AES Racing Engines - Automotive Engine Specialties
#1
AES Racing Engines - Automotive Engine Specialties
I'm at my wit's end with AES blatant lack of communication and customer service. This is my last ditch attempt to get some info out of these guys, since they only answer the phone 1 out of 10 attempts to reach them, and don't respond to voice mails or emails. I really hate airing this in public, but I can't ever get a call back after MANY attempts over the past week of getting even a status of my engine...I consider it fair game.
My Story:
I called AES 7 weeks ago to order up one of their 390 LS shortblocks. Talked to Brian, and he seemed knowledgable and personable. Shot the breeze with him for a bit, seemed like a good guy.
So here I am...not sure what to do, other than vent publically and hope that it will light a fire under AES' ***. To some it might appear that i'm one of those "problem" customers who's a pain in the *** and calls every day wanting to know what's going on with my project. I can assure you that is not the case. I just want an answer of where my $4700 engine is (THAT I PAID FOR WHEN I ORDERED IT!)
I understand delays, I understand shops get busy...but that is NO EXCUSE for the complete lack of communication that I've experienced so far. I see that AES has time to log on to LS1Tech every day, but not to return a customer's phone calls who spent good money with them. Cute.
I really wish I'd seen these other threads before I ordered from AES. I know they build a solid engine, and I assumed they had a business ethic to match.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/ls1tech-s...ience-aes.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/ls1tech-s...-whats-go.html
My Story:
I called AES 7 weeks ago to order up one of their 390 LS shortblocks. Talked to Brian, and he seemed knowledgable and personable. Shot the breeze with him for a bit, seemed like a good guy.
- June 4, 2014 - I was told "about 2 weeks" for a build time for this 390. That sounded more than reasonable to me. I asked if he could take a couple pics during the assembly, since honestly, who doesn't like engine p*rn? He said that would be no problem. Never saw any pics...but that's the least of my concern.
- June 24, 2014 - Three weeks goes by, with no communication from Brian. I call several times to check the status....never an answer. I fire off an email:
Hi Brian,
When do you think my 390 will be ready for me to pick up? I also wanted to double check that you've got the 917286 ATI balancer and oil pump ready to go as well?
I have been meaning to call you! I know you have phoned the shop a few times. Crazy busy time right now.
I am waiting on pistons to show still for the 390's. Should not be too much longer.
I send the following email back the same day:
Brian,
Do you have an estimated completion date? Dying to get the hot rod back on the road! - June 24 - July 13, 2014 - A couple weeks more go by, with no word from AES. I begin trying to call them, most of the time nobody answers the phone. I finally get ahold of Brian, he tells me he just sat down for lunch and to call him back in about an hour. I try calling FIVE more times that day....no luck.
Try again over the next several days with no answer...finally answers once.
"I'm out in the shop right now, let me call you right back"
Guess what....that's right. No call. - July 14, 2014 - Finally get ahold of him, and he says
"I think that one is done, let me check"...put on hold for a bit, comes back and says, "it's all layed out for assembly".
When can I come get it?
"Well when do you need it by?"
I'd like it soon...i've been on vacation the last couple weeks, so it hasn't been at the top of my priority list, but my car is just sitting now, with a broke engine, so I'd like to get it going again soon.
"Ok, we'll get it going for you" - July 17, 2014 - I'm really starting to get hot about this, and send the following email:
Brian,
Can you PLEASE call me back and let me know when my 390 LS will be done and ready for pickup? When I ordered it 5 weeks ago I was told it would be ready in 2 weeks. When I called you on monday you told me that it was layed out for assembly. Does that mean all the machine work and balancing is done and it just needed to be assembled, or that they were just starting the prep work?
My brother is going to be in your area this weekend and I was hoping he could pick it up for me.
Please call me and give me a solid date that it will be ready for pickup. - July 18, 2014
Voicemail transcript:
Hey, It's, Brian at AES. Hey, I got your got your email. Ive been meaning to call you back for couple of days now. Gimme a shout back. My number here (847) 956-1244 again. That's (847) 956-1244. Thanks. - July 22, 2014 - Another 4 days with no call, no email communication from AES, and no answer at their shop. At this point, i'm getting really sick of hearing the start of their voicemail greeting "Hello you've reached AES" Actually, NO, I haven't reached you! Finally get ahold of him in the morning, says that he thinks mine is done, but he needs to check with Mike and can't find him anywhere, and to call back in an hour. I try calling back 3 more times with no answer that afternoon, and finally send this email at 1:15 pm:
Brian,
I seem to have a hard time getting you on the phone, so maybe email is easier for you? When I called and talked to you today at 11:30, you said you thought it was done, but Mike wasn't around, and you had to verify with him?
What's the status on my 390? - July 23, 2014 - I call in the AM and leave a voicemail for Brian, saying that maybe I haven't been clear on my expectations, but I expect a call back from him with a status of my engine, and a SOLID date that I can come pick it up. It is now 3:40 PM local time, more than a day later....and no response from AES/Brian.
So here I am...not sure what to do, other than vent publically and hope that it will light a fire under AES' ***. To some it might appear that i'm one of those "problem" customers who's a pain in the *** and calls every day wanting to know what's going on with my project. I can assure you that is not the case. I just want an answer of where my $4700 engine is (THAT I PAID FOR WHEN I ORDERED IT!)
I understand delays, I understand shops get busy...but that is NO EXCUSE for the complete lack of communication that I've experienced so far. I see that AES has time to log on to LS1Tech every day, but not to return a customer's phone calls who spent good money with them. Cute.
I really wish I'd seen these other threads before I ordered from AES. I know they build a solid engine, and I assumed they had a business ethic to match.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/ls1tech-s...ience-aes.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/ls1tech-s...-whats-go.html
Last edited by Grenadier; 07-25-2014 at 11:20 AM. Reason: Added an angry face to the thread title. lol.
#2
Brian, when you get on this afternoon and see this, please call me and either
1) Schedule a time for me to pick up my engine within the next week
2) Completely refund my money, and I will take my business to one of your competitiors.
1) Schedule a time for me to pick up my engine within the next week
2) Completely refund my money, and I will take my business to one of your competitiors.
#3
TECH Resident
iTrader: (19)
I know exactly what you are going through. They are good at giving you the run around. I went through the exact same thing, however, I guarantee you, my post would have been 5-10 times as long as yours. I wish I would have documented everything (from # of times I called, promises, timeframes, no responses, etc).
They always had an excuse or some reasoning. I feel for you, because I dealt with the same thing. My 2 month engine build turned into 9 by the time I got it. I would highly recommend looking everything over when you get it. There were plenty of things that were not explained very well when they made their "sale" to me.
However, I can say, that I have definitely had fun with the engine from them. I have been out beating on it and have had no issues. They build a great product and seem to be very knowledgeable, but the hassle of getting it isn't work it!
I will also say, I ran into this quite a bit when going through my build. Most (not all, but MOST) big ticket car vendors I have worked with are all the same. They build one hell of a product, but its not hardly worth the BS to get it. It is an extremely frustrating industry!
Good luck to you and I hope it works out. And definitely have fun with it once you get it and get it running!
They always had an excuse or some reasoning. I feel for you, because I dealt with the same thing. My 2 month engine build turned into 9 by the time I got it. I would highly recommend looking everything over when you get it. There were plenty of things that were not explained very well when they made their "sale" to me.
However, I can say, that I have definitely had fun with the engine from them. I have been out beating on it and have had no issues. They build a great product and seem to be very knowledgeable, but the hassle of getting it isn't work it!
I will also say, I ran into this quite a bit when going through my build. Most (not all, but MOST) big ticket car vendors I have worked with are all the same. They build one hell of a product, but its not hardly worth the BS to get it. It is an extremely frustrating industry!
Good luck to you and I hope it works out. And definitely have fun with it once you get it and get it running!
#4
You're killing me...but thanks for the support. The only bright spot in your post is that if/when I get my 390, it will be a solid unit....which is the reason I chose AES in the first place.
I have to agree that dealing with many of the vendors is frustrating as all hell. This had been the worst one for me though. On the upside, I've dealt with a few vendors who are on their game. Great product and customer support to match.
Regardless, in my profession, the squeaky wheel gets the grease...so here I am.
Squeek. Squeek....
I have to agree that dealing with many of the vendors is frustrating as all hell. This had been the worst one for me though. On the upside, I've dealt with a few vendors who are on their game. Great product and customer support to match.
Regardless, in my profession, the squeaky wheel gets the grease...so here I am.
Squeek. Squeek....
#5
Progress!! Just got a call from AES. They were apologetic about the delay and have said that they are "confident" that it will be ready by the end of next week.
Fingers crossed, as I'd love to get my hot-rod back together again to salvage some time on the street with it this summer.
I'll keep this thread updated.
Fingers crossed, as I'd love to get my hot-rod back together again to salvage some time on the street with it this summer.
I'll keep this thread updated.
#6
I feel your pain....I sent them my new 305 Mast castings,Holley Hi Ram intake, throttle body and $12K+ deposit back in January expecting to get a bad *** boost ready 427LSX back in "4 to 5 weeks" .....still waiting Oh, by the way they gave me a tracking number last week(after being fed up), when I called the freight company to get the details so that I can pick it up, they have tried picking it up @ AES on the 24th, 25th and 28th and in the notes "per Brian there is no freight to pick up"...but when I called AES yesterday they said "It was shipped out we will find out what happened and get right back with you" another day and about twenty unanswered calls later, still nothing.....
#7
Nearly another week has gone by....still no info from AES. Called yesterday and left a message for Brian, and no return correspondence, even after waiting 24 hours and making 2 additional calls today. Also, yesterday marked EIGHT weeks since I ordered, when I was told "about 2 weeks".
Holy **** dude. You are way worse off than I am, in regards to both time, money "spent", and parts of yours they have. Wow. Thanks for the post. Hopefully more people will see our issues with AES and consider a different engine builder.
I feel your pain....I sent them my new 305 Mast castings,Holley Hi Ram intake, throttle body and $12K+ deposit back in January expecting to get a bad *** boost ready 427LSX back in "4 to 5 weeks" .....still waiting Oh, by the way they gave me a tracking number last week(after being fed up), when I called the freight company to get the details so that I can pick it up, they have tried picking it up @ AES on the 24th, 25th and 28th and in the notes "per Brian there is no freight to pick up"...but when I called AES yesterday they said "It was shipped out we will find out what happened and get right back with you" another day and about twenty unanswered calls later, still nothing.....
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#9
Here's my update. Shortly after my last post in this thread, after not being able to get ahold of anybody at AES, I initiated a credit card chargeback for the purchase price of the shortblock in question. I sent Brian an email letting him know what I was doing and why.
Magically, that was enough to get a response the next day.
He basically said that he didn't think i was in a big hurry for my engine, and that they would have no problem selling "my" 390, since they were in such high demand. He went on to say that he would willingly refund my money if I wanted, or I could continue with the chargeback.
I told him that we didn't need to draw this out any more than it already has, and that I'd cancel the chargeback once my credit card account was credited. Two weeks went by, and another couple emails and phone call before it was credited back last wed or thurs. At least they are consistent.
Finally got some closure.
Magically, that was enough to get a response the next day.
He basically said that he didn't think i was in a big hurry for my engine, and that they would have no problem selling "my" 390, since they were in such high demand. He went on to say that he would willingly refund my money if I wanted, or I could continue with the chargeback.
I told him that we didn't need to draw this out any more than it already has, and that I'd cancel the chargeback once my credit card account was credited. Two weeks went by, and another couple emails and phone call before it was credited back last wed or thurs. At least they are consistent.
Finally got some closure.
#10
9 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
I had to wait forever on them too. At least we all know it's not just us, seems like a few sponsors on here tell us all the same stories instead of being up front. that's why I apprecaite Slowhawk, he'll give you the news you don't want to hear and isn't worried about that, he just wants to be upfront.
#11
9 Second Club
I'll just bump this thread as it's the most recent that comes up in a search.
I wanted some basic rebuild parts before Xmas ( rings, pump, bearings, gaskets etc )..paid for them in full at start of December and was told no problem, should go out in a few days
I tried to buy from AES again as they supplied my rotating assembly and a block, purchased on separate occasions over last few years.
All I have to date is a FedEx tracking number...which says nothing more than a label created on 4th Feb 2015.
No parts, he didnt return a call yesterday and hasnt responded to emails over past few days.
Mike, I'm loathe to post this here, but I'm extremely annoyed right now sitting with an engine in pieces that I can do little with and first racing events only 3 weeks away.
All I want is my parts, it isnt that much to ask of a seller ?
I wanted some basic rebuild parts before Xmas ( rings, pump, bearings, gaskets etc )..paid for them in full at start of December and was told no problem, should go out in a few days
I tried to buy from AES again as they supplied my rotating assembly and a block, purchased on separate occasions over last few years.
All I have to date is a FedEx tracking number...which says nothing more than a label created on 4th Feb 2015.
No parts, he didnt return a call yesterday and hasnt responded to emails over past few days.
Mike, I'm loathe to post this here, but I'm extremely annoyed right now sitting with an engine in pieces that I can do little with and first racing events only 3 weeks away.
All I want is my parts, it isnt that much to ask of a seller ?
Last edited by stevieturbo; 02-14-2015 at 04:20 PM.
#13
9 Second Club
FedEx insist nothing has been collected.
Mike has not responded to my last email ( again )
Dispute is now being raised with credit card company. Enough is enough and sad that it has to get to this stage.
Mike has not responded to my last email ( again )
Dispute is now being raised with credit card company. Enough is enough and sad that it has to get to this stage.