TWM Shift Knob & TWM as a Company - WTF?
 

Hey guys...

So I literally feel obligated to hop on here and share my experience thus far with the company TWM who makes a short throw kit and weighted knobs for our car.

Shift Knobs | TWM Performance Shift Knob Store

I ordered their kit with a "graphite" colored weighted "Big Type-R" knob. As you can see from the pictures on their website, the "graphite" knob is obviously black. It's funny though because the knob they sent me was extremely close to, if not the same color as their "satin" finish, according to pictures on their website.

<a href="http://s1189.photobucket.com/user/craiglevere/media/222.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z430/craiglevere/222.png" border="0" alt=" photo 222.png"/></a>

<a href="http://s1189.photobucket.com/user/craiglevere/media/323.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z430/craiglevere/323.png" border="0" alt=" photo 323.png"/></a>

But that's not all (and this is where it gets good)...

The knob was DAMAGED in transit !!!!!!!!!!

It's OBVIOUS to see that the knob wasn't packaged properly and had rubbed against or hit other metal parts in the packaging during transit !!!!!!!!!!

<a href="http://s1189.photobucket.com/user/craiglevere/media/unnamed1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z430/craiglevere/unnamed1.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo unnamed1.jpg"/></a>

As you all can see from the pictures, this is exactly how I received the kit. Nothing has been removed from the packaging and certainly nothing has been "dropped" as TWM states in their email to me.

<a href="http://s1189.photobucket.com/user/craiglevere/media/unnamed.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z430/craiglevere/unnamed.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo unnamed.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1189.photobucket.com/user/craiglevere/media/unnamed2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z430/craiglevere/unnamed2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo unnamed2.jpg"/></a>

So, of course I called TWM to let them know that not only was the knob damaged but it was the wrong color. I was told on the phone that they'd get me a new one and in the meantime to send them a picture of the damage. So, I did just that and while I was at it, I also sent them a few pictures taken from their website of the color representations they provide. I don't know, is it just me, or does my knob look like the "satin" finish?

After sending them the same pictures I've included in this thread this is the email response I received...

:gtfo2:
<a href="http://s1189.photobucket.com/user/craiglevere/media/Capture11111.png.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z430/craiglevere/Capture11111.png" border="0" alt=" photo Capture11111.png"/></a>

Really ?!?!?!?!?!

So, I'll leave it up to you guys to decide whether or not to order from this company. My experience thus far has been daunting, to say the least.

What do you guys think?

I've ordered two knobs from them, just got the second this week. In both cases the knob was wrapped in bubble wrap in two directions.

As for the color...I also ordered graphite and the Type R. I do agree that the graphite is not as dark as it looks in their picture. But it is also not as light as the satin.

Do you have a picture of the box? If they are correct it was repackaged. Don't they go through customs?

satin finish is like a titanimum light goldish color. i know this from actually owning one in the past for my G.

anyway, i too have not had good experience with their customer service, but their
products are good. i currently run their biggie type-r in the stainless steel color.
matches my Z's interior very well.

btw, check out how to make the finisher out of ballcock shank washer. it's a definite homedepot mod that
satisfies... :ugh:

<a href="http://s1189.photobucket.com/user/craiglevere/media/FGWseGHBbrf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z430/craiglevere/FGWseGHBbrf.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo FGWseGHBbrf.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1189.photobucket.com/user/craiglevere/media/sgGBBRES.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z430/craiglevere/sgGBBRES.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo sgGBBRES.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1189.photobucket.com/user/craiglevere/media/Vrntnnjnh.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z430/craiglevere/Vrntnnjnh.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Vrntnnjnh.jpg"/></a>

Wait, what is it?

Also, as funny as it sounds, do you have a picture of your knob that you could post? I'm curious to see the silver finish.

It clearly looks like the knob slid out of the wrap and ran up against the shifter.

TWM! Fix this for this man or you'll lose two customers. -.-

Ballcock Shank Washer Beveled - Faucet Washers - Amazon.com


here... not silver. brushed stainless finish with the modded shankwasher below.

http://www.the370z.com/members/kench...19-closeup.jpg

i was very close to buying that specter knob yesterday. :D

but i fixed my momo knob on my G so saved like $218. lol

btw, my picture sucks. :ugh:

Sub'd for result. My son needs a knob for his G35 and was going for a weighted TWM. I'll tell him to hold off until TWM changes its mind on this issue. :D

the satin finish matches the G's interior very well. and ive had it for like 8yrs and no issue with the finish (not one scratch on it) :D

Awesome guys. I really appreciate the input. I just can't believe the nerve they have to basically call me a "liar". That's what gets my blood boiling more than anything. Obviously yes, I am unhappy with the color as the photo representations are misleading - but the knob was damaged and there's no way to get around it TWM. If it were my company, I'd take this up with UPS and make sure my customers are happy no mater what.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.

yah, TWM should honor an exchange.

Wow. Thought they were reputable, at least as reputable as someone can be while charging $200 for a shift knob.

their knobs are actually quite good.

it's like that soup kitchen guy on seinfeld... :ugh:

Oh I've seen them, yes they are nice, but $200 for a cnc'd and drilled hunk of steel is excessive.

I've sent TWM the link to this thread...

Nice knobs :yum: ;)

I received outstanding service and customer support when I ordered replacement parts for my short shifter a while ago, including quick replies and fast shipping in secure, well packaged envelopes.

(I bought a used TWM shifter that was missing most of the parts from the removal by a mechanic. TWM sold me the parts I needed and was very helpful)

You're situation indeed could be related to a customs inspection. That's really too bad because their products are really top notch...

not if you're like me and can't whip one out of my arse at home... :ugh:

very good point indeed!

especially on small heavy articles like this, they might think it is some sort of
artillery.

:iagree:

I did not need to see the WildmanT Ball Lifter Protruder White at the bottom of that page.

I was like, "WTF is he talking about?" Then I clicked on the link! LOLOLOLOLOL.

I ordered mine...the ring not the Ball Lifter!

:rofl2: lol

I wonder if some people went to that page and were disappointed to see just a standard piece of hardware, not something else.

My recent TWM experience is mostly positive. I ordered a knob and shifter, a few days later they emailed me saying that my order would be delayed by 10 days because they were out of stock. 10 business days later, my shipping notice arrived. There were no issues with the packaging.

Did it look like the box was opened and resealed? Normally customs should be slapping an inspected sticker on there if they opened the box. If they did open it and dropped it, they certainly would not care and I don't think there's any way to make a claim against damaged caused by their inspection.

Honestly man, no, the package did not appear to have been opened prior to me receiving it. What really gets me is that (and I forgot to mention this earlier) I spoke to them yesterday before emailing them the pics and was told not to worry and they'd replace it. I will say however, that I did have to call them even after leaving a message, and the guy was pretty rude and short with me. It's obviously not my fault. And besides, wtf ever happened to "the customer is always right". It's because of sh*t like this that makes me almost exclusively order from companies like Amazon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.

Who did you speak to at TWM? Send me a PM. I'm local and friends with them.

Hey Guys,

First off, thank you to all of you who support our small company, we try very hard to get it right, every time, all the time. We even use a third party quality rating system to ensure independent customer reviews which you can find in the top right of our TWM Performance Home Page by "Shopper Approved".

Two issues here:

1. Drop scratches on the TWM Performance Big Type R shift knob whodunnit. Was it TWM Performance, no, see the OP's quote of our reply at the beginning of this thread. We do photograph all outgoing orders to avoid situations like this. Was it the OP? The answer is also no, how do we know, he posted the answer right in this thread! When looking at the pictures of the closed box one finds a small yellow customs sticker, which must be affixed when packages are inspected! Case closed, remedy to follow.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...60582620df15b7
2. Big Type R Satin vs Graphite, Satin finish is simply a sandblasted stainless steel shift knob. Graphite is the same except that it is, in addition, DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) finished. The finish name "Graphite" was previously "Flat Black" after a change in suppliers for this finish we found that it was lighter than previously so we re-named it. We have literally hundreds of pics of these two finishes all over the web, please Google and compare.

Remedy

We propose that the OP return the damaged shift knob and we will replace it, free of charge, with either a Satin or a Graphite Big type R Shift Knob

As we are not responsible for the damage, we would only ask the OP to be responsible for the shipping.

Hope this helps,

Dan
Team TWM Performance

Man I wish I knew!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.

I told Dan that'd I'd chime in on here once everything was settled. TWM pulled through for me in the end and I'm happy to report that I love the gunmetal Big Type-R shift knob they sent as a replacement.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/02/su5u5u6u.jpg

:tup:

Cool, now go make that ballcockshank finisher :D

:iagree:

Glad everything worked out. I was waiting to see the outcome of this because i really like their shift knobs and have been seriously considering getting one. Looks great btw.