While reading a thread here a few days past concerning a machine shop's seemingly expensive price quote,the site"s sponsors directed attention to TS&P"s machine services and website.
Needing machine work myself, I found the TS&P description of services and equipment sounded exactly what i was looking for.
So today I called them up and soon found out that unless I had bought at least 75% of parts there, they refused to even discuss any machine work!
I have been saving for 3 years to gather my recip. assembly, and have Weisco and K1 parts still in boxes.
Needless to say, I am extremely dissapointed.
No intent to bash or flame TS&P, just wish they would include notices on website to inform of the policy.
Salesman made me feel like I insulted him by having my parts on hand and flatly refused to discuss terms any further.
I welcome TS&P's response and hope they revise policy in the future and welcome more potential customers.
Danny

 

First things first, I have to say I understand their position. They don't know where the parts came from, and the last thing they want is to be in a position to get your parts, go to machine them, find they aren't able to for whatever reason, and then have no recourse b/c they didn't buy those particular parts from their vendor. From that point, they have a no win situation, telling you that your parts aren't good, and pissing you off as a customer.

All this said, you have plenty of great shops near you that could do the work and have great reps! H Squared and LME are the first 2 that pop into my head. I'm sure they'd be wiling to help you.

 

Second paragraph I completely agree.

Paragraph 1 I have an issue.

What's wrong with sending the stuff you've already got in hand to the "ultimate LS machine shop"?

If everything you have is BNIB, what's the problem? Even if it wasn't, it's just going to cost you a bit for heavy metal or anything else they have to do, which is what ANY machine shop would do.

I'm a bit dumbfounded myself OP. I don't see what the hangup is. I'd also like to know who the "salesman" was that made you feel belittled.

 

That's real lame. Pretty much like if I was to go to my local machine shop and they refused to do work because I didn't buy parts from them...which wouldn't happen.

 

I guess I'd say it better if I said, they're not setup for it... And by it I mean outside customer machine work. The work they do at their shop (BTW 5 miles from my home here) is all internal work.

Regardless, OP, I'd still use the other 2 shops I named first. They're setup for it, and have great reps.

 

That's pretty weird. There should be a disclaimer for it at least as that's not a typical machine shop answer.

 

I am building a LQ4 6.0 into a 408, N/A, nothing out of the ordinary.
I called Weisco directly and obtained parts from them.
I get it if a guy sent a box of used mismatched stuff. Mine is new.
I also understand the difference between a machine shop that sells parts and a parts store that now does machine work, they are supporting their parts customers.
Did not get the sales guy's name, he did make it clear he was not allowed to bring in any machine work that already had parts. Basically end of conversation.
They have every right to dictate how they operate,just wish they made that point in print on the machine shop services page.
Would have saved me a call, Thank You.
My area has one decent shop, but they breathe Fords. Houston is a 100 miles away and yes, I am looking for a shop there now.

 

As for the sales guys, that's bever right to make you feel like your the problem. And yes, Houston is 100 miles away, but Georgetown is hundreds of miles away.

 

Having worked at a few speed shops over the years, I subscribe to the belief that it takes a thousand atta-boyz to equal one o-****. In other words it is SO DAMN hard to build a strong reputation in the performance machining industry and just one jack *** customer, in over his head, with parts scrounged from e bay, made in Dickjerkistan can jeopardize all that credibility.
Machine shops use parts they believe in, trust, and will stand behind. When someone chooses to save a buck or two and then wants a top notch performing engine, this puts the shop in the uncomfortable position of trying to correct shoddy quality control and straighten out ALL the minute variables which could potentially lead to a failure. All while remaining within budget of coarse, or else the customer who typically knows very little of the heart and soul, sweat and tears that get poured into a finished product will then go out and publicly bash the hell out of said shop without even knowing the true error of their own ways.
When I build a stock car engine for someone (and I only do between 10-15 per year out of my garage) I really try to take the time to educate my customer so they get a small understanding of exactly what is all going into their power plant. Often times they leave a bit smarter than they came and just might learn enough to properly care for their bullet. Then again up here in the frozen tundra, at least once a year I get the guy who pulled his lower radiator hose believing he was draining the coolant, only to have what was left in the block freeze and crack the casting rendering it POOP.
Admittedly I don't have to build race engines to put food on my plate, so as a hobby I make very little per hour doing it and I can often be a bit selective of my clients. In closing, no matter how hard I try there are still guys in this neck of the woods that think I cant spell small block chevy, let alone build one right....LOL

 

It seems simple to me, you purchased all of your own parts, which are the same brands TSP sells. They didn't want to do it, because they weren't making any money on selling you the same exact parts you already have.

 

Bingo! My thoughts as well.

 

They are a parts supplier and builder, not a machine shop for the general public. Does not seem odd to me at all.

 

That is a very common practice. I usually find it with inexperience. I have not seen a high quality shop refuse customer supplied parts that are new in box unless they were substandard parts.

 

And your an authority? To talk on their behalf?

Anyway, they should specify that they don't accept outside work with parts that weren't purchased from them! That's all, no harm no foul

 

I understand that they only machine & assemble engines with parts they sell. But what if you wanted them to supply everything EXCEPT the engine block?

Their website should offer their policy on what they'd do.

In my business, some of the profit is in the sale of products. If the customer buys his products elsewhere, I need to charge him more for my labor to cover my costs. I operate a shop, carry insurance, pay taxes, the help and I have vehicles to support with fuel, insurance and maintenance.

 

iirc in the op's other thread tsp actually commented saying to ship the stuff to them and never mentioned anything about buying parts from them.

 

I hope this doesn't tick anyone off BUT...

As long as the parts are BNIB, I don't see the problem. It is seller;s choice if they want to charge mark up on parts. In TSP's case I'm sure they have a booked shop, allowing for them to pick and choose opportunities. No foul play, it's a business not a charity. Let's be honest this hobby is not cheap and you gotta pay to play.

 

Hope this isn't true. I'm working with them right now to get a rotator built around MY rods and some work done to MY block. All else bought from them...

 

I understand they may not want to deal with unknown/no name parts because of compatibility or quality issues.

But damn, they sell and use those very parts that you are providing them...so they know exactly what they are getting. Guess they're just in for the money.

 

Russ, He told me that I have to buy at least 75% of the parts before they accept any work.
I still need more parts, as in most of my topend, but none that came into play.
I would not have considered them , until I read in previous post how they even offer special rates for customer to ship block to them,
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ly-1700-a.html
No harm done, I have a couple of good candidates in Houston now,due to this thread.