This is the saga of my single purchase from P-ayr Lightweight
Authentic Engine Replicas and my dealings with Dean.
I initially called P-ayr because I saw one of their replica engine
blocks and wanted more information. I was intrigued by the possibility
of a lightweight dimensionally correct engine block I could use in
a jig I designed to make exhaust headers for GT40 race cars. When
I called P-ayr I was told, by Dean, the material they use is very
similar to hard wood and that the replica engine block is dimensionally
correct down to the smallest detail. I thanked him for the info and
told him I’d call back if I needed more.
I called again because I had concerns about the way separate pieces
of the replica block were aligned. Specifically I needed the heads
to be correct because I was building something off them and their
alignment was critical. I was assured, by Dean, the heads would be
properly aligned and there was no problem with any dimensions. It
was a perfect copy of the original.
When the replica arrived I found the following problems:
1. The material was a soft foam and more like balsa wood (a very soft
wood) than hardwood.
2. The heads were visibly out of alignment. Nothing built off them
would be correct and there was no way to correctly locate them.
3. The gasket surfaces, which were also a critical dimension, were
violated by threaded inserts sticking out above the surface.
4. The surfaces that were supposed to be flat were actually domed.
5. The molded engine had a void which was unsuccessfully repaired.
It would cost more than twice the amount of the replica engine block
to repair the problems that I was assured didn’t exist. That
is if one could find a dimensionally correct surface to start the
repairs. Since the crankshaft journals were not correctly molded there
was no place to start to begin to make this product work as they said
it would.
I called P-ayr the following Monday after I received the replica and
was put off for a couple days. Finally I spoke to Dean who elaborated
on his problems shipping things to Indonesia and the grief he encountered
when a man AND his wife bought a block and they wanted to return one.
I told Dean that still doesn’t account for the fact that all
the things he described to me were not what was delivered. I offered
to pay the return shipping if he’d just cancel the purchase.
He agreed at first and then disagreed and wanted an additional 15%
restocking fee. I told him I didn’t feel I was responsible for
the restocking fee since the product was no where near as described.
He told me fine, take it up with my credit card company.
I contacted my credit card company and they directed me to return
the engine. I did so but checked the UPS tracking number two weeks
later and found he had not accepted shipment. The POS block was returned
to me. My credit card company directed me to pick it up and Dean is
not only out the $410 he's also out the block if he doesn't come up
with the shipping costs to return it again.
Three months later the charge appears again and I call my credit card
company to ask if I had lost the dispute and why. Seems there is an
unauthorized charge to my account. No only did P-ayr not dispute my
claims, they waited a few months to see if they could slip a charge
past me without it being noticed.
Helluva way to do business. Dean, is there a reason your company is
based in Leavenworth? Couldn't get out of town after your release?
Obligatory "B"move quote: "They're all liers, cheats
and thieves" "Guess I picked the wrong day to quit amphetimines"
