Disappointing service and product rant - LotusTalk

Dave · 06-19-2008, 10:28 AM

Received my Exige style fiberglass side scoops from ESTA INTERNATIONAL Carbon Fiber & Fiberglass body kits for Porsche, Lotus, BMW, Ferrari,Lamborghini and had a less than positive experience right from the start.

I ordered using the form on their site ($310.00), Paypal is the only option for checkout...no problem. The next day, I get a email saying I owe another $14.60 to cover their Paypal fees! There was no mention of this on their site (they have since added to their terms page in the past few days). Not to mention it's a violation of Paypal's terms to surcharge for their own fees. I returned the email and asked for a refund. They responded and said 'since we didn't tell you up front, we'll waive the surcharge.' Fine.

So I received the parts. First of all, they shipped to me just wrapped in a plastic bag and a piece of bubble wrap...didn't even put them in a box! Even the mail man chuckled when he dropped it off and said 'amazing these made it here in one piece.' Well, one side is cracked in two places near the edge.

Second, they are filthy! They didn't bother to clean them before sending. The ends were wrapped with packing tape, directly on the primer surface, which is now coated with glue residue.

The edges are very rough cut, and my body shop is going to have to spend extra time sanding and preping before they paint. See pics below.

Last, they didn't even drill the mounting (or even pilot) holes. You would think for $310 bucks they could take just a minute to do that. Check the product picture on their site:
ESTA INTERNATIONAL -Lotus Elise S2 OEM Look Body kit in Carbon Fiber & Fiber Glass

Anyway, very disappointed is this experience. I also sent them a note but haven't heard back yet.

EDIT 7/9/08: After a few email exchanges, they allowed me to return these and gave me a full refund.

greenbluff · 06-19-2008, 10:39 AM

$310? yiks, the extra $14 must be a handling fee, you can see the handprint...

Jim

JUNGLISTluder · 06-19-2008, 10:43 AM

Yikes! I'd be pretty pissed.

serpent · 06-19-2008, 10:53 AM

i would send it back and ask for another one....i would talk directly to whoevers in charge. Theres no point in talking to people that are under the boss that cant get the job done.

Smoky · 06-19-2008, 11:06 AM

I would send it back and get a refund. Get the part from somewhere else. Don't let them benefit one penny if this is their business model.

Randy Chase · 06-19-2008, 11:08 AM

Sucks, but it is common for many international companies to ship in bags. We were told that our use and requirement for boxes, was more a US thing.

MaineLotus · 06-19-2008, 11:57 AM

Dave, sorry to hear about the bad experience, the quality isn't what I'd expect. I purchased some inexpensive knock-offs from ebay, they are CF - not the best layup quality, just ok. I paid around $300.00.

How do you plan to fasten these to your Elise? I haven't done mine yet. I tried to purchase this part from Lotus, they wanted $186 each! I've looked for an aluminum bushing, one that would allow the fastener to recess below the surface of the scoop - no luck yet.

turbophil · 06-19-2008, 12:06 PM

Dave- That's crap.

It's like going to Applebees and ordering a steak. You know going in that applebees is no Ruth's Chris, but it's better than McDonalds, so maybe the steak will tollerable. You're prepared for what the picture looked like on the menu. Nice and pretty, juicy, with grill marks, and crispy steak fries... then they bring you the "steak", which is just microwaved chopped sirloin that's dry as a bone with some soggy fries on the side...
You're thinking, "Well this isn't what the picture looked like."

Do you send it back and leave and head to Ruth's Chris -or- eat it and go for custard afterwords with the money you saved?

Best,

Phil

PS- the above analogy makes sense to me, but perhaps it's just gibberish to everyone else. My wife says that my analogies/metaphors never make a darn bit of sense

CCR Elise · 06-19-2008, 12:30 PM

Please know that in no way am I trying to hurt anyone's feelings but I would send them back and get a refund if at all possible. Regardless, in my opinion I wouldn't put those on my car because they really don't appear to meet even the most minimal expectations. I have cf side scoops on my Elise but they came from a company I was certain would deliver a high quality product, shipped in a box with ample plastic bubble wrap, and I paid a fair price for what I received. I didn't have to take them to a paint shop for painting or remedial repairs and they had tabs with pre-drilled pilot holes and good instructions. Retail on mine were $750.00. If you add up the time, outside expense, and frustration you are now dealing with, I bet my purchase ends up cheaper than yours. I tuly do wish you the best possible outcome.

dma550 · 06-19-2008, 12:30 PM

This is par for the course with grp add-ons. I've bought several grp spoilers/panels for porsche 911's. The pics they show on their site are after 50 body shop hours usually. I once bought a RUF BTR type front spoiler from "better bodies" and it came with a crap lifted gel coat. Normally gelcoat being bonded is something you can bank on, and just prime over it. Nope.

I had to take 3 pie sections out to even make it fit the car. Then, spent an entire day sanding, this thing had been pulled from a mold that was way past its tooling limits. The best part was when I ever so lightly rubbed on a speedbump and it exploded like something out of star wars, due to the tension it was mounted with. *sigh*.

I say get your money back and go elsewhere, sorry Dave!

Bavarian Motorist · 06-19-2008, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbophil

Dave- That's crap.

It's like going to Applebees and ordering a steak. You know going in that applebees is no Ruth's Chris, but it's better than McDonalds, so maybe the steak will tollerable. You're prepared for what the picture looked like on the menu. Nice and pretty, juicy, with grill marks, and crispy steak fries... then they bring you the "steak", which is just microwaved chopped sirloin that's dry as a bone with some soggy fries on the side...
You're thinking, "Well this isn't what the picture looked like."

Do you send it back and leave and head to Ruth's Chris -or- eat it and go for custard afterwords with the money you saved?

Best,

Phil

PS- the above analogy makes sense to me, but perhaps it's just gibberish to everyone else. My wife says that my analogies/metaphors never make a darn bit of sense

I would only place Applebee's slightly above McDonald's.

Cardinal · 06-19-2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

I would only place Applebee's slightly above McDonald's.

BS they have the best boneless buffalo wings anywhere!

skottoman · 06-19-2008, 01:05 PM

I would send those back. Jeez, for about the same cost you can get the carbon/fiberglass wet laid scoops that fit perfectly. Just make your own screens, although you would have to do that anyway. That company didn't treat you the way they should.

How to: Exige Scoop Grills

Cheers,
Skottoman

CCR Elise · 06-19-2008, 01:12 PM

I forgot about that, mine came with screens too.

Dave · 06-19-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skottoman

I would send those back. Jeez, for about the same cost you can get the carbon/fiberglass wet laid scoops that fit perfectly. Just make your own screens, although you would have to do that anyway. That company didn't treat you the way they should.

How to: Exige Scoop Grills

Cheers,
Skottoman

Wish I would have caught your thread before I ordered these...those looks great! I've asked them for a refund, but no response as of yet.

Maine - hadn't even formed a plan to install yet, but probably would have done similar to Skotto.

ZTEC · 06-19-2008, 03:38 PM

I am sorry you had a less than desirable experience with ESTA - I purchased a chin spoiler from them a few months ago and was very happy with my purchase - I expected I was going to have to drill my mounting holes and provide hardware and I paid $420.00 shipped air freight. I worked with a guy named John and he was very helpful .

25psi_Elise_Killer · 06-19-2008, 03:42 PM

Damn, i got some inexpensive carbon fiber pieces shipped from Taiwan that was only 12" X 3". It came in a box and bubble wrap.... Sux that such a big piece wasn't packaged properly.

coolingmist · 06-19-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Wish I would have caught your thread before I ordered these...those looks great! I've asked them for a refund, but no response as of yet.

Maine - hadn't even formed a plan to install yet, but probably would have done similar to Skotto.

Personally, I would wait 2 full days, if they dont get back to you contact paypal for your money back. They will have to respond at that point.

Every company can have issues with shipments, but there is no excuse for not answering your email in a timely manner.

David

06-19-2008, 10:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dave Mods are good for you Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,961	Disappointing service and product rant Received my Exige style fiberglass side scoops from ESTA INTERNATIONAL Carbon Fiber & Fiberglass body kits for Porsche, Lotus, BMW, Ferrari,Lamborghini and had a less than positive experience right from the start. I ordered using the form on their site ($310.00), Paypal is the only option for checkout...no problem. The next day, I get a email saying I owe another $14.60 to cover their Paypal fees! There was no mention of this on their site (they have since added to their terms page in the past few days). Not to mention it's a violation of Paypal's terms to surcharge for their own fees. I returned the email and asked for a refund. They responded and said 'since we didn't tell you up front, we'll waive the surcharge.' Fine. So I received the parts. First of all, they shipped to me just wrapped in a plastic bag and a piece of bubble wrap...didn't even put them in a box! Even the mail man chuckled when he dropped it off and said 'amazing these made it here in one piece.' Well, one side is cracked in two places near the edge. Second, they are filthy! They didn't bother to clean them before sending. The ends were wrapped with packing tape, directly on the primer surface, which is now coated with glue residue. The edges are very rough cut, and my body shop is going to have to spend extra time sanding and preping before they paint. See pics below. Last, they didn't even drill the mounting (or even pilot) holes. You would think for $310 bucks they could take just a minute to do that. Check the product picture on their site: ESTA INTERNATIONAL -Lotus Elise S2 OEM Look Body kit in Carbon Fiber & Fiber Glass Anyway, very disappointed is this experience. I also sent them a note but haven't heard back yet. EDIT 7/9/08: After a few email exchanges, they allowed me to return these and gave me a full refund. Attached Images __________________ 2008 Solar S240 Exige 2005 Saffron Elise - BOE TVS Supercharger 291WHP w/ EFI Engine Mgmt Last edited by Dave : 07-10-2008 at 05:59 AM.

06-19-2008, 10:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
greenbluff Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: los gatos, CA Posts: 308	$310? yiks, the extra $14 must be a handling fee, you can see the handprint... Jim __________________ '05 AR, HT, TP, Stage II

06-19-2008, 10:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
JUNGLISTluder High Roller Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 808 Images: 6	Yikes! I'd be pretty pissed. __________________ 96 Ferrari F355 Berlinetta 06 Lotus Elise Supercharged - SOLD 88 BMW 528is

06-19-2008, 11:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
Smoky Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Lafayette, LA Posts: 458	I would send it back and get a refund. Get the part from somewhere else. Don't let them benefit one penny if this is their business model. __________________ -Smoky '07 Exige S, Chrome Orange, Track/Touring, LSD, Starshield, 2Bular 8x24, ACT XTSS Clutch, Fidanza Flywheel, S111 RTD brace, S111 Ultra Discs, rls Intercooler, Goodrich S/S brake lines, Innovative engine mounts, Valentine 1

06-19-2008, 11:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	Sucks, but it is common for many international companies to ship in bags. We were told that our use and requirement for boxes, was more a US thing. __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

06-19-2008, 10:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
serpent Driver!! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3,469	i would send it back and ask for another one....i would talk directly to whoevers in charge. Theres no point in talking to people that are under the boss that cant get the job done.

06-19-2008, 11:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
MaineLotus Parts scattered about... Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 1,385	Dave, sorry to hear about the bad experience, the quality isn't what I'd expect. I purchased some inexpensive knock-offs from ebay, they are CF - not the best layup quality, just ok. I paid around $300.00. How do you plan to fasten these to your Elise? I haven't done mine yet. I tried to purchase this part from Lotus, they wanted $186 each! I've looked for an aluminum bushing, one that would allow the fastener to recess below the surface of the scoop - no luck yet. Attached Images __________________ My car is modified.

06-19-2008, 12:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
turbophil Plug Whisperer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Kansas City/ Overland Park Posts: 2,545 Images: 6	Dave- That's crap. It's like going to Applebees and ordering a steak. You know going in that applebees is no Ruth's Chris, but it's better than McDonalds, so maybe the steak will tollerable. You're prepared for what the picture looked like on the menu. Nice and pretty, juicy, with grill marks, and crispy steak fries... then they bring you the "steak", which is just microwaved chopped sirloin that's dry as a bone with some soggy fries on the side... You're thinking, "Well this isn't what the picture looked like." Do you send it back and leave and head to Ruth's Chris -or- eat it and go for custard afterwords with the money you saved? Best, Phil PS- the above analogy makes sense to me, but perhaps it's just gibberish to everyone else. My wife says that my analogies/metaphors never make a darn bit of sense __________________ \| '05 GG LSS Elise \| A Track Chariot \| BOE ClamHinge \| BOE TVS SuperCharger 280whp/180wtq \| EFI Standalone Engine Management \| BOE Fuel Surge System \| BOE Lotus Tow Package See my car at BOE Fabrication: www.boefabrication.com *----->Last Updated: 9/25/2009* If something ain't worth doing right, it ain't worth doing... *Whoever thought working on a Lotus is hard, clearly hasn't tried it. Pick up a wrench and get some grease under your nails*

06-19-2008, 12:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
CCR Elise Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Macon, GA Posts: 244	Please know that in no way am I trying to hurt anyone's feelings but I would send them back and get a refund if at all possible. Regardless, in my opinion I wouldn't put those on my car because they really don't appear to meet even the most minimal expectations. I have cf side scoops on my Elise but they came from a company I was certain would deliver a high quality product, shipped in a box with ample plastic bubble wrap, and I paid a fair price for what I received. I didn't have to take them to a paint shop for painting or remedial repairs and they had tabs with pre-drilled pilot holes and good instructions. Retail on mine were $750.00. If you add up the time, outside expense, and frustration you are now dealing with, I bet my purchase ends up cheaper than yours. I tuly do wish you the best possible outcome.

06-19-2008, 12:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
dma550 Yahoo! Got my Rotus! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: CT, Shoreline area Posts: 1,189	This is par for the course with grp add-ons. I've bought several grp spoilers/panels for porsche 911's. The pics they show on their site are after 50 body shop hours usually. I once bought a RUF BTR type front spoiler from "better bodies" and it came with a crap lifted gel coat. Normally gelcoat being bonded is something you can bank on, and just prime over it. Nope. I had to take 3 pie sections out to even make it fit the car. Then, spent an entire day sanding, this thing had been pulled from a mold that was way past its tooling limits. The best part was when I ever so lightly rubbed on a speedbump and it exploded like something out of star wars, due to the tension it was mounted with. sigh. I say get your money back and go elsewhere, sorry Dave! __________________ David Avery 05 Lotus Elise ~ Arctic Silver ~ BWR SC ~ Gray RACs ~ Larini SE 08 BMW 135i Stock visit Spyderclub.com

06-19-2008, 01:05 PM	#13 (permalink)
skottoman 'Justa' Exige 190 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Scotts Valley, CA. Posts: 902	I would send those back. Jeez, for about the same cost you can get the carbon/fiberglass wet laid scoops that fit perfectly. Just make your own screens, although you would have to do that anyway. That company didn't treat you the way they should. How to: Exige Scoop Grills Cheers, Skottoman __________________ 2006 AR N/A Exige-Touring pack-Starshield-TopspeedPro1 exhaust-DeSnorked-Green filter-RTD ToeBrace-Shims Removed-CF Diffuser-CF Splitter-CF Wing-CF Scoops w/custom grills-Black Exige sticker-PC680 battery-S111 battery holddown-Rear Lotus badge-Carpet buttons-Painted shift knob-Painted Console-EBrake Gaiter-SilverStealth bulbs-Front S111 towhook-Polk speakers-Toyo R888s-Lamin-x turn signal tint 2008 BMW X3 with some mods 2006 Cayman 'S'

06-19-2008, 01:12 PM	#14 (permalink)
CCR Elise Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Macon, GA Posts: 244	I forgot about that, mine came with screens too.

06-19-2008, 03:38 PM	#16 (permalink)
ZTEC Third Eye Open Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 1,738 Images: 3	I am sorry you had a less than desirable experience with ESTA - I purchased a chin spoiler from them a few months ago and was very happy with my purchase - I expected I was going to have to drill my mounting holes and provide hardware and I paid $420.00 shipped air freight. I worked with a guy named John and he was very helpful . __________________ GO: Vision Function Stage II Intercooled Bliss with Charlie's ECU magic and Ronin's Tenacity! STOP: DBA 4000's, Porterfield R4! TURN: Nitron S/A's Toyo RA1's 225/245 on Rota's!

06-19-2008, 03:42 PM	#17 (permalink)
25psi_Elise_Killer Drunk on alcohol Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3,130	Damn, i got some inexpensive carbon fiber pieces shipped from Taiwan that was only 12" X 3". It came in a box and bubble wrap.... Sux that such a big piece wasn't packaged properly. __________________ '06 Evo IX Stage 1E Tuned by Road Race Engineering(Stock:turbo,intake,internals,ECU) Walbro 255lph fuel pump,RC Engineering1000cc Injectors, AVO exhaust,RRE dyno tune flash, Dejon Tool boost controller (325whp @ 22PSI Costco 91 octane, 353whp @ 25psi on 100 octane, 383whp @30psi on E85) , Zeitronix wideband,Zeitronix Ethanol Content Analyzer, Defi BF gauges, Stoptech rotors, SS brakelines,Graphic/Interior Design,Brand Identities,Invitations www.nomadic-nomads.com

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