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riot
06-09-2003, 04:20 PM
http://www.riotdesigns.com/cusco_comp.jpg
I purchased a set of Cusco Coilovers from Tokyo Connection a few months ago. When I received them my car was not on the road. I noticed that on one of the front coilovers there was what appeared to be a light coating of oil of somesort. First thing I thought of was "it's blown". I didn't want to jump to any conclusions until I get it on the car.

I got my car on the road and sure enough I noticed quite a bit of noise coming from the front right corner and would bottom out on a regular occasion. The damper was blown. I removed them recently to find this:
http://www.riotdesigns.com/240sx/cusco_comps/images/DSCF0012.jpg
(more pictures at http://www.riotdesigns.com/240sx/cusco_comps/ )

I contacted Tokyo Connection and this is the reply I received:


Ryan,
I do remember you specifically due the post office incident. I am really sorry about one of the coilovers being dead. Just wanted to let you know I do not sell junk setups. All of the coilovers I buy from the clearing house here in Japan have a 2 week warranty which most are tested for oil leaks and dampening specs here at their facility. That setup was tagged as being tested and having no known problem. I can assure you that there was no visible oil leak when I picked them up since I visually inspect the seals for oil seapage, and piston rods for uniformity. I've sold over a hundred coilover setups in the past 45 days and several more over the course of the last year to US customers and I haven't had any complaints.
Do this for me, check and see if there is any place in the US that can overhaul that specific coilover and I will pay for it. If there isn't a place that can overhaul it then you can send that one back and I can get it overhauled for you. Overhauls cost about $150 a set for the basic work ie; oil seals and gas/oil recharge. I really do apologize for this crappy experience. I will be out of town from 17 May - 20 Nov so please get back with me as soon as you can. I'm willing to work with you on this. Forgetting about a sale is not my style so I'll try to accommodate as much as possible.
thanks and once again I do apologize.


I was glad to see that he was going to work with me after all. We then discussed several options and although the cost for a new damper is $167.27, I simply asked for a $100 refund. This was a DEAL for him. He responded with..

That sounds fair. I can send you a money order out since I closed my Paypal account...maybe a little too soon. Send me your mailing address referencing this situation and I'll send you a money order either today or tomorrow.

One more request, I saw a thread on the forum where you mentioned me in regards to your product. I'd appreciate very much if you can provide a positive thread related to that situation.

thanks!


I retracted my statements on this board about him being a "shady seller" and sent him an email with my address to which he responded..

Ryan,
Glad we could get this worked out. I'm not one to screw anyone, as I know
the difficulties of buying stuff form the internet.
I'll let you know when I send out the money order.

thanks again


That was on 4/29/2003...and that was the last time I have heard from him. I never received my money order nor have I heard back from any email. He did say he would be "out of town" from "17 May - 20 Nov" however I emailed him several times up until then with no response.

Now this is the hard part, because I don't want to come off as the "asshole buyer" who bad-mouths someone, but frankly...I was screwed. I take full responsibility for buying USED goods online and ACCEPT the fact that items are sold AS IS. But when a seller promises to send money or work with me in one way or another, I expect him/her to follow through.

I understand that several users on this board have had good luck with dealing with this individual. I do not doubt they have. But I personaly am a bit upset. So if anyone is considering purchasing from this individual in the near future, please think twice.

Furthermore, Tokyo_Connection...if you are out there and would like this post removed, please contact me ASAP ([email protected])

-ryan

Dousan_PG
06-09-2003, 04:23 PM
i heard tokyo_connection is now in the United States...california
beyond that i have no more information

riot
06-09-2003, 04:27 PM
Like I said...Tokyo_Connection...if you are out there...especially if you are in Cali...its only a matter of $100...please don't stiff me.

-ryan

ruf
06-09-2003, 04:28 PM
Originally posted by dousan36
i heard tokyo_connection is now in the United States...california
beyond that i have no more information Call the A-Team! The Fall Guy! Hunter! TJ Hooker! :axe:

Yoshi
06-09-2003, 04:35 PM
Wow.
First off, I'd like everyone to recognize that Riot is being a very fair person about this, that's very commendable. Most people would have screamed that they'd been raped of their hard earned money by some scumbag who's only goal in life is to prey on the unknowing.

Riot, your post was well thought out, and pretty fair, all things considered. This really has no bearing on the matter at hand, but I'd just like people to take an example from this post.

The biggest problem with buying stuff, especially used car stuff, online from other individuals, is the lack of communication. You don't hear tone of voice, see body language, or even get to look someone in the eye. It's a lot of blind trust, and u know what? Sh|t Happens. It's happened to me before, and chances are, it'll happen to everyone sooner or later. The important thing is to handle it well once it occurs.

Good job Riot for not being an a$$ about a tough spot :D (where's the thumb's up smiley? Guess this will have to do :bigok:

scandalcat1
06-09-2003, 04:51 PM
hey riot, sorry to hear about your issue and all. one of my mechanics can repair your blown coilover for $90 plus shipping. but to be honest, it might take some time since he is a busy guy. just a thought.

well, i would give him a little more time, it sounds like he travel between here and the country (japan). i do surely appreciate the heads up on this individual and will be used as a cautionary measure. past that, seek some type of mediation before going into litigation. the court costs may end up being more than the set of coilovers were int he first place.

riot
06-09-2003, 04:55 PM
Originally posted by scandalcat1
hey riot, sorry to hear about your issue and all. one of my mechanics can repair your blown coilover for $90 plus shipping. but to be honest, it might take some time since he is a busy guy. just a thought.

well, i would give him a little more time, it sounds like he travel between here and the country (japan). i do surely appreciate the heads up on this individual and will be used as a cautionary measure. past that, seek some type of mediation before going into litigation. the court costs may end up being more than the set of coilovers were int he first place.

Wow, looks like we are in the same city. Is your mechanic in town? I actually ordered just one new damper for just over $150...that'll do for now.

-ryan

scandalcat1
06-09-2003, 06:47 PM
yes, the mechanic is in town. his second job is with a machine shop on gen. mcmullen on the west side where he does the work. if you are really interested, e-mail me.

s30
06-15-2003, 04:16 PM
Last time I talked to him he had to take a detour before he will be back in the States. He is in the military so I think it will take awhile before things can be sent out when the ship is out at sea. I'm sorry you had to go through that, but admire how you've been so patient with the whole situation. Let us know how it turns out.

riot
06-15-2003, 05:03 PM
Originally posted by s30
Last time I talked to him he had to take a detour before he will be back in the States. He is in the military so I think it will take awhile before things can be sent out when the ship is out at sea. I'm sorry you had to go through that, but admire how you've been so patient with the whole situation. Let us know how it turns out.

From what I have found in the past...getting worked up and posting nasty things about others on web boards never gets anything done. I like to give people as many chances as humanly possible. That way when I do have to make posts like this...I have HARD evidence against them. I actually just wrapped up a 5-6 month DRAMA fest over a product I bought last fall.

Moving forward...I just wanted to let folks know to THINK TWICE before either buying things from him or any used coilover of any sort...

-ryan

riot
06-20-2003, 04:56 PM
Quick Update:

I received my new damper today and found out exactly why my suspension was BANGING around. I didn't realize that the dampers actually insert into a sleeve with the mounting brackets. Turns out the retaining "cup" was not all the way tight so the damper was banging around in the sleeve.

When I removed the old damper...this is what I found:

http://www.riotdesigns.com/240sx/cusco_comps/v2/images/DSCF0009.jpg

More pics here: http://www.riotdesigns.com/240sx/cusco_comps/v2/

Now let's see...Tokyo Connection said this passed inspection? Pardon my French, but how in the **** did THAT pass inspection?

-ryan

Dousan_PG
06-20-2003, 04:57 PM
oooh cusco you can order new struts for...so you dotn need revalving..i didnt know the old ones were like that tooo


wwow, that's not good for TC! YIKES!

i knwo you know, but for the newbies..DONT BUY USED COILVERS!

S13S14S15
06-20-2003, 10:57 PM
how much did shipping cost you to get those from Japan?

Muzzy
06-21-2003, 12:02 AM
hey hey!! (off subject) another san antoino person!!!!

sup riot....hey u werent in Spring Vista tonite were u at this house on the corner??
if u were that was my car u heard and me lookin at your car

<---S13 HB

well if u didnt, wut do u say we (me, scandalcat1, and you) go to one of the tracks one day???


hey...are those ground controls in the background??