Is Steve Prescott and Vipair Performance Parts a Scam or going out of business?!?

[ViperX10]

Yes another bad story about Steve Prescott and his Company Vipair Performance Products.

It seems like there have been many similar complains over the years. I am surprised to still see him as an official vendor on the Viper Forum.

I wish I had done my homework before I ordered for $7500 of parts through Steve Prescott's Vipair Performance Products Company. You just need to "Google" Steve Prescott or Vipair + "Scam" or "Beware" and you will find enough information to go look somewhere else for your parts.

better than giving you my own opinion, here are the emails and frustration I've been through dealing with him for the last few months...

Enjoy and make your own opinion:

*************************************************************************************************************************************************

Mr Steve Prescott,



I don't believe in anything you say or write anymore. You obviously have no intention in shipping me the parts I paid for and all you seem to do is send me E-Mails with lame excuses to buy yourself some time. I am done playing this game.



If I don't see a shipping notice or refund by the end of next week, I will start the process of doing what needs to be done.


I will be working on the legal aspect of getting my Money back through your Canadian shadow company at the same time.



Terry Rossi.




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From: Steve Prescott [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 9:54 PM
To: Terry Rossi
Subject: Re: Still waiting for my parts or my money back from VIPAIR...



Hi Terry,

I will be talking with my comp factory tonight and get the shipping details. I have spent so much time the past 2-3 weeks working on this Veteran car I have been building that I have not followed up on your shipment, sorry.

I will email or call you tomorrow

Thanks

Steve


On 3/19/13 12:00 PM, "Terry Rossi" <[email protected]> wrote:

******* This E-mail is FYI to keep everyone posted on the episode of my order placed to Steve Prescott through VIPAIR that has been placed in October 2012.
******* I am still waiting for my parts to be shipped or my money returned.

Steve,

I just don't know what to say... It's been another month since your last email. 6 months now since I've placed (and PAID) my order. After our last conversation, I thought you were going to fulfill your responsibilities, but still No parts have been shipped and You are ignoring me again.

At this point, I am sending Emails just to keep the Viper community posted.

I have been very patient and courteous so far, but it doesn't seen to work so well. Next step I guess is to post all of this on the Viper board to make sure no one else will go through this + all the Legal procedures you must be familiar with...

Be assured that I won't give up until I get my parts or my money back.

Terry.



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From: Terry Rossi [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, March 04, 2013 9:45 AM
To: 'Steve Prescott'
Subject: Still waiting...

Steve,

We are March 4th now and I still haven't heard anything from anyone regarding arrival or even departure of any of the parts?!?

I don't understand, I thought all would be well after our last conversation. You said it would be delivered 3 days after the 18th. That was about 2 weeks ago...

Please let me know what's happening...

Terry.



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From: Steve Prescott [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 7:01 PM
To: Terry Rossi
Subject: Re: My Parts or my Money back...

Hi Terry,

Yes I did, I am giving that info to the factory to ship the decklid and hood to.

Attached are pics of the CF top, it is here now, I will have it packaged and trucked down to you in the next week to 10 days as well.

Thanks

Steve


On 2/19/13 9:41 AM, "Terry Rossi" <[email protected]> wrote:
Steve,

Can you acknowledge that you received my previous E-Mail with a new Shipping address? Thanks.

Terry.



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From: Steve Prescott [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2013 7:38 PM
To: Terry Rossi
Subject: Re: My Parts or my Money back...

Hi Terry,

I had it all ready to ship to you from my factory and it missed cutoff before CNY, they are returning on the 18th and it will be air freighted to you by DHL on the 19th, you will receive it approx business 3 days later.

I am very sorry for the delay and if you like you can have one of Carbon hardtops I have here now as compensation for the delay.

I am very sorry.

Thanks and regards

Steve


On 2/15/13 9:59 AM, "Terry Rossi" <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi Steve,

I am very disappointed to see that you are not taking my calls nor responding to my E-Mails anymore. I remember the good ol' days when you used to call me back within few seconds. It's been now about 4 months that I am waiting for my Hood and my Deck (although I made the full payment when you requested it 4 months ago). I won't keep on trying to reach you for ever and I won't beg you to be nice (Like this guy on the Viper Board who seemed to have had a very similar issue with you).
http://forums.viperclub.org/threads/611477-Beware-Of-Vipair-Performance-!!

Your last E-Mail was from October 11th when you were saying the parts were on their way. You told me 2 weeks ago again that I would get my parts within few days, but they apparently have never been shipped. If these parts can't be made for any reason, you can return my payment and all will be good. If you keep on ignoring my calls and E-Mails, I will assume that you want to keep the Money AND the Parts and I will have to use a different approach...

It is very sad, but not uncommon. I will give you the benefits of the doubt for few more days although there's a French Expression that says: "There's no smoke without a fire...". See, I still kept my sense of humor (but you can be sure that I won't give up on getting my parts or money back).

I took the liberty to BCC a couple of Friends who are involved in the "Viper World" in order to keep everyone "informed"...

I still hope to hear from you very soon...

Terry.



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From: Terry Rossi [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2013 9:35 AM
To: 'Steve Prescott'
Subject: RE: pics of Hardtop

Steve,

You said my parts would be delivered this week. If they have been shipped already please give me the shipping information so I can track it.

Also I have lost the information on your CF Hard Top and tonneau cover. Can you send me pictures and pricing again?

Thanks.

Terry.



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From: Terry Rossi [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 10:24 PM
To: 'Steve Prescott'
Subject: RE: pics of Hardtop
Importance: High

Steve,

What is going on with my parts? It's been 3 months now. I know my project is on hold and I am busy working on other things, but I'd like to know if you can make these parts and send them to me or return my money. What is really going on there?!?

Terry.




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From: Steve Prescott [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2012 9:27 PM
To: Terry Rossi
Subject: Re: pics of Hardtop

Hi Terry,

Its all on the way, I am up at my Canada office this week, I will track and get back to you.

Thanks

Steve


On 10/11/12 9:33 AM, "Terry Rossi" <[email protected]> wrote:
Steve,

I am still waiting for my order to show up. Can you check and tell me what is going on?!?

Thanks.

Terry.



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From: Steve Prescott [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2012 10:30 AM
To: Terry Rossi
Subject: Re: pics of Hardtop

Hi Terry,

Here is the invoice for splitter and hood

Thanks

Steve


On 9/20/12 10:03 AM, "Terry Rossi" <[email protected]> wrote:
Nice!!! How much does it weight? How much do you want for it?



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From: Steve Prescott [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2012 8:21 AM
To: Terry Rossi
Subject: Re: pics of Hardtop




On 9/19/12 8:07 PM, "Terry Rossi" <[email protected]> wrote:
Nice! Do you have a picture on a car?



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From: Steve Prescott [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 4:13 PM
To: Terry Rossi
Subject: FW: pics of Hardtop

 

[LifeIsGood]

I could post the same email letter chain...promises of shipments and then nothing...more promises and then nothing...lots of excuses...more promises...more excuses...you get the idea. I was in no hurry to get parts when I placed my order in late 2011...just wanted quality carbon fiber parts ON the viper for the Spring. After all was said and done...no Vipair parts on my viper and the final refund came in May 2012. It's very frustrating when you front money and get that kind of customer service.

 

[troublemaker]

I think the issue might be too much on ones plate. This guy seems to try and make parts for cars that no one else will, but maybe he is trying too many projects at once. When you are dealing with outside vendors, you absorb all of their delays as well as any you have also. This isn't to defend the guy the guy, it's more to explain a business model that needs to be tweaked. In my line of work, we deal with some long lead times to get parts for our equipment, the key is to be upfront and let the customer know what's going on every step of the way. We are very used to waiting for products, sometimes it's a very long wait. A vendor only needs to keep us in the loop on what's going on so the projects can be planned accordingly. It looks like the communication side of the transaction is where this is falling apart. Vipair puts out a lot of new products constantly, it just looks like they/he needs to find a better way to advise the customer as to why the time frames are longer to get it to the customer. I have no personal beef with Vipair. I have not purchased anything from the company, but he has helped me with information even without a purchase.

 

[Fatboy 18]

Not Good

 

[2006red/whitecoupe]

LOOKS like if anyne were to purchase there and pre pay....at your own risk.

 

[datruodb]

Um...... This is Vipair?

 

[Fatboy 18]

Um...... This is Vipair?

Yes i'm afraid so

 

[denniskgb]

Customer is always right. This does not sound good whatever the reasons are.

 

[JoelW]

You know if this is true, Steve and Vipair ought to be banned from the website and from advertising on it. Seems another vendor suffered a similar fate about a year ago for bad behavior even though that vendor had no problem with parts delivery. Fair is fair and members ought to be protected from bad vendors if these accusations are found to be true. This has been a constant conversation for over 6 months. What is the real story?

Customer is always right. This does not sound good whatever the reasons are.

 

[Brian GTS]

I have definitely read enough over the years to question his business ethics. The OP has made it clear by posting the e-mail dialogue that something is defintely sour.

 

[latamud]

I don't buy direct anymore. If I want a part I wait for someone to post up in the classifieds. I'm looking for a rear wing for gen3/4 if anyone has it in stock and wants to sell.

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

I don't buy direct anymore. If I want a part I wait for someone to post up in the classifieds. I'm looking for a rear wing for gen3/4 if anyone has it in stock and wants to sell.

ACR wing kit is not in stock, but can be had quickly if that is what you want ;-)

 

[The_Greg]

Well, FWIW, I ordered the Vipair catback and a used shift knob from him and while it wasn't record speed, it was delivered within reasonable time and I have no complaints.

 

[latamud]

ACR wing kit is not in stock, but can be had quickly if that is what you want ;-)

Mark,

I appreciate it. I don't want to pay $9k for a new ACR wing. I'm looking for a Vipair "just arrived but I already sold my Viper" deal. I'm heading back to Afghanistan in a few hours, something will turn up eventually. I'd even go for a repairable ACR take off.

 

[denniskgb]

Mark,

I appreciate it. I don't want to pay $9k for a new ACR wing. I'm looking for a Vipair "just arrived but I already sold my Viper" deal. I'm heading back to Afghanistan in a few hours, something will turn up eventually. I'd even go for a repairable ACR take off.

Thank you for keeping us safe. And stay safe yourself. God bless America.

 

[Dom426h]

Recently Vipair has offered his new:
- AERO exhaust system for Vipers
- and his new Alden(Vipair) Shocks.
I have followed both of those threads and it seemed like everyone was receiving their products and was happy with them.

So to answer the OP's question: No, I do not think Steve Prescott and Vipair Performance Parts is a Scam or going out of business.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I understand the nature of the Viper business and that with such a low volume market it is not feasible for some venders to keep an inventory of parts that might never get sold. When dealing with our vendors i suggest Calling them to talk in person and get a feel for what the lead time is. If the item was in stock then i would send the payment immediately. If not then i would like to know more about the situation before sending payment. Offering to put something like a 30% deposit down on parts until they are manufactured sounds reasonable and would prob be my offer. Then again, if the parts never get made than i would be pissed even if i didnt put any money down simply because my time was wasted and i could have seeked the part from a diff source.

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

Thank you for keeping us safe. And stay safe yourself. God bless America.

+1

 

[LifeIsGood]

Then again, if the parts never get made than i would be pissed even if i didnt put any money down simply because my time was wasted and i could have seeked the part from a diff source.

This.
.....

 

[GTS-R 001]

Terry,

Here are a few pics of your 2 custom items that, I agree are way too late in shipping. This pictures were taken before the items were crated to ensure that cube was as small as possible as they were being air freighted to you and then you were packing to ship to France. Your items are in the hands of UPS supply chain solutions now and are in transit to your new location you gave me a few weeks ago when we last emailed.





I always ship my products and if I hadn't gotten a little behind this past month after devoting an excess of time and money building a car by myself for Nick I would have been more on top of this order.

Sorry for the delay.

 

[GTS-R 001]

Recently Vipair has offered his new:
- AERO exhaust system for Vipers
- and his new Alden(Vipair) Shocks.
I have followed both of those threads and it seemed like everyone was receiving their products and was happy with them.

So to answer the OP's question: No, I do not think Steve Prescott and Vipair Performance Parts is a Scam or going out of business.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I understand the nature of the Viper business and that with such a low volume market it is not feasible for some venders to keep an inventory of parts that might never get sold. When dealing with our vendors i suggest Calling them to talk in person and get a feel for what the lead time is. If the item was in stock then i would send the payment immediately. If not then i would like to know more about the situation before sending payment. Offering to put something like a 30% deposit down on parts until they are manufactured sounds reasonable and would prob be my offer. Then again, if the parts never get made than i would be pissed even if i didnt put any money down simply because my time was wasted and i could have seeked the part from a diff source.

Thanks for your response, I am not a scam, I have been a member and a supporting Vendor on this site for over 10 years.

This past month I devoted over 3 weeks of straight labor to finish off Nick Giggey's coupe and put out over $17K of my own parts and money, a feat I would challenge any Nay sayers on this thread to do or compare to.

Once again Terry, sorry for the delay in your items shipping, we had communicated together and I had offered you a carbon hardtop as compensation for the delays, which you accepted. Should I ship it to the same place?

 

[GTS-R 001]

I could post the same email letter chain...promises of shipments and then nothing...more promises and then nothing...lots of excuses...more promises...more excuses...you get the idea. I was in no hurry to get parts when I placed my order in late 2011...just wanted quality carbon fiber parts ON the viper for the Spring. After all was said and done...no Vipair parts on my viper and the final refund came in May 2012. It's very frustrating when you front money and get that kind of customer service.

Ken,

It is also frustrating when you ship a $2500 item to someone, (you) to Mark at Ipsco's location as you wanted his help to instal and then the fedex driver crushed the box and cracked the splitter.

You received the splitter within a couple of weeks of ordering it.

Your pic


I took this splitter back, refunded in full, no claim paid by Fedex as claim would have had to have been filed on your end and wasn't done

Were you charged a restocking Fee? NO

Did you pay for return shipping? NO

Were you refunded on the splitter withing a 2-3 weeks of it shipping back ? YES

You then refused another item, a carbon RT10 Wing -

Were you refunded in full? YES

Did you pay return shipping? NO

Were you charged a restocking fee? NO

You cancelled the carbon cowl order, which I had to make a $4000 mold and produce 10 in order to ship you yours which you cancelled before shipment to you.

Were you charged a cancellation fee? NO

Were you fully refunded? YES

In fact I think I even over refunded you by $100.00!

Like I used to say to my 8 year old back when he was a 4 year old,

**** IT UP and GET OVER IT,

 

[GTS-R 001]

You know if this is true, Steve and Vipair ought to be banned from the website and from advertising on it. Seems another vendor suffered a similar fate about a year ago for bad behavior even though that vendor had no problem with parts delivery. Fair is fair and members ought to be protected from bad vendors if these accusations are found to be true. This has been a constant conversation for over 6 months. What is the real story?

Yes Joel,

You should petition to ban me,

I donated $48,000 worth of parts to this club in late 2010 when the club had no revenue for new car sales coming in.

And I have donated many other things as well since.

You probably don't know about it as it wasn't really broadcast as it should have been. I guess all the infighting detracts...

 

[2006red/whitecoupe]

from what i have read here, i would suggest that anyone that does business with Vipair does so at his or her own risk. Perhaps he is having financial problems, and he states that because he has done good things in the past for the viper club customers should put up with not receiving items that were paid for months ago and when customer inquires about said items is then lied to. Vender would be better off to come clean and be candid about his business problems....you want me to purchase from you and accept non delivery because you donated product 3 years ago to the viper club?...how stupid do you think people are.

 

[LifeIsGood]

I will never get over it. I had to put up with your endless excuses for 6 months. You always skew the information in your favor. You are so full of it. I simply want to make sure that everyone knows what they're going to get when dealing with you.

Everyone...

DO NOT PAY THIS GUY ANY MONEY UP FRONT!!!

I don't lie or spin the facts over and over and over. I don't have a reputation problem...um, that would be YOU!

 

[datruodb]

The two of you need to hug it out.

 

[Grisoman]

I donated $48,000 worth of parts to this club in late 2010 when the club had no revenue for new car sales coming in.

And I have donated many other things as well since.

Thank you for doing that, but that is not justification for misleading and abusing certain VCA member-customers. VCA: are the donated parts available for return to Steve Prescott?

 

[ViperX10]

Terry,

... as they were being air freighted to you and then you were packing to ship to France. Your items are in the hands of UPS supply chain solutions now and are in transit to your new location you gave me a few weeks ago when we last emailed.


Steve,

I accept your apologies regarding you being 6 months late on shipping my parts, actually I might accept them when/if I ever receive my parts. But at this point, I still have no proof that it is ever going to happen other than a picture of a box ready to be shipped... You have obviously told me the same thing many times before...

I hope you are not trying to make it sound or look like this delay is due to me "packing to France" or Changing location?!? There was never any intention to have you ship anything to France. Parts were supposed to be shipped from your California Warehouse to my California Body Shop which should not make shipping too complicated.

Now 6 months later, since nothing has been done and the car is no longer at that body shop, I had to give you a different address for shipping which is about one block away from the previous one (Still in California). that shouldn't make shipping any more complicated. In fact if you wanted to ship to the previous address, it wouldn't make any difference to me.

ALL I WANT IS MY PARTS!!!!

I really don't understand why we are going through this and that is why I was wondering if you were scamming or going out of business as these are the only 2 reasons I know for a business to take money and not ship anything in return.

I still don't understand why I have to go through this... Have I ever been disrespectful to you? Have I ever been too demanding in anyway? Have I ever complained about anything? Have I not PAID you up front when you asked? Have I not been really really cool so far not to take this to court?

So where was my mistake? To be too nice about it? To give you the benefits of the doubt over and over?

I don't Get it...

Terry.

 

[JoelW]

Steve don't know you or have started a petition to ban you. Nice of you to donate products to VCA as lots of folks have. In fact lots of members donate to the club in one way or another. I am not sure that answers the questions posed on this forum. You may be in the right or they might be. All I'm saying is that the truth should not be limited to he said she said. And, if you are in the clear it should come out. Everyone gets behind at one time or another when you run a business - is that the story or is there more to it? I think members have a right to know they will get what they order from our advertisers. That is all I am asking - nothing more. But until the air is cleared on this, I don't think you can expect folks to trust you to deliver products on time.

Yes Joel,

You should petition to ban me,

I donated $48,000 worth of parts to this club in late 2010 when the club had no revenue for new car sales coming in.

And I have donated many other things as well since.

You probably don't know about it as it wasn't really broadcast as it should have been. I guess all the infighting detracts...

 

[latamud]

I understand its an honorable thing you and many other VCA members came together to help Nick out with his car considering he came home earlier than expected and did not receive the expected funds he planned to use for his build. You risk your own business putting off shipments for multiple customers and use a side project as your excuse. I imagine Nick could have waited 1 more day while you spent that day shipping the items out. Sorry nick, but to be honest, I don't think I would want to be used as a scapegoat for holding up progress of many more other projects. I think it's a shame Steve, you feel the need to hide behind Nick. Place a Veteran in front of your accusers and use an act of charity that not only you contributed to, to defend your reasoning for not fulfilling your obligation "alone" to other customers.

Nick, feel free to shoot me down if you feel otherwise. I was in Sangin, Helmand when I heard your story, both of them. I am an Iraq service disabled veteran, and I have my own story and my own scars. Personally I would be grateful for everyone's help but would be upset I was the reason for others grief. I would not want my car associated with this type of thread.

I enjoy my car less hearing others accounts of their dealings with Vipair. I didn't start an anti-Vipair thread when I had my purchase go sour. But I put my two cents in where I feel fitting. The impression that I get from Steve, from his words, is that because he is a financial contributor to the VCA he should be given more leniency when it comes to lacking in other areas. Although, how many financial contributors does Vipair receive from being a vendor? You reap the benefit but aren't wiling to accept the responsibility when your business doesn't meet the requirements. Every year I think twice about renewing my VCA membership. Even knowing this year I probably wouldn't get to participate in any club events or gatherings, I renewed. And after my mid tour I am certain that I will not be able to attend any functions this year. I very well might not be home for another 12 months this time. My Viper was out of commission last month, Mark Jorgensen came to the rescue, overnighted parts to get me back on the road. In the end, I couldn't finish the clutch job soon enough to attend the last scheduled club event while I was home. I accept my role in my own enjoyment with the club. Threads like these make me think twice when it's time to renew. But I stick it out, if I stopped my membership you'd win, and I don't want you getting the better of my Viper experience.
I imagine VCA will come in and clean up your mess like the last time. Heck, maybe I'll get banned and won't have to renew next year. I'm just one person. Cost effectiveness says its cheaper to get rid of me.

I don't think you have anything to worry about Steve. You will make parts for the Gen V and have a whole new generation of owners to tap into that don't know about your tactics and standards yet. You offer products no one else does. Owners will still order from you because you are the only one to go to. Please stop ruining the Viper experience.

Thanks for your response, I am not a scam, I have been a member and a supporting Vendor on this site for over 10 years.

This past month I devoted over 3 weeks of straight labor to finish off Nick Giggey's coupe and put out over $17K of my own parts and money, a feat I would challenge any Nay sayers on this thread to do or compare to.

Once again Terry, sorry for the delay in your items shipping, we had communicated together and I had offered you a carbon hardtop as compensation for the delays, which you accepted. Should I ship it to the same place?

 

[GTS-R 001]

Terry,

Not sure if it wasn't clear in my response to you but the parts are in transit and should be there any day if not already.