Gale Banks Talks Back

[JyRO]

Re: Bill Kondolay

Not much to say here, since I have no experience (and none planned) with Bank's products. But...



I'm wondering if there has been, or if there will be some response to Bill Kondolay's posts?



Also, although a couple of guys have mentioned there problems with Bank's, I sure as he11 don't understand why everyone that has a problem with Bank's (the company, products, and/or customer service) doesn't speak up. And take Banks up on their offer. Seems like the best possible time to get resolution. I know I would. But I'm still stock for now. Not for too much longer though, but will still be keeping my mods small and simple. I'm my own warranty station after my mods, but since my warranty work qualifications are not so good, I'll keep a limit to my power output/problem potetial.



Ram Ahead!



- JyRO

 

[azgearpro]

over priced

I know a fella that has a banks whole setup on his 12v, and he paid upwards of 1800. 00.

I had just my torque plate #5 tst, gov spring kit,and afc spring kit in my truck, and the power was no comparason, I had lots more power for about half the price. The problem with these big companies is they try to sell you things that just look good, but may not help your performance.

Banks products are good for poeple that can afford it, and that just want modest gains.

 

[illflem]

az, did your half price kit come with gauges, K&N and 4" exhaust?

Who's drivetrain do you figure will last longer?

Are your eyes glued to the pyro towing uphill? Mine aren't, even when pulling 28k.

You may have more power, Banks kits provide more useable power.

 

[RACE427]

Gale Banks Products

After seeing many, many gasoline and Diesel vehicles equipped with the Gale Banks Turbo Kits in my 33 years of being in the Automotive industry, all I can say is that everyone I have spoken with has been extremely pleased with the performance gains. I have not heard any bad news about the products not performing as stated. It is all too common for people to get involved with a modification that they are installing themselves and not realizing what they have gotten themselves into to. Very similar to installing a " Full Race camshaft " on a street car and then complaining that the car runs like crap!!! Everyone wants that pockety-pockety idle but cannot tolerate the spongey feeling when they step on the throttle. Hey, they even complain that today's electronic cars and trucks are garbage. Shows what they know, not much!!!



The good ole days are right now, enjoy them Diesel trucks they are better than the ones of the 60's,70's,and 80's!!

 

[SnoKing]

I thought Gale did a nice job coming on the board. A class act. Bill K that is a different story. Bill K makes alot of his living beefing up trannys in bombed trucks (and stock), so why is he slamming a guy that has been in business for a lot of years beefing up trucks. If Gale's products were not purchased, he would not still be in business. I did Banks stage two on my 1993 back in 94 or 95, never had a problem, Gales gauges also in the 93. I should have keep them, I just purchased a new set from him for the 2001. 5.



I think that everyone should lighten up. As most of the bombers state, "they become their own maintenance station". I would like to put one of Bills TC and VB's in my new truck, however DC would not like that under my warranty. I have written two letters, one to Lynnwood Dodge Service Department and one to DC regarding reliability of the 47RE transmission regarding towing my 5er, after receiving warm and fuzzy letters from both of them. Guess what, not an answer to either of them.



Enjoy the hOOters get together on Aug 19th in Lynnwood, Wa at 1PM and every 3rd Sunday of the month after that.



Snow King

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by illflem

az, did your half price kit come with gauges, K&N and 4" exhaust?

Who's drivetrain do you figure will last longer?

Are your eyes glued to the pyro towing uphill? Mine aren't, even when pulling 28k.

You may have more power, Banks kits provide more useable power.

My gauges, PE COMP, DDIII's, Exhaust were all much less then the Banks PowerPack. And a whole lot more hp, yes I watch the pyro, don't really care... all I do is hotrod. If I were to buy a banks kit then i would PAY to have them leave out the gauges but thats just my personal preference in looks of a gauge. Drivetrain last longer? Doesn't matter to me, if I were worried bout that I would leave it stock, gonna have fun with it while I can.



I did just order a HighRam intake (see previous post in this thread) the thing is huge. But the service I got was excellant, so as mentioned above my "personal" beef on the customer service problem has been resolved for now. I still wouldn't buy any of the power kits tho, the don't make enough power to satisfy what I want. But as you have seen me state before, if it works for you then great.

 

[HDH]

No Complaints Here.

Originally posted by MGM

Awful quiet out here????????

Where are all the complainers?



I Can't believe Mr. Banks is only 58.





Maybe Dr. P will start posting next, I predict those will be very colorful, and lots of locks!!!



Gene

Thats Because I wont pay the Price Banks wants for his products.

IMO, Banks= Not much Bang for the Buck"

Doug.

 

[jstyer]

Customer Service

I have the Banks Git Kit and guages, as in my signature, and had poor initial customer service. I have taken Banks up on their new/revised policy and couldn't be happier with the service I am receiving. They have returned my e-mails and given me direct dial numbers and Peter has even given me his cell phone number, which I have used, and he has been very informative and cooperative. He has offered me suggestions for my concerns and even set me up with one of his technicians. He offered to resolve my concerns and I am very happy with their efforts to date. I can now say that I am a satisfied Banks Customer and think the service I am now receiving warrants the extra expense. By the way I didn't have to pay the full retail price for my items which I purchased through a distributor of theirs in Teenessee.

 

[Forrest]

I called Banks, asked some questions about products. He couldn't answer & couldn't get the answer so I asked to speak to one of the engineers. The answer was no.



huh?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

QUOTE:



"Bill K makes alot of his living beefing up trannys in bombed trucks (and stock), so why is he slamming a guy that has been in business for a lot of years beefing up trucks. "



THanks for helping PROVE Bill's POINT!



WHY do you suppose it takes BILL to beef up those trannies - MANY of which are supposedly covered by DC warranty? THAT is, IF they haven't been damaged by engines that are developing considerably MORE power than when they left DC's factory...



It SHOULD be obvious that the automatic trannies used in the Dodge are NOT designed to take what the Cummins is capable of developing - WHY do you suppose DC detunes the Cummins when operated with the automatic? SO, if the CUSTOMER chooses to RISK his factory warranty be doing EXACTLY what DC has ALREADY found to be foolish, WHY should DC then be expected to PAY for warranty repairs in a situation THEY have already found to be unrealistic?



OR, do you OR Gale suggest that we customers shouldn't endanger our warranties by actually USING that extra power we just paid big $$$ for?



SURE, I too appreciate Gale's response - but it does NOTHING to address the primary point of concern of many here, which IS the inference made by Banks that making substantial increases to the Cummins *WILL NOT VOID THE FACTORY WARRANTY AS IT APPLIES TO THE ENGINE OR DRIVETRAIN*!



SO, Gale, to respond to me and Bill K. , will you come out here in public, point blank, and clearly state that if ONLY your power enhancement products are installed on a Dodge/Cummins, and something in the drivetrain breaks, YOU will directly assist the customer if warranty is denied, or reimburse the customer directly if need be. if he is forced to pay for repairs denied warranty coverage?



IF all your "warranty" consists of is mailing a customer in trouble a copy of the MM act, that seems EXTREMELY hollow and worthless! AND, keep in mind that if YOU insist on some long list of limitations, conditions and arbitrary "proof" before YOU will honor a customer's claim, you're no better than some here accuse DC of being!



IF not, please describe the likely scenario that will occur, or that you recommend, if someone installs one of your kits on his new truck and next thing happens is the transmission fails! Do you REALLY expect the customer to sit endlessly, quietly, between YOU (IF you get involved!) and the dealership for what will no doubt be MONTHS before ANY settlement is reached? Have you EVER reimbursed a customer for damage done when warranty was denied, or he had to pay for it himself?



You've made an excellent start here - how about responding point-by-point to Bill K and me - I'd REALLY like to believe that you WILL stand behind your stuff in an aggressive and ACTIVE way that assists the customer with something other than mere paperwork...



OTHERWISE, why not simply admit up front that installation of your company's power enhancers "may void portions of manufacturer's warranty"... *I* for one would respect you FAR more for THAT than what currently appears to be tap-dancing and evasion!



PLEASE notice I'm NOT calling names, demeaning your product OR its price or effectiveness. We here in groups like this NEED the sort of stuff you make and sell - but we ALSO need SERVICE and perhaps followup assistance AFTER the sale that backs up the claims you make, clearly intended to assure us our powertrain warranties WON'T be endangered by installation and operation of your stuff... Is that unreasonable for us to expect?

 

[CumminsAholic]

I'd like to know the answer to Bill and Gary's question too.

Corey

 

[Red_Rattler]

14 days no reply yet????? Mr. Banks????

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Give Gale time - he probably prefers to let ALL gripes, questions and suggestion settle out, and then reply to all at the same time, rather than get involved in a long circular debate that solves nothing...



At least I *hope* that's what's happening...

 

[C Schomer]

Colin called me within a day or two of recieving my e-mail and is bending over backwards to make sure my system gets straightened out. The first step is already in the process. So far it appears there was a plate error. He doesn't just want to smooth things over and is genuinely concerned that I'm happy with my truck! I'm looking forward to being a happy Banks customer! Thank you, Colin and Gale!!

 

[Bob Wagner]

an all time favorite

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Gary - KJ6Q

Give Gale time - he probably prefers to let ALL gripes, questions and suggestion settle out, and then reply to all at the same time, rather than get involved in a long circular debate that solves nothing...



At least I *hope* that's what's happening...

Gary it has been 363 days are you still waiting for an answer? :-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[Goddard]

lets see... . gale registered july 2001... ... this is august 2002..... 363 days? you think... .....

 

[TxDieselKid]

I think Gale wanted to make on post to clear up the air at least a little, and never intended on makeing anymore posts. I remember the time that he started this thread, he was taking a beating on several threads, BAD too. I think it's respectable that he came here, and tried to clear the air a little at least, just to bad the critics had to beat him some more.



Andrew

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Goddard

lets see... . gale registered july 2001... ... this is august 2002..... 363 days? you think... .....

Goddard

If you look at Gales big post it was made 8/2/01, close to 363 days from when I made my post could of been or maybe 364 depending on if you include the day he posted in the count, today it has been 365 . I could care less if he posts, I just thought it was funny that Gary on his last post said give Gale a chance to answer and when I looked it's been close to a year. I am sure Gale has good products and is a great guy. Sorry if you missed the humor in my post.

 

[Oxjockey]

Thanks. As a n00b, it's great that you guys are digging up little pieces of history.



Bryan