This post will probably be quite long, but I wanted to post my experiences with Venus Auto here for the benefit of others who may be looking for an engine/clip in the future.
I bought my 86.5 N/A about a year ago with the intent of swapping in a 1JZ and restoring the car to pristine condition. I have planned and saved for this project for the full year, biding my time until I had enough money so that I could reasonably complete the swap without getting bogged down and waiting for funds.
During that time, I have done quite a bit of research. I was a reader of the previous Supramania forums before they died (just got around to re-registering here). So I have seen quite a few horror stories and also some good stories regarding Venus. I also know there are other sources for 1JZ front clips, but those sources are MUCH more expensive. So much more expensive, in fact, that I could rebuild the engine with new internals for the price difference (minus free labor costs on my part).
I debated with myself for months on whether I should roll the dice on Venus' questionable service/products. Finally, I decided to look up their policies on their website and consult a lawyer friend of mine to reassure myself I would have recourse if I were to get "screwed".
I called Venus for the first time about 2 months ago and spoke with a Japanese/Oriental sounding gentleman. He was a bit curt and I couldn't understand him very well. However, I asked him several questions about the testing they do before shipping an engine and also what exactly was included in a 'front clip'. I received answers to my questions, but the phone call didn't really reassure me, since the gentleman seemed like he just wanted to get off the phone and was hard to communicate with.
For some reason, this didn't stop me from continuing to plan on buying from Venus. A few weeks went by and I decided that now was the time to order. I called them back up and was surprised to be greeted by a very cordial and helpful person named Vickie. She was very pleasant to talk to and answered all my questions thoroughly. She seemed like she really cared about customer service and my needs.
I put a $500 deposit down on the phone with Vickie and was assured I would recieve top pick of the next clips to come in. I was told the next shipment should be in within two weeks.
Two weeks went by and no word. During the third week, I called back and spoke with Vickie again. The shipment had come in, but there were no 1JZ Supra clips on it (must have been Soarer clips or something). So she assured me once again that I would be the first in line and that another shipment would be in within 3 weeks. This time she checked the shipment and there were supposed to be 3 1JZ Supra clips on the shipment.
3 weeks later I still had not heard anything. This time I was getting a little upset and braced myself as I dialed to lay into them if no clips were on this shipment also. I was ready to withdraw my deposit and start shopping elsewhere. However, Vickie said that the shipment was slightly delayed in customs and that it should be delivered the next day.
Two days go by and I decide to call back. The shipment had arrived and Vickie asked me if I would like some pictures. I gave her my email address and within a few hours I had pictures of my front clip. I noticed there was no driveshaft in the picture and was assured one would be put in the clip before shipment. I was also told my engine showed 175 psi across the board on a compression test. I gave my approval of the product and paid for the remainder of the order + delivery.
Here is the good part. Vickie was nice enough to check through 3 different shipping companies to get me the best price on shipment, since I needed liftgate delivery (unfortunately, I don't have a forklift at my house). I feel she bent over backwards to help me save about $200 on shipping. She didn't have to do that, but she did.
I expected to get a shipment confirmation the next day but instead I recieved a phone call from Vickie saying they discovered the intercooler was broken and would I like $200 refunded off the order or wait for another shipment. Wow, here was another great customer service move. Most companies, especially in the auto industry, would have just shipped it and maybe blamed damage on the shipping company or claimed ignorance. Not Venus.
The next day I was emailed a shipment confirmation and tracking information for my shipment. The shipment arrived yesterday with no damage and a good product now sits in my driveway.
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Summary: I am not sure what has changed, if anything, with Venus in the last few years, but my experience with them was great! The key here is Vickie; she is an awesome help and a cheerful person to talk to. I can see how maybe some of the other Oriental gentleman that I spoke to over these months can be construed as not caring much, but they did deliver a good product (to this point, knock on wood) and they hired the right person to take care of their customers.
I hope this helps others who are debating what to do, like I was. I would have no hesitation ordering from them again or referring friends to them, as well. :thumbup:
I bought my 86.5 N/A about a year ago with the intent of swapping in a 1JZ and restoring the car to pristine condition. I have planned and saved for this project for the full year, biding my time until I had enough money so that I could reasonably complete the swap without getting bogged down and waiting for funds.
During that time, I have done quite a bit of research. I was a reader of the previous Supramania forums before they died (just got around to re-registering here). So I have seen quite a few horror stories and also some good stories regarding Venus. I also know there are other sources for 1JZ front clips, but those sources are MUCH more expensive. So much more expensive, in fact, that I could rebuild the engine with new internals for the price difference (minus free labor costs on my part).
I debated with myself for months on whether I should roll the dice on Venus' questionable service/products. Finally, I decided to look up their policies on their website and consult a lawyer friend of mine to reassure myself I would have recourse if I were to get "screwed".
I called Venus for the first time about 2 months ago and spoke with a Japanese/Oriental sounding gentleman. He was a bit curt and I couldn't understand him very well. However, I asked him several questions about the testing they do before shipping an engine and also what exactly was included in a 'front clip'. I received answers to my questions, but the phone call didn't really reassure me, since the gentleman seemed like he just wanted to get off the phone and was hard to communicate with.
For some reason, this didn't stop me from continuing to plan on buying from Venus. A few weeks went by and I decided that now was the time to order. I called them back up and was surprised to be greeted by a very cordial and helpful person named Vickie. She was very pleasant to talk to and answered all my questions thoroughly. She seemed like she really cared about customer service and my needs.
I put a $500 deposit down on the phone with Vickie and was assured I would recieve top pick of the next clips to come in. I was told the next shipment should be in within two weeks.
Two weeks went by and no word. During the third week, I called back and spoke with Vickie again. The shipment had come in, but there were no 1JZ Supra clips on it (must have been Soarer clips or something). So she assured me once again that I would be the first in line and that another shipment would be in within 3 weeks. This time she checked the shipment and there were supposed to be 3 1JZ Supra clips on the shipment.
3 weeks later I still had not heard anything. This time I was getting a little upset and braced myself as I dialed to lay into them if no clips were on this shipment also. I was ready to withdraw my deposit and start shopping elsewhere. However, Vickie said that the shipment was slightly delayed in customs and that it should be delivered the next day.
Two days go by and I decide to call back. The shipment had arrived and Vickie asked me if I would like some pictures. I gave her my email address and within a few hours I had pictures of my front clip. I noticed there was no driveshaft in the picture and was assured one would be put in the clip before shipment. I was also told my engine showed 175 psi across the board on a compression test. I gave my approval of the product and paid for the remainder of the order + delivery.
Here is the good part. Vickie was nice enough to check through 3 different shipping companies to get me the best price on shipment, since I needed liftgate delivery (unfortunately, I don't have a forklift at my house). I feel she bent over backwards to help me save about $200 on shipping. She didn't have to do that, but she did.
I expected to get a shipment confirmation the next day but instead I recieved a phone call from Vickie saying they discovered the intercooler was broken and would I like $200 refunded off the order or wait for another shipment. Wow, here was another great customer service move. Most companies, especially in the auto industry, would have just shipped it and maybe blamed damage on the shipping company or claimed ignorance. Not Venus.
The next day I was emailed a shipment confirmation and tracking information for my shipment. The shipment arrived yesterday with no damage and a good product now sits in my driveway.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary: I am not sure what has changed, if anything, with Venus in the last few years, but my experience with them was great! The key here is Vickie; she is an awesome help and a cheerful person to talk to. I can see how maybe some of the other Oriental gentleman that I spoke to over these months can be construed as not caring much, but they did deliver a good product (to this point, knock on wood) and they hired the right person to take care of their customers.
I hope this helps others who are debating what to do, like I was. I would have no hesitation ordering from them again or referring friends to them, as well. :thumbup:
