Owen Developments - Reformed Opinion!

[androo007]

Has anyone else tried these guys lately?

seeing as they dont openly advertise prices I've been calling many times to try and speak to a single person that actually knows their product.

The lady that answers tells me i only can speak to Scott (i think) but he is always busy.

Tried for 3 days, several times a day..... shame as they have now lost a decent wedge of business.

Havent returned my call either. Apparently they are in the middle of makign their own turbos at the moment so very busy.... but thats crazy, one person in a whole company that knows about turbos??

Fustrating.

[Ryan S]

Owen developments are a waste of space. They tried to give me the hard sell on one of their own turbos. Said that the Borg Warner I wanted was agricultural. I ONLY phoned to buy a turbo, Not for advice on which was better than which. I promptly called AGP turbos in the states who had my BW to me within a week!

[Ryan S]

I literally never even mentioned I was browsing etc. I rang up and pretty much said "i want to pay you cash for a turbo, This is the make and model, I have my bank card here to pay for it immediately " and the guy went on a tirade about how their turbos would be much better suited etc. Lost themselves a sale and a customer.

[ashley]

Owen Developments are extremely helpful and useful if you ask the right questions, ok- Scott doesn't necessarily have the ability to go through the science behind sizing a turbo for your needs, but what he does benefit from is the accumlated wealth of knowledge and real experience as to how various turbos perform in real world situations, be that road, race or drag.

They can be difficult to deal with, but they are a reasonably small team and they are on the cusp of launching their own branded turbos in the UK, whilst one of the directors' wives has just been told the big c has come back...and they are probably balls deep preparing for the new racing season, not to mention stuff like Autosport that starts today.

Personally I've had very positive experiences with them most of the time, sure they pi$$ed me off a bit, but sometimes you have to swallow that to be able to take advantage of the experience they have.

My opinion anyway...I wouldn't write them off...you have to think how many "noddy" phone calls they must get everyday from clueless, I want 1000hp with no lag wannabes...sometimes you are bound to lose patience!

[androo007]

Sure thing, appreciate they are busy, but I wasnt asking a complex question tbf ashley... but to have just 1 person with simple knowledge who cant spare a customer 2 minutes but be fobbed off with the BS "in a meeting" excuse (jesus, we all know that one) lost an excuse.

You know how easily I'm lead a simple "you could do this, but how about our spanking new turbo in XX weeks?" - i'd probably have ended up putting a deposit down there and then!

They just say.. ohhhh.... call back in 10 minutes.... oh well its time for him to go home in 5 minutes so he couldnt possibly spare that.... or some other rubbish is sub par.

If it happens to me, how many other people is it happening to?

So... i did the patient thing. I sent an email request. Got one reply, asked a follow-up question and.........................


nothing.

Pete is probably the busiest man on earth - but he always has time even for a 2 minute chat to help. Same with Simon... and guess what - that's where i placed my cash.

[Ryan S]

"Can I buy a Borg Warner turbo that you have in stock" must be the wrong type of question for a company that sells turbos

I agree they must get clowns phoning all the time which in all honesty could be avoided by putting their prices online.AGP have no issue with this. If OD are going to INSIST that people call them then they should make sure they have the facilities for it and at least expect customers to call. Their business model is a shambles.

[ashley]

Can't speak for your specific experiences, all I can say is I've always had decent service from them, although I have had to call back a few times on occasion to get hold of Scott...worth being patient to get the benefit of their experience in my opinion, even if you don't buy from them.

[Race Idiot]

I've got to admit I never had any problems with them, but I did actually rock up in person to their workshop with a common garden mitsu turbo for a rebuild.

[Driftlimits Performance]

We have limited experience with them but have never had a problem. Rebuilt a few turbos for us and give good advice.

Can't please everyone!

[Ryan S]

It was over a year ago I was in touch with them, A business shouldn't need happy customers to make excuses for it. I can attest more than anyone that cancer is horrible after my Dad passing away in February due to it but If you have a business (especially a busy one) you should take time off, have more staff etc.

Excuses about ill family members etc just don't cut it for me, most small family run businesses will bend over backwards to make new customers. I bend over backwards for all my customers and expect the same when I'm handing over 2-3 months rent/mortgage.

Hopefully somebody can point OD to this thread so they can try and rectify some of their working practices.

[androo007]

2 more calls today, no answer.

[ashley]

http://www.autosportinternational.com/

[C35Rob]

What is it that you're after specifically Andrew? If it's service/rebuild then maybe try one of the other turbo specialists in the uk (midland turbo, AET turbos, turbo dynamics, turbo rebuild.co.uk etc)

If it's new replacement then maybe it's worth getting a price from the states? I know sheppy has been happy with AGP, their prices are good and they sell BorgWarner units too...

I've been happy with Owens the few times I've used them, granted that was just online purchases rather than sales/advice. It is mildly frustrating that UK companies will try to steer you towards a Garrett or Garrett derived aftermarket turbo, when a BW would be significantly cheaper and out perform it.. but business is business

[androo007]

In the name of fairness and because of you guys giving fair feedback, thought i'd give these guys another go.

First re-attempt: no answer

Second day - answered, got through to Kevin. I asked for a quote for a compressor housing (they have already given by email) and an exhaust housing.

Said I'd get a call back. No call back.

Follow up 2 days later...... hes not in till this PM - no offer to ask to speak to anyone else.

Call at 4:25..... seems they all bu88er off early on a Friday, no answer.

What a shame. ALL I WANT TO DO IS SPEND SOME MONEY WITH THEM!

[ashley]

Just email Scott:

[email protected]

[androo007]

Done

Cc'd Scott into my email to Kev

[Ryan S]

This is how my experience went almost to the letter,

Me: Hi I'd like to but the BW S252sx-e you have in stock, I have my card to hand to pay for it.
OD: No that's an agricultural turbo more suited for tractors. I can sell it you one of our own brand turbos that will be better in every way imaginable.
Me: calls AGP instead.

[androo007]

Well..... I managed a purchase!!

new .60 AR compressor cover on its way. Exhaust housing was £500...(!) so will source elsewhere.

Delivery should be tomorrow.

[Ryan S]

Well..... I managed a purchase!!

new .60 AR compressor cover on its way. Exhaust housing was £500...(!) so will source elsewhere.

Delivery should be tomorrow.

Acheivement unlocked!!!

[androo007]

LEVEL UP!

I did ask a lot about their new range..... but they didn’t have prices, availability or any inclination to sell me one