Cz.

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has spoken to Bernie Stewart at Stewart Development recently as I am unable to get in contact with him. I paid Bernie to revalve a set of bilstein shocks back in 11/2010 and I have yet to receive anything from him. My last communication with him was on 1/17/11 when he told me that the shocks would be sent out on 1/21/11. He never provided a tracking # and I never received anything in the mail. I’ve been trying get in contact with him since.

I did a lot of searching on deciding who to send my shocks to and Bernie seemed like a great choice based on other people’s feedback, but with the total lack of communication I’ve had from him pretty much since I paid for the revalve (over $150 per shock) I am really beginning to regret the choice.

To be clear, my shocks aren’t from a Miata and Bernie was clear that it would take longer, but he was never clear about how long it would take. I was more than willing to wait to make sure the job was done correctly, but at this point I think I deserve an answer in regards to what is going on.

If anyone has talked to him or has any leads as to how to get into contact with Bernie I would really appreciate it.

wannafbody

iTrader: (1)

The snow melted and temp is warming up-hoping my shocks come in soon as well.

cruizin54

I talked to Bernie last week. He was going to try to get mine done within the next couple of days (but he couldn't promise). Hopefully I'll here from him this week.

I had a nice conversation with him. I hadn't realized that he really has to put them in batches and then it becomes like an assembly line process. Without being able to put a bunch of them together at once, he would have to spend way more time on them (and have to charge way more).

I'll post again once I hear from him again.

wannafbody

iTrader: (1)

I talked to Bernie a while back and he said he shipped 80 shocks one week-that's a lot of work. And I'm sure some of his race customers demand 1-2day turnaround.

falcon

iTrader: (13)

I contact him every few days and usually get an email back in another few days. He seems to be pretty busy because I've been told a few times my shocks will be ready by "X" date but then it get's pushed. I really hope they come soon because I need them ASAP. I just sent him another email... so we'll see.

Shanej

I am in the same boat as you guys, Im a Honda guy and I sent my shocks out to him in Feb, he was good a getting back to me everycouple days but nothing now. I really don't understand I know he is busy but he told me get them shipped asap so I did. Paid $65.00 Canadian and they got there in 3 days. I only paid $200.00 for my 4 shocks but.... I also ordered Ground Control sleeves that are sitting at the border now. I feel like I will never get my shocks back. He should hire a buddy to at least answer emails or something.

I agree with him he told me I can't find anyone to train to do this stuff im only one guy. Well maybe at least get someone to answer your emails??

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

He's really busy. Which also means he's REALLY good.

falcon

iTrader: (13)

I understand the fact he is busy and does great work. That's still no excuse for not answering multiple emails over the last few weeks. He also told me on two different occasions that he was currently working on them and they would be done the following day or so but then that was 3 weeks ago and since then I've heard nothing. You don't tell someone they will be ready if they won't. And I gave him ample notice that I needed them back mid-march and he said no problem. I already missed an autox and the hillclimb I am building the car for is coming up very fast. If I don't get them very soon I am going to be mighty pissed. I've given Bernie lots of opporituniry in polite inquiry emails to find out what's going on and when I can expect them but I'm getting to the end of my rope. Especially since I was told more than once they would be ready.

Vashthestampede

iTrader: (17)

Really busy and really good have nothing to do with what's going on here. The guy isn't answering customer emails for going on weeks now. Look how many people have come up in this thread all saying the same thing.

I don't care how good you are. If you don't have the time to get the work out in the timeframe you quote customers, then dodge emails left and right saying you've been "really busy" is just plain unprofessional.

**** that. I'd be just as pissed man.

Its one thing to say your swamped and in over your head, but at least keep in contact with everyone in the meantime. All this is doing is giving potential customers a reason to go somewhere else.

Thucydides

Bernie personally hand makes and tests each and every shock. It takes a very long time. He could skip steps most people do but refuses to. They work fantastically. He sells them dirt cheap. He's too busy to answer the phone or write emails. That pisses lots of people off.

He'd like to have more time to run the business but so far he hasn't found a replacement for himself at the work bench or dyno. It's not that he can't put a body there; it's that they wouldn't have his experience and the end result wouldn't be quite as good. That pisses him off.

If you're really lucky you get your shocks in a relatively short period of time; I think I got my first set within about six weeks; must have been the off season. If you're unlucky you order just before the racing season rush and unless you've got numbers on your car you don't get your shocks until all of his racing orders are satisfied. You can call and write five times a week, and lots of people do, but that's not going to change a thing. If he answers, he's not working on your shock. If he answers everyone, he's not working on anyone's shocks.

If you're dumb you crash your car, collect the insurance money for new shocks, and send your bent ones to Bernie for a "rebuild". You forget to mention the crash or that you bent up the lower control arms, but whatevs. Bernie spends time, money, and energy on your shocks only to find they're junk - but you could probably have warned him of that before he spend several hours trouble shooting them. You might even go on line and complain how you didn't get what you want when you wanted to get them. Are things ideal? Hell no. Could they be better? Much better. But this is how it is now.

Bernie's working to change things, but that takes time; something that's in very short supply. What time he has he's decided it's best devoting to digging out of his backlog. I keep telling him to raise his prices, and that his shocks are far better and way cheaper than his competitors. He resists. He tells me he's not a very good business man - I agree with him. But he is the best shock man in the high end racing shock development, building, and testing business.

He's almost unique. A cottage industry that puts out an absolutely top end individualized product at a bargain basement price. The same shock he sends you for your twenty year old Miata is exactly the same shock his Nascar customers bolt onto their million dollar rides. Who does that any more? Not many, and even fewer like Bernie.

I'll continue to buy shocks from Bernie every chance I get, and for every car I have, even if they take a year to get. Hell, I'd pay double for them. They're that good. For those who can't or won't wait, there are lots of great alternatives. So far I haven't found one that would compel me to switch.

curly

iTrader: (25)

Amazing answer, and good enough for me.

I'd like to add that if he doesn't have the time to answer calls or emails, he also doesn't have the time to post on a random forum thread. With that in mind...

Edit: Just to help you out, you have two options:

1. Shut up and wait
2. Cancel your order via email and wait.