I posted my expierence with the core charge on my purchase of four O ring calipers from Vette brakes and products a little while ago. When I got the letter concerning my $200 core charge being only $100 cause the front two calipers were "unacceptal" And the rears were already sleeved, I kinda thought this wasn't really right. I used the two front ones for seven years and they didn't leak and stopped the car alright, so how come they were'Unacceptal'. Anyway some forum members told me to contact Paul Lesinski and ask him about it. Well Paul Lesinski doesn't work there anymore and I left a message with a women named Maria, and I'll see what she says. I told her I was a corvetteforum member and that I was wondering about the core charges. It cost me almost $100 just to ship the four calipers to florida so I really just gave the things away, and I'm not saying anything bad about VB&P, just that they should be a little more forward about the core charges. If the things arn't really worth anything to return then say so, but to say the cores have been resleeved or that they are 'Unacceptal' is crazy. Some of these calipers are twenty five years old. Heck all of them have had some kind of work done to them at some point? They should just figure in the core charge into the price and let it go at that! Anyway, I'll let you know what she says. It's kinda frustrating these core charges ! :crazy:


[Modified by killain, 7:17 PM 4/16/2003]

 

I thought Paul Lesinski owned VBP? I had a similar misunderstanding as the one you described about 3 years ago, and spoke to him several times. Very nice guy, I got the impression he owned VBP.

 

I called today, and the lady who answered the phones said he was gone from VB&P? :bb

 

I agree with you 100%.

Basically what VBP is offering is a glorified rebuild service . A "core" should not be limited to rebuildable units. Its also unfair to notify you the cores are unacceptal after you have the new ones on your car.

Plus their core charges are steep...

 

Well they have a good product and they deliever it very promptly, but I feel they could be more honest about the high core charges! :cuss

 

Like I said in your first post on this, have you ever had problems with core charges at a local store? (autozone, kregen/checkers, ect...) I havn't. They understand that what you are bringing back is going to be broken and might not be rebuildable, it just makes sence. At least they can recycle the metal if it's no good.

I have heard allot of good things about VB&P but now I will never buy anything from them that requires a core charge. If you dont get the charge back then there prices are not very good.

Thanks for keepings us informed on this.

 

That's a good point, there's no getting around that !

 

Killian
I would suggest calling Gary at VBP. He would be a good source to talk to about your cores.

Yes if you go to autozone or discount automotive they will give you all of your core money back but remember they only fix the part that broke on product clean it up and resell it. They don't go through the hole part and fix everything. They would lose to much money.

 

Killian & all,
As my kids say "my bad" , for the last few years I thought Paul Lesinski was part owner, I was wrong as i recently had a problem and was told he was GONE as it turns out he WAS the "business manager" at VB&P. I talked with Gary Gonzales (tech guy) and son of owner making him part owner. Anyone with a problem (might) consider talking with him, he seems both a reasonable AND knowledgeable person. ...redvetracr

 

My 2cents worth on this issue. I purchased 2 rebuilt calipers from them 2 years ago. I took months and several phone calls to get my core refund. Recently purchased 2 more calipers, this time from Ecklers. They came in Vette Brake boxes. Ecklers was a lot quicker on the refund. On the reduced amount for resleeved cores. All of the advertisement I have seen from any supplier clearly indicates resleeved cores have a lower refund.

 

I've been happy with VB&P, by way of their product and prompt service. But when my O-ring caliper arrived, I noticed there was no receipt, just a shipping label on the box, and some instructions on the inside. So I thought this was odd. Then, I E-mailed them regarding core refunds, and they replied saying I should check the receipt. Uh....can't. It's not there.

I'm sure this was just an honest mistake. But when you combine the shipping charges with the hassle of returning the damn thing, I'm thinking it's not even worth it. That's why I still have my old caliper, and may always....

 

The difference between a new and used caliper is about $30-$40. Did they just charge you that or did they take the whole core charge? I agree they should tell you whats wrong with it an why that is a problem. Other than cracked castings there should be very little which makes them rejects. What is the gripe with an aready sleeved caliper?

 

Well I too have seen the advertisments and the statement that resleeved calipers don't get the same refund and I'm not really arguing about that. I'm kinda pissed over the fact that virturally all the cores out there are twenty five or more years old, and I'll bet more than half of them are resleeved, Vette brakes knows this and still they charge you $200.00 core charge, Knowing that most cores sent back are shot and more than likely resleeved. Of the two I sent back two were resleeved and two were unacceptable ! Well the two that were unacceptable, those two were on the front of my vette and were stopping the car fine for the last six years, So why were they unacceptable? I called and left a message for Maria, who is now in charge of the core accounts, But she never returned my call so I don't think she wants to talk to me about my complaint. I just think they should be a little more forthcoming about the core charges. :cry

 

I would email them a link to this post and your first post. Then I bet they will be very willing to talk with you about this.

 

That's an idea, but I only want a fair shake ! :(

 

I have had good luck with Precision Engineering. I sent them 2 cores, both of which had been resleeved, and recieved full credit in about a week. I also ordered their 'O' ring rebuild kits for the other 2 calipers. I am quite happy with their products and service.