[02Hawk]

If you are going to purchase valve covers from Mark at Strelka, be cautious of how much cash you lay out when ordering. I prepaid back in early March over $500.00 and have yet to see the ordered valve covers. He promised me on several occasions that he was shipping that very week yet never did due to a plethera of reasons. I am also mad at my self as I normally would offer a "down payment" with the rest due on confirmation of shipping. Everyone here and on other boards spoke very highly of Mark so I wasn't worried. So five months later I will chalk this up to experience and order a set from another supplier. I have sent him numerous emails and have phoned to no avail. First time in the Pontiac hobby that this has happened to me.

[Billy Ray]

Sounds like this could be another Tri-Y headers con. Back a couple of years ago there were a bunch of people in the Pontiac community that spoke highly of Tri-Y's owner and how honest and forthright he was. He ended up being a crook and skipped out with a lot of guys money who paid for them in advance. When some fly-by-night that makes a product in his garage part time, chances are they are here today and gone tomorrow with lots of other peoples cash in their pockets.:gag:

[mashedfinger67]

I feel your pain 02hawk. I haven't heard from Mark in almost a month. It was really weird, we talked every other day in discussing my cad drawings for my engravings, then I told him to charge my card as he had sent me the engraving file for me to approve and after that he has disapeared without a trace. Won't return my voice or emails. I know that ALOT of guys here have had him build valve covers. Guess I thought I would be treated the same.

I read in another post that he is having "family issues".

All I want him to do is to give me the courtesy of a phone call. I dont even care if he tells me it will be another month, just the decency of a phone call would be great at this point.

I am about a week away from contacting the county attorney, the attorney general and the BBB. Like I say, all I want at this point is a phone call, he owes me that at a minimum

[Pearlbluebird]

Guys knowing how much time goes into making a set. I can understand why it's a long wait. I put 40 hours into a set. That's after engraving brushed finish etc. With everything Mark has done I'm sure he's not going to leave you out in the cold.

[mashedfinger67]

Originally Posted by Pearlbluebird

Guys knowing how much time goes into making a set. I can understand why it's a long wait. I put 40 hours into a set. That's after engraving brushed finish etc. With everything Mark has done I'm sure he's not going to leave you out in the cold.

I too am a small business owner (I am an architectural designer), on average, I spend 60-70 hours to design a home and 180-240 hours to complete that homes construction document set (plans).......I currently have 6 projects in the conceptual design phase, 4 more that I am completing construction documents on, 1 project that I am co-construction managing and 7 projects that are currently under construction that I field calls to answer the questions of 32 trade contractors from. Then you add time spent in quickbooks, at various city's for hours on end meeting with planners, applying for building permits or just flat-out arguing with zoning department officials.

My typical day starts at 7:00 am and ends at 1:00-2:00 am, with a couple of hours around dinner time spent with the wife and our kids) (about 78-82 hours a week) 6 days a week, week in and week out.

I still find time to answer or reply to each and every client voice or email ON THE SAME DAY that I get it, ( or engineers, trade contractors, realtors, appraisers, etc.).........Come on, there is NO excuse to not keep your client/customer informed of the progress and expected completion date, no matter if we are talking about a $500 set of valve covers or a $27K set of construction documents

Mark seems like a really, really nice guy, but that is not what I paid him for. I paid him to build valve covers. No matter what is going on, or what excuse he may be offering, it's just bad business in my book.

[BlueGTO]

I have had mine ordred since late October payed for via credit card 11/02/06 still no covers have sent a fue emails some replyed to some not. With his vary good rep on the sight I was willing to give the bennifit of the dought but there seem to be at least 6 people that I know of that are owed covers. I really dont have a problem if Mark is having some personal problems we have all been there what I do have a issue with is the problems have not stoped him from taking other peoples money and not making the covers.

my 2 cents I would still really rather have the covers over my money back but at this point I would be happy with eather

[mashedfinger67]

I feel the same way BlueGTO. I have as much empathy as the next guy and can totally understand if he is a bind, but there is NO REASON he can't pick up the phone or send an email!

If I would have had any idea that more than a few guys have been waiting for their covers since the end of '06 I would have went elsewhere to have mine built! I do think his covers are 300% better than any others I have seen.........but if you never get to put them on your motor quality doesn't matter!!!


Anybody else on the forum waiting for valve covers and not getting replies to phone calls and emails?

[Brad B. Hillebrand]

$500 for VALVE COVERS.

Say what?

The reason for the delay is that metal is so special (hence the price) it's only found in a special mine deep in the jungle....

[Pearlbluebird]

Originally Posted by Brad B. Hillebrand

$500 for VALVE COVERS.

Say what?

The reason for the delay is that metal is so special (hence the price) it's only found in a special mine deep in the jungle....

Brad, seriously.. What do you make in a 40 hr. week. At $500.00 including materials thats pretty good in my books.
There are only a few of us who are capable of doing this specialized work. I myself have always stayed in contact with my customers giving them updates all the time.
I've been so busy myself I promised my wife I wouldn't make any more sets until fall.
There is no profit margine in making these. I have always attested to that. I do it for the hobby itself. Also the look of a Pontiac with big @ss covers is :cool: in my books.
I myself have never spoken to Mark Strelka or met the man. After seeing some of his work, I'd say I have respect for the guy. If and only if he makes good on your valve covers on back order.
Do you guys remember what my covers are like ? If not let me know and I'll start another thread.
I've always said myself. The Pontiac world is really quite small and I would not want any bad press on my covers.
Does Mark not have a phone # where he can be reached ?

[GTO Noob]

Deryck speaks the truth. I ordered a set from him in mid march and received them in early June. I would have received them sooner but some family issues came up on his end and there was an unfortunate mistake made in the engraving which resulted in starting all over again. To Deryck's credit as soon as the mistake was pointed out he immediately said he would have to start again without any attempt at getting me to absorb some of the cost.

There were a couple of fitting issues in my 69 GTO due to the Booster, Windshield motor and my altenator. Nothing that some fabricating along with the purchase of a smaller booster couldn't rectify.

All being said I'm extreemly happy with the covers that he made for me. Seeing the effort and skill that's involved along with the cost of materials today $500 is not out of line.

I hope everybody gets what they paid for from Mark. For those that are interested I would highly recommend Deryck. Here's some pics of his work. As you can see from the pics Deryck kept me updated pretty much through the whole process. I wouldn't hesitate to do business with him again.

[Brad B. Hillebrand]

If I had a business that makes valve covers and the demand was so great that it took months to get a set done I would first feel blessed then work like mad to get additional staff and resources to meet demand. That's how business operates. If you have demand and don't meet it, you’re out of business. These guys are supposed to have CNC machines so given that for any custom engraving and metal shaping it takes 40 hours to weld up a set? Were not talking about specialized oil pans with custom baffles and trays, it’s a cover. I am not a welder, but I guess it will not take near that long to weld a set.

If the person is the sole operator of the business then that business plan needs to have alternative resources in order to stay in business ...considering if the operator is in some way unable to perform the work. Taking a payment as mentioned then not delivering is a problem.

Sorry, but $500 for a set of covers is to me outrageous – especially if it takes months to get the part.

[BILTIT]

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...strelka+covers


It looked like this thread had clarified some of the issues, did it not?

[02Hawk]

Before this thread gets out of line, i want to repeat myself. I stated that if you are considering ordering one of Mark's valve covers sets, do not pay up front like I did.
I initially contacted him by email last February. I told him my desire to order a pair. We traded emails back and forth and also had a few phone conversations. He sent me some renderings and we agreed with the logo and the finish. I asked him very clearly "when" would he be able to fill the order. He replied that he would require a week or so and then ship. That is of course when I turned into a school girl , got giddy and whipped out my credit card. My bad. I am only letting the rest of you know to be carefull when dealing with this person. He has been ignoring calls and emails. I am not blaming anyone else but myself nor am I bemoaning the fact that I am probably out $500.00. That wont tip me over into recievership, but it will add caution to my next transaction.

I still require a set of tall covers to put on my IA 541. Any suggestions. Cash on delivery though.

I did not start this post intending to slam Mark Strelka. I still believe that I have stated the facts truthfully without any personal shots. If he is having issues with family or health or finances, I don't really know or care, He should contact his customers and let them know. If he can't refund he should grow a spine and let the customer know that also. If he can't deliver he should not raise expectations and constantly tell you that he is shipping next week. Is that a Maine euphamism for next month or next year or next century? If he ahd told me I would wait 6 months then I probably would have gone to another supplier, but then again I expected honesty and didn't question his delivery times. I should have asked other PY members how long they waited etc, but I didn't , again the giddy girl syndrome I guess. The only cowboy to blame is me.

[johnsma22]

Originally Posted by 02Hawk

I still require a set of tall covers to put on my IA 541. Any suggestions. Cash on delivery though.

You certainly could order a set from DB, it looks like he does great work. Here is a photo of my short valve covers that I got from Butler Perfomance. The quality is great. The only "downside" for some may be that they don't offer custom engraving. I may be wrong about that. They offer 3.75" tall covers as well. I received them 1 week after ordering.

[mashedfinger67]

Others on this thread waiting for Valve Covers from Mark:

I just spoke with Mark (after getting a different phone number for him from one of his relatives whose phone numbers is published :cell: ) He told me he is working on all of the backordered covers and hopes to be done soon and that his wife is very sick and he has been taking care of her.

I understand that life throws you some $h!t everyonce in a while, so I personally (and I told him as much) will give him the benefit of the doubt and I do wish his wife well.

I also told him I would call him in a week and that at a minimum, he must keep me informed of his progress. I mentioned this post and he admitted that he was reading the thread, and I strongly suggested to him that he contact any other customers on his own accord and keep them updated them as well.


Do the right thing Mark, it would be a shame for all of your talent to be outweighed by something as simple as not making phone calls to 4 or 5 guys.

[mchell]

Originally Posted by mashedfinger67

Others on this thread waiting for Valve Covers from Mark:

I just spoke with Mark (after getting a different phone number for him from one of his relatives whose phone numbers is published :cell: ) He told me he is working on all of the backordered covers and hopes to be done soon and that his wife is very sick and he has been taking care of her.

I understand that life throws you some $h!t everyonce in a while, so I personally (and I told him as much) will give him the benefit of the doubt and I do wish his wife well.

I also told him I would call him in a week and that at a minimum, he must keep me informed of his progress. I mentioned this post and he admitted that he was reading the thread, and I strongly suggested to him that he contact any other customers on his own accord and keep them updated them as well.


Do the right thing Mark, it would be a shame for all of your talent to be outweighed by something as simple as not making phone calls to 4 or 5 guys.

You had to get his telephone # from a relative???????? give me a break........there is a simple and honorable solution.......SEND the PRODUCT YOU PROMISED or GIVE US OUR MONEY BACK........DO NOT CHARGE PEOPLE BEFORE THE PRODUCT IS SENT.......DO NOT MAKE FALSE PROMISES AS TO DELIVERY DATE........TAKE NO MORE ORDERS........

I HATE PEOPLE who take my hard earned money and say I'm "sorry"......booo hooo......its called stealing..........




If some of you had come forth with this guy's antics earlier many of us would still have our money.......what is it with the

[Billy Ray]

02hawk
Well you should be slamming Mark Strelka and warning others about the problem. My experience is much like yours. He misrepresented (lied) about the time frame to both you and I. Fortunately I did eventually get my covers. Week after week he promised that my covers would be shipped in a couple of days. Week after week he lied straight to my face. Again, this was long before his recent so called personal problems. Finally I told him that I was contacting my credit card company to refund my money. Within a short time after that I received my covers. If MasterCard Amex or Visa get to many complaints (fraud) about a vendor they will close the account. I have a feeling that Mark might have been walking on thin ice with at least one of the major credit card providers.

[mchell]

Originally Posted by Billy Ray

02hawk
Well you should be slamming Mark Strelka and warning others about the problem. My experience is much like yours. He misrepresented (lied) about the time frame to both you and I. Fortunately I did eventually get my covers. Week after week he promised that my covers would be shipped in a couple of days. Week after week he lied straight to my face. Again, this was long before his recent so called personal problems. Finally I told him that I was contacting my credit card company to refund my money. Within a short time after that I received my covers. If MasterCard Amex or Visa get to many complaints (fraud) about a vendor they will close the account. I have a feeling that Mark might have been walking on thin ice with at least one of the major credit card providers.

EXACTLY............He has done the same to me........are you people who are defending this guy nuts or something?????? Its behavior like this that astounds me.....THIS IS BAD BUSINESS......and THIS GUY SHOULD NOT BE IN BUSINESS, period........DO NOT buy ANYTHING from this guy.....

[70 conv goat]

Well boys,

I closed my last post based on a phone message from Mark, stating he would ship the next week. Three more weeks, numerous unreturned phone calls, and a closed post, here we go again...

I made a visit to my bank on Friday based on a discussion over the phone with Visa, I ordered my covers on May 23rd, so last Friday was the 20th of July, damn lucky as it turns out, because past 60 days and I would have been sol. I proceeded with the paper work for goods not received , I had to have my Visa card 'hot carded' (which is a real beatch when one is going out of town for two weeks). Bottom line - a couple of hours later and I'll get my $380 back.

1) I'm funny (and apparently the rest of you are too) in that when someone says they are going to do something, I expect them to.
2) And when someone charges my card, I expect to receive the said items by the agreed to date.
3) I have never heard of a company charging the full amount prior to shipping goods. Completely unethical in my view.

I felt completely blindside by this as Mark's reputation is stellar, so I'm not sure how any one of us would have seen this coming. In terms of Mark keeping in touch, he did a great job up until he had my money.

I am fortunate that I caught this in time - If I were you I would pursue it with your bank. And for those of you that are considering ordering, well, I agree with 02 hawk proceed with extreme caution. I also believe I have been very objective, fair and reasonable in stating the facts.

Anyone up for a group order of custom fab'd Pontiac aluminum valve covers? (I'm laughing now, but you can bet my last girlfriend made me pay out the nose when we split the sheets...lol)

[mchell]

bump ..... saving the rest of you your $$$$$$$......get your stuff somewhere else.....