Most liked posts in thread: Frustrations - Alta Performance

Let's face it ALTA is not a vendor on M/A for a reason.:aureola:

ALTA stuff is crap. It never fits and they a have very poor customer service.

Word to the wise buy your aftermarket parts from trusted vendors like Helix, Detroit Tuned, Outmotoring, WMW...Ect.

Friends don't let friends buy ALTA.

Most real shops have a motto for ALTA and its: "ALTA it almost fits or works"

Or you ALTA know better then to buy from ALTA.

 

While I don't buy ALTA parts on advice from others I did buy their AccessPort on the advice of others. Customer service was some of the best I've experienced. It's likely the only thing I'll ever buy from them because I can't get the equivalent elsewhere but I can't personally knock their service. Honestly so far, I've had excellent luck with vendors in the MINI world.

 

I have seen this type of complaint alot lately with vendors here. Short staffed or not keeping your customers informed is of the utmost importance period. Unhappy customer experience = one less customer and in this time of recession customers are your lifeblood.

 

I buy from Outmotoring and Detroit Tuned without any issues such as this. Both are great to deal with.

 

I had an order with Alta the beginning of Jun and they were quite attentive and very quick getting everything out to me, a week from placing the order to my house in FL. I called and chatted with them since I had a few questions. So my experience was good. My order was not complicated just wheels and an RSB.


Tracy

 

Couldn't agree with you more. You should be told immediately if something is back ordered and given a due date. There are too many places to get things and customer service is extremely important when deciding where the dollar goes. It can be very frustrating.

I've had great service from most vendors I have dealt with, Outmotoring, Way, Moss and for me Alta. Hope they make it right for you, every dollar should count.

 

I find it interesting how customer's expectations have changed, I consider it a product of the short attention span generation.

If you order something you expect a confimation email RIGHT NOW......

If you email them to ask about your order, you expect a reply RIGHT NOW....

Maybe, pick up the phone and call them? That way you can just ask them if they have it in stock and save yourself some time and aggravation?

I do agree that it would have been nice if they told you the item was on back order when they sent the first confirmation order, but chances are their system isn't set up that way; a lot of small vendors don't keep stock at their location, it's only when they order something that the place THEY get it from tells them whether THEY have it in stock, consequently, they may not have had an answer when you sent your wed email.....I also agree that customer service is important, but things don't always happen the way we all would like them too.....

so, did you get your tube or a refund?

It would be nice if everything could happen instantly, but the world just doesn't work that way all the time. Just trying to be the voice of reason here....

 

I don't know. I don't need my widget in 24 hours.Or desire instant knowledge. But I would like to know when there is a snag in the expectations. I just ordered over $1,000 in body panels etc for my kids car. My card got charged but I realized maybe 3 days later that I never received any confirmation details or tracking info.

When I emailed them, they responded with Ooops, we are waiting on one part. Should we split the shipment? Wouldn't have gotten a different answer from a phone call.

Really? How about telling me in advance!

 

Umm, sorry, when I said immediately, I mean when they process the order. When they process it, they should know if there will be a delay and should let you know. I think many of these companies are actually quite small with only a few employees, a guy with an idea trying to get it done. I try to cut most vendors in this small Mini world some slack, I want them to succeed. I am not a member of the "right now" generation as it is and was actually quite surprised they were so fast, ordering on a Fri and getting all the stuff by the next Fri on totally opposite coasts and I did thank them for their service. Just my experience.

 

I agree, do this simple trick before you click send: Grab the phone and actually talk to someone on the other end. If they say they have it in stock, let 'em know you're sending an order. If not, keep shopping. You'll have far fewer disappointments that way and you're out FAR less time than you are now! Just some advice from an old guy that buys a lotta stuff!

BTW, if you ever shop tire rack, their website tells you if it's in stock or not. Ain't that a great idea?

 

Tire Rack does tell you their stock situation on the web site, but it's not always accurrate, if you really want to know you call them and talk to Alex, he'll send someone into the warehouse to physically look and see if the tires are there.

Same thing with a small vendor, but I agree it would be nice if they could tell you whether it's a stock item or an order item.

 

Alex @ the Tire rack is a good guy.

 

They are sketchy at best. I think it has something to do with Oregon. A bit off topic but think we met in Dallas when I lived there. Bought a part from you. Welcome back to MINI!

 

Be glad you didn't get it. They show the same part for the Hardtop and Countryman so it won't fit right when you get it. The Countryman discharge pipe is actually slightly shorter. You can make the NM pipe work by sliding the ends on further, but can't do that with a solid silicone hose like the alta.

Just one of many reasons WMW does NOT sell Alta parts.