1) no i am not personally attached to MB but from seeing on this board what he has done and knowing that he is a Professional, i can only assume.

2)unless you are Brian himself, you dont know that.

3)your on your own on this one.

4)I have talked with brian personally, and even set up a date to get one of his trannies, but because of financial reasons i can no longer afford one. and yes he is a very nice guy, and I as in MYSELF have nothing bad to say about him, as i have had a pleasant experience with him.

5) yes maybe at first, but he does have proof about those acqusations.

thanks, and have a good night

 

I debated replying to this thread, but the more I thought about it the more it bugged me. There are several things wrong here and it's truly a shame it's gone the direction it has. I already rarely post on this site as it is, and this thread makes me question further posting and/or sponsorship...but not for the reasons you're probably thinking.

• I know Brian and Patti personally, have for about 6+ years now. They are far from perfect (who is?), but they have built a successful business on the premise of providing a quality product and standing behind it. They're not always easy to get on the phone (but as Andrew pointed out, neither am I) and they are sometimes slow to get product out the door, but they provide an excellent product and they stand behind it.
  
• There are numerous stories about the BTS level of customer service, and rarely do you find a negative one. I've stood in the BTS shop while Brian and crew loaded up to drive out and fix a problem that was caused by a customer that incorrectly installed his trans (TC not seated in the pump). Rather than argue with the customer about who was at fault, they were driving to the customer with a new trans and TC with the intention of installing it "right" and coming back with the damaged unit. While I'm sure that they can't drop everything and drive all over the country every time a customer has a problem, I am positive that they do whatever they can to resolve any problems as soon as possible. As a business owner myself, I strive every day to have the reputation for customer service that BTS has with their loyal customers.
  
• I find it incredibly offensive that BTS is being accused of being a thief or con-artist...particularly by a moderator of this site. While I don't remember the specific reasoning behind it, I can tell you that Brian has been against the really deep aftermarket trans pans for as long as I've known him. He would have installed the customers deep pan if the customer really wanted it (I know this because he reinstalled mine), but he feels that it's in the customers best interest to run a stock pan. He doesn't apply "pressure tactics" or force people to buy things they don't want, just presents his opinion and lets the customer decide. If you want to know his reasoning, call and ask.
  
• Whether or not the BTS VB is simply a pre-installed TransGo p/n XYZ is really not the issue. Yes, you can buy the parts for a fraction of the cost, but all you get is a box of parts. Consider that when you own a shop as BTS or I do, "time is money". When a core VB comes in, it must be disassembled, cleaned, inspected, assembled and packaged before it can go back out. BTS will of course make a profit on the new parts and will also have to account for the time involved in putting the unit together. Busting their chops over this is ridiculous and is one of the reasons this site is sometimes hard to swallow for those of us that sell more than just the average exhaust and intake.
  
• As a vendor that builds several of my own products, I'm in the same position. I've been asked many times about the pricing on my fuel systems and more than once I've seen responses in this forum saying things like "build it yourself for less" and "they charge too much for that". I honestly have no problem with DIYers or people on a budget trying to save some money, but don't make me out to be a "bad guy" for offering a high quality product at a price the reflects both the materials quality AND the effort I put into it. I've spent thousands of dollars and countless hours making my product into what it is today. The retail price of the product reflects not only the actual cost of materials, but also the cost of development (prototype parts are not cheap), cost of time spent and of course a fair profit from which future product development is paid for as well as my familys grocery bill.

It's getting late and I've probably already said more than I should have. My point is simply that "worth it" is relative and more often than not has more to do with what you get and/or don't get and less to do with the actual $ cost. In the case of this argument, it may be completely "worth it" for some people to pay BTS to assemble their VB so all they have to do is install it and send back the core...where other people may be perfectly comfortable doing it themselves and saving the money.

 

[QUOTE=ITPDiesel]I debated replying to this thread, but the more I thought about it the more it bugged me. There are several things wrong here and it's truly a shame it's gone the direction it has. I already rarely post on this site as it is, and this thread makes me question further posting and/or sponsorship...but not for the reasons you're probably thinking.[QUOTE]

Dennis, while I don't have a dog in the tranny fight, I would like to address what you said above.

While you don't post alot on our forums, I would like to point out to everyone why you probably don't. Most of the time when a sponsor such as yourself gets involved with a post, people will accuse you of just "trying to sell your product." I see it all the time over on TDS. And it just turns into a big pissing match. I honestly believe that FTE is not like that. Sure there are a few loose cannons on here, but I wouldn't think to the level that would cause you to leave us.

While I don't stay in the 99 and up forum very much, I rarely see arguements like this occur. I'm sure I've missed some somewhere. None the less, I don't want you to think we are the bad forum. I realize that there are ALOT of DIY'er here which is what I think makes us great. We are more apt to talk to one another on a calm level and spread the knowledge. I understand that in the end, when people come up with their own solutions, that sometimes cuts into your sales. Maybe that's the reason you spoke of, I don't know.

I will say this though, I've bought a few things from you and couldn't be happier. And it was because someone on here recommended you.

So I would just like to say for all of us, yes there are times when things go south here. But I'm certain that this site benifits from not just your sponsorship, but your services you provide and the parts that are on our bad *** trucks. So don't give up on us man. While this is all just my opinion, it makes me nervious for our community when you say things like that. Thanks for hearing me out.

Cody Allen
Death Row Diesel
Spicewood, TX

 

I got to ask, does anyone else at BTS handle the business, could one of his employees done some of the things that MB brings up? and then maybe Brian doesn't even know about it? This situation would not be fare to Brian, if he doesn't know about it...

The pan thing is correct, BTS doesn't believe in them...I think they are worth ALOT just because of the added case rigidity. thats enough for me..

I would think it would come down to the customer making the decision on the pan install, I would give the customer the final decision, JUST express what I believe...Dennis, dont you sell aftermarket pans?

Luke, business beware, You talk to the locals and ask questions like what are you doing about the crapy sprag, or how are you going to address the snap ring that comes undone/ Which forward drum are you using the cast or forged and do you Cryo them? Do your research.

As I stated before matching the customer to a product is the key point here!!!!

I/local trans shops/other trans guys can build a better transmission, its just where do you want to stop at? Do you want to cryo all the parts, do you want to pay for 3 hardended shafts on a stock truck? How much do you want to pay?

And I for one(and Pappy for another) understand the Bubba deal and getting
laughed out of a topic being afraid of expressing my opinion about Suncoast or JW. So I say lets build our own...

 

Cody, you working right now??

Dennis does have some good products..including transmission pans.

 

HELL YEAH ~ BIG DENNIS putting it down.

Convenience and time savings, worth $$$ to me.
We (brother and I) will be at BTS in 2 weeks. I'm excited about the trip, seeing his shop and maybe learning just a little bit about transmissions.

 

I think the last few post's say it all!
ENOUGH SAID!
Have a great day, Everyone!
Rich

 

[QUOTE=RubberDuck][QUOTE=ITPDiesel]I debated replying to this thread, but the more I thought about it the more it bugged me. There are several things wrong here and it's truly a shame it's gone the direction it has. I already rarely post on this site as it is, and this thread makes me question further posting and/or sponsorship...but not for the reasons you're probably thinking.I guess if you are nervous about losing sponsors, you might have a little chat with your "death row inmate" pals.

Questioning products that a business puts out is fine, even stating reasons why you don't think they are worth the price is fine. I'm all for questions and competition, I think it makes businesses strive to better themselves. But, a line was crossed when MonsterBaby called Brian a liar and a conman. That's some slanderous crap right there, and done by a moderator on this site no less.
I don't see any name calling by the BTS Bubbas, as we are called. We do adamently stick up for Brian and his products, but we never get personal about it. That's just plain wrong and gives your site a bad rep.

There are lots of other sites out there that are run well and have kind, fair people as moderators, people who don't get personal. These are just trucks ya know. On other sites, we even have fun with it, using our nicknames and all. It's just a mechanical part. It's not something to get personal about. Things are not worth attacking somebody over.

For me, I'm done with this site, unless that guy is gone or at least is not a moderator anymore. And I would question any business that provides sponsorship here at this point.

ShayB
Colorado Power Stroke Club Co-Founder

 

ShayB i would like to apologize for the outburst last night. i got a little heated and thats what happened.

but i would also like to say this MB is a moderator, but why is that supposed to restrict him from expressing himself. He is a member of this board just like you and i both. if he stepped out of line there are other moderators on this board to set him straight.

thanks, for stayin with us Dennis.

Austin

 

Thanks for the apology, but you certainly don't owe me one. Nobody here owes me an apology.

Again, nobody should be restricted from expressing their opinion about a business or their products. I'm not against that at all.

What I am against is somebody who is supposed to be an example of how others should act on a website, attacking somebody personally like that over a thing. It's a thing, that's all.

Really nobody should be attacking other people personally over a thing. But, I do think that moderators and administrators are held to a higher standard.

There are lots of products out there that I don't see the need for or don't agree with how a business has conducted business. What I do is not purchase them. I don't go on a public forum and call the person who is making or selling that part a cheat, liar and/or conman. In fact, I have a lot of friends and acquaintances in this business who I have never purchased anything from and probably never will. I don't recommend them and I might point out the problems their products have had in the past. But, I don't get personal about it. It's not worth it and I'm a better person then that.

When we all get together at events, we all have fun together. No matter if we run a BTS, John Wood, ATS, Suncoast, or DIY tranny. It does not matter. We have fun and poke fun on the internet, but we don't get personal about it. People are more important than business and stuff.

 

ITP rocks! I paid what I wanted, when I wanted, and received my stuff early. Works for me!

 

I agree with Shay and others here about Brian and Patty, the best people you will ever have the pleasure of meeting or doing business with.


MB, my dad used to tell me that its better to keep your mouth shut and have people think your a fool than to open it and prove them right! You have proved dad correct again.

Cary

 

Yes, that is personal preference thing. I am not comfortable with transmissions so I'd rather not risk having to take it apart again. Now if it were an engine part that is easier to access, I'd go for it all day long.

 

Called BTS yesterday to ask if she had an ETA for my BTS-VB. Vey nice lady. Asked if I could hold on for a min. I said sure can. Couple mins later she said it will be here tomorrow, (today). YEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAA.

I ordered a couple things from TIP DIESEL, Denis called me that day to talk about what I ordered. Then he called me the next day letting me know what was going on.

If that is not CUSTOMER SERVICE from both of them, I don't know what is.

RICK

 

Shay, you're beginning to do exactly what you're accusing MB of in terms of personal attacks, and since you seem to not know Cody personally, I would say that your comment is uncalled for, unnecessary, and completely non-productive.

I don't have a dog in this fight either. Looking at the entire thread frmo beginning to end, this is one that is certainly what I would call very abnormal for FTE posting. At the same time, none of us can help it when we have a bad experience and feel a conviction about warning others in the same regard.

In all that he has said, MB hasn't claimed to be perfect either. He has shown, IMHO, more self-control than several other folks posting in this thread. Why has he held so many details so close to his chest? I suspect that it is because he has tried to do what he is now being accused of "walking away from", which is being a good example to all of us. At the same time, none of us can invalidate his expereince and personal knowledge.

It is true that the absence of his details leaves room for a lot of skepticism and assumptions for all who read this thread, and he is taking a beating for that. His personal attack on Brian was rather harsh, but again, we do not know the full "why" he has come to that conclusion. We may never know. Perhaps we shouldn't know.

In the context of all the reports we have about Brian and his business, there is bound to be a failure every now and then, even when Brian is doing his best. Since Brian is human, he's also bound to eventually have a bad day and take a wrong approach with someone and end up with a bad rep for that instance. It happens to every businessman who is saddled with what I call "fallen human nature" (which, by the way, includes everyone on earth).

While I have now doubt about Brian's personal character as defended by so many here, I also expect that he has screwed up with customers on occasion for the reason stated above. At the same time, I believe MB has nothing to gain in sharing what he has, and in fact has taken tons of grief as a result, which makes me consider what he is saying with great seriousness.

Regardless, why can't we all expect that the real truth in all of what has been posted lies somewhere between the extreme cases that have been so staunchly defended?

I would suggest that it's time to move on for everyone involved. Obviously, MB has some information that may be worth considering if you're planning to go to BTS. If you're in that boat, PM MB and get more details privately, and then take his experience and balance it with that from others as well, then make your own decision and go with it. If you're not doing tranny work, move on and stop feeding the mania.


Just my $0.02