LA_Dog
Go Fast, Go Faster
OK so I had a real pisser of a day dealing with Branch Okeefe. They are supposed to be one of the best places to have headwork done right? Maybe so- great reputation in that regard. But, I'll never know.
I brought my heads there about a month ago and asked if they could do three simple things:
1. check valve to valve clearance
2. unshroud the valves
3. enlarge the chamber to hit my target CC once I figured that out
I also said I'd pay cash and they have my permission to do whatever is needed, no rush. Ideal customer right?
They said sure no prob- I said it would be a week or so until I had the numbers spec'd out so they could do work, again no problem. I left the heads there with them.
[Week 1]
So I call a week later and talk to John Okeefe, I told him I have the correct numbers and he told me he'd also need cam specs. I said I'd email the info and told him to "do his thing" and set the chamber CC's per his best judgment given the cam specs, type of bike, and intended riding. He told me "ok".
I sent the info via email and then called to check if what I sent was ok. I was told yes all good.
[Week 2]
I waited a week and then called to check in (last thurs). Spoke with John and he told me he was going to do the work on the weekend and they would be ready by tues / wed (yesterday / today).
I passed this info on to my mechanic so he could plan things out time-wise, get my bike on the line etc.
[Week 3]
So I called today, this morning (wed), and checked status with John. John told me "oh I forgot- I'm glad you called so I can now remember to do them". wtf. ok, hey it happens right? So I ask him how long he says "maybe I can do it today - but really busy". So I said I'd check with him next week. He says "ok". But I have zero indication if or when they'll ever get done, and I got that overall "I'm getting boned" feeling.
I called my mechanic and told him what's up- no ETA on heads. He said he'd call over there to Branch and see what he can do. I then get a text message from him a bit later telling me to go and pick up the heads / no go. I'm like wtf but go drive down there (50 mile drive).
I get to Branch and John's not there but some guy "Charlie" is. I said I was there to pick up my heads. He fished around for them (they were stuffed on the back of a desk in a box under a bunch of other "apprently more important" customer boxes.)
He slaps them down on the desk counter and that's it. no comments, no 'hey thanks but sorry about that', nothing. I picked them up ready to leave and I said simply, "how about an apology for wasting my time".
Man the dude turned a shade of red and got all ape-shit attitude on me- Then has the nerve to say "I never told them what I needed done, so that is why they are not done". Apprently, John LIED about it and said he had no idea what was supposed to be done. And he knew full well what to do, and even gave me a delivery day (today).
So this guy Charlie is thinking there is no work to be done, my heads probably would have sat there until the cows come home, and i'm off my rocker or something in complaining. The work order attached to the heads was void of any work info as discussed and confirmed with John twice, and written in an email. In fact, the email I sent with the work instructions was conveniently missing- The only email attached was one that had cam specs and some other tech info John told me would be needed.
In short, absolutely worst experience I have ever had with a service provider. I mean the guy John totally blows it and then bullshits about it to cover his ass, the service guy is an ego-centric peacock, and they have ZERO regard for anyone's time or hassle.
If you deal with them, walk into it with a big expectation that you may have some problems. I have since found out today that this is not new behavior for this place so I'm probably just one of many "little guys" who have come in seeking top quality work and ended up grabbing ankle.
A real shame.
I brought my heads there about a month ago and asked if they could do three simple things:
1. check valve to valve clearance
2. unshroud the valves
3. enlarge the chamber to hit my target CC once I figured that out
I also said I'd pay cash and they have my permission to do whatever is needed, no rush. Ideal customer right?
They said sure no prob- I said it would be a week or so until I had the numbers spec'd out so they could do work, again no problem. I left the heads there with them.
[Week 1]
So I call a week later and talk to John Okeefe, I told him I have the correct numbers and he told me he'd also need cam specs. I said I'd email the info and told him to "do his thing" and set the chamber CC's per his best judgment given the cam specs, type of bike, and intended riding. He told me "ok".
I sent the info via email and then called to check if what I sent was ok. I was told yes all good.
[Week 2]
I waited a week and then called to check in (last thurs). Spoke with John and he told me he was going to do the work on the weekend and they would be ready by tues / wed (yesterday / today).
I passed this info on to my mechanic so he could plan things out time-wise, get my bike on the line etc.
[Week 3]
So I called today, this morning (wed), and checked status with John. John told me "oh I forgot- I'm glad you called so I can now remember to do them". wtf. ok, hey it happens right? So I ask him how long he says "maybe I can do it today - but really busy". So I said I'd check with him next week. He says "ok". But I have zero indication if or when they'll ever get done, and I got that overall "I'm getting boned" feeling.
I called my mechanic and told him what's up- no ETA on heads. He said he'd call over there to Branch and see what he can do. I then get a text message from him a bit later telling me to go and pick up the heads / no go. I'm like wtf but go drive down there (50 mile drive).
I get to Branch and John's not there but some guy "Charlie" is. I said I was there to pick up my heads. He fished around for them (they were stuffed on the back of a desk in a box under a bunch of other "apprently more important" customer boxes.)
He slaps them down on the desk counter and that's it. no comments, no 'hey thanks but sorry about that', nothing. I picked them up ready to leave and I said simply, "how about an apology for wasting my time".
Man the dude turned a shade of red and got all ape-shit attitude on me- Then has the nerve to say "I never told them what I needed done, so that is why they are not done". Apprently, John LIED about it and said he had no idea what was supposed to be done. And he knew full well what to do, and even gave me a delivery day (today).
So this guy Charlie is thinking there is no work to be done, my heads probably would have sat there until the cows come home, and i'm off my rocker or something in complaining. The work order attached to the heads was void of any work info as discussed and confirmed with John twice, and written in an email. In fact, the email I sent with the work instructions was conveniently missing- The only email attached was one that had cam specs and some other tech info John told me would be needed.
In short, absolutely worst experience I have ever had with a service provider. I mean the guy John totally blows it and then bullshits about it to cover his ass, the service guy is an ego-centric peacock, and they have ZERO regard for anyone's time or hassle.
If you deal with them, walk into it with a big expectation that you may have some problems. I have since found out today that this is not new behavior for this place so I'm probably just one of many "little guys" who have come in seeking top quality work and ended up grabbing ankle.
A real shame.
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