So, I'm out at the LSX shootout in St Louis this past October and my car starts acting up. With limited time we start throwing various parts at it, in attempt to identify and resolve the issue.

One of these is the Lingenfelter 2-step. They happen to be on site and have a display unit that they sold me for $200 - to replace the one I had in my car.

But we never had time to install it. So, instead, we disconnected the unit I had and I ended up foot braking it for the event. But after changing the coils, she ran ok and I did ok.

When I get back home I decide to install the new Lingenfelter 2-step. It's pretty simple since I already had one in the car. But, before mounting it, I simply plug it in to test it and, bam, the car won't start.

These things are pretty simple to connect so I call ECS and ask if I missed anything: Nope, it was connected properly. But, just to double check I changed the wires on the coil banks. Again, the car wont start.

So, I plug in the old unit and with the turn of the key, poof... She starts right up! I then try again with no unit at all and poof, she starts right up. I then try one last time with the new unit and the car backfires and wont start.

I call Lingenfelter and am told that since I plugged it into the car it's used and no refund is available for me. But, if I ship it back they will test it and send me a new unit if it is bad. So, I ship it back.

After a month of back and forth, Lingenfelter claims the unit works just fine on their dyno engine and they can either ship the same unit back to me or charge me a 20% restocking fee.

Enough already. Enough is enough. I told them to take their lousy 20% and ship me a refund immediately. They've already had the unit for over a month, I know it does not work, I confirmed it with ECS, double checked the wiring and more.

Ok, that was Monday... Still no refund minus the 20% yet. I will have to assume the check is in the mail. They've had the 2-step a month and I'm sure they'll sell it to someone else... And, when it doesn't work for them, say the same thing: It's been used and can't be returned (but it works on their dyno motor)!

It will be a cold day in he11 before my car ever sees another performance part from Lingenfelter... Some of the worst customer relations I've delt with. Over a month and nothing but BS.

I still have the old unit in the car and it seems to be working fine but plan to look into an MSD 2-step and purchase it from a dealer with a return policy that's a bit more legit than these guys.

And, NO... I did not take out the old unit, put in the new and send the old back, hoping to pull some scam. If I had done that, they would have known since the older unit is missing a backing plate and orange wire that the new unit had (Green, yellow and orange/new-model <versus> just green and yellow activation wires/old model).

Sorry if you're a Lingenfelter fan. This is just my personal experience. But, I think that no refund after you test something and find it does not work is BS (calling it "used" because I connected it once) and a 20% restocking fee is absurd. Of course, they claim it works... So, whoever gets it next... have fun

COPY OF OUR LAST CORRESPONDENCE

----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, November 26, 2010 11:27 AM
Subject: RGA # 49823R Status

Lingenfelter Performance Engineering
1557 Winchester Road
Decatur, IN 46733

11/26/10

RE: RGA # 49823R

Hello,

I had returned a defective 2-step module that I purchased from you in St. Louis at the LSX Shootout / Gateway Intl.

Could you please give me status on that return, which is dated October 25, 2010?

After waiting a month, I am hoping you will simply refund me the purchase price of $200 (see Invoice # 49823).

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,
Dave


----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, November 29, 2010 1:53 PM
Subject: RE: RGA # 49823R Status

Dave,

We have tested the box again since we spoke last. We still are unable to find any issues. At this point we have 2 options:

1. We can send the box back to you.
2. We can accept the box for return with a 20% restocking fee

Please let me know what you would like to do.

Thank you

 

Hey Dave,I have the same Lingenfelter 2 step.I had a small problem with mine once,Found out were you plug it in to the stock plug,The pins were not making contact,So I twisted the male pins alittle and its been working fine.I don't know if that was your trouble,But it couldn't hurt to look at the pins if you get it back.

 

Hi Paul,

My last correspondence with them was to simply refund me, minus the 20% restocking fee and we could part ways.

P.S. I did check the connections / pins, swapped banks, etc... tried everything. Car would backfire and not start.

I've dealt with both large and small companies and never been held up a month only to be hit with a 20% fee at the end. I also think the "plug it in once and it's used, therefore no refunds" policy is on the verge is illegal. But, that seemed to change from No refund to partial refund. So, who knows... maybe they felt bad for keeping the part for over a month, waiting for me to write again (after calling them) and ask for status and then decided to give some 80% refund

Again... Just my personal experience.

 

So bottom line, you paid Lingenfelter 20% to put their 2-step (that they took off their shelf to take to a show) back on their shelf.

sucker

 

I guess so... But, until I see any type of refund, I've paid a lot more than 20%

 

I was asked about the outcome, sorry for the delay in reporting...

Just before the holidays a check arrived for $160.

That was a refund for my original $200, which I paid them in cash, minus a 20% restocking fee

Funny part is that this was a model they sold me at a show for $200, which is why I was required to pay them in cash. So, I'm not really sure how they're restocking it (other than to sell it to the next sucker).

But, lesson learned and luckily there are other units that can be puchased from companies who will refund 100% without the hassle, even if it's not defective, which mine was.

 

That's strange. My post got disappeared?

 

Yeah that's total BS! No shipping expense, no credit card percentage. Strictly cash deal so why would they charge you 20%? Maybe they will "restock" it at another show and repeat the process again. I am sure they didn't pay you for shipping it back to them either.

 

I noticed that too, but got the email notify when you originally posted and replied anyway... Thought maybe you deleted after you posted, but still wanted to finish off the saga

Thanks



YOUR POST:

-----Original Message-----
From: Corvette Forum [mailto:forumsupport@corvetteforum.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2011 8:08 PM
Subject: Reply to thread 'Lingenfelter ???'

Dear digivex,

FactoryRaceCar has just replied to a thread you have subscribed to entitled - Lingenfelter ??? - in the Drag Racing forum of Corvette Forum.

This thread is located at:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/drag...-new-post.html

Here is the message that has just been posted:

***************

Dave any status on the refund? I was about to purchase one but decided against it after reading your thread.

***************

 

This is not the first time I've read this exact story on here. I have one of the Lingenfelter 2 steps and I am worried about the day mine begins to act up, I'm already very well aware that they will not stand behind this product.

 

Mine has been working fine,Just ask Ellis Just teasin El

 

Paul,

Things break, that happens. But, when they do, you do expect some level of service. That's where there problem lies with these guys.

In my case, it was with a brand new product that they then called "used" because I had to hook it up (once) to determine it did not work in my car.

Their customer service (or lack thereof), return policies and restocking fees certainly fall short of expectations. It seems as if they don't stand behind their products, don't really care about the customer and are just out to make cash, anyway they can: "Let the buyer beware."

For me, after a few months, a few phone calls, a few emails, a few dollars, etc... lesson learned

 

well, guess I am not the only one. Had a LPE 383 with less than 6000 miles and the intake gasket decided to spring a leak...opened it up and the gasket was installed incorrectly. Must have been a Friday build.

 

this just happened to me, im waiting on a RPO to get the unit sent back. they had me change wires, move connectors... when its the unit at fault.

i will not accept a 20% fee, i paid 224 for something that doesnt work... i am sending the entire unit back down to the packing material they gave me, so i want all of my 224 refunded. until this happens i will find any and all potential customers and inform them of my experience as well as all the other experience of people getting screwed. youtube can be very effective here...


i thought these guys were the best around?

 

They probably sent you the unit Dave returned, man they're making a killing on that unit.

 

lol i should write my number on the back and see whos the next sap to get it

 

That sux... And, I hope it's not the case (that they gave you the same unit). Let us know what they tell you. I ended up eating the re-stocking fee and ending the BS back and forth with them.

 

thats terrible, people are just giving them money...

heres how my final conversation went:

me "im not happy with the unit, for this reason i will be sending it back for a refund"

lpe "well we wont do that, we will test the unit out however"

me "my concern is that you wont be able to reproduce the conditions, my car is supercharged"

lpe "we have plenty of supercharged cars in our shop im sure we can find one to test"

me "are they making 650 at the tire?"

lpe "...well we have sold countless and never have an issue, this is clearly an install problem"

me "clearly you dont check many forum, i can site 15 people who have dealt with issues, maybe you should call msd as their version seems to work well in a variety of setups"

lpe "i think were done here, find the return form online fill it out and send it back"

he hangs up.

John is turning in his grave at the way this company has turned

 

na im confident theres enough bad ones circulating that its unlikely

 

Most everyone is reluctant to accept electronic part returns !
The reasons are just about as many as there are buyers !

When times are hard people should be extra attentive to customers needs anyway.