This is Ryans face
Not sure if...
- Location
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Car(s)
- 2011 GTI CCTA
Hey bros, I'm Ryan.
To be fair, this is a report of my happenings and impressions for the time being. This may become a beware, or a complaint posting should my request listed below go unanswered by them. However, as I stated, I will attempt to keep my current opinions out for now, and purely lay out some details about my transactions with Ivan at Novitech tuning. I will post facebook messages leading up to the experience, and then the happenings of the day of.
So to put everything into perspective, I have been test fitting intercooler upgrades on my MKVI GTI for the past few months. My most recent purchase was the Forge Twintercooler. Being as several members have had success with this product, and it has been guaranteed to fit under my front bumper, unlike BSH's cores as I figured out the hard way, without modification.
So what the hell, I ordered it in, and try to install myself. Core goes on, and everything is in motion. I attempt to cut and match up the hoses for the unit, and can't get it right for the life of me. I fail my first attempt at it, and proceed to try again with new hoses... another fail. Last chance, as I pick up another set of hoses, I swore I'd let someone with experience do the job this time. So, bypassing some of the local shops around me who have left a bad taste in my mouth, or I just franky don't want to bring my car there if not necessary, I get in contact with Ivan at Novitech Tuning. The shop and Ivan both came highly recommended, and although the shop is over an hour away from me assuming there's no traffic, I decided to give them a shot anyway. With my hectic schedule, it took me a while to get the opportunity to venture out to Kendall from Fort Lauderdale. A couple months actually.
My communication with Ivan began in April,
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April 18 Novitech Tuning ----------
Hi Ryan, we have done a few Twintercoolers on MK5's and MK6's and the hoses can be a bit tricky to modify in order to achieve anything close to a perfect fit. Assuming the FMIC is already installed and all we have to do is the hoses you would be looking at $80 the most.
April 18 Ryan -----------
Yup, core is on, bolted, and just needs to hoses fitted after the bumper is removed. If $80 is the case, I'll see you guys early Friday. What are your hours? I have the day off, but have an obligation around 3pm in Boca, so if we can make it happen, I would be most appreciative. Not to mention I'll be spreading the word about the shop around the inner circle here in broward to those looking to migrate.
April 18 Novitech Tuning --------
We would normally charge a bit more since the bumper needs to be removed but I understand you are going on a mission so just trying to give you a hand there. We open at 8am so as long as you are at the shop by 10am or 11am we should have plenty of time...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, so $80 to trim the hoses and install them... no sweat. Well this past Wednesday rolls around, and we finally get an appointment set for that morning at 9am. I get there a little late due to horrific traffic and weather, calling ahead to make sure they aren't waiting around.
I get there, and the shop seems quiet, but there's a few cars in back, and in the lot. Nevertheless, I give Ivan my keys, and let him get started.
Here's where things go poopie.
About 35mins later, he comes out, and tells me "Hey listen, I know I quoted you $80 but the front bumper is going to have to come off, which is going to take us 2 hours of time. I'm gonna have to charge you $160 plus tax, for the two hours...."
In my mind I'm thinking.. 'Wait a minute, didn't you state you've had experience with this kit, and didn't you state that the front bumper would have to be removed clear back in April? You should have known full well what was to be expected of this job, right? But you quoted me $80, and then suddenly it's going to cost me double?'
Well I wasn't going to waste a trip, and I agreed to the $160 as I didn't want to be a dick my first time there, and cause a scene... Alright, so now we wasted a half a tank of gas pretty much to get the job done at the same price the local shops quoted me... great! Thanks...
So a couple hours go by, and I'm sitting there patiently waiting. No problem really. Finally they finish up, and I get the car back. I had to run home and get some things done, and battling through lunch time traffic at around noon in Miami is almost as bad as rush hour. So I get home, and begin looking for the stock intercooler hoses, as I expected them to either be in my bag, or in my trunk... Hah... No sir.
I draft a message back to Ivan... after he thanked me for my business. (Yeah... right) The following is more facebook message exchanges between Ivan and myself.
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Yesterday Ryan ---------
Thanks Ivan. One problem though. When I got home, I realized the stock intercooler hoses were not in my trunk. I guess you guys might've left them aside. Can I please have those back, thanks!
Yesterday Novitech Tuning
Hi Ryan, most of the people don't want/need the OEM parts back and since you didn't request them nobody put them back in the trunk. I will look out back to see if they are still around and save them for you.
Yesterday Ryan ---------
Yeah the only reason I want them to be there is for returning it to stock later. Would appreciate it.
I assume the brass hose clamps were used in the install to hold the forge hoses in place so I should have those right? Gonna have to get an idea of what to purchase, should you not be able to find my parts.
Yesterday Novitech Tuning
I have them...
)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
So heads up for any future Novitech customers, REQUEST YOUR STOCK PARTS BACK OR THEY WILL NOT GIVE THEM TO YOU.
The invoice, or the work order never asked, or stated that stock parts or replaced parts would not be returned unless requested... So how was I to know that I needed to ask for them? In fact, any shop I've ever had work done at, has always given me back the parts that were not used. This was further from the case, as a few mounting pieces that went unused are probably sitting in the garbage can at the shop.
So I write back in reply...
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Yesterday Ryan ---------
Ok, any chance you could ship them to me? I have no idea when I'll have the time to come back down. Obviously, since it took over a few months to get time to pull off yesterday, it might take just as long again, if not longer. I'd really really appreciate it.
Yesterday Novitech Tuning ----------
I will save them here... I'm sure at some point of time we will see each other again here or at an event or you might have one of your buddies drive down this area.
Yesterday Ryan ---------
Possible, but I could easily pay you the $5 or so, and have the peace of mind.
No offense or anything to you guys. Just I've sent out a few pairs of these hoses off my MKV, and it isn't much to ship'em. I will paypal you the money if need be. More-over, I spent a little too much money than I had wished yesterday, between gas, mileage, and cost of the work done. I'm not holding any of that against you, but I'm normally accustomed to receiving any and all parts OEM, damaged, etc from Indie shops I use... which for most reasons isn't often. I wasn't exactly asked about the parts, nor did I think to request them since I figured they'd be placed in my trunk somewhere.
I apologize for not thinking about it at the time, but would really not like to be placed in a tight spot, should I want to sell the car over night, part it out, and not be able to part the intercooler due to not having the hoses. I tend to think about the What-ifs. So, if it's not too much trouble, I'd sincerely appreciate the hoses being shipped to my address that I left on file with you guys. I'm sure I'll visit the shop again, I'm just not entirely sure for what, and I don't go to events due to my busy schedule, so that part is out the window. I think besides me going all the way back down there, which is about 1hr-1hr45 min drive for me, almost like a mini-road trip, and then drive back just to grab some 8ounce/ea hoses. I'd just much rather prefer the shipping option, and not have to worry about it.
I appreciate your understanding. Let me know the paypal address I can submit shipping costs to. Thanks!
-------------
I've received no reply since Wednesday evening.
So suffice to say, I'm not too impressed myself, but you're all free to draw your own conclusions. I don't want to bash them, and I'm certainly not going to begin doing that... not just yet.
TLDR: I sort of feel baited and switched on by them, and Y U NO WANT TO SHIP ME MY HOSES, BRAH?
To be fair, this is a report of my happenings and impressions for the time being. This may become a beware, or a complaint posting should my request listed below go unanswered by them. However, as I stated, I will attempt to keep my current opinions out for now, and purely lay out some details about my transactions with Ivan at Novitech tuning. I will post facebook messages leading up to the experience, and then the happenings of the day of.
So to put everything into perspective, I have been test fitting intercooler upgrades on my MKVI GTI for the past few months. My most recent purchase was the Forge Twintercooler. Being as several members have had success with this product, and it has been guaranteed to fit under my front bumper, unlike BSH's cores as I figured out the hard way, without modification.
So what the hell, I ordered it in, and try to install myself. Core goes on, and everything is in motion. I attempt to cut and match up the hoses for the unit, and can't get it right for the life of me. I fail my first attempt at it, and proceed to try again with new hoses... another fail. Last chance, as I pick up another set of hoses, I swore I'd let someone with experience do the job this time. So, bypassing some of the local shops around me who have left a bad taste in my mouth, or I just franky don't want to bring my car there if not necessary, I get in contact with Ivan at Novitech Tuning. The shop and Ivan both came highly recommended, and although the shop is over an hour away from me assuming there's no traffic, I decided to give them a shot anyway. With my hectic schedule, it took me a while to get the opportunity to venture out to Kendall from Fort Lauderdale. A couple months actually.
My communication with Ivan began in April,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 18 Novitech Tuning ----------
Hi Ryan, we have done a few Twintercoolers on MK5's and MK6's and the hoses can be a bit tricky to modify in order to achieve anything close to a perfect fit. Assuming the FMIC is already installed and all we have to do is the hoses you would be looking at $80 the most.
April 18 Ryan -----------
Yup, core is on, bolted, and just needs to hoses fitted after the bumper is removed. If $80 is the case, I'll see you guys early Friday. What are your hours? I have the day off, but have an obligation around 3pm in Boca, so if we can make it happen, I would be most appreciative. Not to mention I'll be spreading the word about the shop around the inner circle here in broward to those looking to migrate.
April 18 Novitech Tuning --------
We would normally charge a bit more since the bumper needs to be removed but I understand you are going on a mission so just trying to give you a hand there. We open at 8am so as long as you are at the shop by 10am or 11am we should have plenty of time...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, so $80 to trim the hoses and install them... no sweat. Well this past Wednesday rolls around, and we finally get an appointment set for that morning at 9am. I get there a little late due to horrific traffic and weather, calling ahead to make sure they aren't waiting around.
I get there, and the shop seems quiet, but there's a few cars in back, and in the lot. Nevertheless, I give Ivan my keys, and let him get started.
Here's where things go poopie.
About 35mins later, he comes out, and tells me "Hey listen, I know I quoted you $80 but the front bumper is going to have to come off, which is going to take us 2 hours of time. I'm gonna have to charge you $160 plus tax, for the two hours...."
In my mind I'm thinking.. 'Wait a minute, didn't you state you've had experience with this kit, and didn't you state that the front bumper would have to be removed clear back in April? You should have known full well what was to be expected of this job, right? But you quoted me $80, and then suddenly it's going to cost me double?'
Well I wasn't going to waste a trip, and I agreed to the $160 as I didn't want to be a dick my first time there, and cause a scene... Alright, so now we wasted a half a tank of gas pretty much to get the job done at the same price the local shops quoted me... great! Thanks...
So a couple hours go by, and I'm sitting there patiently waiting. No problem really. Finally they finish up, and I get the car back. I had to run home and get some things done, and battling through lunch time traffic at around noon in Miami is almost as bad as rush hour. So I get home, and begin looking for the stock intercooler hoses, as I expected them to either be in my bag, or in my trunk... Hah... No sir.
I draft a message back to Ivan... after he thanked me for my business. (Yeah... right) The following is more facebook message exchanges between Ivan and myself.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yesterday Ryan ---------
Thanks Ivan. One problem though. When I got home, I realized the stock intercooler hoses were not in my trunk. I guess you guys might've left them aside. Can I please have those back, thanks!
Yesterday Novitech Tuning
Hi Ryan, most of the people don't want/need the OEM parts back and since you didn't request them nobody put them back in the trunk. I will look out back to see if they are still around and save them for you.
Yesterday Ryan ---------
Yeah the only reason I want them to be there is for returning it to stock later. Would appreciate it.
I assume the brass hose clamps were used in the install to hold the forge hoses in place so I should have those right? Gonna have to get an idea of what to purchase, should you not be able to find my parts.
Yesterday Novitech Tuning
I have them...
)-----------------------------------------------------------------
So heads up for any future Novitech customers, REQUEST YOUR STOCK PARTS BACK OR THEY WILL NOT GIVE THEM TO YOU.
The invoice, or the work order never asked, or stated that stock parts or replaced parts would not be returned unless requested... So how was I to know that I needed to ask for them? In fact, any shop I've ever had work done at, has always given me back the parts that were not used. This was further from the case, as a few mounting pieces that went unused are probably sitting in the garbage can at the shop.
So I write back in reply...
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Yesterday Ryan ---------
Ok, any chance you could ship them to me? I have no idea when I'll have the time to come back down. Obviously, since it took over a few months to get time to pull off yesterday, it might take just as long again, if not longer. I'd really really appreciate it.
Yesterday Novitech Tuning ----------
I will save them here... I'm sure at some point of time we will see each other again here or at an event or you might have one of your buddies drive down this area.
Yesterday Ryan ---------
Possible, but I could easily pay you the $5 or so, and have the peace of mind.
No offense or anything to you guys. Just I've sent out a few pairs of these hoses off my MKV, and it isn't much to ship'em. I will paypal you the money if need be. More-over, I spent a little too much money than I had wished yesterday, between gas, mileage, and cost of the work done. I'm not holding any of that against you, but I'm normally accustomed to receiving any and all parts OEM, damaged, etc from Indie shops I use... which for most reasons isn't often. I wasn't exactly asked about the parts, nor did I think to request them since I figured they'd be placed in my trunk somewhere.
I apologize for not thinking about it at the time, but would really not like to be placed in a tight spot, should I want to sell the car over night, part it out, and not be able to part the intercooler due to not having the hoses. I tend to think about the What-ifs. So, if it's not too much trouble, I'd sincerely appreciate the hoses being shipped to my address that I left on file with you guys. I'm sure I'll visit the shop again, I'm just not entirely sure for what, and I don't go to events due to my busy schedule, so that part is out the window. I think besides me going all the way back down there, which is about 1hr-1hr45 min drive for me, almost like a mini-road trip, and then drive back just to grab some 8ounce/ea hoses. I'd just much rather prefer the shipping option, and not have to worry about it.
I appreciate your understanding. Let me know the paypal address I can submit shipping costs to. Thanks!
-------------
I've received no reply since Wednesday evening.
So suffice to say, I'm not too impressed myself, but you're all free to draw your own conclusions. I don't want to bash them, and I'm certainly not going to begin doing that... not just yet.
TLDR: I sort of feel baited and switched on by them, and Y U NO WANT TO SHIP ME MY HOSES, BRAH?
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