Banks apology?

[Texas Diesel]

What happened to the thread carrying Banks imitation apology? I cant find it.

 

[KatDiesel]

Its there in the Products forum.....

Its still in the Products forum. It has been closed tho sometime yesterday.



Banks Thread Closed



Its on page two of the Products forum currently.



Also moving this thread to the "Product" forum since it doesn't specfically deal with 24v Engine and Drivetrain.

 

[Forrest]

After my experience with Banks, I know what my response to their apology will be.

 

[Dkevdog]

Here is quote from Colin:



I want to introduce myself to everyone at TDR, as this is my first post. My name is Colin Banks. I am the oldest son of Gale Banks. I log on to TDR about once a week, and was appalled at what I read in the post by Kyle on 7-18-01. The title was “You would not believe what Tom at Banks said about TDR members” (posted in the Product/Accessories Forum). This was a complete embarrassment to Gale Banks Engineering. I have since talked to Kyle but want to take the time to again publicly apologize to him. I also apologize for Tom’s statements they are not representative of the way we wish to do business and they are certainly not representative of the way the rest of our staff feels about TDR and its members.



Banks was started by my father in 1958 as a mom and pop speed shop, but has grown into a large ever-expanding company. The company is still 100% family run. We still make everything in-house and we care about every last one of our customers. To help deal with after the point of sale issues we have added a Technical Department to deal with issues regarding the installation of our product, and a Customer Service Department to deal with issues such as billing or shipping. They can be reached toll free at 888-839-5600 for Customer Service, or 888-839-2700 for Technical Service. We feel that we are making great strides to better help our customers with the addition of these departments. We know that these departments are not perfect but we are working daily to try and make them as successful as is possible.



I think that TDR is a great organization and we value all of its members. I personally enjoy reading the discussion forums and hearing different peoples opinions. I do sometimes wonder why we are the only organization that receives negative attention. I know that we are a successful company, and I am beginning to wonder if some of the sniping that takes place is from people with hidden agendas or from other companies. We have no record of many of the customer service issues being talked about on this site, but we have to take everything as 100% valid and deal with it accordingly. We only ask that those who are complaining come out from behind your screen names, email or call and we will do all in our power to right anything that may have been offensive to you, no matter how long ago it occurred.



We are an American company who makes a quality product, which works as advertised, and we will continue to do so. We are still what we have always been, hot rodders, backed by a very strong engineering group.



P. S. If you ever have a problem or question please feel free to contact me at 1-800-438-7693 or e-mail me at -- email address removed --.





Thank you,



Colin Banks

 

[Sled Puller]

Banks was/is? a full page advertiser in TDR magazine.

Gene

 

[Texas Diesel]

Words are cheap.



Too little too late IMO.



If they are serious, how about asking people with existing/pre-existing problems to call for help.

 

[Puff]

Originally posted by Texas Diesel





If they are serious, how about asking people with existing/pre-existing problems to call for help.

That seems to be exactly what Colin is suggesting. The only way to find out is for people who have, or have had, problems to contact him and see what happens. He’s given an open invitation to contact him directly with your problems. That seems pretty fair to me. What happens after you contact him will be interesting.



Anyone who contacts him, keep us informed on what happens.

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by Texas Diesel

If they are serious, how about asking people with existing/pre-existing problems to call for help.

An exceprt from the post made by PeterT (for Colin) :



We have no record of many of the customer service issues being talked about on this site, but we have to take everything as 100% valid and deal with it accordingly. We only ask that those who are complaining come out from behind your screen names, email or call and we will do all in our power to right anything that may have been offensive to you, no matter how long ago it occurred.





I believe that is what he means. Straight from his post... ... ... ... will they stand behind it? Noone will know unless they take them up on the offer.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Good point. Hopefully those was "old" problems will try for a resolution and let us know if they are empty words or a serious attempt to change their reputation. It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks as they say, but perhaps they will take an interest in custmer satisfaction now. It will be impossible for them to win back cutomers they didnt give good post-sale support to. I certainly wont gamble with my $ that they have had a change of heart. Anyone who buys from them AND has a problem please let us know how you are treated. Wonder why Tom didnt apologize personally?

 

[Puff]

Originally posted by Texas Diesel

Wonder why Tom didnt apologize personally?

Perhaps he's now working at Burger King.

 

[Texas Diesel]

OUCH!!

 

[Lil' Dog]

Originally posted by Dkevdog

Here is quote from Colin:





I think that TDR is a great organization and we value all of its members. I personally enjoy reading the discussion forums and hearing different peoples opinions. I do sometimes wonder why we are the only organization that receives negative attention. I know that we are a successful company, and I am beginning to wonder if some of the sniping that takes place is from people with hidden agendas or from other companies. ... .

I know he is not alone as a vendor with that concern. Alot of the smaller one man organizations are getting flamed by "Alias" persons on the TDR and want to make ammends, but alas there is no "Person" to talk to, just the Alias here. I understand where Colin is coming from.



If you have a concern, Blasting them here doesn't get you any quicker service IMHO.

 

[Doc Tinker]

You guys are gonna get your hands spanked again



I thought admin shut this issue down



Doc

 

[Sled Puller]

Here it, a chance for the disgruntled customer to get what he asked for.

I wonder how many will try?





If it turns out that the complainers work for the competition, that would be a sad day for the TDR Website.

Gene

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Colin sez:



"To help deal with after the point of sale issues we have added a Technical Department to deal with issues regarding the installation of our product, and a Customer Service Department to deal with issues such as billing or shipping. "





No doubt an EXCELLENT move, especially for a company as large and high-profile as yours - as potential customers, we can only wonder what TOOK you so long!





" I do sometimes wonder why we are the only organization that receives negative attention. "



Well JEEZE, Colin, that SHOULD be pretty OBVIOUS! The fact that you even HAVE to "wonder" seems sorta revealing to ME!





"I know that we are a successful company, and I am beginning to wonder if some of the sniping that takes place is from people with hidden agendas or from other companies. We have no record of many of the customer service issues being talked about on this site,"



AHHhh - "conspiracy theories"...



Colin, you indicate above that your "customer service" department is a relatively NEW department, suggesting there WASN'T any before - so WHERE would earlier "records" COME FROM if there was previously NO department in existence to ORIGINATE or keep them?



Believe us when we tell you we WANT to see reason to accept your company and its products in good faith - with FULL trust that you will HONOR committments and stated company policy with us when we select you and your stuff with our hard-earned $$$... .



Only YOU can make that happen - and judging by complaints expressed here by those claiming past problems, it would seem your work is cut out for you.



We're not sheep to be sheared, we're a valuable financial RESOURCE that, if treated properly, will provide you with income NOW and in future dealings - you can sell to us ONCE, and never see us again if you treat us poorly - OR we can be steady REPEAT customers who send our friends to you as well - the choice is yours!



Hopefully you will actually DO what you claim - we NEED as many reputable vendors of quality products for our vehicles as we can get - but we will loudly INSIST on decent SERVICE after the SALE - a good product WITHOUT adequate company backing is worthless - and it's a SHAME it took a thread like THIS one to stir the conscience of your upper level management.

 

[Sky]

Originally posted by Lil' Dog







If you have a concern, Blasting them here doesn't get you any quicker service IMHO.

I dissagree. The reason something is getting done "now" is because the thread came up in the first place, IMO. The thread was most likely locked because TDR doesnt want to lose the advertising dollars from Banks. Im sure this one will be locked soon as well. All of this being said is of course "In My Opinion".

 

[Lil' Dog]

Sky

The only thing being "done" now is an apology on the public forums. We have no record of the complaints recieved at Banks or how they were handled other than what we hear. Call me an optimist, but I have a hard time believing that Banks would turn a blind eye to their bread and butter. I have not personally dealt with Banks just to fill you in.



I'm just talkin from discussions with a vendor that is no longer interested in the retail or TDR for the reasons already stated in this thread. Lots of smoke here, but all choke when the vendor calls them at home...



Jason

 

[Sky]

Well I personally know of two people that are trying to resolve things with banks, and Im sure that everyone that has a complaint isnt trying to "blow smoke" or complain for the hell of it or just for fun. I know its hard to beleave but its happening, not with just Banks but it happens with lots of companies. Different people run different "gigs". If I check the BBB and there are alot of complaints or I hear from even alot TDR members from all over the country about bad Customer Service on any company im going to shy away from the company. This is what I do. Others that dont beleave it thats fine feel free to purchase from those companies, free country!!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

QUOTE:



"The thread was most likely locked because TDR doesnt want to lose the advertising dollars from Banks. Im sure this one will be locked soon as well. "



LET me state, as LOUD and CLEAR as I possibly can:



*I* subscribe to the TDR magazine and this forum exactly to give and receive the most ACCURATE and informative experiences about my truck, products FOR my truck possible, and the COMPANIES that SELL those products - both GOOD and especially the BAD!



IF the day ever comes that the administrator or ANY moderator in this board attempt in the SLIGHTEST to eliminate, control or censor *reasonably presented* info here REGARDLESS of advertisers affected, *I* will shake the dust of this board off my feet and RUN from participation here and as a subscriber to the TDR group.



PERIOD!



Do threads like this have value or a place here? DERN RIGHT! And it's info like this thread provides that brought me here and KEEPS me here - if all I wanted was whitewash, I'd go to the hardware store - and if ADVERTISERS don't appreciate the flak, they dern sure know how to AVOID it!

 

[Texas Diesel]

RIGHT ON GARY!!!!!!!!!!! i'M WITH YOU.