OK...What's the deal SPA???

[EagleEye]

Well I called (before Christmas) SPA to find out WHEN the 'new' gauges would be available, and questions about psi/psi gauges (like the brake proportion).



STILL WAITING ON THAT CALLBACK!!! And I have tried calling them 3 times since initial message, but all I can EVER get is the answering machine.



OBVIOUSLY, SPA is just a bit too busy to find out the info from!



Is there ANYONE in the know that could tell me about when the 'new' gauges may become available, and what is the brake proportion gage all about. I am looking for a psi/psi application but can settle on psi/temp if needed (but not desired).



SPA seems WORSE to deal with than AutoMeter, and I have had some pretty poor service from AutoMeter!!!



I do NOT want to change out all my gauges, but was considering switching them to SPA. With the service I have experienced, I will ONLY start with one and that might be ALL I BUY!!!



I just won't drop $1000. 00+ in gauges with a company who doesn't even return their calls!!!



Any info would be GREATLY helpful, and Thanks.

 

[C.]

I have emailed SPA a few times in the past about a problem I have with the Backlight on my gauge. I have yet to get any reply from them (SOB's).

 

[barryg41]

Sorry for your problems... ...



I bought my gauges from Nowell. Ron (SPA REP)was there for help! (once) He was there when I needed help.



Maybe the SPA's are selling faster than they can support them.



Hope you get your questions answered... ...

 

[BigDaddy]

Ron Mathis...(317) 271-7941

are you listening Ron (any body home?) Mathis



I truly love my SPA gauges however, from what I have seen on this site, customer service is lacking a bit



In all fairness, I have contacted Ron several times and he has been extremely helpful, technically insightful, and willing to go the distance for the customer (me).



I have normally contacted Ron during working hours. If that helps.

 

[LSMITH]

If you want service you need to select your vendor carefully. A manufacturer is not going to spend the time with you that someone with a vested interest in your satisfaction is. A vendor also has more channels of communication that you ever will with the manufacturer, they affect the big companies bottom line where you never will. SPA as far as I know is only a couple of people in the US. Give a company like Performance Diesel or Diesel Injection Service a call. They WILL take the time to answer your emails and phone calls. Another benefit is that if you have a problem you are more likely to get immediate resolution and a satisfactory end, they are tied to the market where the manufacturers are not. The middleman in this equation is your best friend at times. Hope this helps.



One more thing, when you have a good vendor stay with them, a relationship is worth a few bucks more here and there when you need service.

 

[Stefan Kondolay]

I heard that Nowell has been haveing problems with spa. I wouldn't purchase there guages for my truck as customer service is very important to me. Cause things happen, parts break, and if there is know service i'm up the creek. That's just not what I'm looking for.

 

[Sled Puller]

I'm still ****** that a $300 + dollar guage has problems a few months after the install.



TIME FOR RECALL SPA!!!!!!!!!!!!



Gene

 

[Fred Swanson]

Just in case you all didn't know, Ron is in England until sometime next week. Plus, Steve is no longer with them, so they obviously have some support issues to deal with.

 

[Brandon]

easy gene



the spa's are the best guage goin still, sure they have issues... ... . the guages were never meant for this market, they were imported to our market from Mcrossley a couple of years ago... .



right now spa's demand outstips there supply and support in a big way, i feel they are doing there best to compensate for it. .



support should come from the dealer first, most of the problems really arent problems anyway they are just tweaking problems that can be handled with support



their market includes all racing including nascar now. . and all vehicles including the huge sport compact market... they are very busy people give them a break



ps read sig

 

[RThompson]

Eagle Eye,

I am interested in your remark about brake proportioning... and psi/psi gauge. What are you going to modify on your brakes??

My truck with trailer in tow has what appears to be poor application of the rear brakes. Not sure of the brake proportioning ratio or if it has a load sensing valve (unable to see

one). Any help out there?

 

[John]

I purchased my three SPA gauges from Diesel Injection Service (D. I. S. ) in Texas a little over a year ago. I purchased the gauges at the best price going at the time and have always received excellent customer service from everyone there.



That said, I'm with Brandon, I still feel they are far and away the best gauges going... extremely accurate, possess extremely trick features and functions (limited only by your imagination to incorporate them into the controlling of systems), as well as warning lights if the preset (by you) limits are exceeded.



I have called Ron Mathis several times... once before I purchased my gauges, twice after. Each and every time he answered the phone and answered my questions to my satisfaction in a very professional way. Give the guy a break, can't a guy take a vacation or receive training on the new product line (or whatever) without everyone delaminating? Remember, it's a small operation.



PS: I've tried to reach AutoMeter techs. in the past and it took many return calls to talk to someone and/or have my questions answered to my satisfaction... and they are a very big gauge company.

 

[JR2]

SPA's business has exploded in the last year and a half or so. They were a small speciality gauge maker and this was not there primary business. Once Mcrossley found these guages and the TDR found out about them the demand exploded. You are going to have to give them time to react and grow there business to match the demand. Every business goes through growing pains and that is what SPA is doing right now. Give em a break, there gauges are the best. Use your vendor to get tech help or contact some of the members that have tons of experience with these gauges for help.

 

[Sled Puller]

Brandon,

When I pay top dolar, I'm used to the parts working, and lasting!

But, that comes from dealing with Piers and Mitchell!



My first SPA did not work out of the box. They sent me another. It worked, but the boost is erradic now. I'm not going to stick HVAC with this problem, he has problems enough with SPA.



Everybody claims it is the plug, just go ahead and solder it.

I feel it is time for SPA to send out upgraded plugs to the people who need them.

That is not out of line.



Gene

 

[BRobertson]

I think you guys are missing the boat by not checking into the Dakota Digital and their new round gauges. They are far easier to see than the SPA and have a lot of trick features. They are interested in our market and will answer your questions on the phone or via email!!

Bob

 

[EagleEye]

OK...What's Dakota Digital???

Do you have any links or info? I will ABSOLUTELY give them a call on Mon, and will try their stuff if it looks good. I want to steer away from AutoMeter, and even if SPA is going through 'growing pains', it still wouldn't hurt to at least leave someone else to answer the messages.



I will calm down and be patient with SPA, but when they charge THAT MUCH for gauges, they better have their SxxT TOGETHER!!!



If you're going to be the best, you better support it!

 

[RThompson]

http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm



neat website!