AFI out of business?
05-07-2014, 09:25 AM
#26
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Re: AFI out of business?
We've never really dealt internationally. the shipping charges, shipping insurance, and transit times are absurd as are customs fees and wait time to clear customs. not to mention the common occurrence of international parcels getting lost.
also, at least the last time I looked, American businesses can be taxed for overseas sales... a tax we can't collect from our customers so there's another added cost.
also, at least the last time I looked, American businesses can be taxed for overseas sales... a tax we can't collect from our customers so there's another added cost.
05-07-2014, 09:50 AM
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Re: AFI out of business?
That's interesting, couple of tuning companies I know order in bulk, say a large box or pallet at a time (2 weeks or monthly), the consignments consist of a range of products, that's just 2 I know of.
I hear you on the taxes, the respective governments have managed to take there pound of flesh but it's still works out cheaper to buy direct from the US even with those heavy taxes.
I hear you on the taxes, the respective governments have managed to take there pound of flesh but it's still works out cheaper to buy direct from the US even with those heavy taxes.
05-07-2014, 09:58 AM
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Re: AFI out of business?
That seems to be the trend. I was friends with one of the main fabricators at SLS (Straight Line Specialties of Fargo, ND)...same story with them. They're great guys who make awesome products, but they stink at the business side of things. They went from a prominent shop in a central location in town to a storage garage on the south end (aka fell into obscurity).
Not really a problem with the business side it just turns out there is less and less money to be made in producing car parts. Business smarts moved SLS into a way cheaper building and changed his direction into more machining. Also in fargo there is no customer money to be made and more headaches than anything. Everyones car would sit there over a few thousand dollar bill. This is why all major shops across the country have started working on high dollars as turns out those people have money.
05-07-2014, 11:10 AM
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Re: AFI out of business?
Yea it seems like more and more businesses are moving over to evos, STis, r35s, audis, Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, etc.
hell all T1 does these days is R35s.
having worked in a full capacity machine shop I can tell you that's where the money is. even when the economy went to **** all of our machines ran around the clock 24/7/365. There's been a backlog on every machine for the last 10 years and it's only getting bigger.
and that's with 2 5axis mills, a 4 axis mill, 4 5 axis lathes with tailstocks and autobar feeders, and 2 manual lathes with DROs
hell all T1 does these days is R35s.
having worked in a full capacity machine shop I can tell you that's where the money is. even when the economy went to **** all of our machines ran around the clock 24/7/365. There's been a backlog on every machine for the last 10 years and it's only getting bigger.
and that's with 2 5axis mills, a 4 axis mill, 4 5 axis lathes with tailstocks and autobar feeders, and 2 manual lathes with DROs
05-07-2014, 01:31 PM
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Re: AFI out of business?
I have been wondering what the BWR suspension parts are like, namely the rear subframe brace, rear lcas, and lower brace. especially since they already come anodized pink, the color I'm running on my black civic.
nothing adds insult to injury like passing a supercar on a racetrack in a black 600+hp turbo civic with metallic pink wheels and pink suspension components lol
My only complaint would be that they use rubber bushings, trying to find suspension components that use spherical bearings and heim joints is hard, although I did just find spherical adjustable arms for everything but the front upper control arm... that might be one of those I have to make it deals.
I did find spherical front lcas that eliminate the ball joints, rear spherical trailing arm replacements (50lbs lighter lol) with spherical rear lcas and camber links. and a tubular 9.5lb front subframe. still at a loss for front upper arms.
since everything for Hondas seems to be drag racing oriented I'm having to repurpose drag parts for circuit duty.... but I do like a good challenge lol
nothing adds insult to injury like passing a supercar on a racetrack in a black 600+hp turbo civic with metallic pink wheels and pink suspension components lol
My only complaint would be that they use rubber bushings, trying to find suspension components that use spherical bearings and heim joints is hard, although I did just find spherical adjustable arms for everything but the front upper control arm... that might be one of those I have to make it deals.
I did find spherical front lcas that eliminate the ball joints, rear spherical trailing arm replacements (50lbs lighter lol) with spherical rear lcas and camber links. and a tubular 9.5lb front subframe. still at a loss for front upper arms.
since everything for Hondas seems to be drag racing oriented I'm having to repurpose drag parts for circuit duty.... but I do like a good challenge lol
05-07-2014, 02:02 PM
#32
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Re: AFI out of business?
I'll take a look.
it's funny because my current planned parts combo will have almost every major Honda fabrication/parts shop that are at war with each other on one car lol.
it's funny because my current planned parts combo will have almost every major Honda fabrication/parts shop that are at war with each other on one car lol.
05-07-2014, 02:58 PM
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Re: AFI out of business?
On another note, yea, I feel a "tad" safer here in the FI forum if you would ;p.. I owe Muckman and Wantboost both some serious nudes.
05-07-2014, 03:00 PM
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Re: AFI out of business?
Those of you that are in the business, how much trade to you do outside of USA?
The market place through-out Europe is in growth, there are a few more companies manufacturing in the region but a lot of parts come direct from the US, just curious as things are still growing here?
The market place through-out Europe is in growth, there are a few more companies manufacturing in the region but a lot of parts come direct from the US, just curious as things are still growing here?
05-07-2014, 03:02 PM
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Re: AFI out of business?
The AFI products were top notch and they were definitely power makers. I like Brad as a person, he has a good heart, and he's doing him, that's fine. But stringing people on for months at a time is no good.
I've ran into some issues myself, Grinder sick, backorder cores, etc, but I've kept in contact with people, I've had some very long wait times because we'd get really backed up, people just want communication when they reach out, I'll be the first to check in as well and it makes people feel more secure, Not gonna lie, I know it makes em feel better.
I've ran into some issues myself, Grinder sick, backorder cores, etc, but I've kept in contact with people, I've had some very long wait times because we'd get really backed up, people just want communication when they reach out, I'll be the first to check in as well and it makes people feel more secure, Not gonna lie, I know it makes em feel better.
05-07-2014, 03:51 PM
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Re: AFI out of business?
I'm glad I got my stuff when I did, sucks for the people that did not. I just hope that I do not have any defects with my parts because I have not used them yet.
05-07-2014, 06:17 PM
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Re: AFI out of business?
Kind of off topic but is the industry falling off in certain regions or as a whole. I'm from the north east and it looks like it's making a comeback if anything else. Lots of events and full fields.
05-08-2014, 05:15 AM
#38
Re: AFI out of business?
We've never really dealt internationally. the shipping charges, shipping insurance, and transit times are absurd as are customs fees and wait time to clear customs. not to mention the common occurrence of international parcels getting lost.
also, at least the last time I looked, American businesses can be taxed for overseas sales... a tax we can't collect from our customers so there's another added cost.
also, at least the last time I looked, American businesses can be taxed for overseas sales... a tax we can't collect from our customers so there's another added cost.
05-08-2014, 05:51 AM
#39
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Re: AFI out of business?
I am not going to lie, I didn't really know what APO shipping was all about so I looked it up. Not as crazy as I thought it was pretty simple actually:
http://www.shipitapo.com/personal/apo_fpo_guide.php
http://www.shipitapo.com/personal/apo_fpo_guide.php
05-08-2014, 06:05 AM
#40
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Re: AFI out of business?
I'll go through hoops to ship to an APO/FPO/DPO. if anyone deserves parts it's those that are in other countries serving our country. I don't care if I lose money on shipping, it's worth it to me IMO.
05-08-2014, 06:45 AM
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Re: AFI out of business?
****. AFI has owed me fuel rail mounts for my manifold for years now and I never got my T-shirts from PeakBoost.
ALL MOTOR FOR LIFE
ALL MOTOR FOR LIFE
05-08-2014, 08:10 AM
#43
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Re: AFI out of business?
Do you have a shop anymore? I have PM'd you and tried calling your number to no avail. I have a couple cars I am interested in getting tuned by you if you are still in the business.
05-08-2014, 11:33 AM
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Re: AFI out of business?
Afi built me a ram horn, downpipe with a recirc, smashed into everything and had no inclination to help me. The old owner of afi offered to fix it for free just to help me out.
05-09-2014, 10:19 AM
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Re: AFI out of business?
I bought to Brad last year my manifold from oversea.
The manifold got problem to fit and he sent me a brand new one.
After that I got boost creep problem and so I add a second 44mm Tial WG
I dealed with Brad, and I think he was a good guy.
The manifold got problem to fit and he sent me a brand new one.
After that I got boost creep problem and so I add a second 44mm Tial WG
I dealed with Brad, and I think he was a good guy.
05-09-2014, 12:40 PM
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Re: AFI out of business?
Didn't know they were out of business.
I am running an AFI T3 divided top mount manifold.
Got it from Brad when he just took over AFI like 2-3years ago. Never had a issue with it even with my EF chassis.
I am running an AFI T3 divided top mount manifold.
Got it from Brad when he just took over AFI like 2-3years ago. Never had a issue with it even with my EF chassis.