Delica Dealer / Importer Ratings and Feedback

[The Pinkfingers]

Regrettably, a number of the responses in this thread appear to have originated from one single computer. In response to this abuse, I've blocked access to this site to the person who described himself/herself as "esphie", "jennyt", and "ch-story".

At this time, we do not have sufficient evidence to link these related posts to any specific business.

I'm hoping to receive additional data from the person's ISP that may shed some light on this issue. In the meantime, I would ask that if any member of this forum has received correspondence from "esphie", "jennyt" or "ch-story" that they get in touch with me.

-Mark

With this coming to light, I will adjust the dealer ratings to remove jennyt's and esphie's responses until I can confirm their authenticity (they have not responded to my pms).

Also, from now on, I will not change any ratings until I get a confirmation pm from anyone who leaves feedback. Further, I think it will be a good idea to not accept feedback until a person has been on the forum for a month and has posted in other areas as well (as it is more likely to be an authentic member). If someone leaves feedback who has not replied to my pm or has not been a member for a month, I'll put them as "pending" in the introduction post.

Finally, because ch-story's post is unconfirmed and seems more and more likely to be a fabrication that can hurt others, can I ask a moderator to hide the post until Mark gets to the bottom of the issue. Thanks very much.

Nick

[mark]

Good suggestion -- I've deleted the three usernames & all their posts.

[Jester]

Is it just my imagination, or did all these "users" leave feedback for the SAME dealer???

[mark]

Indeed -- two of the three usernames in question provided "positive" feedback for Dealer A; the third provided "negative" feedback for a Dealer B.

As mentioned though, the available evidence does not allow us to conclude involvement on the part of "Dealer A" -- (Another explanation is that the poster wanted me to successfully lineup the IPs, in order to implicate "Dealer A").

Moral of this story -- we can't believe EVERYTHING you read on the internet, even if its posted on Delica.CA!!!

[Jester]

Well Mark, if it really turns ou to be THAT dealer posting, and if I was a gambling man, i'd bet it was, I gotta say- posting positive feedback for YOUR OWN company-well that's slimy-kind of funny, but obviously not cool.

But using the same tactic for slander against another dealer-that's grounds for permanent ban from the forum in my book.
I hope you find the conclusive evidence you need.
Martin

[mriguy]

it's unfortunate how this thread has degenerated into a manipulated appraisal of the importers, because I know that for future delica owners, it would be an invaluable tool for honest opinions and feedback about the business they are about to deal with, thus warning them of pitfalls others have encopuntered, as well as pleasant experiences proud owners have had with the whole importing "experience." The worst thing that would happen, is that a business doesn't learn from their mistakes; however, the best thing that happens, is that for future owners, negatively reviewed businesses remedy their ways! The whole deli community would only benefit if the power wielded by this forum ''encouraged'' the businesses to operate to the highest of standards!

[Jester]

I disagree it degenerated at all.
Since the site admin and mr Pinkfingers are keeping an eye on validity of the members' votes, it continues to be a valid resource.

[jessef]

observation.

i recall one of the posters in question was talking about their roommate's delica as well.

I see no problem with 2 or 3 people sharing a computer (roommates) with 2 or 3 delica's in one house and having their own handles here.

I know of two households like that.

I'll ask them. It's possible that a couple of good people got kicked off for really no reason.

Next to impossible to tell from this end.

It would be a shame if they are delica owners in the same house.

[mriguy]

I disagree it degenerated at all.

i apologize, what i intended on saying was that the behaviour of certain members on this thread seemed rather dis-ingenuous, thus sullying the accuracy, or perhaps better put: "skewing" the results.

Since the site admin and mr Pinkfingers are keeping an eye on validity of the members' votes, it continues to be a valid resource.

and indeed, a huge kudos to them for putting forth such effort. i always refer people who ask me about deli's to this site-and as of late, especially to look up this thread in order to get raw reviews of businesses that deal in deli's. after all, word of mouth is the best form of advertisement, no?

[The Pinkfingers]

observation.

i recall one of the posters in question was talking about their roommate's delica as well.

I see no problem with 2 or 3 people sharing a computer (roommates) with 2 or 3 delica's in one house and having their own handles here.

I know of two households like that.

I'll ask them. It's possible that a couple of good people got kicked off for really no reason.

Next to impossible to tell from this end.

It would be a shame if they are delica owners in the same house.

Very true, but don't forget that - if they are indeed roommates - one of them also signed on as another user and on that very same day flamed another dealer that was getting more positive reviews than the dealer they supported.

Regardless, it's in Mark's hands, and he has the wisdom to get to the bottom of the issue - he's not one who would fly off the handle and ban users on a whim. Those that were deleted had only posted a max of two times, and it was a post supporting the same dealer on another thread, so it would be simple to start fresh, if that is what the final solution is.

I'm just trying to keep the ratings in the first post as authentic as possible, hence adding the two guidelines for leaving feedback that weren't there when this thread began. Hopefully that will keep the feedback as authentic and grassroots as possible.

That being said, here's hoping we can move on from this issue and get back to importer / dealer reviews from customers. Otherwise there is alot of unrelated (non-feedback) posts (like the one I'm writing now ) that folks have to read through in order to get to the meat of the thread - the reviews.

So, back to feedback and reviews!

[glenn]

I would like to give terra2 a positive rating. However, I would like to first echo jfarsang's comments:

A note about this thread (rating dealers).

Although it's a good idea, I think it can also backfire on good dealers.

Reason being is that everyone is different, has different expectations and experiences at dealers.

So the ratings can go from one extreme to another.

I would hate to see a good dealer get shafted because a customer has higher-than-average expectations and rates the dealer unfairly.

It's just something that can't really be measured accurately.

I would also like to add that I think the negative experiences tend to surface more than the positive ones.

Anyway, I had a very good experience with Terra2. They were extraordinarily courteous, and I believe they worked hard to satisfy me. I believe that an important measure of how "good" a dealer is how they deal with the inevitable problems that come up, and again I am echoing the comments of others here. My first issue was that I bid on, and won a van at auction that didn't quite fit my needs. It was a late 91, but I soon learned that it didn't have the rear shoulder belts - a must for me and my family. Before the van even left Japan, they allowed me to switch the van they had committed to on my behalf for one that they had purchased for their own inventory - at no additional cost to me. There were also a couple of other small issues - like it was supposed to have an hot/cold box and didn't, but we agreed on a financial compensation and I was satisfied with this resolution. They seem to me to be just as concerned about their reputation, and about satisfying their clients as any decent small business.

It is true that bidding on a vehicle in japan is not for everyone. It's a bit of a leap of faith, and a long wait - but at the same time it exciting, and I kind of enjoyed the anticipation of it's arrival (a perverse pleasure). I waited about 2 months for mine. For both of the vans I was interested in (the one I bid on, and the one I switched it for) I had the photos, (measly photos), and the auction reports. One report was provided by the auction house, and a second report was from their (terra2) inspector, confirming the accuracy of the first and recommending a bid or not. I felt in both cases that these reports were trustworthy and accurate - I saw both vans once they arrived here.
My Van was in better condition than I had expected, in fact, it was as perfect as I could expect. I think it is better condition than my 2006 vibe! It also had a bunch of extras I wasn't expecting like 16" rims, extra driving lights, fender flares and a ladder.

In the end, after tires and maintenance, I did pay more for my van than some other dealers charge, however, I did get an exceptional van. I looked at a lot of vans on the lots and so many of them were just not up to scratch. I always climbed up and checked the roof and the back window for rust, and often found it (of course this was never disclosed). There were also many cosmetic flaws like dents and scratches, and bad interiors. So, I was very happy with the exceptional condition of my van, both inside and out and I feel like I got what I paid for. I take my van to CVI for their awesome mechanical care, the same shop used by the more popular dealers anyway.

I would definitely recommend Terra2, with the qualifications about the risks and waits associated with buying at auction (although they do often have inventory here too).

My last observation on this topic is that there is a LOT of mudslinging on the lots. I am always turned off by individuals that feel the need to prop themselves up by discrediting their competitors. I realize that this is a very competitive market now, but I prefer to deal with a company that doesn't engage this way.

I think I've rambled a bit too much. In the end it's about the van, and not so much the dealer. Look at as many as you can, and ask lots of questions.

[tomanique]

I would also like to add that I think the negative experiences tend to surface more than the positive ones.

Well if that's the case seems Mardy can do no wrong, I've seen nothing negative posted about him on this thread or any other. And just to add one more for Mardy, we bought Frankendeli almost a year ago. 2 California roadtrips later and a third in the planning stages. Mardy goes above and beyond with his sales and then again with his after-sales servicing. 11 thumbs up(that's one more than irek gave). I would and have recommended Mardy to anyone. In fact I have a small stack of his business cards that I hand out when I'm asked about Frankendeli way up here in Chillibush.

[lisairwin2001]

I would like to give terra2 imports two thumbs up.I bought a landed in canada delica at the end of july.I experienced a couple minor issues.1)black smoke..which was remedied by removing egr,2}crystal lites not working..which will go into the shop next week.At first it was thought to be a minor issue of clips but turned out to be all motors missing.Terra2(collin) spent much time finding all the parts needed to get them working and kept in constant contact letting me know how everything was going.They evon helped to find a local mechanic to assist in both problems,at no cost to me.They were more then willing to help.Evon offering to come and pick up the van to bring to a mechanic as most around here had no clue.But luckily one surfaced locally.I was a little leary at first of sending money for a vehicle un seen.But was very impressed at the condition,when we finally picked it up..the pics on the site didn't do it justice!!.So to sum up..i would definatly recomend t2 to anybody looking to by a delica.They totally backed their product.They have a knowledgable, friendly, staff.And addressed any concerns I had.And I am loving the delica!!!
Thanks,
Lisa

[brewskie]

I have to echo my experience dealing with Mardy at Amazing Auto Imports as being much like everybody else's. Simply Superb!!

Mardy spent a lot of time with me going over what I should do as preventative maintanence due to the fact that I live In Winnipeg. Mardy was never pushy and I always felt he was being honest with me.

When I flew out to Vancouver to pick up my van, Mardy spent the better part of the day with me going over how to properly care for my new ride.

I would highly recommend Mardy at Amazing Auto Imports. It is obvious that Mardy takes great pride in his product and will go over and above to make your Delica as good as it can be.

Cheers

Rob

[Erebus]

I purchased my Delica from Luxury Imports in Calgary (now in Ontario, still has a presence in Calgary) in 2007. It was a positive experience all the way. I purchased it while it was still in Japan, albeit already purchased by LI. He (Wayne, "crusher" on this forum) kept me informed of progress on shipping, and delivered an amazing Delica. And it is still amazing -- although it now does have some scratches.

Now, a year and 24,000 km later, I would still highly recommend Luxury Imports if you want a low mileage/high quality Delica (or Land Cruiser).

**Edit, May 2010. I no longer recommend Luxury Imports, based on some reports I have on his business practices.

Also, with hindsight, he did not not do some work post-import that he really should have if he wants to be considered a premium importer. **