Hey guys;

I don't have a problem with TMS per-say--- They were cool to work with and my motor looks great--- buuut JUST INCASE there was some misunderstanding or whatever I just wanted some opinions from some guys that know a little more about it than me to chime in with a thumbs up/down so I know if everything is all good or not.

In my invoice I sent them my own 243 heads to be built. Granted-- they needed rockers/springs/valves and had a trunion upgrade-- but my heads all the same. All the stuff added/taken away is in the invoice.

In the other two attachments I listed an ebay motor that is similar that they sell that lists for $4548 and another from their website that is similar but has forged diamond pistons, c5r chain, and their heads for the same price as mine....

I did a rough--uneducated-- parts/labor estimate and I keep coming up off some. At the time when I ordered the motor I called back and had similar questions but they explained and sent me an example invoice and said it was all good but idk maybe they didn't really get what I was trying to say. Orrr maybe like I said I don't know a lot about it and everything is fine. Just want some opinions. Thanks.

 

OK. Here's my take on what I've observed in the price comparisons.

Advertised website engine is $4948 without shipping which they claim is an additional $300 which would total $5258.

You paid $4832.26 for engine plus $137 for shipping plus another $90 for the crate for a total of 5059.26

You had a $139.99 upgrade trunnion charge.
$200 valve spring upgrade
$40 alt. bolt hole charge
Total of $379.99

Then you had a military discount of $125 and a $100 core credit for your 243's which totals $225 credit.

$379.99 add ons
-$225.00 credit
Total additional on engine base price is $154.99

Now take $4832.26 + $154.99 and it totals $4987.25

Advertised engine Less shipping is $4948.00
Your engine Less shipping is $4987.25
Difference is $39.25 with your upgrades/credits


Only questionable item I see is the $40.00 alt. bolt hole charge since I don't know what/why that charge is there.

Also, $100.00 credit towards your 243's is low. You should've asked ahead of time on this. Used their cores and sold yours for more $$$.

Next comparison:
Ebay engine is $4548.00 less shipping
Your engine is $4987.25 with credits/additions less shipping
Total difference is $439.25

If the Ebay engine and your engine are the same less your upgrades then there is questionable billing error of $284.26 which is including that $40.00 alt bolt hole charge. If that is a legitimate charge then the difference is $244.26

 

Thanks for the reply man. I asked about the shipping when I ordered the motor because I had budgeted for the $300 listed and he said it wouldn't really be that much-- He gave me the shipping with a crate and then optional lift-gate service--- which I declined-- so as far as I know the price listed for my shipping would have been the same for any motor from them. The $300 is listed... as a worst case scenario? I guess? idk. The alternator bolt hole I requested. When I called back after sitting down and really looking at everything I asked about the heads 4/5 times and he just repeated his answer of that's what the price is and sent me a mock-up invoice similar to mine... but from where I was looking at it I was basically getting shorted a set of heads or $300ish--not counting the 65$ it cost to ship mine. I really did try to explain that. I wanted to use the 243's though because the compression would be better. I also did a run down of individual parts (for the heads) and what a local machine shop would charge for assembly and clean up if they just wanted to send them to me since that seemed a lot cheaper and he said no because I wouldn't get the warranty that way. So bottom line-- I'm not sure if I got equal value/price as compared to other similar engines. Like I said I didn't really have time to address it at the time but now that I've got a spare minute from work/kids/school/military--- kinda want them to explain this. That's why I wanted some more viewpoints incase I just missed something. Didn't wanna be a d* and bug them for no reason.

 

I think there is some miscommunication here and I apologize deeply for that. I do not want anyone to feel that they could have been taken advantage of by us. If you could call at any time and ask for me (Kyle). I am the owner here and would like to see if I can clear up the confusion so there is no concern over the invoice or charges. I look forward to speaking with you at your convenience.
Thank you,
Kyle
Thompson Motorsports
972-853-2450

 

I just worked it out the way I understand the invoice.. I came out to the exact price (within rounding numbers) of the ebay price. I say exact..... It was like 30$ difference... When spending thousands, I don't even think of that. Thats just me, some do and I understand it.

FWIW, I know you actually have to mention the ebay price to get that price.
If you didn't mention it.... They gave you the ebay price anyway.
If you did mention it.... You got it because you mentioned it.

An "engine package" anybody sells/advertises is always going to be cheaper than something you put together/change from what they offer/advertise. The reason is they either have price cuts on a certain part/parts they are using... They have some extra stuff sitting around.. Etc... Once you start changing that the price cut goes away.
No company, even as much as I brag on TSP/Kyle, is ever going to give you "market value" for yours parts you supply. It just can't happen (from a business standpoint it'd be suicide). Is 100$ credit low for 243s? Sure.... Would I expect anything more? Absolutely not.
As already stated if that bothered you (it doesn't seem like it did) they should of been sold and applied towards your purchase.

With all that said... I've never even checked an invoice Kyle gives me. I'm not saying they don't make mistakes... What I am saying is I trust Kyle/his crew enough that even spending thousands with them (I've bought a couple engines from them now) that I have absolutely no worries about being screwed.

If you need anything else feel free to message me.

FWIW... Just for future reference... I've been around in the game for a while... -Always- keep it as private as possible until you have no further actions and it forces you to go public. Whether this was intended to be bashing or not... It isn't appreciated.
Just a friendly reminder. I don't think you handled it "bad", just not the "best".

Hope there is an update after everything is sorted out, whatever happens.

And thanks for letting them know I sent you that way!

Regardless of anything, you got an engine you're going to enjoy for a long time with no worries and someone that stands behind his quality work!

 

I talked to Kyle and he explained the variances and everything is cool. Like I said initially--I didn't really have a "problem" with them-- I just wanted the differences explained. Lemons-- I had asked about the ebay pricing. The price differences weren't so much an "issue" as something I just wanted to understand as my first couple conversations hadn't really cleared that up. I understood the marketing aspects etc. All of that is fine. Eh. I don't feel like I handled it badly- I only went public in the sense that I presented some information on a forum designed for questions and asked opinions as to whether or not there was a misunderstanding-- having already stated I didn't know much about it and my own estimates were rough and uneducated. If you'll notice the majority of my posts are late night-early a.m. So my time situation is... horrible to say the least. So I threw it out and let the forum do it's thing. I hadn't intended any bashing. Your welcome for the word-- the majority of the info I read on TMS came from you and was well represented so I gave credit where it was due. But anywayss--- in conclusion--- I contacted Kyle from TMS and he explained everything in a patient, courteous manner. Everything's all good. Thanks to anyone who contributed.