totaljdm.com is CRAP!

blairellis · 04-10-2004, 03:37 AM

NEVER Do Business with this company even if someone has a gun to your head.

My brother has not had ANY luck with them AT ALL.

First experience was posted up here and Im sure some of you guys saw what they sent him.

Severely mangled harness, no ecu, and other attrocious things.

Second experience. This was delivered today.

This is even worse than the first. The valvecover is CRACKED and yet again, no ignitor chip or legit harness. Not to mention they sent it collect and my bro paid it because he was sick of waiting for a motor. Well now we are stuck with a large chunk of scrap metal sitting in our barn.

If anyone does business with this company and gets some sh*t motor. DO NOT SAY there was no warning on this site.

I will not even accept an s15 motor with a 6speed trans from them if they gave it to me. It would probably be as bad or worse than the ones he has had shipped to him.

EDIT** Check posts below for updates.

celm · 04-11-2004, 11:28 AM

isnt that the canadian shop?if so u cant trust those damb canadian!!!when they sell stuff to us ,they charge us in US dollars so they make on the exchange difference! BASTARDS!!

whitehawk · 04-11-2004, 07:57 PM

TotalJDM.com (11:57 PM 4/11/2004): Yep, I'm aware of that thread. This matter is being taken care of and will be fixed.

Maybe this situation will get cleared up like he says....

97SE-R C2 · 04-11-2004, 08:18 PM

Damn

Crim · 04-11-2004, 08:50 PM

wow, I'd never buy a damn thing from them! Thanks for the headsup!

"we recommend you search around and don't look for just the lowest prices, because it is very easy for you to be ripped off with junk parts. Instead, search for a more credible company with no complaints against them on message boards."

Now thats some funny sh*t!

blairellis · 04-11-2004, 09:11 PM

>Hi Brent,
>
>Sorry for late reply I just got back in town. I handle phones and was gone
>for a couple days and the answering machine must have been full. In any
>case
>that's not the issue. It's about 1:30am here so I'm guessing it's too late
>to call you. I will personally give you a call after I hear back from you.
>
>About the engine, you have to understand a few things. We ship a lot of
>engines out and I DO take care of each and every one of my customers. I am
>under the impression that you think we ship out junk and then ignore the
>customers. But understand that we have warranty policies AND terms and
>conditions clearly listed on our website to prevent customers from making
>their own rules. They are STANDARD in the industry for any credible dealer
>(for non-credible dealers they couldn't care less) and we are already on
>top
>of everyone else. They are there not only to protect us, but also to
>protect
>you. Please read them again. Please also understand I am not writing this
>email in order to prevent a previous threat from you to sue us - I am
>writing this because I take care of each and every one of my customers and
>I
>do not expect anyone to 'give up' like other dealers do.
>
>Firstly, understand we take NO re-stocking fee - if another site sent you a
>so-called bad engine, you would have to pay ALL shipping charges, PLUS a
>15-25% re-stocking fee to get a replacement. We even paid for the shipping
>charges from you over to us. But customers are responsible for all shipping
>charges as clearly stated in the Warranty section just like any Internet
>retail merchant. Rules are set so that both parties know what happens in
>the
>transaction. If you don't even read the rules/policies and don't follow
>them, how can you say we're the ones who are cheating or ripping you off?!
>
>Secondly, I don't want to bring up the ECU issue again, but I will mention
>it here once again. We never, ever ship out 'missing' parts to our
>customers. If we did, don't we think they would find out? It's a little
>obvious if something like an ECU is missing. As a matter of fact, on the
>photo you sent us at first, there is a little bump where the ECU is
>attached. The second issue to deal with is the fact that with Mr. Norman's
>group buy, another guy already had a so-called 'ECU-issue'; he sent back an
>S14 ECU and said we sent him a wrong ECU. Our warehouse took it back only
>because the S14 ECU is worth more than the S13 ECU and we sent him an S13
>ECU. Trust me, we do NOT send out wrong or missing ECUs. We have huge
>accounts with Yellow Transport and they do NOT steal our customers' ECUs or
>parts. The only 'logical' explanation is that the shipping company who
>brought the motor to you stole it. You will have to file a claim with them
>and as I mentioned *several* times before I will GLADLY assist you with
>filing the claim. So far you haven't requested anything from me in terms of
>any required documentation other than "you ripped me $250 for an ECU". I
>tried my best to get the warehouse to send you a new one any way but they
>said it's just too hard because we never have any ECU problems and on this
>group buy, it's the second one already. And from a neutral standpoint, I
>can
>understand that. Once again I will repeat this Brent - I will do anything
>on
>my part to help you file a claim. Just let me know.
>
>Thirdly, well, I guess this isn't an important issue because I assume you
>never read the Warranty Policies. But please understand another thing Brent
>- these are USED engines. They are USED engines from over 10 years ago in
>great running condition. You never, ever even installed or even cranked up
>any of the engines sent to you and all you've said so far is that you don't
>like the appearance of the engines. Our warranty doesn't even cover the
>appearance - it covers the engine block and the head only like any other
>credible engine dealer. Nevertheless, with the first engine we sent you, I
>bugged the shippers in the East and we still replaced it for you. How can a
>crack in the valve cover affect the compression of the engine? This again
>might not mean anything to you or the situation, but the crack could have
>resulted from shipping the engine over here, shipping it to you, or maybe
>while taking it out of the car in Japan, but like I said it has nothing to
>do with the performance of the engine and that's the main thing you're
>complaining about right now. Honestly, what you need to do is purchase a
>new
>engine, not a used one. We don't warranty valve covers and I highly doubt
>anyone else will.
>
>So the question is: is a junk dealer someone who ships out a functional
>engine with a crack in the valve cover or someone who ships out an engine
>with no compression? According to you, both are considered 'rip-off'
>dealers. Like I said before Brent, you honestly sound like a reasonable and
>great guy and I'm sure you're not intentionally ripping us off. Your past
>emails indicated to me that initially you were enthusiastic about the motor
>so obviously you have no bad intentions and you've been more than patient
>throughout. But what I think is that you have unrealistic expectations and
>you really honestly need to save up for a NEW car or a NEW motor. Not a 10+
>year old "junk" motor. Please don't assume I'm accusing you of anything,
>but
>you sent us back a motor that WE paid for the shipping, that wasn't even
>cranked up (you don't need to install it to crank it up, a mechanic will
>know how to do it with a proper power supply) and you're accusing us of
>'screwing you over'. Not to mention once again that we warranty only the
>engine block and the head. I'm not doing any finger-pointing here, but I'm
>sincerely asking you not to do any finger-pointing either.
>
>Again I'm sorry to hear you are unhappy but I am doing my best on my part.
>You can ship the motor back to me if you are really unhappy and wish to
>take
>your business elsewhere. I will issue a full refund for the price of the
>motor exactly as promised - I even lose money for paying for the shipping
>from you back to us the first time even though the performance of the motor
>was never tested in both cases (and that's what we warranty for exchanges).
>Even then, I will not take a re-stocking fee from you and I GUARANTEE you
>we
>are the only ones who will do that even after paying for the shipping
>charges from you back to us. I'm doing this because I will absolutely,
>positively, honor any promises I make to the customer as stated on the
>Terms
>and Conditions and Warranty policies even though most other dealers out
>there couldn't care less. I'm not doing this because I am avoiding a
>'potential lawsuit' or 'potential charges' so you can ask your brother to
>stop wasting his time. However he is pleased to do as he wishes.
>
>Please reply, thanks. I wish to resolve this, not ignore it as you claim.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Herman
>herman@totaljdm.com
>1-88-TOTAL-JDM
>1-888-682-5536
>http://www.totaljdm.com

blairellis · 04-11-2004, 09:12 PM

>From: "Herman (Total JDM)" <herman@total-boost.com>
>To: "'Brent Ellis'" <grey240drift@msn.com>
>Subject: RE: New Engine
>Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2004 09:56:39 -0700
>
>Good morning Brent,
>
>Alright, I guess the situation is set. You're not going to get the point
>about a few things:
>
>1) You haven't read our Warranty Policies before or after purchasing
>2) Refer to #1
>3) We warranty the PERFORMANCE of the motor. That would be the head and the
>engine block. It sounds to me you're more interested in having a
>mint-looking 10-year old motor than a high performance motor. I suggest
>Ebay. I've heard of many good-looking motors that don't work when you
>purchase them from there, but the prices are good.
>4) A 'crack' in the valve cover is a 'busted ass' engine? That would affect
>the PERFORMANCE of the motor? If your mind is set on this there's no point
>discussing this situation any further.
>5) This is a 10+ year-old used motor. You are buying a high-performance
>used
>motor. And for the 3rd time, 2-3 inch crack in the valve cover won't affect
>its performance.
>
>Our refund policy is 7 days and even though it has been a month, I will
>still honor it. Obviously you don't care, but if you take your business
>elsewhere and see what kind of service you will receive, then it will
>probably matter much more.
>
>In any case I don't like to argue with customers and I will fulfill all
>promises as made. You don't have to 'demand' your money back - I will
>graciously refund any customer as we have promised, even though we paid for
>freight one of the ways. Send it back to us (freight pre-paid, as clearly
>stated on the Warranty Policies page) and I will refund you for the price
>of
>the motor (as also clearly stated on the Warranty Policies page). That is
>not your right - it is a privilege I'm granting you more than 7 days after
>you received your order. When we have received the so-called 'busted ass'
>motor back exactly as you received it, I will send you a check to the
>address we have with our order.
>
>Thanks. Send the motor back and consider this matter closed if that's what
>pleases you. You do not have to contact me further for the refund. Put on
>the invoice that it is a return. Here is the address:
>
>Total-Boost.com
>8250 Du Creusot
>Montreal, Q.C.
>H1P2A4 Canada
>
>Honestly Brent, if that still does not please you, we'll go by the book:
>it's been 7 days after you received your motor so firstly, there's no
>refund. Secondly, if there is, we'll deduct the amount that we paid for the
>freight from you to us. Thirdly, if you're sending it back for another
>'warranty' exchange we'll refuse it because you haven't even tested the
>performance of the motor to deem it non-functional! I really don't want to
>do that, I'd rather resolve the situation.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>Herman
>herman@totaljdm.com
>http://www.totaljdm.com
>1-88-TOTAL-JDM
>1-888-682-5536

blairellis · 04-11-2004, 09:12 PM

>From: "Herman (Total JDM)" <herman@total-boost.com>
>To: "'Brent Ellis'" <grey240drift@msn.com>
>Subject: RE: Engine
>Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2004 15:51:19 -0700
>
>Hi Brent,
>
>No problem. I understand your frustration. Honestly man, you don't know how
>many people call me everyday to say they got ripped off on Ebay, by Osaka,
>or other companies and they always say how do I know you'll send me an
>engine or offer your guarantees. My reply is simple: you don't. But you
>won't find anything bad about us sending out "real" garbage engines that
>don't work. You know what, I purchased a bodykit and a set of rims off Ebay
>myself; the bodykit I got screwed for $500 and the rims I paid $1300 for
>them but I got a set of $300 fakes. sh*t happens. It's the net. You really
>have no clue whom you're buying from.
>
>As for the motor, like I said before and I'll say it again: the offer is
>always there. I will refund you if you are not happy regardless of how many
>days it has been since you first received the motor. However, we cannot pay
>for the shipping charges back to us again simply because there's really
>nothing wrong with the motor. It looks like any 10+ year-old motor out
>there
>and runs fine. The first time we already paid for shipping charges back to
>us and both times you sent it back to us you never really paid any regard
>to
>the performance of the motor and you just didn't like the appearance. You
>don't have to replace 'most of the things on the engine' to get it working
>properly but there's routine things you have to replace in all engine
>swaps.
>Again, remember these are used engines and they are 10+ years old. We're
>going to pay for the $250 charge out of our pocket for the first time it
>was
>returned already and we can't lose anymore money simply because you didn't
>like the appearance of the motor. I hope I don't sound like a dick because
>that's really not what I mean; what I'm saying is, you're returning it for
>not the right reasons and we can't pay shipping charges for the customer
>because we're already losing too much.
>
>I will definitely take back the motor and give you a refund, just give me a
>heads up when you are sending it out. You can give your try somewhere else
>and let me know what you come up with.
>
>I will be out of office for a couple more days because I just got back.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Herman
>herman@totaljdm.com
>http://www.totaljdm.com
>1-88-TOTAL-JDM
>1-888-682-5536

blairellis · 04-11-2004, 09:13 PM

Straight from their warranty page:

Total JDM Motors strives to offer you the highest quality products available on the market. All JDM engines we carry are hand-picked, low-mileage engines imported straight from Japan with no damages at all. They are carefully cleaned and inspected before and after they arrive from Japan.

You'll find that we won't lower our prices to offer lower quality products. We understand that you, as a customer, don't wish to save a few bucks for cheaper quality, and our iron-clad return policies guarantees just that.

Return/Exchange Policies

Our return/exchange policies are amongst the best in the industry. We stand behind the quality of all our products and our 100% customer satisfaction record.

Returns for exchanges/refunds are allowed within 7 calendar days from the day you receive the merchandise (as shown by the tracking number)
Authorized return merchandise must be unused and in it's original saleable packaging, and must be returned in resaleable condition. All packaging, documentation, warranty cards, instructions and hardware must also be returned.
Your invoice and packing slips must be returned with the return merchandise.
Customers are responsible for all shipping costs for purchases and returns. Also, no collect shipments will be accepted. Insure the returned parts for it's full value to protect yourself against loss with the carrier. We strongly recommend using a courier. If you send something Freight Collect to totaljdm.com, it will be refused by the Receiving Department. This is a standard policy across Internet retailers.
Returns/exchanges will not be allowed on merchandise that shows signs of having been installed, modified, painted, or used in any way. This is an industry-standard exclusion policy.
No returns or exchanges will be accepted on Light Bulbs, Electrical Items, Used merchandise, Used JDM items or Special Order items. However, returns will be accepted for JDM engines if they are different from how we represented them on this website. Total JDM is a rare company which accepts returns for JDM engines without re-stocking fees because we stock only the highest quality motors and no customer has ever wanted to return them.
Our top quality JDM engines are subject to NO re-stocking fee off the price of the engine - the lowest in the industry! - because we never receive any returns on them. The industry standard is a 15-25% re-stocking fee because most other companies receive a regular rate of returns from knowledgeable customers who notice that they ship out poorer quality engines. Our competitors will set a higher re-stocking fee to deter people from returning the engines even if the quality and performance are poor.
All products except JDM engines are subject to a very reasonable 10% re-stocking fee. Industry standard is also 15-25% because competitors are looking to make money if you do not like the product.
Shipping costs are strictly non-refundable and customers are responsible for all shipping costs on returns. This is another industry standard because unfortunately we are not able to be reimbursed for the shipping costs.

Warranty Policies

All merchandise sold by totaljdm.com is subject to manufacturer's warranty and conditions, if any, and is subject to submission to the manufacturer for inspection and approval for repair, or replacement of merchandise.
All other accessories sold by Total JDM Motors is subject to a 90-day totaljdm.com warranty, excluding, light bulbs and electrical parts. No warranty whatsoever will be valid if the defect was caused by customer's abuse, misuse, negligence, or mishandling.
There are no warranty on USED merchandise (except for JDM Engines). These items are sold as is. If an item arrives damaged, totaljdm.com will assist the customer in filing a claim with the shipping company.
JDM Engines are subject to an iron-clad 30-day warranty on engine block and head only. The warranty guarantees there will be no problems if the engine is installed properly. Please see below for our full warranty policies on JDM engines.
Customer will also be responsible for all shipping costs: the return to totaljdm.com, the shipping to the manufacturer and the shipping back to the customer. This is a standard policy across Internet retailers.
No labor or inconvenience claim may be included in the warranty claims.
totaljdm.com highly recommends that you always keep your stock parts for as long as you have your vehicle. Therefore, total-boost.com is not responsible if your car is inoperable due to sending us the part for warranty claim.
All return products must have a RETURN MATERIAL AUTHORIZATION # (RMA#) issued by totaljdm.com. Returns will be refused without an RMA number. You can receive an RMA number by contacting us or through our order-tracking interface.

JDM Engine Warranty

ALL JDM Engines shipped out are guaranteed to be the highest quality available. They all have low mileage, and are inspected several times (once in Japan, twice in our warehouse) before they are shipped out to you. Many of our competitors usually ship out slightly damaged engines with high-restocking fees and erroneous warranty policies to prevent you from being able to return the engine.

The JDM Engine Warranty policy covers the engine block and head ONLY. The warranty covers all internal engine parts and does not cover transmission or other parts that are not a part of the engine block or the head. Engine block, cylinder barrels and cylinder head are warrantied to be free of cracks or distortion.

Please understand this is a used engine which has been in use for 10,000-50,000 miles (depending on the year of manufacture). It is not brand new. There may be scratches or dents on the appearance of the engine because it is a used engine. There may also be fragile plastic/metal parts that could possibly break, bend, or crack during shipping. Majority of all parts can be replaced with parts from your original engine or at a local junkyard, or can be repaired by your mechanic. Some replaceable parts may also be missing on certain motors if they are damaged (such as down pipes and sensors), and that is due to the nature of used engines.

JDM engine warranty covers only its performance. Due to the nature of used engines, and because this is a performance product, the warranty does not cover cosmetic or visual damage (such as scratches or dents). The warranty covers only damage to the motor which will prevent it from starting up.

Warranty is valid ONLY if installation is performed entirely by an experienced, certified mechanic. Certificates of training and legal documents from the mechanic who performed the swap are required for warranty claims. Unfortunately, we cannot warranty damage that could be caused by installation by novice or unskilled personnel. There are too many possibilities how even the slightest improper installation or improper wiring can cause problems which appear to be knocking sounds or poor compression from the motors.

Because we are not able to control how you install and use the engine and because they are used engines, the following parts are not covered by warranty:

All external parts of an engine such as axles, steering and air conditioning pumps, intake and exhaust manifolds, carburator, alternator, distributor, starter, emission, thermostat, belts, hoses, clutch, flywheel, pulleys, wiring, computers (ECU), turbocharger units, fuel injector, gaskets, sensors, and any plastic trim pieces.
The loss of engine, if the engine is red-lined or competitvely raced.
The loss of engine as a result of insufficient amount of oil in the engine.
Any labour for installation or removal of any defective part of an engine.
Any damage to the engine being improperly installed.
Loss caused by modification or forced induction (NOS, Turbos, Supercharged) for which the engine was not designed.
Loss caused by overheating of the engine, unless overheating is the direct result of the failure of an internal part of the engine.
Any tune ups and adjustments in belts, hoses, filters, emission control devices, sparkplugs, etc.
Decrease in performance of any covered part due to normal wear and tear, unless actual breakdown occurs.
All return products must have a RETURN MATERIAL AUTHORIZATION # (RMA#) issued by totaljdm.com. Returns will be refused without an RMA number. You can receive an RMA number by contacting us.

Total JDM Motors Group Corporation is not responsible for merchandise that it does not actually receive or is not returned in accordance with all of the above terms.

If you have any other questions or concerns which are not listed here, please do not hesitate to contact us at 1-88-TOTAL-JDM (1-888-682-5536) or at info@totaljdm.com - we are here to help!

blairellis · 04-11-2004, 09:13 PM

now here is the email that i just sent him:

Herman,

A few thoughts on your last email and some others I have had questions about
while I mull this over.

Are we supposed to shell out the money for a ignitor chip and uncut harness
which was supposed to be with this and the original engine in the first
place, since it was paid for? Neither of them are with this engine. Also
what are we supposed to do about the valve cover (which cannot be bought in
America, only imported from Japan) and the oil pan which has 2 nails in it
(which would hamper the oil pan from holding oil and working properly)? Not
to mention its leaking all over the place, which I think is from a dented
pan causing misalignment and not letting it seal properly. Those are
obviously required things with running an engine.

If you want to go on technicalities also, your warranty says that it does
not cover the cosmetic side of things like dents and scratches. Well last I
checked a un CRACKED valvecover or punctured oil pan was needed to get ANY
kind of performance out of an engine. This is a required item and would
prevent it from starting up. Just like your warranty describes.

We need all these parts from you as they are supposedly covered under
warranty. I cant even try to start it up to check to see if it works
properly if I do not have all the parts that I need (which you referenced to
in your other email). If you cannot provide these parts we need to be
compensated for them so we can purchase new ones.

Thanks,
Blair

Crim · 04-11-2004, 09:37 PM

WHAT THE HELL!?

They're saying its ok to ship out a motor with a cracked VC just because its a used motor? Thats called selling JUNK or CRAP or BROKEN product. Man what a bunch of shady bastards. If its cracked, they should atleast have swap'd it with a good one... ATLEAST...

blairellis · 04-11-2004, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crim

WHAT THE HELL!?

They're saying its ok to ship out a motor with a cracked VC just because its a used motor? Thats called selling JUNK or CRAP or BROKEN product. Man what a bunch of shady bastards. If its cracked, they should atleast have swap'd it with a good one... ATLEAST...

not to mention include a uncut harness which my brother paid for, an ignitor chip which was paid for, and i wont even get into the oilpan....

G2002 · 04-12-2004, 04:56 AM

[quote=blairellis]Straight from their warranty page:

Returns for exchanges/refunds are allowed within 7 calendar days from the
No returns or exchanges will be accepted on Light Bulbs, Electrical Items, Used merchandise, Used JDM items or Special Order items. However, returns will be accepted for JDM engines if they are different from how we represented them on this website.
QUOTE]

Looks to me like they probobly didn't tell you that the motor had a cracked valve cover when you bought it. As they say your suposed to be able to send it back.

Honestly this is the first time in my life something like this has been usefull to me. Me and my bro-in-law where planing on buying 2 det's to do our swaps. That site cought our eyes becuase of the prices, but I think we should just save up the extra dough and buy from a reputable place like JGY or Miko. If not that I would rather take my chances on ebay. At least with ebay I'd save more money and I would kind of expect to get a shady motor.

This looks to me like it is an unethical company that is just out to scam people with its nice site. Thank god for forums like this so BAD COMAPNIES LIKE TOTALJDM.COM can be exposed. Good luck and I hope everything works out for you.

97SE-R C2 · 04-12-2004, 08:34 AM

Soko would have already shipped you a VC and oil pan with a ignitor chip and un cut harness wrapped in christmas paper.

Daley · 04-12-2004, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celm

isnt that the canadian shop?if so u cant trust those damb canadian!!!when they sell stuff to us ,they charge us in US dollars so they make on the exchange difference! BASTARDS!!

I think you're grouping your own 'intelligence' about damb Canadians being shady, with the part that orders coffee every morning.

Pull your head out of your ass and realize that not ALL Canadians screw people around. I could say, because a couple people have had bad experiences with JGY (JUST AN EXAMPLE), that ALL Americans are shady too.

Quit being so naiive.

nx-r_waz · 04-12-2004, 10:52 PM

Damn, you're clearly in the right here - I wouldn't attempt to start/test a motor with a cracked valve cover and punctured oil pan - these parts are OBVIOUSLY not cosmetic problems. Surely they have some spares of these parts that they could send you......