I have wanted to post my review on Concept Z Performance for some time now but wanted to get everything resolved (still not 100%) first. The following is my first (and last) experience with this vendor, detailed by each email that was exchanged. Sorry for the long post but just want to include every bit of detail. The only thing that I can tip my hat to is the fact that Coz was very responsive to my emails throughout this whole process. After all of this, all they can offer me is a measly 5% discount; which may or may not cover shipping expenses, depending on the size and weight of an order. However, like I said, this will be the last time I deal with this vendor.

March 14 2012: I ordered the Akebono BBK with the powder coat option and Stoptech stainless steel brake lines off of the CZP website for the price of $2060.88. Receive a confirmation email promptly. CZP website states 4-6 weeks if powder coating calipers.

3/26: Replied to order confirmation email requesting an update to my order. Got a response the same day from Coz stating that my calipers are out getting powder coated; ETA is about 4-6 weeks from purchase date. Once they ship, I’ll be provided a tracking #.

4/26: Six weeks have passed from the original purchase date so I again ask for an update.

Coz responds: “Sorry for the delay, we are just waiting on the Silk Screening to get finished at this point. They haven’t given me an ETA yet, but I’ll get one for you once I can.”

5/2: I ask for another update.

Coz: “Just waiting on the Silk Screener to get out calipers back and get them put together. He said it’s taking a little longer due to a large pending job that he has before our ticket.”

5/18: I request another update: “Any updates? Do you have any idea when I should be expecting these to get finished? If not I’d like to request a refund. It’s been practically two months. I’m sure you can understand my frustration.

Coz: Yes sir, we understand everybody’s frustration on the powder coating process, and that’s why we warn people about the time frame. Your calipers are done, and are already intrasite to me, I should see them by Wednesday of next week, so I’ll have it all shipped to you by Friday .”

I request to overnight since it’s way over their estimated time frame. Coz says they can, but I can have pay for it.

5/23: I ask Coz if he received my calipers yet.

5/30: Coz: “I was just informed that your order has already shipped UPS, but one of the calipers was damaged, and needs to be redone. I will get the details tomorrow, and find out when the replacement will ship. Sorry for the delay, on top of the delay. Gotta love this process .”

Great. I ask how they were damaged.

Coz: “It happened during assembly, one of the threads got stripped. The bolt got seized, and when we went to remove it, the casting broke off Thus, you need a complete new caliper. We are just going to take one from another order, and have that one done quickly.”

5/31: I ask for an ETA.

Coz: “I don’t have an exact date, but your kit is bypassing all the other kids, so it won’t take too long.”

6/1: I request for the last caliper to be overnighted. Coz obliges. I also confirmed that I received the other parts of the brakes and everything looked great. Coz says the caliper should be finished and sent to me in no time.

6/7: Request for update.

Coz: “I got the caliper back today, but it looks terrible. It needs another coat, and that’s why I don’t rush these calipers. I told them to redo it, and not rush it this time. I’ll keep you updated on that status of this, but I’m going to send you a nice caliper, not this orange looking thing!!!!”

6/14: Request for update.

Coz: “Talked to Powder Coated today, and he said it’ll be done next week. But this time it’ll be done correctly.”

6/21: Request for update.

Coz: “Still waiting on powder coated to finisher, they said next week, but last week they said this week .”

6/27: Sent another email to Coz displaying my frustration: “Coz, any word from the powder coater? This is seriously getting out of hand. I ordered this kit on 3/14 and you stated it would take 4-6 weeks to complete. To this date, it has been 15 weeks! I understand you guys can get busy during the summer months but 15 weeks to complete an order is just utterly ridiculous. If I knew it would’ve taken this long for the PC process I would’ve passed on it.”

Coz: “They are already at the Silk Screener He’s going to try and get it back to me before Independence Day.”

7/5: Request for update and how long it takes for silk screener to apply emblem.

Coz: “It normally takes 2 weeks, but he said he’ll get it done right after the holiday break. I told him to rush, but not too fast, cause we’ve gotten some crooked ones before .”

7/13: “Updates from the silk screener? You said it normally takes 2 weeks but an order typically has 4 calipers. Mine only has 1…”

Coz: “I called and left a message, also send over an email for update, waiting on response.”

7/16: Coz: “Ok, it’s done, will ship it to me tomorrow.”

7/23: Received calipers this past weekend. Coz: “Did you get the caliper ok?”

My response: “I received the caliper however there is a gash on the backside of the caliper. Before you ask, I will not return the caliper to you to repair because god knows when I’ll get it back. I hope you understand the frustration I’ve been going through. I ordered the calipers on March 14. Your website states that it takes 4-6 weeks for the order to complete however this has turned into an 18+ week debacle. Given the circumstances, is there any type of reparation you can provide me?”

Coz: “Sorry about that, I will give you a 5% discount on your next purchase, please hit me up and I’ll provide the promotion code available at the time.”

 

I'm sorry about your experience and while I understand your frustration, you have to realize that CZP is not a powdercoater. They used a 3rd party that happened to screw up in your case.

I would've ordered the BBK from CZP and had them painted locally for a peace of mind.

 

I understand that, Sam. I just wish I knew how long the process would've taken before I added that option. If only I lived in an area that had a powder coater :\

What I really wanted to do was to send the calipers off to Mike The Powdercoater. I've heard good things about him. But I figured that it'd be easier to let CZP handle the whole order including the PC.

Like I said, what irks me the most is that after this whole process they could only offer me a 5% discount.

 

Sorry to hear that man , I had many transactions done with Coz at CZP , all of them went smooth and never had any issue . I also remember one time he sent me replacment parts to Dubai-UAE free of charge .

 

If a vendor says 6-8 weeks for delivery/shipping out its their responsibility to get it done in that timeframe. If a 3rd party is involved then it's the vendor's duty to inform the buyer there could be delays and that they cannot give an exact eta before placing the order itself.

18 weeks is more than what custom wheels take(apart from some us wheel companies lol)

 

^^That's what I'm saying. In the 18 weeks that it took for this order to complete, I could've flew to Japan (Akebono is JDM right?) to pick up the calipers personally and then fly back to the US, road trip to Cali where there are tons of shops that powder coat, driven back home to Delaware, installed them, and have a beer.

 

18 weeks is insane! Glad everything worked out...sort of.

 

They offer 5% off on the forums every now and then anyway. I never understood why so little of a discount. They can't expect to attract much customers that way. Anyways glad your ordeal is finally over with !