Calmini refuses to refund my deposit

Sorry this has nothing to do with extortion as you put it. I am simply telling my story, I haven't trashed Calmini in any way so I'm not sure what the issue is. I was under the impression that XOC was a place for information on all things Xterra. If an XOC member has an issue with a companies customer service this is the place to post it, as has been done many times in the past with without incidence.

Obviously Calmini is the exception, evidenced by your threat to cancel my XOC login.

In the past an XOC member complained about SLR's lack of posting a refund and Ian actually pressured SLR to refund the money.

I'm confident that if it was any company other than Calmini this would be a non issue.... as it should be.

forum's bought.

As I said, I was glad for the information on a company that I might purchase from in the future. As it says on the home page of this site, XOC is a place for Xterra owners 'talk about it, learn about it and share your experiences with it.' I think this falls in that category.

I guess you should post a general recap of the situation and leave out the cut 'n' paste of the letter. If that gets deleted then you really are getting unfairly censored.

I know we have Calmini links on this site, but that should not stop people being able to express their experiences with the company.

As I recall, that was for a part that was never shipped.

From what I know of your situation, the Idler Arm you returned to CALMINI was not warrantied due to lack of maintenance, and thus you were charged for a replacement, but that's all I know about that issue.

I was also told CALMINI sent you more than a couple complete replacement idler arm assemblies over the last year and a half, is that not true ?

Calmini sent me one complete arm after you and I inspected it (as I wrote in the letter). This one only lasted a short time (as I wrote in the letter). Next they sent me a bushing that lasted even less time (as I wrote in the letter). After the bushing wore out I called again and they informed me I needed to give them a deposit before they would ship me a replacement arm (as I wrote in the letter).

To recap:
1. purchased steering kit and installed
2. the bushing went bad and I was sent a new idler arm assembly
3. the new assembly went bad again and I was sent ONLY a bushing this time.
4. the new bushing went bad and I paid a deposit to have a new idler arm sent to me until I returned the defective arm at which time I would be credited back.
5. I returned the defective idler arm assembly and have yet to receive my deposit back.

1 idler arm assembly
1 bushing
1 idler arm assembly I paid a deposit for

By my count that would be 1 single idler arm assembly and 1 bushing. Others on this board have been sent much more.

If my post wasn't deleted you could view my videos again and see that the bushing was clearly defective.

So no, what you said is not true.

But you don't drive an X anymore do you? Are those videos from before I bought the parts off of you; prior to trading your X?

I drive a Tacoma now. The first video was taken in July just before I removed the idler arm. The the second video was taken the next day on the curb in front of Fed Ex just before I shipped the idler arm out.

I sold you the parts at the end of August.

Interesting... my 2nd post which was also deleted was back up for a moment, now it's gone again.

Carlton's warning to me is gone now too.

Obviously this information is not supposed to get out.

I don't care if you have a problem with Calmini and I do not care if you talk about it.

What I DO care about is that if you are talking about legal action against Calmini I do not want XOC involved with it. That is between you and Calmini and as such , legal crap needs to stay off this board. Period. I thought I made that clear.

BTW

Your posts were not deleted. They were moved to the Admin section to be discussed.

If what you say were true about negative press about Calmini being censored then there would not be the myriad of posts about the IA bushings and other crap.

As for canceling your log in.. you were not responding to my PMs (I guess since you no longer own an Xterra you were not checking them)

As a mod for this forum, it's my responsibility to clear out all of the cross posts, redundant info, and stuff in the wrong place..You've made no less than FOUR posts concerning this matter and have been advised of the clubs position on this matter. I merely removed the first three identical posts, and left this one as it's the most current.
Thank you and Happy Holidays

EDIT- Eeasy Mulder :rolleyes: , there's no conspiracy here to cover up the truth There're plenty of threads concerning all of the manufacturers product quality and service.

I thought Ian brought it back here?

Ian brought back the mini skirt and go-go boots What're you talking about :p

Personally i know my opinion matters in this about as much as jock itch on a horse fly. But still

XMBTX

Your whole situation confuses me first off. If you no longer own an Xterra why do you need money back for the product.

Carlton is absolutely right. ONce you start mentioning legal action lawyers start getting itchy trigger fingers. XOC DOES NOT NEED TO GET INVOLVED. Neither does Ian or anyone else on this board.

Your complaint is valid noone here is saying any different. Its the level your taking this whole thing too thats being taken into account.

My 2 euros

How much would it really hurt the XOC website to be involved in a $300 small claims lawsuit?

Bonecrusher: Just because he doesnt own an Xterra anymore doesn't mean he doesn't have a right to his deposit, what your saying doesn't make any sense.

I think the fact that XmtbX00 is taking the time to advise current xTerra owners of his problems with this company is actually commendable. What did you think he had to gain by posting his message here?

Robert

Why does it matter if he still owns the X? He still paid a deposit and it wasnt refunded.

Do you think Ian really wants to be involved in someone else's mess?

I know I sure wouldn't. What a waste of time.

I was not advised that the post would be deleted it was just removed, so I reposted it. If my posts disappear without being notified why shouldn't I re-post?

Mulder? Hmmm, well when posts go missing for no apparent reason I think I have a reason to feel this way?

I sent you TWO PM's about your posts and you did not respond to either of them. Also.. when I moved the posts I selected the option to have you notified of the move.

So your bitch about not being told does not hold water.

Umm maybe because I paid out $300 for a deposit that hasn't been refunded for over 4 months? $300 is $300 regardless if I'm driving an Xterra or a moped now I'm still owed the money.

I highly doubt any attorney would be excited by a $300 small claims case.

And what level is that? I thought Xterra owners would appreciate hearing my story.... just as some have already told me they appreciate it.

Making it that NO posts involving legal matters are posted on the board makes it easy not to discriminate about what is o.k. to discuss and what is not o.k.

Hell lawyers sue for all kinds of crazy shit and I am not looking to involve XOC in any of them.

I didn't check my PM's until I saw your post directed at me. At that point my second post had already disappeared and I posted the "thanks carlton post"

OK..

Bullshit again.

At the start of this thread you refer to some of the things I posted in the PM's. It was stated that you were posting a direct letter threatening legal action to which I did not want XOC to be party to.

So you knew why the threads were moved yet you still called foul for "not being told" WTF.

Like I stated above.. I do not care if you have complaints about Calmini or any other vendor. BUT KEEP THE LEGAL CRAP OFF THIS BOARD please.

What I wrote: "I didn't check my PM's until I saw your post directed at me. At that point my second post had already disappeared and I posted the "thanks carlton post"

Should have read "and THEN I posted the"

All together now:
"I didn't check my PM's until I saw your post directed at me. At that point my second post had already disappeared and THEN I posted the "thanks carlton post"

Sorry no BS here

My re-post following YOUR guidlines above was also deleted. There was no mention of legal action in the most recently deleted post. Please tell me why it was deleted this time?

Dude, you don't get it . I'm not going to allow you to have multiple threads on the same topic scattered throughout this site. This is your official thread about your $300. Now quit fu*king posting in other forums

Happy Holidays

Ok let's try this again....

Video of my obviously defective idler arm:

Idler arm on my X

Idler arm off my X

My letter to Calmini:

Calmini Products, Inc.
6951 McDivitt Dr
Bakersfield, CA 93313
November 9, 2004

RE: Calmini Nissan Xterra Steering System

Attn: Steve Kramer

This letter is in regards to the above referenced matter. On 3/21/03, I purchased a Calmini Steering system for my Nissan Xterra. I paid $489.95 for a heavy-duty steering system that was advertised as more durable than the stock Nissan Xterra steering system. In April of 2003, I installed the steering system and by June of 2003, the bushings on the idler arm developed noticeable play. I called you in regards to this problem, and you requested that I have Ian Firth inspect the bushing because you did not feel that the bushing could be defective. After doing so, Ian called you and agreed that the bushing was defective. Shortly afterwards, you sent me a replacement idler arm, which I installed, and returned the defective idler arm.

Within 3 months, the bushing in the replacement idler arm developed play just as the original bushing had. I called Calmini and spoke to David, who told me that he would send me a replacement bushing but not the entire idler arm. The bushings were supposedly on backorder and I had to wait a month or so to receive them. David advised me that the replacement bushing would be a press fit and I would have to have someone press the bushings into the idler arm. In February 2004, I installed the replacement bushing. I noticed that the bushing did not require pressing at all. The bushings slid right into the idler arm with no force whatsoever. I called and spoke to David again to ask about the loose tolerance between the bushing and the idler arm. I mentioned what he had previously stated about a “press fit.” He told me “not to worry about it, and that it would be fine”.

The replacement bushing only lasted 3 months before developing noticeable play. I called and spoke to David again about this ongoing problem. He informed me that if I wanted a replacement idler arm, I would have to pay a $279.95 deposit, which would be credited back to my credit card once I returned the defective idler arm. I decided to pay the $279.95 plus $21.25 for shipping and waited for it to ship. The new idler arm finally shipped on 6/17/04. I received it a few days later, installed it, and sent back the defective idler arm via FedEx on 7/3/04. It has been 4 months now and I am still waiting to receive my deposit. Additionally, I had attempted to contact you every few days for 6 weeks after 7/3/04, and your employees continuously told me that you were unavailable and would return my call. As of 11/9/04 I have not heard from you.

The idler arm I returned to you is clearly defective with the exact issue that the first 3 idler arm/bushings suffered from. Numerous people on Xterraownersclub.com who have purchased your Calmini Xterra Steering System have also experienced the bushing failure, and have been posting complaints about it. One of your customers claims they were sent 3 idler arms and 4 sets of bushings over the course of 1 ½ years.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX credit my credit card account $307.74. This is the total I paid for the deposit ($279.95), plus the shipping to my apartment ($21.25), as well as the shipping I paid to return the defective idler arm to your company via FedEx ($6.54). XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Please contact me at 303 XXX XXXX for my current credit card information.

Atta' boy , good night.

Happy Holidays to you too

Shouldn't this topic be in the Manufacturers Row? Since we're doing everything by the book. I don't see any flaming in here.

It wasn't refunded because Calmini deemed the part was dry, not greased, so not warrantied.

The part is defective and Calmini owes me my deposit back.

Keep up the good work Ian, protect your buddy and continue your parts flow.

If you dont follow the directions in caring for your toys.... i.e. greasing them. Than why would you complain when it breaks?

Thats like having a pet fish and than getting pissed when it dies cause you didnt feed it.

Basically im seeing calmini did nothing wrong here. Their only crime is having a sterring system that needs more work.

XmbtX Look at it form calmini's standpoint. They stand behind their product, when its maintained properly. Thats not poor business right there. That's common sense.

You never told us if you maintained the bushings with grease or not. SO i'll ask straight up.

Did you or did you not maintain the bushings with grease?

The bushing went bad in just over 2 months. Everyone else who has had a bushing wear out has been sent a new one or a complete idler arm assembly free of charge.

I maintained the system with the zerk fitting and it still developed play. Just as it did for the numerous others complaining about it on XOC and other boards.

Aren't you the same person that said I shouldn't worry about the $300 because I don't own my Xterra anymore? Brilliant.

I never said you shouldnt worry about it.

Im wondering why you would sell a built up truck when everything on it isnt done.

Now thats brilliant.

so you shafted the guy you sold it too?
I hope you told the guy that bought it that you shafted him.

And if you took the steering kit off why not send the whole thing back and ask for the 300 back than.

I guess you answered my question about greasing it.

My truck was done, I sold it with the squeeky Calmini UCA's and the brand new idler arm I installed. How is that considered "shafting" someone?

More brilliant concerns, thanks.

yeah
I'm still not convinced Calmini did anything wrong. And you insulting my intelligence does nothing to help your position. Personally I dont think anyone is gonna know the whole story. SO whatever im done.

Seriously I wish you all the luck in your dealings with Calmini.

Merry Christmas

Nice :p

Nine pages? plus the XOC pages, looks like I'm not the only one who experienced problems with Calmini's steering system or their customer service.

More....

I just don't think it is fair to generalize the entire calmini steering system because of nine pages on another board which seem to be only 4 people exchanging stories. In the last year I have gone out wheeling with multiple people who own this system and wheel it hard for example one guy has been to GOX a couple of times, another has had multiple trips to GOX, Moab and the Arizona Run, they consider this steering bullet proof. If you going to bash the system, you should have a count of those who have it and love it (huge number) and those who constantly have problems besides a squeaky bushing which is really more of an annoyance (small minority). You have drawn this out too far and now people are annoyed with the whole thing, go back to complaining about XOC on the other boards.

And one more thing... Hi look at me I'm an attention whore!!

Every person that has this system has worn out the bushings and continues to do so. Do you even have the system?

You seem to be confusing two separate issues. The squeaky bushing is a UCA problem.

Nope no steering system for me, and yes the bushing wear is a problem that Calmini is sending replacements for. And as for you implying that I don't know about the steering system because I don't have it on my X, all I can say is you don't need to own a 4wd to know that suspension products need to be maintained in order to work properly and have a life of more than 2months. My $.02. Send me your address and I will send you a box of Kleenex. Peace out ninja.

So it is a problem? Thanks for backing me up on this.

Ian is just a Calmini $$$ Whore!!

Money talks and Calmini is paying Ian.

Ian's made two simple posts on this whole thread.

What's this have to do with him?

He didn't "tow the party line" of the original poster :rolleyes:

Something occurred to me earlier when I was reading this thread - there have been lots of folks talking about having send parts back or exchange parts with Calmini (hey, shit happens) but this is the first time I can remember anyone reporting they wanted a deposit before sending an exchange. Usually there are reasons why people do what they do. We'll probably never know the full story, but there is enough in this thread and others on the board for me to draw my own conclusions...

Ditto

Go crawl back under that rock you came out from underneath so we can climb all over it and bury you in the earthen ground you came from!!

I'm with Socal on this one....Ian has NOTHING to do with this other than being the board's architect.

I don't think it was ever mentioned if the parts were properly maintained with the proper lubricatants!!!! So? Were they? If not, you don't have a snowball's chance in Hell, of getting ANYTHING out of Calmini!!!

Just because I'm concerned about this, is there mroe to maintaining the system than greasing through the zerk fittings? I haven't developed any problems yet - been about 30,000 miles - holy cow, that much since I got back? I need to cut back on my driving - no wonder my gas bill is so high.