---------------------------------------------------------- Kolb-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Thu 02/19/15: 3 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 12:19 PM - JBM - Inferior Product, Poor Customer Support (KIRBY, DENNIS T GS-13 USAF AFMC AFNWC/ENS) 2. 12:37 PM - Re: JBM - Inferior Product, Poor Customer Support (John Hauck) 3. 08:30 PM - Re: JBM - Inferior Product, Poor Customer Support (Stephen Spence) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 12:19:41 PM PST US From: "KIRBY, DENNIS T GS-13 USAF AFMC AFNWC/ENS" Subject: Kolb-List: JBM - Inferior Product, Poor Customer Support Kolb Friends - This post serves as an advisory to alert you of problems that I encountered with engine parts from JBM Enterprises, and the subsequent backlash I experienced with that company when I tried to talk to them about it. BOTTOM LINE: Avoid these guys at all cost! Rotax recommends replacing the rubber carb sockets every 5 years for the 912 engine. I was a couple years past due, so I decided to replace them even though the originals still looked OK. After seeing one or two generally favorable posts on this List recommending JBM, I went ahead and ordered a pair of new carb sockets from them two years ago. What seemed favorable at the time was their cost - $76 each, versus $104 for the genuine Rotax part. In the past 2 years, I've flown about 100 hours on my Mark-3. When I was doing my annual inspection last month, I noticed that one of the carb sockets was beginning to split. The split was NOT next to the clamp, where splits often occur due to overtightening. When I installed it, I was careful to follow the installation instructions precisely, and not over- or under-tighten the clamps. Rather, the split occurred at the junction where the flange meets the cylindrical rubber part - clearly a premature failure of either the material or the manufacturing process. I e-mailed the company, explained the problem, and asked if they would replace the part for me. I made it clear that I did not question the integrity of the company, but simply accepted that an occasional flawed part could find its way out the door. They refused, citing how their warranty only covered defective parts that are discovered upon receipt of the part. Accepting that, I asked if they could at least provide a replacement at a discounted price for me. Again they said no, so I figured that I'd just need to order a new one at the full price. I ordered the replacement, and asked if they might consider at least dropping the $7 shipping charge. JBM's response shocked me. They questioned why I still wanted to order anything from them if I thought their products were of inferior quality (even though I never said that), and then they CANCELLED MY ORDER! Needless to say, I was not going to continue that dialogue. I ordered the genuine Rotax part from Lockwood and have moved on. Even though I was willing to give them another chance by purchasing a replacement for a part that had failed, JBM's blatant disregard for any sort of Customer Service was made very clear to me. Other customers may have had different experiences, but I know that I shall never again order from, nor recommend them to anyone. If this saves even one fellow Light Sport pilot from having the same bad experience I had, then this was worth it. Fly safely - Dennis Kirby Kolb Mark-3 / 912ul Sandia Park, New Mexico ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 12:37:28 PM PST US From: "John Hauck" Subject: RE: Kolb-List: JBM - Inferior Product, Poor Customer Support I've purchased SS exhaust springs for the Titan system and carb boots. Never had any dialogue with them though. Both products have been on my MKIII for several years and continue to be serviceable. john h mkIII Titus, Alabama Kolb Friends - This post serves as an advisory to alert you of problems that I encountered with engine parts from JBM Enterprises, and the subsequent backlash I experienced with that company when I tried to talk to them about it. BOTTOM LINE: Avoid these guys at all cost! Needless to say, I was not going to continue that dialogue. I ordered the genuine Rotax part from Lockwood and have moved on. Even though I was willing to give them another chance by purchasing a replacement for a part that had failed, JBM's blatant disregard for any sort of Customer Service was made very clear to me. Other customers may have had different experiences, but I know that I shall never again order from, nor recommend them to anyone. If this saves even one fellow Light Sport pilot from having the same bad experience I had, then this was worth it. Fly safely - Dennis Kirby Kolb Mark-3 / 912ul Sandia Park, New Mexico ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 08:30:31 PM PST US From: Stephen Spence Subject: Re: Kolb-List: JBM - Inferior Product, Poor Customer Support Dennis: Thanks for the heads-up on this company. I plan to change the carb socks along with other rubber parts at this year's annual. I will not do business with JBM in light of your experience. I will also pass your words on to members of the Rans list. Steve Spence Auburn Hills, MI former Mk3X owner current S On Thursday, February 19, 2015 3:40 PM, John Hauck wrote: I've purchased SS exhaust springs for the Titan system and carb boots. Never had any dialogue with them though. Both products have been on my MKIII for several years and continue to be serviceable. john h mkIII Titus, Alabama Kolb Friends - This post serves as an advisory to alert you of problems that I encountered with engine parts from JBM Enterprises, and the subsequent backlash I experienced with that company when I tried to talk to them about it. BOTTOM LINE: Avoid these guys at all cost! Needless to say, I was not going to continue that dialogue. I ordered the genuine Rotax part from Lockwood and have moved on. Even though I was willing to give them another chance by purchasing a replacement for a part that had failed, JBM's blatant disregard for any sort of Customer Service was made very clear to me. Other customers may have had different experiences, but I know that I shall never again order from, nor recommend them to anyone. If this saves even one fellow Light Sport pilot from having the same bad experience I had, then this was worth it. Fly safely - Dennis Kirby Kolb Mark-3 / 912ul Sandia Park, New Mexico ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message kolb-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Kolb-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/kolb-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/kolb-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.