Vendor- AST 4100s for the XI

UltraRacer13 · 02-08-2011, 10:32 AM

where is Herald in all of this?? You bought them from him. Shouldn't he be the one calling Brian every day?

pits200 · 02-08-2011, 10:51 AM

It's obvious he doesn't care. Sad part is that my 401k for the year is already maxed and I am getting a bonus and wanted to get a rear LSD assembly but with this customer service there is no way in Hell I'm giving them another $3k after this debacle. Oh how I love forums and the way word spreads.

MJR63 · 02-10-2011, 08:38 AM

I spoke with Harold at HP Autowerks today and he is also very frustrated with AST's turn around on these. Harold has called AST numerous times as well to inquire on the status and put pressure on them to deliver. I don't blame Harold for this delay, he is just a re-seller and is being held hostage by AST as we are. My dealings with Harold have been excellent. He has tons of knowledge, has greats products and is always willing to spend time talking to me about my mods. I will still be a customer of HP Autowerks after I get my AST 4100's. After I finished my conversation with Harold I called AST USA and spoke to one of their reps. I told him I ordered my AST 4100's on 11/23, paid in full and was told I would have them in 6 - 8 weeks. I told him I was very disappointed and upset that I've had to wait this long for something I was promised back in January. He told me that AST Holland was building these and right after my order was placed they received a very large order from one of their big customers. This large order had a fixed time frame and contractual penalties for non delivery. Since our orders were custom and there were only a few of them our orders ended up getting re-prioritized. The rep told me that AST Holland just finished that large production order and is starting to build our AST 4100's! He said that with build time and shipping to the US we should see them in 2 - 3 weeks. While I am disappointed that I have to wait longer then expected I know it will be worth the wait. I did my research and I know these are the best coil overs for the money that will fit my x-drive. Plus the price increased by $200 so that covers the interest of AST holding my money for so long. For anyone that does not want to wait you have the option of canceling your order and asking for a refund.

pits200 · 02-10-2011, 08:44 AM

I guess my frustration comes with the 6-8 week promise and no one notifying as to the delay until we pestered them to get and answer. If they were up front I'd have been fine with that. I would rather have a quality product delayed than an avg set of coilovers right away.

I suppose the reason we haven't heard much from Harold is because he knew that he wouldn't have any good news to tell is. I agree that Harold was great during the transaction process just wish there was a little more communication here on the back end. Oh well lesson learned and I'm very anxious for the arrival.

Thanks for the update mjr

UltraRacer13 · 02-10-2011, 09:57 AM

I ordered mine last week. Kinda hoping to get them with your order. Both of you are right- all they needed to do is send an email or make a call (Brian or Herald) and tell everyone what MJR told us. Vendors/ reps are afraid to give bad news, but if given properly can allay quite a bit of stess and CS issues.

Let's just hope they live up to the hype! I have a BMW CCA DE in April- giddy over the thought of running it with these bad boys and my Vorshlag camber plates!

pits200 · 02-14-2011, 03:38 PM

Any updates from anyone. I know we all heard another 2-3 weeks but that hasn't been verified by any vendor up to this point.

UltraRacer13 · 02-23-2011, 12:34 PM

Pits- I spoke with Matt @ Vorshlag today. No update, but he said he was going to see Brian today and it was "on his list" to mention. Hopefully I will have an update this week. Have you heard anything yet??

pits200 · 02-23-2011, 08:35 PM

This was on 2/17 from Harold.

"Hi Bill,

The AST stuff is really out of my control or AST-USA's. The guys in Holland's excuse was because of the Xmas holiday and race at Daytona, which still left plenty of time in between to build these. As of a week to week and half ago, I was told 2 weeks from that point on, then it will make its way to the US(5 days to get here), then a few days to come out to me for assembly, then finally back out to you and the rest of the guys. I'll try to get an update for you and rest of the guys as soon as AST replies to my request."

UltraRacer13 · 02-24-2011, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pits200

This was on 2/17 from Harold.

"Hi Bill,

The AST stuff is really out of my control or AST-USA's. The guys in Holland's excuse was because of the Xmas holiday and race at Daytona, which still left plenty of time in between to build these. As of a week to week and half ago, I was told 2 weeks from that point on, then it will make its way to the US(5 days to get here), then a few days to come out to me for assembly, then finally back out to you and the rest of the guys. I'll try to get an update for you and rest of the guys as soon as AST replies to my request."

Total BS. If they bitch long enough it will get done. So basically he is saying at least 2.5 - 3.0 weeks from today. LAME. What has Harold been doing with your $$ since November??

pits200 · 02-24-2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXSailor

Total BS. If they bitch long enough it will get done. So basically he is saying at least 2.5 - 3.0 weeks from today. LAME. What has Harold been doing with your $$ since November??

Ha earning interest. That's what its been doing. I lost a good $1000 in profits from not having that in my stock portfolio over the past 3 months. Look up the stock curis (cris) and ull see what I mean.

IN54NITY · 02-24-2011, 01:54 PM

I'll chime in. You can't blame Harold, what do you expect him to do? It was your choice to order a custom made product. I think you made a good choice, it just sucks that AST is delaying the order and giving you the run-around. If it was Harold's choice, I'm sure you'd have them on the car by now.

pits200 · 02-25-2011, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aleckzandr

I'll chime in. You can't blame Harold, what do you expect him to do? It was your choice to order a custom made product. I think you made a good choice, it just sucks that AST is delaying the order and giving you the run-around. If it was Harold's choice, I'm sure you'd have them on the car by now.

Many things in the world today are considered custom ordered due to companies wanting to keep inventory costs to a minimum and reduce risk of not selling the product. Now we all knew there'd be a wait period becAuse they were custom order but does that mean we should let ast take as long as they please when we were told it was a 4-6 week turnover time.

So if you ordered you BMW from Germany and thy told you 4 weeks, you'd be fine if it took 15 weeks to get here. It's a rhetorical question we all know the.answer

pits200 · 02-28-2011, 09:48 AM

I guess our ASTs should be on their way to the states??

Harold said he talked to them somewhere between 2/7-2/10 and they will be finished 2 weeks from that point and then take 5 days to get to him from Holland.

So maybe the wait is over...

UltraRacer13 · 02-28-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pits200

I guess our ASTs should be on their way to the states??

Harold said he talked to them somewhere between 2/7-2/10 and they will be finished 2 weeks from that point and then take 5 days to get to him from Holland.

So maybe the wait is over...

I just called AST-USA. I spoke with Stuart- Brian was unavailable. He said the are "making them as we speak". So it doesn't sound like they have shipped. We need to set up a call rotaion. You call Tue/ Thur, I'll call Mon/Wed.

pits200 · 02-28-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXSailor

I just called AST-USA. I spoke with Stuart- Brian was unavailable. He said the are "making them as we speak". So it doesn't sound like they have shipped. We need to set up a call rotaion. You call Tue/ Thur, I'll call Mon/Wed.

I figured they weren't sent yet, I was being a little sarcastic in my comment and was basing it on the statement Harold gave me.

Pretty sad that it is going to be over 3 months to get these and most likely closer to 4 months.

That's 1/3rd of the year waiting, these things better be revolutionary..... Insane.

And it worries me, what happens if one of our shocks goes kaput? It will probably take them 6 months to fix it.

UltraRacer13 · 02-28-2011, 07:05 PM

I think they can repair them here in Plano. That would be quite a bit quicker. I plan on getting to know these guys so in the event that happens, they will do me a solid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pits200

I figured they weren't sent yet, I was being a little sarcastic in my comment and was basing it on the statement Harold gave me.

Pretty sad that it is going to be over 3 months to get these and most likely closer to 4 months.

That's 1/3rd of the year waiting, these things better be revolutionary..... Insane.

And it worries me, what happens if one of our shocks goes kaput? It will probably take them 6 months to fix it.

pits200 · 03-03-2011, 05:26 PM

Well I just heard that the guys from AST-USA requested all the parts from AST-Holland to assemble them here in the USA and get them out to us quicker...

Not sure what that means.

UltraRacer13 · 03-03-2011, 08:35 PM

great!! Anyone besides the two of us waiting on these? I have a DE on Apr 30 I need them for! Maybe I can go to an earlier event too! I just ordered my stett stg II oil cooler. Getting that installed in a week

pits200 · 03-03-2011, 09:29 PM

Maybe it was a blessing these were late. I was working in Jersey this week and hit a pothole about 2 feet deep and bent two rims and bubbled 2 tires.

I also wonder if it did more damage, the car tracks straight and is smooth but I hear a slight humming sound.

Can a wheel bearing really get shot from hitting a huge pothole? I've heard it can happen but have never had it happen before.

itsbrokeagain · 03-03-2011, 11:18 PM

I doubt t Harold is giving you the run around. He has always been top notch with me as far as products and sales go and even following up..

UltraRacer13 · 03-04-2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt@Camber-Toe

I doubt t Harold is giving you the run around. He has always been top notch with me as far as products and sales go and even following up..

I don't think anyone is blaming Harold here. He is kinda getting jobbed by AST.

MJR63 · 03-04-2011, 10:01 PM

I spoke with Harold the other day and said that he should ask AST to give us (the guys that ordered these back in November) something additional for all of our aggravation and making us wait all this time. I told him I would like it if they threw in the remote cable adjustment that is used to adjust the rear coil overs. I'm going to call AST USA again on Monday to get the latest status and plant this bug in their ear as well....

02-08-2011, 10:32 AM	#45
UltraRacer13 Wannabe Track Rat 68 Rep 930 Posts Drives: 17 OG M2 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (1)	where is Herald in all of this?? You bought them from him. Shouldn't he be the one calling Brian every day? __________________ 2017 OG M2
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02-08-2011, 10:51 AM	#46
pits200 Colonel 547 Rep 2,590 Posts Drives: 09 335i X-Drive Black Sapphire Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (1)	It's obvious he doesn't care. Sad part is that my 401k for the year is already maxed and I am getting a bonus and wanted to get a rear LSD assembly but with this customer service there is no way in Hell I'm giving them another $3k after this debacle. Oh how I love forums and the way word spreads.
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02-10-2011, 08:38 AM	#47
MJR63 Lieutenant 21 Rep 415 Posts Drives: 2011 335i X-Drive Sedan Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Tolland, CT iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i x-drvie [0.00]	I spoke with Harold at HP Autowerks today and he is also very frustrated with AST's turn around on these. Harold has called AST numerous times as well to inquire on the status and put pressure on them to deliver. I don't blame Harold for this delay, he is just a re-seller and is being held hostage by AST as we are. My dealings with Harold have been excellent. He has tons of knowledge, has greats products and is always willing to spend time talking to me about my mods. I will still be a customer of HP Autowerks after I get my AST 4100's. After I finished my conversation with Harold I called AST USA and spoke to one of their reps. I told him I ordered my AST 4100's on 11/23, paid in full and was told I would have them in 6 - 8 weeks. I told him I was very disappointed and upset that I've had to wait this long for something I was promised back in January. He told me that AST Holland was building these and right after my order was placed they received a very large order from one of their big customers. This large order had a fixed time frame and contractual penalties for non delivery. Since our orders were custom and there were only a few of them our orders ended up getting re-prioritized. The rep told me that AST Holland just finished that large production order and is starting to build our AST 4100's! He said that with build time and shipping to the US we should see them in 2 - 3 weeks. While I am disappointed that I have to wait longer then expected I know it will be worth the wait. I did my research and I know these are the best coil overs for the money that will fit my x-drive. Plus the price increased by $200 so that covers the interest of AST holding my money for so long. For anyone that does not want to wait you have the option of canceling your order and asking for a refund.
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02-10-2011, 08:44 AM	#48
pits200 Colonel 547 Rep 2,590 Posts Drives: 09 335i X-Drive Black Sapphire Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (1)	I guess my frustration comes with the 6-8 week promise and no one notifying as to the delay until we pestered them to get and answer. If they were up front I'd have been fine with that. I would rather have a quality product delayed than an avg set of coilovers right away. I suppose the reason we haven't heard much from Harold is because he knew that he wouldn't have any good news to tell is. I agree that Harold was great during the transaction process just wish there was a little more communication here on the back end. Oh well lesson learned and I'm very anxious for the arrival. Thanks for the update mjr
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02-10-2011, 09:57 AM	#49
UltraRacer13 Wannabe Track Rat 68 Rep 930 Posts Drives: 17 OG M2 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (1)	I ordered mine last week. Kinda hoping to get them with your order. Both of you are right- all they needed to do is send an email or make a call (Brian or Herald) and tell everyone what MJR told us. Vendors/ reps are afraid to give bad news, but if given properly can allay quite a bit of stess and CS issues. Let's just hope they live up to the hype! I have a BMW CCA DE in April- giddy over the thought of running it with these bad boys and my Vorshlag camber plates! __________________ 2017 OG M2
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-14-2011, 03:38 PM	#50
pits200 Colonel 547 Rep 2,590 Posts Drives: 09 335i X-Drive Black Sapphire Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (1)	Any updates from anyone. I know we all heard another 2-3 weeks but that hasn't been verified by any vendor up to this point.
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02-23-2011, 12:34 PM	#51
UltraRacer13 Wannabe Track Rat 68 Rep 930 Posts Drives: 17 OG M2 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (1)	Pits- I spoke with Matt @ Vorshlag today. No update, but he said he was going to see Brian today and it was "on his list" to mention. Hopefully I will have an update this week. Have you heard anything yet??
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02-23-2011, 08:35 PM	#52
pits200 Colonel 547 Rep 2,590 Posts Drives: 09 335i X-Drive Black Sapphire Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (1)	This was on 2/17 from Harold. "Hi Bill, The AST stuff is really out of my control or AST-USA's. The guys in Holland's excuse was because of the Xmas holiday and race at Daytona, which still left plenty of time in between to build these. As of a week to week and half ago, I was told 2 weeks from that point on, then it will make its way to the US(5 days to get here), then a few days to come out to me for assembly, then finally back out to you and the rest of the guys. I'll try to get an update for you and rest of the guys as soon as AST replies to my request."
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02-24-2011, 01:54 PM	#55
IN54NITY Major nutz 86 Rep 1,488 Posts Drives: '09 n54 e92xi, 6mt, kw v3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Colorado, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 335xi [8.89]	I'll chime in. You can't blame Harold, what do you expect him to do? It was your choice to order a custom made product. I think you made a good choice, it just sucks that AST is delaying the order and giving you the run-around. If it was Harold's choice, I'm sure you'd have them on the car by now. __________________ KWs - Vorshlags - APEX EC-7s - "My garage" has suspension install pictures. _____________________
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02-28-2011, 09:48 AM	#57
pits200 Colonel 547 Rep 2,590 Posts Drives: 09 335i X-Drive Black Sapphire Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (1)	I guess our ASTs should be on their way to the states?? Harold said he talked to them somewhere between 2/7-2/10 and they will be finished 2 weeks from that point and then take 5 days to get to him from Holland. So maybe the wait is over...
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03-03-2011, 05:26 PM	#61
pits200 Colonel 547 Rep 2,590 Posts Drives: 09 335i X-Drive Black Sapphire Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (1)	Well I just heard that the guys from AST-USA requested all the parts from AST-Holland to assemble them here in the USA and get them out to us quicker... Not sure what that means.
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03-03-2011, 08:35 PM	#62
UltraRacer13 Wannabe Track Rat 68 Rep 930 Posts Drives: 17 OG M2 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (1)	great!! Anyone besides the two of us waiting on these? I have a DE on Apr 30 I need them for! Maybe I can go to an earlier event too! I just ordered my stett stg II oil cooler. Getting that installed in a week __________________ 2017 OG M2
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03-03-2011, 09:29 PM	#63
pits200 Colonel 547 Rep 2,590 Posts Drives: 09 335i X-Drive Black Sapphire Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (1)	Maybe it was a blessing these were late. I was working in Jersey this week and hit a pothole about 2 feet deep and bent two rims and bubbled 2 tires. I also wonder if it did more damage, the car tracks straight and is smooth but I hear a slight humming sound. Can a wheel bearing really get shot from hitting a huge pothole? I've heard it can happen but have never had it happen before.
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03-03-2011, 11:18 PM	#64
itsbrokeagain 310 Rep 15,745 Posts Drives: 1999 528iT, E53 X5, E46 325xi Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Strong Island iTrader: (7)	I doubt t Harold is giving you the run around. He has always been top notch with me as far as products and sales go and even following up..
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03-04-2011, 10:01 PM	#66
MJR63 Lieutenant 21 Rep 415 Posts Drives: 2011 335i X-Drive Sedan Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Tolland, CT iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i x-drvie [0.00]	I spoke with Harold the other day and said that he should ask AST to give us (the guys that ordered these back in November) something additional for all of our aggravation and making us wait all this time. I told him I would like it if they threw in the remote cable adjustment that is used to adjust the rear coil overs. I'm going to call AST USA again on Monday to get the latest status and plant this bug in their ear as well.... Last edited by MJR63; 03-04-2011 at 10:12 PM..
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