Los Angeles Dismantlers = LA Porsche

jostein · 02-04-2008, 04:54 PM

In early August of 2007 I searched Ebay for “Porsche 993 Turbo Engine” and found an engine at a company located in Los Angeles called Los Angeles Dismantlers (LAD), also called LA Porsche. Following an e-mail to the company I was requested to contact them directly by telephone and bypass Ebay. They told me that it was better to avoid using Ebay, and instead deal directly with LAD. We agreed that they would provide all required parts for a 993 C2 conversion to a 993 Turbo. LAD claimed that their quality was excellent and that they had verified and tested the engine and all parts. Basically I trusted the company to deliver what they said and went ahead and wire transferred a total of US$23 600 to LAD. They said they would ship the engine during the following days, but it was not until 2 weeks later and numerous calls from me that they actually shipped the engine. On the 8 of October the engine was delivered in Norway to Autotuning, a reputable RUF workshop not far from Oslo. Following the inspection of the engine it became clear that the engine was in a poor condition and not correctly assembled. It seemed as if the former owner had problems getting the engine to run and tried everything himself before he gave up. Following further investigations it turned out that both turbos were damaged to a condition where both had to have major rebuild. The extra cost in order to get the engine up to a reasonable condition cost me an additional 7000 Euro, or US$17000.
I called and wrote emails to LAD and informed about the situation, but they refused to take responsibility.

laporsche · 02-06-2008, 09:05 PM

TO ANYONE READING THIS, DON'T FORGET THERE ARE 2 SIDES TO EVERY STORY! I won't even bother going into all the details about Jostein's purchase but he basically wants us to pay for an engine overhaul that he told us he was going to do before he even purchased from us! He sent the engine to RUF, what do you think they are going to do, look at it and push it into the corner? We sent him a very good engine and he knows it. He threatened if we didn't send him MORE free parts he'd talk trash about us here. Wow, we're shaking in our boots. We know the shop who is doing the work and know more than he thinks we know. I started searching through posts, some good, some bad. Most that call want perfect for next to nothing. We have been in business since the 80's and aren't going anywhere. We have expanded 10 times over and continue to grow every year. We are a family owned business, we have a great team, we stand behind our product and do our best to provide the best service we can. It costs a lot of money to buy these cars, store them and dismantler them piece by piece, no we're not giving anything away for free. We're not perfect and we admit it. Are all of you and the companies you work for so perfect? If you have a problem with a previous order and you want to address a situation, let me know I'm here to listen.
Sara
VP
818 POR-SCHE (767-7243)
http://911pcar.com

Balazs 911 · 03-02-2008, 09:05 AM

I am not sure what to say here but a professional service orientated company would not use the phrase "Wow, we're shaking in our boots."

There must be better ways of solving a problem....

TTJunkie · 06-16-2008, 11:46 PM

Jostein:

I brought my 993TT to LA Porsche Dismantlers after agreeing upon $7K for parts and $10K for repairs to be completed in 2-3 weeks. One year later I received the car in pieces. It cost me $19K just to put it back together. It was by far the worst business experience I have ever had.
Sara at 911pcar.com should be ashamed to represent such a disreputable and dishonest employer. I wonder how much she gets paid to marginalize our suffering?

Ric Vieler

sonny1 · 06-17-2008, 11:56 PM

Its a Junk Yard! what do you expect? excellence? and taking a car to be repaired at a Junk Yard? give me a break, they are good taking cars apart not in putting them together, still, I feel your pain. .

SA Mike · 06-18-2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laporsche

TO ANYONE READING THIS, DON'T FORGET THERE ARE 2 SIDES TO EVERY STORY! I won't even bother going into all the details about Jostein's purchase but he basically wants us to pay for an engine overhaul that he told us he was going to do before he even purchased from us! He sent the engine to RUF, what do you think they are going to do, look at it and push it into the corner? We sent him a very good engine and he knows it. He threatened if we didn't send him MORE free parts he'd talk trash about us here. Wow, we're shaking in our boots. We know the shop who is doing the work and know more than he thinks we know. I started searching through posts, some good, some bad. Most that call want perfect for next to nothing. We have been in business since the 80's and aren't going anywhere. We have expanded 10 times over and continue to grow every year. We are a family owned business, we have a great team, we stand behind our product and do our best to provide the best service we can. It costs a lot of money to buy these cars, store them and dismantler them piece by piece, no we're not giving anything away for free. We're not perfect and we admit it. Are all of you and the companies you work for so perfect? If you have a problem with a previous order and you want to address a situation, let me know I'm here to listen.
Sara
VP
818 POR-SCHE (767-7243)
http://911pcar.com

TTJunkie · 06-18-2008, 03:09 PM

OK Sara:
If you're such a concerned employee, working for a customer friendly employer,
please look into the 1996 Porsche 993 turbo collision repair performed about four years ago. Please justify the year it took to return my vehicle. Please justify the charges even though the vehicle was returned in pieces. I will praise Los Angles Dismantlers from the highest rooftop should you ever justify it. I've actually seen several items from you on eBay, including a really nice pair of savanna leather 996 racing seats that I desperately wanted to buy, but skipped because of the impression you've left with me. Now's your chance!
Ric :-)

kilrgt · 06-21-2008, 10:20 PM

I agree there is always two sides to a story, but the truth is somewhere in the middle.

melman911 · 06-23-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

I love this car! · 07-13-2008, 09:13 AM

"Following an e-mail to the company I was requested to contact them directly by telephone and bypass Ebay. They told me that it was better to avoid using Ebay, and instead deal directly with LAD"
I responded to one otheir ebay auctions and was told the same. Chose not to buy from them for that reason. If I use a service, I expect to pay for it. That's how I want to be treated. Any legitimate business, that regularly uses another's services should WANT to pay for it. One that finds ways to side-step paying for it, is a window looking into how they view other aspects of conducting their business. I saw their use of ebay to solicit new business, but reluctance to pay for that service as a "red flag".

abe · 08-09-2008, 02:04 AM

About 6 months ago they had many "S" exaust tips for 997 at great prices.
I called and gave them my credit card and all the info. I kept waiting, waiting, and waiting....not exaust tips. Then I called and they told me they had sold most to some other vender...only leaving a few less diserable ones left. No body remembered my order nor my name....at least they didn't charge my credit card. Then, I read on a site that Porsche had a recall for this tips a few years ago for poor welding....made me wonder where all those exaust tips ended up. Sorry, but I don't trust these people and if you buy something go in person to inspect!
abe

Gradus Futura · 11-05-2008, 07:19 PM

I have personally had great experiences with them. I do believe there is two sides to the story. Still either way I hate to say it but, the customer is always right. As a business owner myself, I would be, "shaking in your boots". A great portion of business relies on referrals and returning customers. In my opinion I would like to see a business make an unhappy customer happy. Maybe they could find out what to do to make them clear their opinions from this thread. Free stuff or a discount is sometimes necessary to make more money... But that's my opinion. "I wish LA porsche the best and hope the customers and them can find some kind of equal ground".

Gregg Lewis · 11-10-2008, 10:25 PM

Yikes !

ploglet · 11-11-2008, 08:00 PM

Utter silence from LAD it seems.....

terag · 11-12-2008, 11:49 PM

I am currently dealing with them on a hard top.....I will update you guys on my experience soon. So far I have been sent the wrong hard top and the packaging of the one sent was horrible.

Lets see if they can get it right.

02-04-2008, 04:54 PM	#1
jostein New User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2	Los Angeles Dismantlers = LA Porsche In early August of 2007 I searched Ebay for “Porsche 993 Turbo Engine” and found an engine at a company located in Los Angeles called Los Angeles Dismantlers (LAD), also called LA Porsche. Following an e-mail to the company I was requested to contact them directly by telephone and bypass Ebay. They told me that it was better to avoid using Ebay, and instead deal directly with LAD. We agreed that they would provide all required parts for a 993 C2 conversion to a 993 Turbo. LAD claimed that their quality was excellent and that they had verified and tested the engine and all parts. Basically I trusted the company to deliver what they said and went ahead and wire transferred a total of US$23 600 to LAD. They said they would ship the engine during the following days, but it was not until 2 weeks later and numerous calls from me that they actually shipped the engine. On the 8 of October the engine was delivered in Norway to Autotuning, a reputable RUF workshop not far from Oslo. Following the inspection of the engine it became clear that the engine was in a poor condition and not correctly assembled. It seemed as if the former owner had problems getting the engine to run and tried everything himself before he gave up. Following further investigations it turned out that both turbos were damaged to a condition where both had to have major rebuild. The extra cost in order to get the engine up to a reasonable condition cost me an additional 7000 Euro, or US$17000. I called and wrote emails to LAD and informed about the situation, but they refused to take responsibility.

06-16-2008, 11:46 PM	#4
TTJunkie User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 205	I feel your pain Jostein: I brought my 993TT to LA Porsche Dismantlers after agreeing upon $7K for parts and $10K for repairs to be completed in 2-3 weeks. One year later I received the car in pieces. It cost me $19K just to put it back together. It was by far the worst business experience I have ever had. Sara at 911pcar.com should be ashamed to represent such a disreputable and dishonest employer. I wonder how much she gets paid to marginalize our suffering? Ric Vieler

06-17-2008, 11:56 PM	#5
sonny1 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 542	Its a Junk Yard! what do you expect? excellence? and taking a car to be repaired at a Junk Yard? give me a break, they are good taking cars apart not in putting them together, still, I feel your pain. . __________________

06-18-2008, 03:09 PM	#7
TTJunkie User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 205	I'll call your bluff! OK Sara: If you're such a concerned employee, working for a customer friendly employer, please look into the 1996 Porsche 993 turbo collision repair performed about four years ago. Please justify the year it took to return my vehicle. Please justify the charges even though the vehicle was returned in pieces. I will praise Los Angles Dismantlers from the highest rooftop should you ever justify it. I've actually seen several items from you on eBay, including a really nice pair of savanna leather 996 racing seats that I desperately wanted to buy, but skipped because of the impression you've left with me. Now's your chance! Ric :-)

06-21-2008, 10:20 PM	#8
kilrgt Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada Posts: 2,313	I agree there is always two sides to a story, but the truth is somewhere in the middle. __________________ 08 SL550 -daily 04 TT ...... FVD stage IIII..and lots of other mods 04 C2 with some mods... SOLD RML-----041222-5461

02-06-2008, 09:05 PM	#2
laporsche Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 20	TO ANYONE READING THIS, DON'T FORGET THERE ARE 2 SIDES TO EVERY STORY! I won't even bother going into all the details about Jostein's purchase but he basically wants us to pay for an engine overhaul that he told us he was going to do before he even purchased from us! He sent the engine to RUF, what do you think they are going to do, look at it and push it into the corner? We sent him a very good engine and he knows it. He threatened if we didn't send him MORE free parts he'd talk trash about us here. Wow, we're shaking in our boots. We know the shop who is doing the work and know more than he thinks we know. I started searching through posts, some good, some bad. Most that call want perfect for next to nothing. We have been in business since the 80's and aren't going anywhere. We have expanded 10 times over and continue to grow every year. We are a family owned business, we have a great team, we stand behind our product and do our best to provide the best service we can. It costs a lot of money to buy these cars, store them and dismantler them piece by piece, no we're not giving anything away for free. We're not perfect and we admit it. Are all of you and the companies you work for so perfect? If you have a problem with a previous order and you want to address a situation, let me know I'm here to listen. Sara VP 818 POR-SCHE (767-7243) http://911pcar.com

03-02-2008, 09:05 AM	#3
Balazs 911 User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 19	I am not sure what to say here but a professional service orientated company would not use the phrase "Wow, we're shaking in our boots." There must be better ways of solving a problem....

07-13-2008, 09:13 AM	#10
I love this car! User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Summit Point, West Virginia Posts: 7	"Following an e-mail to the company I was requested to contact them directly by telephone and bypass Ebay. They told me that it was better to avoid using Ebay, and instead deal directly with LAD" I responded to one otheir ebay auctions and was told the same. Chose not to buy from them for that reason. If I use a service, I expect to pay for it. That's how I want to be treated. Any legitimate business, that regularly uses another's services should WANT to pay for it. One that finds ways to side-step paying for it, is a window looking into how they view other aspects of conducting their business. I saw their use of ebay to solicit new business, but reluctance to pay for that service as a "red flag".

08-09-2008, 02:04 AM	#11
abe Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Thousand Oaks. CA Posts: 926	My experience with them was not as expensive...but not a happy one either. About 6 months ago they had many "S" exaust tips for 997 at great prices. I called and gave them my credit card and all the info. I kept waiting, waiting, and waiting....not exaust tips. Then I called and they told me they had sold most to some other vender...only leaving a few less diserable ones left. No body remembered my order nor my name....at least they didn't charge my credit card. Then, I read on a site that Porsche had a recall for this tips a few years ago for poor welding....made me wonder where all those exaust tips ended up. Sorry, but I don't trust these people and if you buy something go in person to inspect! abe

11-05-2008, 07:19 PM	#12
Gradus Futura Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 100	Business Ethic I have personally had great experiences with them. I do believe there is two sides to the story. Still either way I hate to say it but, the customer is always right. As a business owner myself, I would be, "shaking in your boots". A great portion of business relies on referrals and returning customers. In my opinion I would like to see a business make an unhappy customer happy. Maybe they could find out what to do to make them clear their opinions from this thread. Free stuff or a discount is sometimes necessary to make more money... But that's my opinion. "I wish LA porsche the best and hope the customers and them can find some kind of equal ground". Last edited by Gradus Futura; 11-11-2008 at 02:08 AM.

11-10-2008, 10:25 PM	#13
Gregg Lewis Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 3,357	Yikes ! __________________ Gregg Lewis 02 996 89 944S2 #700 94 968 (For Sale) 06 GS 300 04 Denali XL (White Whale)

11-11-2008, 08:00 PM	#14
ploglet User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Boulder, Colorado/Missoula, MT Posts: 572	Utter silence from LAD it seems.....

11-12-2008, 11:49 PM	#15
terag New User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1	I am currently dealing with them on a hard top.....I will update you guys on my experience soon. So far I have been sent the wrong hard top and the packaging of the one sent was horrible. Lets see if they can get it right.