Don's Bus Box

I used this guy for years don must be dead. this is the junkest product ive ever received ..the first trans jumped out of 4th gear I called him he sent out another this one hadn't even been disassembled dirt around bolts painted black it roared like a freight train. I called him he gave be a cursing called me names blocked me on ebay had my remarks removed from ebay and facebook ….this busn is a big ripp off now .also I had the first tranny split 4th gear had a lot of damage the dogs were snapped off the gear

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
The axle was ran with sufficient oil. The damage to the axles was not cause by low oil but a large amount of foreign material inside the trans from the manufacturer. 
Regards,
[redacted]

At the time, I was new to the VW community and had no idea about local vw mechanics or businesses associated with air cooled engines. Found Don and his crew online and decided to have him rebuild my VW Thing engine. Without going into crazy details I will tell you that this was probably the worst experience I ever had in business dealings where I was personally paying for the service that was being provided. After receiving the car with the rebuilt engine I had to take back the vehicle 3 times because the belt kept popping off the pulley... 3 times just for that. Then I noticed that oil was leaking out of everywhere possible. To which I was told that its normal. The oil was leaking out of the heads. They took it back and tried to fix it, however upon receiving the car back, once again everything was leaking as it was before. There were the issues of the engine only firing on 3 cylinders, the whole thing not being set up properly. I can say with 100% confidence that this guy and his business are a bunch of hacks who do not care about their customers or their reputation. I spent a lot of money on this engine at Dons place and he did a terrible job. I would not advise anyone to do anything with his business unless its buying it and turning it around.

The customer has communicated issues with a transaxle that we sold to him.  Statements he has made and pictures he has provided sound and look like the transaxle was used without sufficient oil for a period of time.  We have provided the customer with a [redacted] return label so...

he can return it for a detailed inspection. We will disassemble, inspect, photograph any damaged components, and provide the customer with our findings in detail. The damaged axles appear to be caused by the lack of oil as well.  We have not received the transaxle back from the customer yet. Please allow one week from receipt of the trans for us to complete our inspection process.

The customer has communicated issues with a transaxle that we sold to him.  Statements he has made and pictures he has provided sound and look like the transaxle was used without sufficient oil for a period of time.  We have provided the customer with a [redacted] return label so...

he can return it for a detailed inspection. We will disassemble, inspect, photograph any damaged components, and provide the customer with our findings in detail. The damaged axles appear to be caused by the lack of oil as well.  We have not received the transaxle back from the customer yet. Please allow one week from receipt of the trans for us to complete our inspection process.

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

The axle was ran with sufficient oil. The damage to the axles was not cause by low oil but a large amount of foreign material inside the trans from the manufacturer. 

Regards,

The following response was sent to the customer on 8/27/2014. We feel this offer is very generous given the condition the trans was returned to us. The axles that the customer refers to install into side gears and fulcrum plates that were provided by and installed by the customer. The axles do not come in contact with the transaxle and no foreign material was left in the trans. The particulates found in the oil are from either normal break in of the syncros and new ring and pinion or due to the inadequate lubrication that caused damage to the bearings referred to below.
Customer, We’ve inspected and magnafluxed the trans and all of the major components are in excellent shape. The mainshaft bearing, and reverse idler bearing need replaced due to inadequate lubrication for a period of time. These bearings are located high in the trans so they are the first to be damaged. This usually happens when the trans is filled with oil but not refilled after the gear oil settles into the axle tubes. This is an inexpensive repair so we have no issue refunding you the amount you paid for the trans. You paid $1025 for the trans plus the $200 core fee so the total is $1225.  The additional changes were for the clutch kit, mounts and other items that are not returnable. Nothing in the trans caused the damaged to the axles. We can tell you that there have been many problems with that brand from conversations we have had with our suppliers and racers. Please contact the manufacturer. We appreciate your offer to provide additional video and photos however those can be easily edited and something as simple as sunlight or flash can make a tiny brass particle look much larger when photographed. We understand that you have already contacted your credit card company concerning the refund so we need to issue the credit through their process per our merchant agreement.  We will do all we can to expedite the refund.

Review: I shipped a transmission to [redacted]s in a 31 gallon plastic tote. This weighs 100#. I contacted [redacted] and asked him the best way to ship this item. He said put a board in bottom of tote to add strength so it doesnt flex. Then wrap transmission in bubble wrap. Place this in tote, put boards on ends to prevent shifting. Place another board on top, and tape it up real good. I did exactly what he told me and shipped it to him. One week later I called him to see if he received it and asked him how it looked. He said looks like you packed it real good, it arrived in good condition. When he shipped it back to me none of the packing material or boards that I sent came back. The tote was broken in half. The shipper taped it up to finish delivery. Inside was the transmission with what looked like trash sweepings pieces of card board, a few packing peanuts and some plastic bags. Nothing like the way I shipped it to him. After inspecting transmission I could see on a freshly painted black surface where it had been dropped and damage has been done. What really makes me angry is that he knew how to ship a heavy transmission but didnt ship it to a customer that just paid him $750.dollars. I also am angry that I was charged $100 dollars for shipping. I also have pictures of all the damage.Desired Settlement: I want [redacted] to send me a check For $100 dollars to cover the poor packing of transmission and shipping. I am sure he is going to blame [redacted]. But when I shipped it to him it arrived in good condition. This proves that if properly packaged [redacted] can deliver a heavy item.

Business

Response:

The customer has stated that the item purchased arrived undamaged. The container may have been damaged by the shipper however the customers purchase arrived and was functional. The customer also informed us that they had improperly disassembled the transaxle. The customer has been advised to return the transaxle for the appropriate adjustments (a $150 value) to insure it is fit for use. We have agreed to provide these adjustments at no charge however the customer is required to pay for shipping. We do not agree to pay the $100 requested.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

Regards,

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

Regards,

Hello Ashley, I tried to sent this response to the website but I experienced an error like 4 times. This response is in regards to #[redacted]s bus box. I would have to be crazy to accept this offer. To pay another $200 for shipping and let him work on it. He has already demonstrated that his company is not capable of packaging a transaxle securely in a tote and sending it out of state with out damage being done. Find enclosed pictures of : damaged tote as I received it, pictures of trash and floor sweepings used as packing material, damage done to transaxle after being dropped on pavement because no extra material like a piece of wood being added to bottom of tote for support to prevent flexing. The most puzzling fact of this whole ordeal is that before I shipped this item I called and talked to [redacted] and asked him the best way to ship a heavy transaxle. He told me to get a 31 gallon tote place a board in bottom for support wrap transaxle in bubble wrap place transaxle in add another board on top and 2 smaller boards on ends to prevent shifting and tape it up real good. So he knows how to do it he just couldn't make it happen at his business. I dont understand after I spent $650 why he would treat a new customers transaxle with such little care. Then when I expressed my dissapointment with wet paint job and packing peanuts stuck to outside he blames hot weather or [redacted] for rough handling. I am a new customer who could of sent him more work from my buddies in our woods buggy club. Now I dont think I can reccomend his services to anyone. Customer satisfaction after the sale is apparently not important to this business. Sincerely, [redacted]

Business

Response:

understood

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

Hello

Ashley, I tried to sent this response to the website but I experienced

an error like 4 times. This response is in regards to #[redacted]s bus

box. I would have to be crazy to accept this offer. To pay another $200

for shipping and let him work on it. He has already demonstrated that

his company is not capable of packaging a transaxle securely in a tote

and sending it out of state with out damage being done. Find enclosed

pictures of : damaged tote as I received it,pictures of trash and floor

sweepings used as packing material,damage done to transaxle after being

dropped on pavement because no extra material like a piece of wood being

added to bottom of tote for support to prevent flexing. The most

puzzling fact of this whole ordeal is that before I shipped this item I

called and talked to [redacted] and asked him the best way to ship a

heavy transaxle. He told me to get a 31 gallon tote place a board in

bottom for support wrap transaxle in bubble wrap place transaxle in add

another board on top and 2 smaller boards on ends to prevent shifting

and tape it up real good. So he knowes how to do it he just couldnt make

it happen at his business. I dont understand after I spent $650 why he

would treat a new customers transaxle with such little care. Then when I

expressed my dissapointment with wet paint job and packing peanuts

stuck to outside he blames hot weather or [redacted] for rough handling. I am a

new customer who could of sent him more work from my buddies in our

woods buggy club. Now I dont think I can reccomend his services to

anyone. Customer satisfaction after the sale is apparently not important

to this business. Sincerly [redacted]

Regards,

Review: I purchased a rebuild transmission for 1250 dollars from Don's Bus box in Arizona. I recieved the transmission and it was installed by a mechanic. From the first time the engine started he knew something was wrong with it. I have contacted the owner so that I can send the trans back and get a refund. He has a provided a shipping label for me to send it back but believes the fault is mine and I ruined the transmission. I have photos and video footage to prove otherwise. The trans was full of metal shavings and sludge when we drained the trans to get it ready to ship back. The issues with the transmission caused 300 dollars in damage to brand new axles I purchased for it.Desired Settlement: Full refund of transmission and damages caused covered from his defective product.

Business

Response:

The customer has communicated issues with a transaxle that we sold to him. Statements he has made and pictures he has provided sound and look like the transaxle was used without sufficient oil for a period of time. We have provided the customer with a [redacted] return label so he can return it for a detailed inspection. We will disassemble, inspect, photograph any damaged components, and provide the customer with our findings in detail. The damaged axles appear to be caused by the lack of oil as well. We have not received the transaxle back from the customer yet. Please allow one week from receipt of the trans for us to complete our inspection process.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

The axle was ran with sufficient oil. The damage to the axles was not cause by low oil but a large amount of foreign material inside the trans from the manufacturer.

Regards,

Business

Response:

The following response was sent to the customer on 8/27/2014. We feel this offer is very generous given the condition the trans was returned to us. The axles that the customer refers to install into side gears and fulcrum plates that were provided by and installed by the customer. The axles do not come in contact with the transaxle and no foreign material was left in the trans. The particulates found in the oil are from either normal break in of the syncros and new ring and pinion or due to the inadequate lubrication that caused damage to the bearings referred to below.Customer, We’ve inspected and magnafluxed the trans and all of the major components are in excellent shape. The mainshaft bearing, and reverse idler bearing need replaced due to inadequate lubrication for a period of time. These bearings are located high in the trans so they are the first to be damaged. This usually happens when the trans is filled with oil but not refilled after the gear oil settles into the axle tubes. This is an inexpensive repair so we have no issue refunding you the amount you paid for the trans. You paid $1025 for the trans plus the $200 core fee so the total is $1225. The additional changes were for the clutch kit, mounts and other items that are not returnable. Nothing in the trans caused the damaged to the axles. We can tell you that there have been many problems with that brand from conversations we have had with our suppliers and racers. Please contact the manufacturer. We appreciate your offer to provide additional video and photos however those can be easily edited and something as simple as sunlight or flash can make a tiny brass particle look much larger when photographed. We understand that you have already contacted your credit card company concerning the refund so we need to issue the credit through their process per our merchant agreement. We will do all we can to expedite the refund.