I've always been a big fan of C-West product for their styling, fitment and overall quality of their product. I don't know if they are taking the same route Veilside and other once great aero parts makers are taking, a turn for the much worse, but it certainly look that way in my case.

I've ordered my C-West hood last July as a birthday present to myself, and after waiting few months it arrives at my bodyshop in November. My body shop’s owner opens the package and checks for obvious signs of damage such as cracks, then signs for the hood. Fast forward to March when the weather is nice enough to finally install my hood, my bodyshop calls me with the bad news. There are dimples and dips and waves that are present in the gelcoat of the hood that he has never seen on any reputable aftermarket manufacturer.
I've contacted C-West and their reply was that they don't handle customer claims and that I should take it up with my vendor, so I take pictures and write my vendor a letter:

Hi XXXX,

I really appreciate the time that you are taking to help me resolve this issue. I took over 30 pictures, but my camera was having a very hard time focusing on the hood, so I am sending the pictures that were focused enough.
Since this hood is brand new and has a very shiny coat on it, it is very difficult to see the pits, dimples and irregularities that are on the hood.
I did my best to capture as much detail as possible. The area near the hood scoop where the resin is starting to lift, and other little pits etc., I am being told by my shop that it can be repaired, but they need to sand down the hood and fill deeper pits, dimples then paint and clear the hood. The lowest price that I have managed to negotiate with the shop is $XXX. I really didn't want to paint this hood, but I really don't want to wait for another hood due to the fact that tragedy in Japan may also extend the waiting time. I would really like C-West to pay for the entire cost since I feel that this hood doesn't measure up to the highest standards that I expect from C-West. You are well aware of the fact that I have C-West kit, canards and the hood scoops and I purchased this hood to complete the C-west look of my car.

I really appreciate everything that you are doing and let me know what they are willing to do. If they are uncomfortable about paying for damages directly, perhaps they can offer me a product in exchange at a steep discount, such as their CF trunk.

Please let me know what they are willing to do.

Thank you again for taking the time to help me resolve this situation,

-Richard

Their response was that how do they know that that the damage was present when the item was received and that the bodyshop or I didn't caused the damage. Okay fair enough, but how do you explain the manufacturing defect that can’t be replicated? Their reply: you took too long to tell us. Okay fair enough, but did you fire all your quality control staff and replace them with drunken monkeys? Something with such a severe defect should have never have passed quality control to begin with. Their reply: you took too long. So in the end they basically told me to go **** myself.

I was left with very little options at this point and my bodyshop’s owner was nice enough to charge fraction of what he charges to correct the hood. This is where the story gets better folks. I’ve ordered my hood with rain guards and it was not in the box, thankfully the bodyshop’s owner took pictures of the box and the contents when it was received. Their reply: you took too long, how do we know that the items were not in the box. I expect this from some no name company that’s run out of their back yard, not from a company that boasts this statement on the front page of their websiteC-West is known as the most reputable aero parts manufacture in the world

After this ordeal with C-West, all I can say is that buyer beware and don’t expect much of a customer service from C-West. I am in the process of talking to my lawyer about what course of action to take next. If I had gotten a sincere apology and even a token gesture from them, I would have just chocked it up for experience, but when a company doesn’t stand behind their product and tell their customer to **** off, it’s a different story.

Thanks for reading my rant

 

How can quality control miss that?

 

Thanks for the heads up. I'll know to avoid their products in the future.

 

That's crap, who cares how long, and you can't replicate the defects as you stAted, goodluck man, I had the same problem with VARIS and there customer service sucked and would not help, people and companies don't stand behind their word like they use to in the past!!

 

This is a common story and stresses the importance of examining these kinds of items with a fine tooth comb before taking delivery.

 

So I'm confused, C-West said contact the vendor and the vendor told you to pound sand? Either way someone should had taken care of the issue. Good luck.

 

Those imperfections are obvious and should have never left the factory. Sorry for all your trouble but thanks for the heads up.

 

ok well for the vendor, more than likely the piece was drop shipped to you. so they probably never looked at the hood. Or if they did get it in probably gave it a quick once over like "your body shop" did and looked good at a quick glance and sent it out. I am not taking the side of them because the same crap happened to me via rexpeed, and just like you i waited to install it. You pretty much have to bite the bullet man. It sucks but your more than likely not gonna get any help.

 

Sorry about your situation but thanks for the heads up. No C-West products for me.

 

I have all c-west body parts (front and rear bumpers, side skirts) and the fit and finish was perfect- I did have to trim a few parts (front bumper for I/C, rear bumper for exhaust and voltex fenders). I have not had an issue with Evo parts- Is the hood you have challenges with for an Evo? (reason I ask is that particular style that you have pics of is not on their site/ for Evo's)

 

i think its for a CT9A by the looks of the pics

 

Sorry about your situation, but in a business owner's point of view, you certainly took too long to respond. I empathize the problems you are facing, but like the vendor had responded you, "how do they know it wasn't your fault." If an UPS package delivers to your door damaged, and you open it up 3 months later and find it damaged. There is really nothing you can do unless the claim process goes to your favor. Again, you should have personally inspected the parts, not done by a bodyshop simply because you paid for it.

I am glad finally everything is fixed.

 

Yeah, always deal with a company that stands behind their product.

Fitment is not the problem, but the finish of the product is the issue.

It's for a CZ4A

Like I mentioned, yeah I get it, it is a long time, but shipping inspection vs. quality inspection is a different process all together. My gripe is the fact that something with such sever defect that I can't replicate as an end user never should have passed the "The world's most reputable aero parts maker's" quality inspection process to begin with.

Knowing what I know now, I would have stuck with a company that stands behind their product.

I've given C-West the benefit of the doubt and gave them ample time to come to me with atleast an apology, but that didn't/won't happen.

It took alot of effort and $$$ to get this hood fixed and installed.

 

looks really good. now i wonder how much the fix job + paint cost....

 

Those are some jdm ballar parts you have there sir. That car is very well done.