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Nisonger - Does the owner have an attitude???

angelfj1

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Just got off of the phone with Nisonger. I had a few questions concerning my speedo and tach and what would be involved and the cost to restore these instruments. I can't say he (Peter B) was rude, but he certainly wasn't friendly. I asked if he was the propritor, and he said yes. I was given an "English" vocabulary lesson regarding the difference between restoration and repair, even although I didn't ask for one. The bottom line, this is an expensive proposition. If you send them a functioning instrument (in this case for a 1960 TR3A) and you want a complete functional and cosmetic restoration, including new glass, new instrument face and new bezel, you are looking at approx. $260 + shipping and handling per unit. On the other hand good work and 50+ year old instrument repair can not be done by everyone and I don't believe new replacement units are available.

Has anyone else had experience with this company? If you prefer, you can PM me with a reply.

Thank you
 
I've heard similar things about Nisonger over the past year or so over on the Triumph Mail List. I went with West Valley Electronics out in Reseda CA on the recommendation of a few people that I respect. Between the Toyota 5 speed, the Nissan diff and lower profile tires my speedo was way out of whack. I sent him my speedo and cable and they refurbished & calibrated the speedometer, put new gearing in the odometer and replaced the inner cable for $225 delivered. And the turn around time was less then 10 days. Their number is 818-758-9500 and ask for Morris. A very nice guy and knowledgeable about our instruments. If you need your speedo calibrated, Here's the steps you need to take before sending it out.
 
Hmm. I've sent Nisonger all manner of instruments over the years, never had anything "odd" occur. Not cheap but things always came back fixed and neat first time. I kinda depended on them.

Mebbe he'd just seen his tax accountant? :shocked:

I have had issues with other outfits. One Porsche speedo went back and forth across the country three times.

"Luck of the draw" maybe?
 
They rebuilt my speedo and water/oil gauge last March (2008), and I thought the service, communications and quality were excellent. It took them about two weeks. Maybe things have changed in their world?
 
I used MOMA in New Mexico. They did my tach and speedo. Quick, and good work. Cheap? No, but worth it.... they were very nice to work with.
 
Never had any problems with Nisongewr & I speak with Peter everytime I send them instruments.

Sounds like he was having a bad day (though I also have had the lesson on the differences between restoration and repair); he's always been professional in our dealings.
 
I thought perhaps it was Randall (TR3Driver) on the Triumph forum who mentioned that during the past few years Nisonger had changed ownership and that customer service was now "different". This is strictly hearsay on my part as I have had no dealings with Nisonger.

I have however exchanged emails with the folks at APT (gaugeguys.com) and Palo Alto Speedometer. I don't think you'll find their work any less expensive but you may find you receive more cordial treatment.
 
The guys at gauge guys called me right before any work is done to make sure they are on the same page. I had a question and called them back 15 min later and they still knew who I was.
 
I used Nisonger a couple of months ago for my temp gauge. Came back in less than 2 weeks looking like new. Works great. Not cheap, but no complaints.
 
Thanks everyone for your comments. I guess everyone has a bad day from time to time. As it turnd out I have been able to find enough parts from a dozen or so assorted gauges to assemble a very nice set. So, I figure I have save close to $1000, which will disappear somewhere else into this black hole, er car. :smile:
 
I've dealth with Nisonger twice and found the owner relatively rude both times on the phone. Condescending, etc.

Not being the overly sensitive type I trudged on with the transaction. I'll use Gauge Guys next time, tho'.

Being rude to customers is NOT a great way to perpetuate any business. I owned a small biz for 12 years and never even considered being rude to any caller. To do so is stoopud, as they say.

Shop with your feet, ya don't have to take it. :yesnod:
 
Hi,
Well, I had to get my speedo repaired so I drove it down there. Just over an hour because I had wanted to check the place out. I pretty much considered it a typical attitude for down state NY ( you can run into that a lot, little patience but still good people ). The work they did was beautiful, repaired it and cleaned it up, a little pricey at the time but still. It made all my other gauges look pretty sad.
Dennis
 
vagt6 said:
I've dealth with Nisonger twice and found the owner relatively rude both times on the phone. Condescending, etc.

Not being the overly sensitive type I trudged on with the transaction. I'll use Gauge Guys next time, tho'.

Being rude to customers is NOT a great way to perpetuate any business. I owned a small biz for 12 years and never even considered being rude to any caller. To do so is stoopud, as they say.

Shop with your feet, ya don't have to take it. :yesnod:

Mark: yes, the word condescending is spot on in describing this man. Fortunately, I don't need them now.

cheers, Frank
 
I met Peter Bayer at the British Motor Trade Association meeting in Kalamazoo, MI a few weeks ago.

He seems to be an intelligent man who carries himself well and knows his business. (Interesting trivia...he is retired from Revlon Corporate offices)

Nisonger has a good reputation....perhaps everyone can have a bad day or come across as "gruff" or "rude" on any given day.

FWIW - YOMV
 
rick_ingram said:
I met Peter Bayer at the British Motor Trade Association meeting in Kalamazoo, MI a few weeks ago.

What was the British Motor Trade Association doing in Kalamazoo? Not exactly on of the bigger centers of the British car industry. As far as I know its only connection to the British car industry is that I grew up there and I have since spent allot of money on British car parts.
 
70herald said:
rick_ingram said:
I met Peter Bayer at the British Motor Trade Association meeting in Kalamazoo, MI a few weeks ago.

What was the British Motor Trade Association doing in Kalamazoo?

Maybe someone's got a gal there? (OK I know it's been done a million times but I've waited my whole life...)
 
In Kalamazoo?!?!

wouldn't be a a certain "Sue" would it?


awww, heck.
 
70herald said:
rick_ingram said:
I met Peter Bayer at the British Motor Trade Association meeting in Kalamazoo, MI a few weeks ago.

What was the British Motor Trade Association doing in Kalamazoo? Not exactly on of the bigger centers of the British car industry. As far as I know its only connection to the British car industry is that I grew up there and I have since spent allot of money on British car parts.

Engel Imports in Kalamazoo hosted the annual meeting of the organization this year. It moves throughout the US, with past meeting being in Grand Rapids, MI, Florida, Texas, California....
 
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