Have I been patient enough?

For the TL;Dr scroll down.

About a year ago I purchased a set swap adapter brackets from a company that is local to my state, but a 2.5hr drive from me. I had them in my possession for about a year before the engine swap started. I finally came to the part of the swap where the engine goes in, and, lo and behold, they don't fit. Several celica forum members confirm they too are having issue with these. I mailed my brackets back to them in February. I have had little response from them until march 10th, where one employee emailed back "we are working on it". So I've heard nothing back from for the rest of the time up to today. I've tried calling them twice today. No answer, goes to voicemail. They won't return my calls or emails (which I've sent many, including the website contact feature!). They have had my brackets since February. I have two options I can see. Either make contact and tell them to ship the brackets back to me (and refund some cash) and I'll modify them myself, or wait it out and hope they will eventually get to it.

TL;DR: The car was supposed to be done at the end of winter. I don't have my brackets from the place I bought them from. I've been jerked around for three months. If I get brackets back now I'll be done by end of summer. If I hold out, who knows. What would you do? Have I waited long enough to be incensed???

Give them a call. Be polite. See where they stand and go from there.

I surely believe in being nice and kind. And I understand things take time. I feel I've given them sufficient time to accomplish the corrrection of their error. I want to be firm, but not a dick...

Also, id love to talk with them. However, what can I do about getting zero response from email or phone??

How far away is it?

I'm an shiny happy person enough that I'd make the 2.5 hour trip and just write it off as a road trip.

Is it an actual shop or just a guy who makes adapters and sells them online?

It may be an unfruitful trip if you try and drive to an address on a website.

Perhaps contact the Better business bureau?

Contest the charge and make them myself.

You asked.

It's a perennial problem with small businesses - the proprietor may be good at making parts but they're terrible at actually running the business.

And it Is a legit fab shop. Oh hell, The name of the business is Xcessive manufacturing. They started off so great. I've been to the shop. It's messy inside, But lots going on too. I don't want to make a 2.5hr drive to Portland and find out they aren't in the shop, or even worse, I get there and they are like "yeah we told you we are working on it."

If one of the Celica members is nearby have them stop by and just say hey Bob could you take 5 minutes and give X a call. All they want is to know what's happening if your slammed and can't get to them just ship me back. You know at this point Bob it's started to spread on the forums which and you know some dork is going to make more of this than there really is. I'd be appreciated if you would let the guy know.

Otherwise you may well have to show up at their door. My question is how much did they cost, may be worth cutting your losses.

102$. But your idea isn't bad. There are several celica members in the area.

stuart in mn wrote: It's a perennial problem with small businesses - the proprietor may be good at making parts but they're terrible at actually running the business.

I know that MudRat Designs, who did lift kits and awesome tube bumpers and engine swaps for Subarus was terrible in that regard.

The best shops I've seen usually are partnered. One guy has the business, the other has the skill doing whatever it is the company does. Xcessive is that way though... I believe Rich is the fab person and Guy is the business person. (Maybe I've got them switched?) doesnt matter, they don't come on these forums and I highly doubt anyone here knows them.

I know its too late now but its a reminder to do research before you buy.
I remember the Locost chassis for Miata's fiasco. The guy meant well but went belly up taking lots of people's deposits with him.

I did my research and had heard two bad stories but revolved around people not getting orders in time. I also visited the shop. At the end of the day though, they are the only business on the west coast making these swap parts and they are local to my state so I rolled the dice. Not a big deal. I'm still not mad really. Just getting impatient because I want this car DONE before summer.

I'd keep calling. Squeaky wheel and all. But, really, it might just be better to cut your losses. It's only $100.

I live in Portland and could pop by the shop and make sure they're still around. Could probably even talk to them about the newly redesigned engine swap brackets I've heard about...

Finally talked to Guy on the phone. He says "I don't know, Rich is in Vegas I'll call you back at one pm". It's 3pm here now, no call.

At 3pm I'd been 30 minutes from​ their shop.