independent shopping, manning the customers, parts and mechanics. u could argue that obviously we weren't as busy as the great PDM, but hey, at the end of the day, I didn't/couldn't lose my cool when i'm dealing with a customer. if during race season he's too busy to care about anybody else but the race guys (understandable), maybe he should close down the front of the shop, and work on the humorous race cars he's got to get done. there are always ways and reasons why and how u keep business and emotions separate. all i'm saying is don doesn't know how. and thats the fact.:)
Just to be fair on this matter, no one likes being watched while they work.

There are signs there for a reason (employees only), but sometimes you need the bay door open as it gets stuffy and everything with exhaust fumes.

If you worked in an office environment, how would you like it if you had someone peering over your shoulder while you worked? I had a customer do that while we lowered his car, he was so paranoid, he pulled up a fold out chair, and sat right next to the hoist as we worked on the car.

sorry but thats wrong, and wcb wont like it.

small shops stay afloat by doing what they can, which means covering all little aspects of the job. this means paper work up front, to sales to technician. If you cant understand the stress of covering all those jobs when in reality they should be done by individuals per job, then maybe thats why sometimes u catch somsone off gaurd on a bad day. it cant be helped as everyone is human.

Maybe try bringing some donuts or snacks for the guys, everyones happier with a sandwich in their hand... unless they are knee deep in some automotive fluid, then ur just taunting them!

[Hakkaboy]

Like I said on my original post, "noting in specific, just rude in general"

They weren't that busy, I did not do anything to make him upset.
I did not even talked him for that long. After question or two, it was very clear that he was asshole so I didn't bother.


what were these questions that you asked, and what was his response?

[jeffh]

Are you saying unless person has "REAL race cars", they deserve to be treated like shit?
last time I check, he is still charging $80/hr whether it's RACE car or some rice mobile.

I took my not-so-riced out s2k and asked him ONE freaking question about ACTUAL job that I REQUESTED.
oh and this was when I was there to pick up my car. first time talking to Don

its called priorities my friend. if ive got one guy giving me 80k or a 4 year period that ive known and had a service relationship with and one other guy giving me $75 that jsut walked in off the street. but only enough time to serve one properly, im taking care of my repeat customer 1st and best
thats life

[freakshow]

you gotta remember PDM is one of the very few ACTUAL race shops in BC.
i can understand if Don comes off as a bit short with ricers that roll in with zero offset wheels on their civics and shady scabbed together welding projects and the like. hes got REAL race cars with customers with tens of thousands of dollars in their track only cars, with very real deadlines and performance goals to meet. he might not have time to talk shop with every stickered up pimply faced kid that rolls in to his building

ive competed against Don and his shop on numerous occasions and he is a gentleman and a true pleasure to get beat by, always a word of advise on a line or encouragement or even just hanging out in his big ass air conditioned trailer on the side of a paddock in 40 degree heat shooting the shit
I can respect a guy that wants to build 'real' race cars.. unfortunately, he's just going to pay for his crappy customer service in some areas. IF (a big 'if') what everyone says in this thread is true, then it's simple: If you are looking to build a track car, take it to Don. It sound's like he'd love you and your money, and has the skills and experience to back it up.
If you're only going there a few times a year, unless you like gambling, go elsewhere for your parts and service.

[!Tigger]

just thinking, hes not only a automotive repair shop, hes a race shop, and a store. running all three at the same time. i think theres only like 4 employees there. so it can be stressful

but he should still be nicer to some customers.

[SumAznGuy]

I've dropped off my leaking Wilwood SS brake line to DON as a template or reference as of what length I needed it to be. And still gotta wait for 2 weeks for it. I could've purchased it directly from Wilwood and received quicker service. But I thought PDM would be a local shop with a quicker turn around time. Mind you that my car was forced to be undrivable for the period that DON had screwed me over.

Exhaust as in a Supersprint downpipe for an STi. The pipe was about 1 inch too long and I need it to be cut and welded, no extra material needed. DON told me that his minimum charge was like $175 for "blah" and $XXX for "blah". He proceed to tell me to buy a pipe off ebay. But Duh... the ebay pipe might need to be modified as well.

Yes, I was looking to get an aligement during summer. That's why I would drive my garage queen !! So, I should pre-book my alignment in the winter when DON's not too busy eh !

Thanks to this thread and I've released all my anger with PDM. I feel better now !!

Now that we have more detail, let's take a closer look.
On the down pipe, I can only assume your car is not an Sti or else the pipe would fit properly.
If that is the case, is there any reason why you didn't get on that fits properly?
And if your car is an Sti, why doesn't the down pipe fit properly?

What material is the down pipe made of? What type of finish does it have? Is it really as straight forward as cutting and welding on a flange?

I know another RS member was quoted $600 to do a custom wastegate dump on his Sti. It was on the high side, but not too far off of what he ended up paying from RR.

As for alignment there's only 3 weeks in a year, other than Christmas and New Years, where he is busy enough to turn business away. Given how much time and $$$ he has dumped into his race car, I think you can cut him some slack for putting your alignment second to his race car.

Just so you understand, it is pretty much the biggest autoX weekend in the Pacific Northwest. Over 1000 cars participate over 2 days. And I would believe he has some sponsorship so placing well might be very important for him.

As for me, you might think I am biased, but there is a number of times where he went above and beyond as a friend/fellow autoXer/mechanic and the same thing will be said from other racers, as well as the fact that he gives back to the local autoX scene as a sponsor. So I am willing to cut him some slack, and will be his voice while being the grammar police.

[GabAlmighty]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O6bWb7oEuE

[BEEB]

I would hate to argue with you on revscene, but this is revscene....

Based on the price quote, I am looking for
- cut about 2 inch of Supersprint Stainless steel downpipe off the straight section. Weld it back.
As simple as I can mention to you, I've a real JDM exhaust (which JDM exhaust is a big longer than USDM exhaust due to the difference in length of the downpipe).

So, why do I wanna buy a ebay exhaust or downpipe? anyhow, I've sold my subaru long ago and glad I would not go to PDM anymore. I can get all my stuff from other shops or get other shops to work on my cars now. I'll try hard to stay away from 240's too. :D

Why are you trying so hard to defend PDM? I'm a customer, and I get to complaint if I'm felt that i'm not being treated the way I'm supposed to be.
DON have full right to turn away my business, I've my full right not to bring my business there. And Also, I'll try to "INFORM" all my friends not to go there.






Now that we have more detail, let's take a closer look.
On the down pipe, I can only assume your car is not an Sti or else the pipe would fit properly.
If that is the case, is there any reason why you didn't get on that fits properly?
And if your car is an Sti, why doesn't the down pipe fit properly?

What material is the down pipe made of? What type of finish does it have? Is it really as straight forward as cutting and welding on a flange?

I know another RS member was quoted $600 to do a custom wastegate dump on his Sti. It was on the high side, but not too far off of what he ended up paying from RR.

As for alignment there's only 3 weeks in a year, other than Christmas and New Years, where he is busy enough to turn business away. Given how much time and $$$ he has dumped into his race car, I think you can cut him some slack for putting your alignment second to his race car.

Just so you understand, it is pretty much the biggest autoX weekend in the Pacific Northwest. Over 1000 cars participate over 2 days. And I would believe he has some sponsorship so placing well might be very important for him.

As for me, you might think I am biased, but there is a number of times where he went above and beyond as a friend/fellow autoXer/mechanic and the same thing will be said from other racers, as well as the fact that he gives back to the local autoX scene as a sponsor. So I am willing to cut him some slack, and will be his voice while being the grammar police.

[EndLeSS8]

Not having been there, I can't say for sure, but I don't have any problems with them when I go there, and I am not a true regular customer.

You might have caught him in a busy time, or you might have done something to make him upset.

I'm not defending him, but showing his side of the story since he isn't here to defend himself.

I've known him long enough to know what he is like and some of these stories makes sense and I can believe it is true.


As for me, you might think I am biased, but there is a number of times where he went above and beyond as a friend/fellow autoXer/mechanic and the same thing will be said from other racers, as well as the fact that he gives back to the local autoX scene as a sponsor. So I am willing to cut him some slack, and will be his voice while being the grammar police.

:rolleyes:

[hk20000]

As for me, you might think I am biased, but there is a number of times where he went above and beyond as a friend/fellow autoXer/mechanic and the same thing will be said from other racers, as well as the fact that he gives back to the local autoX scene as a sponsor. So I am willing to cut him some slack, and will be his voice while being the grammar police.

That makes you a lot less in line with the people that complain on this thread.

Again, I'm not biased, I don't own a 240, I buy my stuff elsewhere and get them installed elsewhere, because it's not an AutoX car or race car. If you catch my drift (That get me kicked out of autoX career in the first place)

Good luck with whatever you are pursuing. I'll never understand race shops or people that take racing seriously.

Bad customer service is bad customer service though, like this guy said.

DON might have good sportsmanship, but not Customer service skills.
DON might have good alignment skills, but not Customer service skills.
DON might have built fast 240s, but not Customer service skills.
DON might have an established race shop, but not Customer service skills.
DON might be busy with all the races he have to attend, but not Customer service skills.

Got that?

It's all business, nothing more. And he's not covering that up either.

[!SG]

ok enough with the ragging on shops, seems like the IT thing to do on the start of this new year.