email to Sheel Advani... ALUMI-BUNK !!! on notice

Sheel...

When we last talked at the truck show you made it clear that I should contact your regarding any problems I am having with the products purchased from Alumi-Bunk.

I have two trucks that were purchased from Alumi-Bunk with air conditioning problems.
Each truck has been in the shop numerous times and still the problems persist. Each visit is an experience and usually ends with a recharging of the refrigerant to the cooling system. One truck has been diagnosed as having a leak from the AB cooling line from the engine compartment to the bunk. That truck was in your shop in Detroit a little over a week ago and Matt, your shop foreman said he had to order the part from Canada.

This week, ten days later the truck returned to your shop and the drivers were advised that the part had not been received from Canada. Our industry is accustomed to providing service to our clients and I guess we expect the same from the companies with which we choose to spend our hard earned money. I was informed that I would receive a call when the part arrived. Now almost 14 days later I still have not received a call. While it may not be hot in Michigan or Canada, I assure you it is very hot in Texas and other states where we travel. So the first issue I have is A-B’s lack of concern over prompt service. I’ll bet if your heating or cooling for your house no longer worked that you would find it difficult to accept the two week delay for parts excuse that A-B is giving me.

The nest issue concerns a phone call about the other truck I spoke to you about on Monday of this week. This is the same truck I spoke to you about in Louisville and told you of the many months of frustration regarding this problem. The first thin you asked me was which truck I was talking about. When I told you, your first response was “well you know it is no longer under warranty.” This sir, is hard to take after having spent several hundred dollars over months of time trying to resolve this problem with Freightliner, only to have three different shops now tell me that the issue is with A-B.
You advised me of the following.... A-B has a five year STRUCTURAL warranty, and a one year warranty of the rest of the conversion. If indeed the line from the engine housing to the bunk is damaged because of poor placement or simple a worn out product, it is not electric, it would indeed be considered structural.

There has been much discontent with A-B and the willingness to stand behind your products. Here is your opportunity to make a statement to the readers of Expediter World.

I want these problems resolved once and for all. I want to show you how much money each unit has cost. I have paid to have the systems recharged on several occasions, each time Freightliner has found no leaks in the system, however within a couple of days or so there is no refrigerant remaining in the system. The last recharging took place at West Virginia Truck and Trailer, which as you know is owned by Alumi-Bunk. This was completed on Tuesday April 12th and today Thursday April 14th 2005 as another of my teams is headed to Texas, they again are without air conditioning.

Furthermore, I am aware of others on Expediters World with the same problems, some with Freightliner products and others with Internationals. The problems are the same, but the manufacturers are different. I think it is about time for A-B to step up to the plate, refund charges that should not have occurred and stand behind the products that you sell.

I have three additional trucks on order with A-B scheduled for delivery very soon. This first is due by May 7th and the others are due in June.

I am hereby placing you, as a representative of Alumi-Bunk on notice. These problems with my trucks must be resolved prior to the acceptance of the trucks I have ordered. I am also advising you that I am publishing this email in the forums of Expediter World and will also post the results that it brings, for all to read. If your mechanic cannot figure out what is causing these leaks, then I suggest that you contact the engineers and the owners of Alumi-Bunk.
You may post your response to the ExpeditersWorld forum titled Truck Technical Forum. If you choose not to post your remarks there, I will paraphrase your response and post it. This site is a driver / owner site that will expose any and all problems with any products or vendors. We have paid the prices that the vendors asked and now we expect them to function as advertised, or be repaired correctly.

Your immediate response is needed.

Tom Robertson
502.326.0500
trobertson@goablair.com

[teacel]

I thought when you told me this guy would reply to the drivers, he was blowing smoke!

Tony...

Lets see what happens

[ATCO]

Tom, I am thinking you may want to seriously consider canceling those orders, do your really want this headache all over again???

I posted in the topic about Class 7 Vs. 8 in respect to this... Perhaps you might want to reconsider....

Not that I'm telling you should do, with any basis, it's not my money, but seems like A-B should respect your business, and if they don't (as it appears from your posting) then you need to go somewhere where they will take care of you... Good Luck.

thanks Joe...

I appreciate your concern... but as I posted on the other thread you mentioned...

I have been happy with the A-Bunk product in general...
I have had only a few issues and they have in time been corrected.

I do have a problem with some of the service charges seen from Matt in Detroit, but hopefully my talk with Sheel will eliminate things like charging $40 for changing a marker light when other service is being performed.

I have been told many times that I give everyone the benefit of the doubt, and place trust where it does not belong. So lets see how this goes.

I had the distinct impression from Sheel that he intends to correct the image of AB and that he felt the forums were a good idea. It gives AB the ability to show the Expediter community that they will stand behind their products. If they fail to do so... then their reputation may have been well earned.


Tom

[Mare]

Everything Tom Robertson said X2!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's very warm here in Tampa, FL tonight too. You see, after an $800.00 plus repair (we paid a little over $200) just two weeks ago, our air conditioning failed today also. We should have seen it coming as all of the past repairs have lasted an average of two weeks so technically we were due.

But Mare, you say, why not just turn on your generator tonight?? So glad you asked. Our $6000 trickle charger has never worked right either and right now is not working at all. Why not just bring it on up to Dundalk for work? THAT COSTS $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. We have lost thousands of dollars being out of service for the repairs on this truck in the year and a half we've had it, money that we will never be able to recoup.

These are only two of the problems that we approached you with well over a year ago.

I know you will say that you paid to change out our gears, yes you did. I know you will say that we are out of warranty. BUT when a truck owner has an ongoing problem that started IN THE BEGINNING, how can you say that you are not responsible? If the air conditioner was ice cold driving home from Knoxville and again up to you, why has it not been correct since your associates plumbed in the air conditioning to the sleeper?





IT CERTAINLY IS WARM DOWN HERE IN FLORIDA BUT I'M SURE THAT'S PARTLY BECAUSE WE'RE SO STEAMED!!

Sheel...

I think that Mare's post also requires a response.

We ordered a part for our sleeper heat and air in October of 2003 at the Detroit repair location-

We still have not gotten the part-

We also asked to have a part ordered for out aux because they were unable to fix the aux with out it-

No part yet -

We have called - recalled - went there - still no part - we gave up - which is what they want you to do -

[joer]

This forum is very enlightening. While we're starting out driving for a f/o, we intend to purchase a "d" unit within a year. I've been reading this forum for a few months, and of course that other one for quite some time.

It amazes me how many negative comments alumi-bunk gets. Lets face it, the only reason A-B has so many sales is because they have the lowest priced condo available.

Mare made the statement that they have lost thousands of dollars that they cannot recoup. (Mare, i really do feel for you).

This brings me to my point. Lowest cost doesnt always mean best deal. If it costs say 10K more for an identically spec'd truck from a different dealer, (middle ga, fyda, stoops, k-town etc)., thats about 3K more per year, including interest if you keep the truck 4 years.

All these other dealerships combined dont have as many complaints against them as A.B. does, or at least I havent seen them.

To me, its worth the extra 3K per year to get a superior product, much better service, less down time, less lost revenue due to the extra downtime, less suffering in the heat, less stress, and probably fewer arguments with the spouse.

When I get ready to buy, you can bet that unless A.B. has done a 180 on their attitude, service and product quality, they wont even be considered when I go to shell out my 100 grand.

Thanks for all the good info. You've save us a lot of headaches.
Joe

Hi Joe-

The problem as I see it is the unavailability of service in the US and poor service at the locations they do have in the US

We are very satisified with our truck overall-

The aux is a nightmare

Our sleeper has needed to be repainted practically since we bought it and they have agreed to do this but the catch is you have to take it to Dundalk, ON. We have traveled up there on at least three ocaisions to have other repairs done. They were not able to paint it on these trips.

We are going to have it painted in the US even though we have a 5 year warranty on the paint-because we just don't want to deal with the hassle taking it back up to Canada.

[teacel]

Do I smell a LAW suit???

[sidecar]

Do I smell a LAW suit???


I BELIEVE YOU DO.

[sidecar]

Hi Joe-

The problem as I see it is the unavailability of service in the US and poor service at the locations they do have in the US

We are very satisified with our truck overall-

The aux is a nightmare

Our sleeper has needed to be repainted practically since we bought it and they have agreed to do this but the catch is you have to take it to Dundalk, ON. We have traveled up there on at least three ocaisions to have other repairs done. They were not able to paint it on these trips.

We are going to have it painted in the US even though we have a 5 year warranty on the paint-because we just don't want to deal with the hassle taking it back up to Canada.


nancy,you keep metioning that you are very satisfied with your truck overall.maybe if you keep saying it you might even start believing it. :p we are very satisfied with our truck too,but when you put out 100k for a truck you expect the dealer to work with you when there are problems.the only way that we can get them to pay any attention to us (because they are next to impossible to reach by phone)is via e-mail,with a copy of the e-mail going the head of the recruiting dept. at FECC.doing it that way gaurantees that scheel will be calling us in an hour or less.also like you we are stuck with a $6,000+ boat anchor(aux generator) that due to aux being out of bussiness will be impossible to get parts for.(other than filters and belts.oh and you might as well forget buying the belts,because to change those you more or less have to disassemble the entire unit).tune in here for more exciting adventures of "life on the road with an AB product" the next episode titled "stranded in florida with no a/c again.

[67NOVA]

Hey I think this is Sheels last chance ! :vmad: if AB does not step up to the plate and do it soon!

The wife and I are thinking about taking AB to small claims court on one issue at a time and going for the highest award allowed and doing it over and over until we get justice!

For about 15$ a pop we think it's worth it! and everytime we're in Woodhaven Mi. we'll just stop at the clerks office and get another claims form, imagine if just two customers did this! wow what if four customers did this imagine if four customers did this! they'd think it was a movement and that's what it is! the anti AB movement WOW!!! Oh you can't get anything you want at Alumibunks ........................

I'm getting a bit serious about this!

sidecar and Mare I feel your pain and I wish I could do something to help, I do know that there's a couple of people out there that have changed their minds as to where they want to drop alot of money on that new truck!

[sidecar]

Hey I think this is Sheels last chance ! :vmad: if AB does not step up to the plate and do it soon!

The wife and I are thinking about taking AB to small claims court on one issue at a time and going for the highest award allowed and doing it over and over until we get justice!

For about 15$ a pop we think it's worth it! and everytime we're in Woodhaven Mi. we'll just stop at the clerks office and get another claims form, imagine if just two customers did this! wow what if four customers did this imagine if four customers did this! they'd think it was a movement and that's what it is! the anti AB movement WOW!!! Oh you can't get anything you want at Alumibunks ........................

I'm getting a bit serious about this!





sidecar and Mare I feel your pain and I wish I could do something to help, I do know that there's a couple of people out there that have changed their minds as to where they want to drop alot of money on that new truck!


LOLOL,i didn't know where that was headed at first.but as i was reading along,it was coming out in arlo guthrie's voice. officer obie would be proud. :D .mare thinks i'm crazy (she's never seen alice's resturant) i'm gonna have to rent the movie and make her watch it. BTW,i will be calling you this weekend. :bye:

[67NOVA]

OH! you're quick sidecar :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[taildragger]

Remember,

You must file a suite in the jurisdiction where the plantiff dwells or operates. In other words, you will have to go where the company is HQ'ed.

Best of luck to all

I do know what you feel

:D

This is the response I received from Sheel Advani at 9:58 pm Friday, April 15, 2005...

Hi Tom:
As per our phone conversation this afternoon I promised to get back to you.
I was not able to get back to the office in time to get any information.
Matt has been out of the office for the last 2 days working with some of our
other customers needing to set up new service accounts. I did talk to Matt
after business hours to get an update about your truck. Apparantly the part
that we are looking for is a freightliner part that is on national back
order. I will be in the office with Matt on monday morning and will try to
track this ac line that is needed.
Our hands are tied until these parts show up. But we want you to know that
we do stand behind our products.
Will talk to you more on monday.

And this is my response to him...

Sheel...

Am I angry? You can bet on it!

Having received your email well after the promised time, I want to say that this is one of the reasons you and I had a falling out some time ago.

Perhaps you should get to know your customers better. We are professionals who on a daily basis give our word, and then stand behind it. If one of us commits to a customer to be some where no later than a specified time; we are there. It is our job to be on time, and accurate about what, when and how we perform.

Three years ago I gave you my word to buy 10 trucks from Alumi-Bunk. Even though you and I had a serious disagreement, I found a way to keep my word by ordering these trucks from Rick Ball with West Virginia Truck and Trailer, a company that is owned by Alumi-Bunk.

Many years ago, I was taught by my father, that a man’s word is his bond. Many of the drivers that belong to Expediter World and participate on the forums evidently were students of the same philosophy.

We expect something remotely similar with the people we choose to give our business.
Failure to return call, emails and provide answers in a timely manner tarnishes your reputation with this group of professional drivers.

Responding hours after the committed time with an excuse, and without addressing any of the issues is simply unacceptable.

I am relatively certain that you will not check your email this weekend, so I am giving you until 3pm on Monday to address the questions in the first email, and additionally I am requesting the part number that Matt claims is on national backorder.

Failure to respond with the requested information, regardless of the whereabouts of Matt or your schedule will result in the cancellation of three trucks and my word on a meeting in a totally different venue in the near future.

Your customers, many of which I now have met are waiting to see how this problem is handled by Alumi-Bunk. If you will please go to our website and read the thread under the Technical Truck Forum entitled email to Sheel Advani... ALUMI-BUNK !!! on notice. Read not only my statements but those of several other owners of your products.
This is your chance to correct these problems and to clean up the reputation of your company.

The time for excuses and continual delays in requests has passed.

The wagons are circling and the word is that there is strength in numbers!

[teacel]

I have been around for a very long time. "Mare don't you say a word" :angry: About my age!!! LOL :rofl: I'm really glad "WE THE PEOPLE" are taking a stance and are letting the whole world know about all the DEAD BEAT COMPANIES that are out there STEALING OUR HARD EARNED MONEY!!! by not making the proper repairs in a timely manner. :cool: :cool: :cool: Our message, DON'T MESS WITH EXPEDITERS!!!

[67NOVA]

THANKS TOM !

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Sidecar-

I see your point. lol

I guess what I am trying to say is that the truck runs like a top...

The truck itself with regards to the engine, transmission, sleeper, etc has had zero problems. ie no mechanical failures or leaks-

HOWEVER-comfort features such as air conditioning and heat have given us grief from day one like you. We have taken our truck to Dundalk, ON at least three times for heat/air repairs because we can not get service at all in Detroit. They wanted to charge us $500 for an alternator in Detroit! A part that can be purchased at auto zone for under $100.

I would estimate that 99% of our problems with A/B are because of the mechanical nightmare called an AUX generator, (which is really not a generator at all). In our sleeper the AUX is "tied" into two heat and air units-one for the aux and the other is the slave unit from the truck, this set up is a disaster.

This year we finally had to disconnect the lines from the truck engine to the unit as one of the AUX cooling lines started to leak. We have been waiting for the parts to fix it for over 2 years now. No one can work on these things and we are actually at their mercy. Now, I hear that AUX is no more...figures.

Supposedly our unit just needs a relay switch of some sort...but we never could get a part number for it. We have already replaced the alternator and the main computer board. AND belt replacement is truly another nightmare!

We also own a $6,500 piece of faulty unuseable equipment. So, please don't think for one minute I am trivalizing your problems with A/B. I guess we just gave up the fight. To be honest with you, we wanted a regular rv generator put on the truck when we had it built but they talked us into this piece of crap. I think we are actually ticked off at ourselves for listening to them.

You are right too...to spend what we did on this truck and not stand our ground to get something done about it was wrong. Now with everyone else trying to get something done we would like to step up to the plate with you.

As I said before, the sleeper has needed painting almost from day one. Where the chrome strip goes around the bottom of the sleeper the paint keeps bubblling. We have been told it is something to do with the sleeper metal touching the chrome piece with no rubber barrier between the two pieces of metal...and I know too that we have not pushed the matter on this! BUT in our defense where are we going to stay for 4 or 5 days up there while it is being painted? That is, if we could even get a date to get it painted? You most likely have been up there...you know where this place is! Shoot it takes us 6 or 7 hours just to get up there from Detroit.

oh well, I just thought I would explain my post a little better. :)

[67NOVA]

Thanks for your support Mcbride!

I honestly think AB uses the fact that we don't have the time to keep trying to get our problems corrected against us, feeling that we'll just go away!

If in fact AB is taken to court by either myself or anyone else for that matter we need to stick together with all the support we can muster, anyone needing a letter showing my concerns and problems with AB only has to ask!

take care! it's time breakfast!

Also-----come AB let's get on the BALL and get these issues resolved! when I bought this truck I hoped I'd never have a problem with our dealings or the truck and I wished I'd never have gotten to know most of all the peoples names at AB, I only wanted to make a living!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a copy of a an e-mail I sent to Don a salesman at A/B on October 19, 2004.

-He had been posting on another expediter forum-(I edited out a part where I referred to this other site)
Don-

Are you new to Alumibunk? If so, maybe we can get some
answers about service and repairs from you. We would like
to purchase another truck but I am afraid that Alumibunk is
not our first choice again...we love our truck don't get me
wrong but Eric was instrumental in desgn and helped greatly
while we were getting it. We feel that when you make a
purchase of over $110,000 and have promoted the company in a
positive light, we should at the least get service in
return.

Beginning about 2-3 years ago we have gotten the worse
service from Alumibunk that it should be considered an
imbarassment to your company. We have called Eric but he is
now in a different location and it seems there is not much
he can do for us now. Our sleeper has needed repainting
since it was 6 mos old as it peeled and our aux is a night
mare-we currently have no heat or air in the rear of our
sleeper. We promoted the purchase of Alumibunk vehicles to
several people in the past and know that we in fact we were
instumental in the sale of several other custom made vehicles.

As an example of the poor service we have recieved you
should know that we ordered a part for our aux in OCT 2003
and we still have not gotten a response from Alumibunk-DON'T
even suggest we call again...

Alumibunk is now the proud owner of a horrible nick name in
this industry which I'm sure you have heard-

Your company was the leader a couple of years back and until the
service/repair issues are cleaned up it appears your nick-name will remain
and "the leader" title will never be yours again...

Call me crazy but shouldnt a vehicle that u pay $100K-$150 for run like a dream. I mean cmon you pay $20K-$30K for a car and it doesnt have to see a shop for 100,000 miles besides normal maintenance. What gives? We bought a 1999 Fl70 brand new in Richfield, OH at the Freightliner (which i may add is no longer in business). We had nothing but problems with it which included several A/B problems. Each trip into A/B was a nightmare with less than accepatable service, and a quite costly bill to go with it. One time we had went there for an inspection...Brian( i think was his name) was Sheel's service manager at the time. We had a crack in the windshield that i was completely aware of. It was in an area that was acceptable by DOT regulations. Well big bad brian failed us and i showed him in the book where the crack would have to be, to be considered a failure or Out of service. He didnt want to hear it and told me that if i went down to the DOT scales in monroe, mi on I-75 and they said it was fine, that i could come back and get a sticker and be on my way. OK, i say. Well the wife and i mosey down to the scales because i know im in the right and we had an officer come out and look at it. He said no this is perfectly fine. He said he wouldnt recommend running it like this as it was a bit unsafe but it was met DOT standards. So i asked him if he would call A/B and talk to Brian and tell him that it was ok. The officer called and explained that it was good to go and I could hear Brian hollering into the phone at the officer. The officer asked him to calm down a couple of times before eventually hanging up on him. Soooooo...i return to A/B to get my sticker and he says I'm not giving it to u. I said "whoa, u challenged me and i called ya on it and now ur backing out"?
He said he didnt have to pass anything he didnt want to and told me to go nextdoor to the detroiter and if they would pass me, then he would pay for their inspection. Well, went to Detroiter and mechanic passed it. He said that it wasnt even close to being a failure. He then proceeded to tell me that this Brian character had just been fired from the Detroiter shop and that A/B had hired him. I personally would drive cross country to buy a truck other than an A/B concoction.

Also, we didnt know the meaning of A/C. We paid for the control module underneath the bunk outside to be replaced several times. This is what controls whether heat or A/C is sent to the bunk. When u have heat and A/C both coming into the bunk, the result is a warm air not even close to A/C. Now keep in mind, this was a problem in 1999, (and i'm sure even before that). Can't they correct a known problem in 6 years time? The ground wire has also been a long time problem. Is it that hard to find a good ground and a good connection that wont come loose? Come on A/B, do a little research and engineering and come up with a decent product that you feel good about seling to your customers. Either that or hire a spy to go find out how Bentz, ICT, Double A, and other manufacturers do it without a probl;em.

Also, we didnt know the meaning of A/C. We paid for the control module underneath the bunk outside to be replaced several times. This is what controls whether heat or A/C is sent to the bunk. When u have heat and A/C both coming into the bunk, the result is a warm air not even close to A/C. Now keep in mind, this was a problem in 1999, (and i'm sure even before that). Can't they correct a known problem in 6 years time? The ground wire has also been a long time problem. Is it that hard to find a good ground and a good connection that wont come loose? Come on A/B, do a little research and engineering and come up with a decent product that you feel good about seling to your customers. Either that or hire a spy to go find out how Bentz, ICT, Double A, and other manufacturers do it without a probl;em.

Sheel...

Most of us in this niche of the trucking business are accustomed to working 7 days a week, and we sometimes forget that others have a more normal working schedule.

The list of complaints that have been voiced here seem to center on the AC/heating issues, and follow through on commitments.

Call me crazy if you wish, but I see this as a monumental opportunity to resolve these problems, and to receive kudos for your's and Alumi-Bunk's efforts. We are all fair minded people and would just as quickly applaud your company for these resolutions as we have been quick to state our dissatisfactions.

We have served up issues that in my opinion are within your powers to resolve. If your company stands behind the products that we have purchased, you can count on positive publicity that can only increase your companies share of the market.

I hope you had a nice weekend, and anxiously await your responses.

Welllll...its 3PM on Monday according to my clock and I see no response from Sheel concerning the problems addressed to him. Does this guy not take us serious? Should he? He will when we stop buying A/B trucks. This post can be forwarded to A/B in Canada when they are trying to figure out why the drop in sales in 2005. Come on people, go the extra mile to avoid all A/B products and services. There are plenty of reputable sleeper manufacturers that provide great products and service to customers who are spending their hard earned money at their company.

Hey Zing1....


Sheel and Matt made a conference call to me stating that they now have the parts necessary to fix the problem. My truck is presently being worked on and we will have to wait to see the results.

These guys spoke earnestly about wanting to take care of all the problems that our members have and seem to be willing to do whatever it takes to resolve eveyones issues.

They also promised to PM anyone who has posted here asking more information about what the problems are so they can address them one by one.

If the truck leaves today and has AC it will be reported. I will also make postings regarding how long the repair lasts. If it truly is the fix, I will post that as well.

Lets all give the benefit of the doubt until each persons concerns have been met.

Sheel and Matt seemed interested in cleaning up the AB image, and I believe we should give them the opportunity.

Thats great to hear BUT when are they going to fix the A/C problem in the engineering dept. so that these trucks come off the assembly line in working order? Why should us drivers have to accept unnecessary downtime to fix a longtime problem? Why are drivers having to bake in the heat until a part comes in, or sit in the lobby instead of out making money while they "diagnose" the problem? Anyway, great work Tom on getting a response from them. I hope that they are truly concerned about our problems.

One of the three trucks was seviced by AB today...
A new line was installed and at this time the repair seems to have solved the problem...

I guess the best news is that Sheel and Matt want to be notified if the repair does not solve the problem...
They have promised to get to the bottom of this regardless of the time or effort it takes.

Again they also said they would PM members on this thread who have expressed their complaints and go after each of them.

A one time fix will not polish their image however if they continue to follow through with the other members complaints, I think we will all be happy to recognize the efforts and will be willing to say that they are trying to improve.

Matt asked me to have anyone with this specific problem or any other recurring problem to contact him directly and that if he was not available immediately that he would contact you at his earliest convenience. He also reminded me that he is not always available or able to take your calls and asks that we try to be a little patient with the time it may take to return your calls. Remember...not everyone is an expediter and required to respond within the hour!

Lets give them a E for effort and allow them the opportunity to work their way back into our good graces and applaud their efforts. Please report your contacts with Matt and Sheel to me via email...

I will sometime in the future write an article about how well ...or badly this effort goes and try to work as an intermediary for any really troublesome issues. Please keep me updated with your progress via email. My email is shown on our site at the "Member List" location.

Again I would like to say that the efforts today MAY have resolved the problem for one truck, but there are many others with the same or similar problems. Today's efforts may not deserve a standing ovation, but it they continue to step up to the plate, maybe we will be in a position to do so in the future!

[teacel]

One of the three trucks was seviced by AB today...

I guess the best news is that Sheel and Matt want to be notified if the repair does not solve the problem...
They have promised to get to the bottom of this regardless of the time or effort it takes.

Again they also said they would PM members on this thread who have expressed their complaints and go after each of them.

Matt asked me to have anyone with this specific problem or any other recurring problem to contact him directly and that if he was not available immediately that he would contact you at his earliest convenience. He also reminded me that he is not always available or able to take your calls and asks that we try to be a little patient with the time it may take to return your calls. Remember...not everyone is an expediter and required to respond within the hour!

Lets give them a E for effort and allow them the opportunity to work their way back into our good graces and applaud their efforts. Please report your contacts with Matt and Sheel to me via email...

I will sometime in the future write an article about how well ...or badly this effort goes and try to work as an intermediary for any really troublesome issues. Please keep me updated with your progress via email. My email is shown on our site at the "Member List" location.

Again I would like to say that the efforts today MAY have resolved the problem for one truck, but there are many others with the same or similar problems. Today's efforts may not deserve a standing ovation, but it they continue to step up to the plate, maybe we will be in a position to do so in the future!
In your quote, there are 6 points I will touch on, cause I hope the rest of the members aren't buying what I think is BS. Either you are looking at this issue as a blind man, or they have you snow balled, like a guy in the desert dying of the lack of water! I think.

#1. Lets be real! These same guys are the same one who has been promising the same drivers, a FIX, for years. Right? DON'T YOU HAVE 3 TRUCKS ON ORDER FROM THESE PEOPLE?

#2. Before they can PM, anyone on this site they have to join and become MEMBERS I want to personally give these two gentlemen special RANK, if and when they do join!!! It will be a Privilege, HEY GUYS (MEMBERS), GET OUT THE SHOVELS! It's getting deep HaHaHa! :rofl: PM the members, they can join and start PM’ing them any time now!

#3. Now you say this guy wants the MEMBERS TO CONTACT HIM! Which is it? The PM from them, or the driver contacts him? THIS IS A CONTRADICTION! Who is screwing whom? From all the things I hear, they would have to prove it. Members have been contacting these people for years to only get the same results. NONE!!! Now because you say so, it is going to happen! Bull! Sounds to be something aint right! But then what do I know, let the action speak for itself. I would rather see these people join and PM the members. Let them put forth the effort to correct their problem!

#4. Lets not get to hasty here and not get them an E, but I say lets give an “S” for “SLICK” in using you and the advantage you have over the other members, because of you buying 3 new trucks. Don't you think they are using you and this site? Well I and about 5 other members on this site seem to think so, but the proof is in the pudding. Just my opinion!

#5. An Article in the future would be nice. I will be watching for it. I hope it reports how long it takes these bunk builders to join and PM all the members who have an on going issue and how long it takes them to resolve this and many more issues not with you (buying 3 trucks) But with those who already bought their one and only truck?

#6. A standing ovation is nowhere near, nor is it in years to come. These people have many dissatisfied customers. It may take years to gain their trust back.

LETS get real here, and tell the others the real deal. You own a truck you bought from these people, and have 3 new ones on order. You have a problem with one of your trucks or 2 of them, and have 3 new ones on order. You are able to use the cancellation of that order as a hostage, of which you already did. You say jump and these people ask how high.

From what I hear some of these members have been dealing with these same people for years on the same issue and ALL OF A SUDDEN, they want to make it right? Very good! They need to join EW and PM each member. Wasn’t that what one of these people said? Quote “Again they also said they would PM members on this thread who have expressed their complaints and go after each of them.” You come into play with a problem and these people are now going to fix ALL. I smell funny business going on here, in more ways than one!!! Again my thoughts!
Aside from all I have just said! AND All I can say at this point is SEEING IS BELIEVING!!!


__________________________________________________ ______

BTW Folks, if anyone wants to use this site for gain, please do so, that’s what it’s here for, but use it right! Make use when expressing or explaining an issue or situation that it is explained with all the facts.

The second of my trucks arrived at Alumi-Bunk this morning and Matt called the office before 9am. The AC line on this truck was broken but it was a different line than the one on the first truck. Matt informed me that the “T “ into this line was inserted without taking additional slack out of the line and that process placed more tension on the line than it could handle.
Matt called an engineer from Freightliner to explain the problem on both units, and the engineer has suggested that Alumi-Bunk should use a “J block” created for the Columbia and Century Class Freightliners for all future “T’s” with their bunk conversions. Matt also called an engineer from the nations leading high pressure hose manufacturer to determine what changes can be made to insure that this is a permanent fix. The engineer made those suggestions, and these lines will be used to repair this vehicle. Matt has also contacted the Alumi-Bunk headquarters in Dundalk, ON to make them aware of these problems, and has suggested that they implement these changes immediately on all future builds.
The parts needed for this truck have been ordered by next day air and should arrive by 11am tomorrow morning, when we will have the truck back into the Woodhaven location for the repair.

I obviously cannot at this time say that this is the permanent solution, however I am finding Alumi-Bunk seems to be anxious to resolve our problems.

If a manufacturer builds several hundred units a year and receives complaints dribbling in over a long period of time, it would be difficult to isolate any one issue as an engineering problem that needs to be addressed. However when presented with an issue that is common to several owners regardless of the truck manufacturer all at the same time, it then becomes more apparent that there is a problem that needs immediate attention.

Alumi-Bunk has promised to step up to the plate and resolve issues with our members in a timely fashion. We plan to hold them to their word. If you do not get the same results with the issues on your truck, please contact me via email with facts and documentation.
By working as a group and having our issues addressed in that manner, we stand a much better chance to resolve our problems.

[sidecar]

i for one am definatly not convinced of AB's sincerity in wanting to take care of all the problems that our members are having with their trucks.i have posted numerous times on this and "another" forum about the problems we have had with our truck. i don't have time right now to go into the whole story now,but will post a more complete desciption of the problem later today.suffice it to say that the problem is back once again(no a/c)and because of it we have had to deadhead home from tampa,fl. to have it worked on once again.this same problem has cost us many thousands of dollars in lost revenue,and money out of our own pockets in repairs on the road. we don't have the leverage of having 3 trucks on order with them,but i will say to the people who own and run AB that i am not going to give up on this!! this problem has persisted since we took delivery of this truck and we are not inclined to listen to any statements like your warranty is void ,your warranty is expired, or that is the problem of the truck chassis manufacturer.

Sidecar, let us know how quickly AB pm's you concerning your ongoing problem. I just hope they know that they have to be a member to post. LOL So I guess we will watch for them to become a member and then wait to hear from you. Good Luck

[Arky]

zing...sheel is our newest member :)

[teacel]

I think, Sheel is a representative for the expedite truck builder, in the Detroit area, Tom, and the others have been in contact with, or trying to contact about the repairs on their trucks.

[sidecar]

i don't think i will hold my breath until AB contacts me. wouldn't be prudent.

[Larry Badger]

I think, Sheel is a reprehensive for the expedite truck builder, in the Detroit area, Tom, and the others have been in contact with, or trying to contact about the repairs on their trucks.

I hope the use of the word reprehensive was an honest mistake, when your intention was to use the word representative? If not, then I believe there is too much "freedom of speech" allowed here on this site; *if* this site is attempting to be a professional forum where ideas can be shared, or where meaningful levels of discussions can be attained, without the cheapening of the quality of the participation through the use of such inflammatory comments/statements.

[Larry Badger]

I think, Sheel is a reprehensive for the expedite truck builder, in the Detroit area, Tom, and the others have been in contact with, or trying to contact about the repairs on their trucks.

I hope the use of the word reprehensive was an honest mistake, when your intention was to use the word representative? If not, then I believe there is too much "freedom of speech" allowed here on this site; *if* this site is attempting to be a professional forum where ideas can be shared, or where meaningful levels of discussions can be attained, without the cheapening of the quality of the participation through the use of such inflammatory comments/statements.

I just looked up the word reprehensive in the dictionary, it is not the *exact* meaning I thought it was. I was mistaken the word was meant in a different context, I apologize for my error, if indeed I did misconstrue the original intent.

[sheel]

To all:
The intention to work with all you owner operators out there is real and genuine. If our intentions were ill, I dont think a company like ours would have been in business this long. We have had hundreds and thousands of compliments in our time in business. We are still considered to be the industry leaders in expediter truck sales. I am more than willing to work with customers regarding their problems, but will not entertain the idea that if a truck is bought at Alumi Bunk, that any problems that occour are to be warrantied for life.
I would like to be PM'ed from any of you out there with continual problems and when was it addressed to us. The whole idea of our Woodhaven,MI location is to take care of most warrantable items of our customers. Have any of you visited our location and addressed problems that have not been taken care of?
If anybody needs to know where to find me.......Woodhaven, MI
Regards

[Mare]

I'm certain that Tony meant to say representative!!! Gee and it sounded sooo close!!

Tony, get some sleep brother!!!!!!!!!!!!

:wacko: :wacko: :wacko: :wacko: :wacko: :wacko: :wacko: :wacko:

[teacel]

I think, Sheel is a reprehensive for the expedite truck builder, in the Detroit area, Tom, and the others have been in contact with, or trying to contact about the repairs on their trucks.

I hope the use of the word reprehensive was an honest mistake, when your intention was to use the word representative? If not, then I believe there is too much "freedom of speech" allowed here on this site; *if* this site is attempting to be a professional forum where ideas can be shared, or where meaningful levels of discussions can be attained, without the cheapening of the quality of the participation through the use of such inflammatory comments/statements.

I just looked up the word reprehensive in the dictionary, it is not the *exact* meaning I thought it was. I was mistaken the word was meant in a different context, I apologize for my error, if indeed I did misconstrue the original intent.
Larry thanks for correcting my error. I really did mean "representative" Sorry, Sheel, Larry and all the others who took this the wrong way, but this was a typo.

Sheel-

Thank you for responding to the concerns raised on this forum-

I will be posting a complete diary of dates and times we have been to your Woodhaven facility to see if we could have our vehicle repaired. I will also post all dates that repairs were actually done at Dundalk, ON. I would like to add at this point for the record that our truck has never actually been repaired at Woodhaven and we always had to go to Dundalk as your Woodhaven facility either could not fix the problem or did not have the parts to fix it.

With regard to the paint problem-we have been to Dudalk on two separate dates to have our truck painted-each time their was not staff there to do it or the weather didn't allow them to paint.

[mr.d]

Having 3 trucks on order is certainly motivation
If you have just 1 truck it looks like don't hold your breath
Let everyone know how individual truck repairs go.
Outcome might be different without leverage
AB getting alot of competition from other truck builders. Why both with them? With a team, you are losing potentially losing $1,000 a day.
That is a big loss when fooling with these people.
$500.00 for a alternator should tell you something

[sheel]

How does it matter to have any amount of trucks on order. Even Tom started with buying 1 truck and then added more. Again, I would like to respond by letting all of you know that Alumi Bunk still has a majority of single truck owners in our portfolio than fleet owners. Yes, in regards to competition.......I have always welcomed that as a necessary challenge. The competition has been there for the last 15years and even then AB has held the position of #1 Expediter Truck seller in the country.

[sheel]

thanx teacel[/quote]

[mr.d]

How does it matter to have any amount of trucks on order

Based on the information, it is appearing that way.
Fact; every driver on here with issues, is still having a hard time to achieve any satisfaction. These are single truck operations

And like any business, if you have a vested interest in selling him these trucks, you are going to be more accomadating than someone that has paid you already. Most car dealers operate in the same fashion.
If a customer bought 5 cadillacs and another bought a small geo, which one do you think would get a problem corrected faster?
I think we all know the answer to that.
2 years for a generator part? You have got to be kidding me

[Uncle Truck]

This is probably a question nobody has an answer to, but I would be curious to know- The number of single truck owner/drivers who have bought new Alumi-Bunk trucks as repeat customers?

There are only a handful of dealers in the USA and Canada who sell new off-the-shelf expediter trucks that they have custom built for their dealerships. Alumi-Bunk is the ONLY mass producer of off-the-shelf expediters that I know of. It only makes sense they are number one as far as QUANTITY of trucks sold as they really have no competition in the off-the-shelf ready to run expediter market.

Some questions for Sheel- What parts of Alumi-Bunk trucks are actually warranteed and serviced as the responsibility of Alumi-Bunk? My experience was one hell of a runaround between component manufacturers on a new AB truck I ran- In my case between AB, Freightliner, and Cummins engine. Each one of the three blamed one or the other for the problems with the truck, with no one stepping to the plate to correct the issues in a timely manner, or correct them right the first (or second or third) time. That was back in 1998, and I see the same sort of thing continuing now with owners of new AB trucks. If AB isn't responsible for defects with the truck chassis or components AB adds on to the truck that AB does not manufacture, is this clearly spelled out to purchasers of these trucks before they buy them?

Thanks!

UT

[mr.d]

Some questions for Sheel- What parts of Alumi-Bunk trucks are actually warranteed and serviced as the responsibility of Alumi-Bunk? My experience was one hell of a runaround between component manufacturers on a new AB truck I ran- In my case between AB, Freightliner, and Cummins engine. Each one of the three blamed one or the other for the problems with the truck, with no one stepping to the plate to correct the issues in a timely manner, or correct them right the first (or second or third) time. That was back in 1998, and I see the same sort of thing continuing now with owners of new AB trucks. If AB isn't responsible for defects with the truck chassis or components AB adds on to the truck that AB does not manufacture, is this clearly spelled out to purchasers of these trucks before they buy them?

AB should cover everything regardless
What a concept
A full warranty for you entire product :omg:

A sleeper is an after market item.

Do you ask your stereo shop to give you a warranty on your car or truck when you buy their radio?

Do any other bunk companies give a warranty on the truck they install it on?

Novel concept... but I think we can all see why they do not do so.

Different components are warranted by the manufacturer of each component. A new car’s tires are not warranted by the auto companies, but by the tire companies. Any aftermarket item or add on for your car or truck is handled the same way by all.

[Uncle Truck]

What I'm saying here is AB is putting a sleeper and box THEY manufacture (it is not an aftermarket sleeper or box) on to a truck chassis they do NOT manufacture, and calling it an Alumi-Bunk truck. In essense, nothing in that case is being sold or claimed to be aftermarket. Then in adding the sleeper and box, some of the components of the truck chassis must be tapped into by Alumi-Bunk in order to make the sleeper function, which in a few cases I know of voided the warranty by the chassis manufacturer on the systems tapped into. Now who's responsibility is it to handle the problem at hand? In my own case it seemed as though the three parties involved were more interested in passing blame than getting the issues resolved. Care to take a guess as to which of the three manufacturers involved did the least to reach a resolution?

UT

[Twmaster]

Well I will go out somewhat on the limb here. I will be buying a 'C' class truck next year after I get my personal finances in order. After watching the fireworks over AB trucks and what seems to be vry poor customer service I will *not* under any circumstance buy an AB truck.

[HARDRIVE]

[quote="Tom Robertson"]

Different components are warranted by the manufacturer of each component.

Even your engine is usally a separate warenty. IE. MBE engine in a FL/M2

[sidecar]

this is what the GM of my local international dealership told me about my warranty on my a/c.if the system is altered,the company that does the alteration assumes the warranty.he gave me a for instance."we have a company that buys complete chassis from us to make beverage trucks,they cut the frame and lower it to accomodate the beverage truck body.as soon as they cut the frame it is no longer warrantied by international but by the truck body manufacturer".

[mr.d]

that was my point.
If we use the car radio example.............if installed incorrectly and there is a wiring problem.........it is the radio installer or radio manufacturer depending on the problem not the car manufacturer.
Once a outside source touches the assemblies on these trucks, they assume the warranty.
If AB ties into the a/c, and it breaks, that is AB problem.
It sounds like they need to be very specific as to what components are covered and by whom. Apparently this is not done or why would someone be running all over the place to get a repair, and then they all blame each other. In that case, AB needs to step up to the plate and fix it or make arrangements for the customer. Should be that simple
Tires are a seperate component. But if manufacturer put wrong load rated tires on for an application, truck manufacturer is at fault, not the tire maker

[sidecar]

Tires are a seperate component. But if manufacturer put wrong load rated tires on for an application, truck manufacturer is at fault, not the tire maker


one other thing regarding tires mr.c (oops i mean mr.d :) )is that if the tires are being used for a different application then what they were designed for,then that is the truck manufacturers fault also.(i.e. city use vs. highway application) for spec'ing the wrong tires.

[mr.d]

if the wrong tires are on the truck, they should be replaced.
shouldn't have city tires on a otr truck.

[Uncle Truck]

I understand that different components are warranteed by their own manufacturers. But with my FL Columbia, I can get most anything on the truck- chassis, engine, tranny, sleeper, etc serviced under one roof at any Freightliner dealer or basically any big truck repair shop for that matter. Probably everything except the box if I damaged it.

With the brand new AB I ran for the fleet owner in 1998, I was sent everywhere from a Freightliner dealer in Canada to a dealer in NY to a Cummins engine shop in NY to AB in Detroit (Detroiter repair shop at that time) to AB in Dundalk, ON. Five out of the eight weeks I had the truck were spent as downtime in various locations until I gave the truck back to the owner.

UT

[sidecar]

well on friday the 22nd we once again had our truck in to have the a/c fixed.this was done at AB's woodhaven,mi. location.matt(AB's service mgr.) had called me the day before to let me know that he had parts on order to be delivered the next day.

they started work on the a/c at about 7:30am,doing what appeared to me to be a complete dissasembly of the a/c system.shortly after they had it disassembled the new parts arrived.they replaced the a/c compressor and the accumulator unit,and several lines.this appears to be the same situation that they did with tom's truck,as far as the lines go.they have completely changed the way that they attach the line that goes back to the sleeper.the new setup if nothing else looks sturdier and more thought out than the previous setup.

this took them until about early afternoon to complete the a/c job,and then it was on to the aux generator. it was found that the bracket that supports the actual generating unit inside had broken.this generator weighs approx. 40 lbs or so and was supported by a not too thick alluminum bracket.i know aluminum is supposed to be strong, but clearly this bracket was not to well engineered.(why am i not surprised) as many of you know, for all intents and purposes AUX is out of business.this makes getting some parts all but impossible to get ahold of.this bracket is one of those parts.after talking to matt, i decided to let this part of the repair go until we decide what to do about getting another one made(made out of steel this time)the rest of the repairs consisted of replacing the two fan belts to the a/c compressor and the fan on the aux unit.

these repairs took 12+ hrs to accomplish and i was satisfied with the results of the repairs,done at no cost to me.

i am not however ready to say that our problems are solved.we have gone through this many,many times before.these repairs will at the minimum have to take us completely through the summer and beyond before i will even begin to think that they have solved our problem.

i will say that they seem to be genuinely interested in solving all of our problems.in all but about 2 times that we have had the truck worked on by AB,we have left their facility satisfied with the repairs made.the problem has always been that they don't hold up to the test of time.

For those of you following this thread I thought it only fair to recap my present knowledge of the problems that were taken to Alumi-Bunk and the results...

My company sent two trucks to Alumi-Bunk both Freightliner M2's with 72" condo which had a continual problem with the A/C lines from the truck to the bunk area. Both trucks had lines that were broken causing the vehicles refrigerant to leak out of the system leaving the trucks without any airconditioning. Matt at Alumi-Bunk with Sheels approval, rerouted the lines and provided a more stablized connection which to this time is still holding up, however the lines are connected without using a J-block which is the standard connection for other trucks...the reason is that at this time FL does not have a J-Block designed for the M2. Alumi-Bunk is pursuing the design and production of a J-Block connector through outside sourcing...which may be the only permanent fix. In my opinion this should have be accomplished when the first M2's hit the market and it was understood by the Alumi-Bunk conversion builders.
While this solution may resolve the problem indefinitely, the real solution to my way of thinking would be to have a J-Block type connection. And I believe that A-B engineers in Dundalk should be desiging a connection that will stand the test of time for a truck that is growing in popularity on a daily basis.
These issues should be considered as structural and warranted by AB for the full five years.
I will give Sheel and Matt an A+ for their service and accolades to Matt for finding what at this time appears to be a better attachment for these lines than the A-B builders in Dundalk. The time needed to repair and reroute these lines was considerable, and Sheel stepped up to the plate and made the reapairs without a charge.

sidecar, reported on a similar problem and received the same service and results.

I ask anyone else who has contacted Sheel to report to us the manner in which they have been treated and if the problems encoutered have been resolved.

[67NOVA]

Well I sent a private message to Sheel the other day in regards to a couple of issues and I'm wondering what would be a fair amount of time to give for a reply?

67 Nova...

there have been times our PM system has not worked correctly...

this may or may not be the case ...

try this...

Sheel@detroit.alumibunk.com

let me know if you still have a problem

[67NOVA]

Thanks Tom! :)

[Uncle Truck]

I would like to thank Alumi-Bunk for taking the time to listen to and address the air conditioning problems of these EW members in a manner that hopefully tackles the cause rather than just patching the symptoms for a short period of time. I hope the answer has been found, as I know how much fun it is to be someplace like Laredo, TX with no A/C :angry: It's not so much the cost of some repairs that hurts the owners of these nearly $100k+ trucks, but downtime wasted on temporary "fixes" is the biggest frustration. It's nice for AB owners to get some responses and some action taken to hopefully correct ongoing matters. Thanks!

UT