I bought Earl's stainless steel lines from Thunder Racing because they are a sponsor and I think they were the only place I could find them, I guess it's because it's a new product

So new in fact, when I called Earl's, they said it wasn't even in their system, but I'll get to that in a bit.

I had those lines, rotors, pads and new fluid I did a couple weekends ago. As I was installing the lines, I get to the rear middle line, the one that connects both of the rear lines on this "T" assembly and goes to the front.
Well, as I loosely mounted the "T" assembly to the axle, I go to screw the 2 lines to it and what do I notice? One side the line screws in perfectly, and the other side the hole is a little bigger, so the other line wouldn't screw in

Macadayear and I ordered the kits together to save a couple bucks on shipping, and we have the same damn trucks so I figured the kits would be exactly the same but no, someone machined one of the holes too big. They must've been stoned or something

So I see that Earl's is located in Long Beach, CA which is about 1 1/2 hours from me so I decide to give them a call first.
I get the receptionist or whatever and tell her my situation and she transfers me to whoever it is they transfer you to for these situations, I think the guy's name was Mike.
So this is how the conversation between us goes:
Me: I bought so and so kit and the middle rear line has the wrong size hole on one side.
Guy: Who did you buy it from?
Me: Thunder Racing.
Guy: Well you have to contact them so they can show us the invoice.
Me: I can e-mail you the invoice I got from them, would that work?
Guy: No.
Me: Well my truck is jacked up and I need this part ASAP, can I drive down there and just pick up a new one?
Guy: No.
Me: Well, what is going to happen?
Guy: When they send us the invoice, you will have to ship it to Thunder Racing(in Texas), they will ship it to us(California, where I am), we will send a new one out to Thunder Racing (in Texas) and they will ship it to you(in California).
Me: Why can't you just send it to me? I live here, I think that's unnecessary that it has to be shipped back and forth to Texas and California when I'm not 2 hours from you. I need the part now.
Guy: What part number is it?
Me: 28A640.
Guy: That doesn't come up
Me: It's on the box that you guys shipped, for a 1999-2003 GM P/U 2WD. On the invoice it says 151-28A640
Guy: If it's for a '62-'73 it won't work on your 2001.
Me: Huh? I said 1999 through 2003.
Guy: Oh. It's not a good part number.
Me: It's written on the box from your company, how is it now a good part number? Does the part number with the 151-28A640 come up?
Guy: What part number is that?
Me: I just read it off to you, 151-28A640.
Guy: No, it's not a good part number.
Me: Well what do you want me to do, leave my truck jacked up for a week?
Guy: It won't take a week (for me to ship the part to Texas just to have it shipped back to California, then back to Texas, then back to me...right )
Guy: We have distributors here in California, why did you buy it from Texas anyway?
(I'm starting to get annoyed at this IDIOT)
Me: Because they had an online deal, but that's not the point. The point is that the part I have is the incorrect one.
Guy: Well, I can't do anything without the invoice.
Me: Ok, I'll call Thunder Racing and see what they say.


The entire time this guy had a monotone voice and was very rude. Each time I gave him the part number, which was 3 or 4 times at least because this idiot obviously wasn't listening/giving a ****, he would put me on hold without letting me know he was going to do so, so all of a sudden I hear this country music blasting.
Then when I told him I would call Thunder Racing, I didn't even finish that last sentence and he hung up....WTF?!?

So I called Thunder Racing right away and told them my problem. I spoke to a guy by the name of Jonathan who was VERY helpful. I told them I had called Earl's and they were no help, so he gets my info and sees the invoice on his computer and asks me to hold while he calls Earl's himself.
He gets back on the phone and tells me they are a bunch of morons and he too got annoyed when he talked to them. At least I know it wasn't me
So he says I will have to ship the part back, so I say, "Will I have to cover shipping though?"
I think no, because none of this is my fault. I know it doesn't cost that much, but it is the principle of the matter. I want to see how they handled it.
Jonathan tells me that they will ship a whole new kit out to me, I will take the one line I need and put the incorrect line in there and ship it back using the included return shipping they are taking care of.
They still had to charge my credit card, but once they receive the kit I ship back with the faulty line, they will credit my card back

Soooo, all in all I am a very happy Thunder Racing customer. If you are reading this Jonathan, thank you very much. This is what I pay attention to when making purchases, I take customer service VERY seriously because I feel like it doesn't exist anymore.
Because of you I will be a repeat Thunder Racing customer

As for Earl's....SUCK A FAT ONE!

 

Man that sucks! I hate dealing with incompetent stupid people. Makes it so dam hard to accomplish anything. I say drive to Earls and bitch-slap good 'ol Mike!

 

Man that sucks. I had problems with getting my Earl's brake lines which I ordered through Thunder Racing. Turns out Earl's was taking FOREVER to ship the lines and was giving me and Thunder Racing the run around. All I know is that the guys at Thunder Racing were awesome in helping me get the problem straightened out.

 

Thats awesome to hear that they took care of you. They will have another customer in me after hearing how they treated you.

 

FYI thunder is in LOUISIANA. O and i hate talking to the DUM ***'s at the factories and such because we know more than them.

 

Ah yes, it is Louisiana, my fault. I figured it was Texas since many of the sponsors are there. Oops Doesn't matter, Texas...Louisiana, it's still way over there

 

I'm going to go check with my brake kit right now. Thanks!

I got mine from Thunder too. I've been REAL happy with their website, ease of ordering, and their shipping times. I can order something on Tuesday, and get it here in Massachusetts by Friday. How cool is that? I've delt with shops MUCH closer than them who take a week and a half.

Out of all the stuff I buy online for all of my little hobbies or whatever, TR is honestly right at the top of the list for 'favorite places to buy from'.

 

Thunder Racing has always treated everyone in my Club VERY well!

 

Thanks for the link from aol chingo...

I too have delt with Jonathan on the phone. This guy is GREAT! He stayed on the phone with me for nearly an hour just talking parts and what brands etc and his thoughts. This convo ended after hours at that! I'll do my best to order through them whenever possible. I'd love to with the TX stores, but hell taxes and shipping would be even more out the window. Thunder Racing has great people working for them and an excellent company IMO. They always seem very happy and easy to talk to.

As far as Earls, I would have been really pissed off and tried getting someone higher up, just to complain about the *** on the phone. I gota see what in the hell this kit is too....

 

That fool would irritate me enough to drive up there and beat some ***. More reasons I ALWAYS get the person's name I speak with on the phone prior to us conversing. That way if problems arise I speak to the Managment and deal with the douche.