Sponsor Sales & Specials - MMS Revamped and here to serve!

For a while now MMS has been mostly involved with larger project oriented jobs. Since early July we've undergone a major change in the company. My business partner and Service Manager Derek has moved on and is no longer with MMS. Through most of July we've revamped the company and downsized to return our focus to where it once was. When MMS started in 1998, we offered high performance for L98 and LT1 cars. Within a year we moved into the LS1 market. For the past couple years we undertook a huge company growth and expanded our horizons.

Through that process he had hi highs and low lows. In June I made a personal decision for myself to make some major changes in my business life. Things changed for me with the birth of my son in June of 2002. I felt MMS hadn't followed the vision I once sought and that my ambitious goals were no longer as important as they once were because of my new family life.

For those that didn't know Derek was 1/3 owner of MMS and has been there since the beginning. Around this time my tuning services had flourished to the point I felt ready to pursue it as a seperate venture. We discussed the option of Derek taking over control of MMS and I would step down and pursue my new ventures. After some serious talks we finally decided that MMS would be owned solely by myself and Derek would no longer be part of the company.

After that decision was made and all the parperwork sorted I implemented and immediate structural change to MMS.

With the idea of downsizing and getting back to our roots. MMS sold the dyno facilities which is now Strictly Dyno. I own an interested in the company but it is a seperate owned and operated company. In addition I formed E-Tune. This company is specifically started to provide tuning services and develop hand held programming devices.

Throughout July MMS moved all it's service equipment into a smaller unit that we've been leasing for R&D. This was done to cut expenses and improve efficiency. We also been fortunate to find an excellent technician that is a huge car fanatic. He's worked as a GM tech for Rydell and has been hotrodding and fabricating for years. He's been involved with the building of some of the fastest West Coast Street cars run in the PSCA racing series.

Now as we get into August we are back up and running. Our new tech Rob has really met my performance and commitment expecations. An example is a S/C'd Z06 that wanted a new shortblock. We had a complete shortblock ready to go and customer placed the order on Monday. On Tuesday we began to tear it down. By Friday the car was dyno tuned and the customer picked it up. We are also getting through a lot of backed up work but have already seen an increase in productivity. Rob's work ethic is one of the best I've seen ever. A S/C'd C5 blew a P/S pump on the dyno at 6:30pm and he stayed late to have the car ready to go the next morning. He is commited to the success of MMS. If you ever have the chance he is a great person to get to know.

So where are we at now. This is the new MMS team, a smaller more efficient group.

Al Carreon - Sales
Rob Barth - Service
Karen Dattilo - Accounting
Bubba Bronson - Shipping/Receiving
and of course myself.

I don't have any plans to push a growth spurt for MMS in the near future. MMS is a cooperative managed company where each individual is responsible for the success of this company. As a team they've all commited themselves to the success of MMS because those successes are theirs.

Stay tuned for new specials and pricing. Also we'll be jumping back into the drag racing. I'm putting together a 2001 Camaro that will be the quickest H/C car in the country and beyond that we'll be competing for the quickest LS1 powered car. My passion for drag racing hasn't disappeared, but it did need a jumpstart and the new look of MMS has helped it. It is just different now that I'm a family man and have a 2nd one on the way :D

Thank You,

WOW !!

Good luck to all you guys.

I know how you feel. Sold the 99 in 00, Got married, had other ambitions. Then they stopped making them and BAM! im back in it! GL Mike.
Scoobs

Mike, how are incidents like the following going to be addressed going forward at MMS?

http://www.ls1tech.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=564263&page=0& view=collapsed&sb=5&o=7&fpart=1&vc=1

Well Mike, I want to wish you good luck with your new ventures and with the reconstruction of your company. From what I have read, you will need all the luck you can get, if you plan to stay in buisness. If you want to reach your goals in todays instant communication world, I would suggest you take a good look at how you stand behind your produces and how you advertise them. I for one will never do buisness with your company as long as I continue to hear of all the poor products and no suport your company is now known for. Bless you and good luck on your ventures. :cheers:

I have recently delt with MMS and all i can say Helll ya, i used to aviod MMS due to customer service,but the last 5-6 times ive delt/bought from MMS Al amd Mike have gone outts their way to help me out. 110% improvment i say, keep it up and you now have another customer.... :cheers:

Mike, how are incidents like the following going to be addressed going forward at MMS?

http://www.ls1tech.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=564263&page=0& view=collapsed&sb=5&o=7&fpart=1&vc=1



I just glanced at it. It's pretty long so I'll see what has been said.

Just a couple things regarding this.
Customer spoke to Al(MMS Sales) in May or June I believe. Al was correct to let the customer know there was not warranty on nitrous motors. I'm not doubting the customer has a problem, but the first time he's contacting me was with this email

Hi Mike,

I'm writing in regard to the 427 LS1 engine that I bought from you in October of 2001. After running it for less than 400 miles it started overheating. When we dropped the engine and pulled the heads there were 3 dropped sleeves and two cracks in the block exactly where the sleeves meet between the cylinders. As soon as I saw the engine I called your office and spoke with Al who told me there was nothing he could do because there is no manufacturers warranty on nitrous engines. Since Al wasn't willing to work with me I had the engine repaired here in Atlanta. I am now requesting a refund for the amount of $.

427 resleeved block - $3000
Labor for diagnosing the problem, rebuilding the engine, the engine swap
- $5154

Total = $8154

Mike, I'm requesting this refund because I think it's fair. It's fair because I drove my car gently for less than a month before the engine went to hell. I didn't use any nitrous; the kit I bought from you is still in a box with the MMS shipping label on it. Half of my kit is still in shrink wrapped packages. I also understand the time frame here. It's been a long time since I received the engine but it took a long time to receive all the parts to get the car running. I didn't get my intake back until March of this year (an intake sent to NX for a
direct port kit that I bought from you).

The bottom line is that the engine didn't perform the way your general manager Brad Giron told me it would in numerous emails. And considering that I paid more than $17000 for it, and I'm currently only requesting that you pay for the repairs, I think this is pretty fair.

I look forward to hearing from you.



This was received on Friday afternoon.

I responded to the matter within an hour with the following

Chris,
Sorry to hear about the unfortunate experience with the motor. I understand Al told you there is no warranty for motors running nitrous which is in fact true. Also at most on a resleeve block would be a one year warranty for a naturally aspirated application that we sold and installed at our facilities. I'm not doubting that you had a problem with the motor, but considering the time passed and that fact that we never installed the engine there are way too many unknowns from cooling, tuning, usage, etc.

We are always willing to work with a customer but it is difficult in situations where we don't have first hand knowledge of working on the car. From what I've read it appears you've alrady installed a new block. So there really isn't anything I can provide in the way of upgrading your motor to the latest technology. I really can't even offer to have you send us the car for diagnosis and repair if you've already completed repairs.

I don't know if you are still getting parts for the car or not, but If there are parts you need I can offer them to you at my cost. We carry all major brands. If you are interested in a Darton Sleeved Block I can also provide that to you at cost. For the remainder of 2003 I will add a notation to your file regarding the offer. You may use at any time as often as you'd like for the rest of the year without restricition.


Mike Morgan
Morgan Motorsports, Inc



My first reaction was not a good one. Here's a motor that we never installed that was shipped back in 2001. Regardless of nitrous or no nitrous, I have no idea what's been going on with the motor besides what the customer has to say.

So the email I received was that he would be contacting a Los Angeles Attorney.

Well I thought that was about it then. At that point I felt like this isn't anyone willing to discuss the matter. Then there were his posts on LS1.com and I guess on here now. I just don't get the feeling there is much I can do for him since it seems that his mind is made up.

He has since emailed me with discussion of implied warranties, which I'm well familiar with. But my take is he's already performed whatever add'l work he deemed necessary without consulting me. Appearantly he's decided on a C5R block. Now I'm not sure if the MMS shortblock is together or apart or whatnot, but there was no attempt beyond a phone call to Al regarding this matter. Rather he made all his decision and then emailed me. He also jumps into some threads. It really feels like he's forcing my hand on the matter. One thing I've learned is that these boards have been used in the past to get something from a vendor whether deserved or not. I don't think this is the situation, but he really didn't give me any options besides accepting what he wanted.

The only reason I considered to offer anything in this matter is because there has been some problems with resleeves in the past. Since he had already done whatever work he needed to do by getting a new blocks etc, I felt my offer was all I could do.

Now If I had received an email looking for a solution to his motor problem, then I may have looked at it differently. It is not a big deal for me to swap out the block for the newer designed Darton MID sleeved setup. Whether there would've been out of pocket to the customer would depend on the circumstances.

As I stated in my email. There really isn't thing I can do about upgrading it to the Darton Setup if he's already taken it upon himself to buy a C5R block.

At this point I will not be discussing the matter on a public forum any further. If the customer wishes to pursue legal action, which seemed to be the immediate reaction, then I will have to let my attorney deal with it. If the customer is looking for resolution regarding the repair of the MMS shortblock then that would be a reasonable discussion and the forum will probably hear about that. Fortunately, Darton has gotten it together on their new sleeve kits. I even have a bare block with the sleeves already installed that could be made available if the customer wishes to truly discuss the matter.

I appreciate reasonable minds on this. It gets old seeing the "that's f&%@#d up I'm never going to do business with them". It seems like sometimes people jump to the boards to get those people to post and make it look like they have the backing of the internet world. It's a bunch of bull IMO. I don't go hunting the forums for these types of posts. If a customer has a problem and they don't feel that MMS sales dept adequately helped them out then they could do the following.

email me @ mike@mmsracing.com
leave a message on my voice mail 818 342 5693. Just tell whoever you'd like to leave a voice mail message.
Send me a letter 18446 Hart St Reseda, CA
Fax me @ 818 342-9053

I'd rather not go through lawyers with any matter. I've been doing this for nearly six years and haven't yet. I've also never sued anyone, though I've been close with a couple manufacturers. But once i'm told that it they will be getting a lawyer, I'd rather just do it through the legal channels. At least then it is more reasonable to deal with.

I will say this, Mike has impressed me with his professionalism on this subject. I don't usually see this from all the vendors. It sounds like things have changed at MMS for the better. Now Mike come out with your specials & deals. :D

Mike, how are incidents like the following going to be addressed going forward at MMS?

http://www.ls1tech.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=564263&page=0& view=collapsed&sb=5&o=7&fpart=1&vc=1



I just glanced at it...



Thanks, Mike. I think it's good to see both sides of the issue and let the readers draw their own conclusions. IMO If a serious problem occurs quickly get the shop's owner involved on the ground floor. Many times the problem can be worked thru but document all discussion email etc in case it turns nasty.

Sounds like things are on the up and up for MMS. I'm reading for a tuning deal when you are Mike :)

Shawn,
Shoot me an email and I'll get you a price. Thanks for the support.

SunsetWS6,
I think we've spoke through email. I'll work out a package deal when you are ready. I'm not interested in posting a lot of specials on the forums. I'd rather deal with customers on an individual case by case basis. As such with bad vendors there are bad customers too. I'd like to have MMS get to know the customer and their needs and wants. Our loyal customers always get good deals. I'm not out to fish on the internet with low prices, because i feel that if that is the only consideration by a customer then more likely than not they will become a problem customer. I like your enthusiasm on the boards so I'm sure we'll have no problem getting you set up with a fair price for everyone.

99 Blackbird,
I couldn't agree more. It seems that in today's quick frantic world the first reaction is f them I'm posting something or I'm suing. I kinda miss the "mom and pop" way of doing things. When someone has a problem they come and discuss it face to face. Then you get a true feel of the situation and attitudes and such are out in the open. People deal a lot differently that way.

Anyways, I am committed to making MMS a better place for everyone. But I've also leaned towards in house service and product through our wholesalers only. I've never wanted to be a volume parts house. These vendor wars to make 10% is out of control and the perception of hot rodding has definitely changed. I just feel more comfortable knowing who I'm dealing with.

Sounds good Mike I will be giving you a call personally soon. See if you can get my WS6 into the 430-450rwhp range like all the east coasters are. ;)

I kinda miss the "mom and pop" way of doing things. When someone has a problem they come and discuss it face to face. Then you get a true feel of the situation and attitudes and such are out in the open.



AMEN!!!

What I love about MMS is the fact that when I send Mike an email, I feel that he realy reads it and hears what I'm saying to give me the best, most effective and personal service he can. It is also apparant to me that he really cares about what he is doing and is genuinely excited about our cars. I want to work with someone who is going to customize what they are doing to me, and not just pumping another car out. Not that Mike needs lots of :cheers:, his reputation building monster LS1s should speak for itself! :cool:

Hey Mike, did you get my email? :cheers:

yes I did Scott. I'll need some time on that one :) I did talk to Al a bit about it too. I'm sure there is something we can do, just not sure yet. Reviewing our options on this end.

MMS is a great company and constantly helping me with my questions. I am pround to be putting his stage II heads on my car. Thanks for the info on the pushrods. Email me with your tuning options.

Scott P

Well, after hearing both sides to the story, I still feal for you Mike. i realy do hope you want to do right for your customers or you will not stay in buisness. As for were my work will go, I still stand behind my word. I will not do any buisness with you until I have heard of a resolition that makes both sides happy. If you realy cared about your products and your buisnesses reputation, I still think there is plenty of time for you to work with the man. I am not here to tell you what the resolution should be but I feel that you should at least try to work something out with the man and not let it go as far as lawyers. That would be a waist of money and time on both sides. I am sure if you both comunicate on the matter a very good result would come out of it on both sides. I think you would make more loyal customers if you tryied to work things out and if both parties let us know that there was a positive outcome. We don't need details, just to know both sides are pleased. Mike you want my loyalty and buisness, then prove to me I should spend my time and money with you. Prove to me you will treat me like a friend and not like a quick buck. God bless you and good luck.

I figure i would cross post this for you Texas WS6.

PSJ,
I can understand you wanting to leave the thread open. I don't have anything to add at this point. I am in a wait and see pattern. I've corresponded with the customer and it was made clear the only option was his refund for a replacement block and all his labor. He's also notified me that he is involving an attorney. That being the case I've been advised that it is not appropriate to discuss the matter on a public forum any further.
<snip> unrelated <snip>
I am sorry that it's come to this, but I am trying to put MMS in a different direction. I can only control our conduct today and try to rectify issues from the past. I also know that everyone won't be 100% satisfied. I can live with that if I feel I've done what I feel is right. Time will determine if that is right for today's consumer. I've been doing this for nearly six years and I plan to do it for many more. My passion for cars have waxed and waned and in conjunction, so has MMS. But in the end it is only my business, there is much more in my life. If my business ever becomes a detriment to my life and my families well being then I will move on.

I think that I should add my own personal experience with MMS. I went through a similar situation but came out of it much differently. I have a big bore motor from MMS. It took a lot longer to come to fruition than originally planned. We ran into some issues with the first two blocks. That's right TWO. MMS covered everything in total and even worked out a killer deal on my LS6 heads to help compensate me for the added time and frustration. That is not to say that there weren't times that I was extremely frustrated and extremely upset at the delays. In the cases of cutting edge engine design tuners sometimes get a little ahead of themselves when releasing products to the marketplace. That being said however, there was never any question as to how there were going to handle the situation. MMS stands behind their products 100%. I would not hesitate to do further business with them. They definitely have the big bore blocks down to a science at this point. MMS has competitive prices and the best tuning available.

Okay, great... thanks Mike! :cheers:

Mike, after seeing more of the story, as it was spoon feed to all of us, and as I said on the other post, I see that the customer is refusing to let you have the chance to work something logical out. The more I read of this the more it looks very fishy to me from the customer and not from you. I do feel that the employee should have completed a claim for you to personaly look at, but that is neither here nor there at this time. I am asking for your forgivness (Mike and all of MMS) for me letting myself get spoon feed and coming out so hard. But, maybe we can all learn something from this. I will wait to get all the info next time before taking a side. And I would hope you might look into your warrenty proceeders to help your buisness and employees. Again, I can admit when I am wrong, and I feel like I was. Sorry to all at MMS and to you Mike.

Texas WS6
AKA Scott Graham