SMA - Anyone here work for them?

[kacyk]

This is just one man's opinion...and I hope my experience is isolated but SMA's customer is extremely poor.

Some of you know that I recently purchased a SMA Heavy Duty Brush Guard. I purchased it from a Baltimore Hummer dealership that opened the box, then shipped it to me without properly securing the box. The damn thing weighs 70 pounds so of course the box blew open.

When I received it the hardware was all over the place, the instruction sheet was missing and the brush guard suffered scratches. The parts boys at Anderson Automotive (http://www.andersonautomotive.com/en_US/) took no responsibility and told me to take the matter up with the shipper. Bastards.

On to SMA - I called SMA about 12 times, leaving messages with the operator and on voice mail to get a parts list and an instruction sheet. After about a week they faxed over the instructions on how to mount the valence! I don't have a valence and explained that to them from the begining. Now it's been three weeks and I'm leaving messages on a daily basis. Still, no response. I'm even giving them my 800 work number. This is absurd. Oh, I also emailed them 8 times as well.

I wish I could start a boycott but I know Jason sells their products on his site. They seem to have fantastic products but their lack of customer service is both surprising and irritating.

I will not purchase an SMA product again, nor will any of my 6,000 employees. At least I have control over that. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif But only 6 of them have Hummers though... http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

[kacyk]

This is just one man's opinion...and I hope my experience is isolated but SMA's customer is extremely poor.

Some of you know that I recently purchased a SMA Heavy Duty Brush Guard. I purchased it from a Baltimore Hummer dealership that opened the box, then shipped it to me without properly securing the box. The damn thing weighs 70 pounds so of course the box blew open.

When I received it the hardware was all over the place, the instruction sheet was missing and the brush guard suffered scratches. The parts boys at Anderson Automotive (http://www.andersonautomotive.com/en_US/) took no responsibility and told me to take the matter up with the shipper. Bastards.

On to SMA - I called SMA about 12 times, leaving messages with the operator and on voice mail to get a parts list and an instruction sheet. After about a week they faxed over the instructions on how to mount the valence! I don't have a valence and explained that to them from the begining. Now it's been three weeks and I'm leaving messages on a daily basis. Still, no response. I'm even giving them my 800 work number. This is absurd. Oh, I also emailed them 8 times as well.

I wish I could start a boycott but I know Jason sells their products on his site. They seem to have fantastic products but their lack of customer service is both surprising and irritating.

I will not purchase an SMA product again, nor will any of my 6,000 employees. At least I have control over that. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif But only 6 of them have Hummers though... http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

[drmiles]

Why not call the shipper? They have insurance to replace damaged items. If it was packed improperly then they will put it back on the seller.

[PARAGON]

He needs the instructions. The shipper won't have the instructions.

[Jason]

Kacyk,

Let me see if I can help, do me a favor, send me an email with your fax number and ship to address:

jason@somo.com

SMA has been going through some tough times as of late, but I believe I can help you out.

Regards,
Jason

[tomp]

I have been waiting months for a damn RMA from which I am being told needs CEO approval! WTF, they suk!

[Hummie2]

Kacyk....

If Jason can't get you the instructions from SMA PM your mailing addy. and I will mail a set to you. I would fax them but the pics won't come out and you will need the pics.

[drmiles]

I would be less worried about instructions(don't use anyway) and more worried about the damage.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PARAGON:
He needs the instructions. The shipper won't have the instructions. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Beastmaster]

Hmmm...this whole story seems to correlate with some other strange stuff I've been hearing.

I got a call from one of the local dealer guys here in Phoenix a few weeks ago. They sold an Alpha (amazingly enough), and the new owner wanted a tire carrier.

They called up SMA, and was promptly told that the tire carrier isn't being made any more for the H1. Dealer calls me on a "WTF?" type call, I call, and surprise! No joy. No parts. Won't make any more either.

So - I send the dealer pics of a custom tire carrier that was made for another H1, and now Four Wheelers Supply has a prepaid sale on a custom tire carrier with integrated can and HiLift stowage. SMA just screwed up on that one.

So - I wonder if their Jeep/Caddy/Ford/GM business is taking things away from what got them there in the first place - Hummers.

[hmrlvr]

I have heard, from an undisclosed source, http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif that SMA lost their contract with HUMMER and if I remember correctly they were in bankruptcy. I could be wrong, I have no proof of this to be true. Just something I heard. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Beastmaster]

Well, I just spent about 6 bucks on PACER, the US Federal Government court case lookup system. Nothing on SMA, their LLC's, their principal's names, or things like that.

I did find some interesting things though. SMA is an Arizona corporation that's wholly held by a Nevada corporation based out of Reno. Nothing new, that lowers taxes by a ton.

However, the corporate address for SMA's parent holding company also is the corporate address for:

-An Exotic Car Company (not surprised....)
-A Motorcyclist Awareness Non Profit (not bad)
-A Computer consulting company (different)
-A Real Estate Company (very different)
-A Holistic Therapy company (huh?)
-A Tailor/Alterations company (ok...)
-A CPA Firm (sorta strange)
-2 Porn sites (!!!)

Do a Google search on 1155 West 4th Street, Suite 214 in Reno. See what else you find other than "NastyKitten.com" and "qmov.com".

Very interesting....

[Alan06SUT]

Its probably because SMA stuff is GHEY

[Kevin B]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I will not purchase an SMA product again, nor will any of my 6,000 employees. At least I have control over that. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif Holy Cow, Im glad I don't work for you http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[2005 M3 to 2006 H2 SUT]

maybe not a holding company, but an organization that advertises that they will incorporate you in nevada for a fee. and they just use their address for everyone?

[kacyk]

Sorry for the late response but we were up at the cabin since the kiddies were out of school this week. Tons of beautiful snow (and sun)!

Thanks to a fellow forum member I now have the install sheet. This forum has been a tremendous resource center for all of us. Thanks Jason!

As per SMA, still now reponse. I did send two more emails and three messages on their customer service line asking for the parts list. I may just send them the PDF file I now have for the brush guard install, just to be a wise ass... http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[dochummer]

http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[timgco]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PhilD:
There's a post on another forum saying that SMA are out of the aftermarket biz, and just focussing on supplying GM.

No idea of it's true, but sounds possible. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Phil, I thought GM was dropping SMA? Did I hear this wrong? Or was is just a couple of their products.

[MotorsportsAuthority aka Dragon]

wow. and to think it appeared as if everything as going well since they had so many vehicles at SEMA.

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

There is a small company that is building fast to increase the billet they can turn out. I cannot name them as asked not to but, they produced all the billet on the last 2 years special edition h2's. They are great people and have been cutting into SMA little by little.
Do not know how far they can take it as 4 years ago it was a Mom and Pop deal with the guy doing it in a garage after work i think. But, after his first year he went full time and constantly adding size to factory. He does all maching and chroming in house so he can control quality. So it could be SMA is being hurt and going to get hurt more. I know they have made many trips to GM early part of last year and some trips through the year 2005. I run some of their things on the mall Queen and Dragon can verify that it has been great quality if he remembers which parts they are, We have altered quite a few things including reducing the billet on the Queen. I will say they make the best billet chromed hood spring on the market. Will not allow water to get inside like the rest of the springs and rust and fall apart.

TAZ

[PARAGON]

Taz, can you guys make me a plastic "box" or whatever to put my switchbox into somewhere on my dash. It's the set of switches in the bottom right of the picture below. I have been unable to find a good location to put it and need to fab something up with some plastic so that it doesn't look red-neck engineered.

[MotorsportsAuthority aka Dragon]

holy cow, paragon. that's a lot of conveniences. i can fiberglass you something. pm me. don't want to threadjack.

[HGW]

SMA has not answered their phones since last Thursday---word on the street by some people I know, is that they are toast----not a big surprise, they have never had their ducks in a row.

I loved their quality and yes, we in the biz, all have alternate suppliers. For now SMA pieces can be obtained from numerous inventory sources that have stockpiled the stuff.

We will see if they stay toast--I think they will--ready to be fooled but don't expect to be.

[HUMMERcustoms.com/TAZ]

PARAGON
I'm glad Dragon looked in as that is one of His specialties and I would have asked Him to look at it. He has a major gap in My dash that He is filling in. I hope He is taking before and after Pics so I can show why I brag on Him so much and sometimes commit Him before talking to Him. But, He would tell You ever guy We have has something that they are really extra skilled at so He does it to them worse than I do to Him.

TAZ