Beware, guys, in buying anything from Pruven-make sure it's all in writing. Although this does not deal with an Evo, it's a very serious complaint against Pruven. I delivered an Acura to them on April 10, 2003, with a custom turbo kit to install (from Cybernation). They gave me a verbal quote the next day of $1100. To make a very long and painful story short, I
got a bill from them at the end of June- almost three months later- for $5500 (from guess who- big Al!) and a
statement the turbo didn't work! After I hit the ceiling and insisted they talk to the vendor and make it work , they send me another letter and bill- all of two days later- saying that now it did work- but the bill was (big Al again)--$8300!
I filed a complaint with the Connecticut AG's office, who also contacted the CT DMV. Pruven has stonewalled them both, insisting on full payment- even
though I was never advised of the increased charges, never signed any written estimate, and am being asked to pay a bill that is eight times the quote! CT DMV tells me they will cite Pruven for violating CT law by failing to keep a log of written increased estimates- meaning they never told me. I have since been advised by Pruven that my car while on their premises was the subject of "criminal theft" (by whom?!) and Friday received notice they intend to sell my car at auction to satisfy a lien that is now at $8,800.
I have sustained over $6,000 in car rental charges while they have had my car, plus paying for the Acura rental, the cost of the turbo itself.
In my opinion, Pruven is not to be trusted. This story is not over yet- but guys, be careful. Just because a guy can race doesn't make him an honest businessman.
Jeff Cobb

 

How is Al AKA Dynoflash involved with this? (I know he uses their dyno)

Pruven is not a cheap shop but they do good work.

Good luck.
Eric

 

Wow!!

That's the scariest thing I've heard in awhile. I hope everything works out for ya. Can't say I too much, after all there are two sides to every story. But if what you say is true, Pruven won't ever be getting my business. That's a car-lovers nightmare.

 

I've been warned about Big Al by a fellow member as well... So I've stayed clear...

 

"Big Al" acts as their lawyer...that is, when it suits them.

 

sorry to hear about that. however, i did not see in your post any mention of Dan who is the owner of Pruven and a very nice guy. did you try to talk to him? as far as i know, Al does not work for Pruven. i think you should talk to Dan in person and try to solve this situation and get your car back on the road. let me know if there is anything i can do to help in you sad situation.

 

WTF how can they sell a car that they dont hold the title to?

 

**** let them sell it, then report is missing :-) good stuff. I can see Al needs to hit the books a little if he is there tooner and lier I mean Laywer

 

i dont think your facts are straight man, Big AL has no affiliation with Pruven. Dan is the main owner of Pruven, and i've met him and he's a pretty nice guy. Now for you story im just thinking about it now and your a newbie and so am i, but there is a slaughter going on as we speak, or a so called bashing between DynoFlash and Worx....now how do we know if your not just bashing Big Al because you're the competition. Im almost 100% sure that Big Al wouldnt do that, he is aware of the laws and i know he wouldnt leave himself open to such an easy lawsuit. Or maybe you're just a disgruntled customer from Pruven. Not too many of them out there though. So if you want to be more credible try posting the that you claim...otherwise shut your mouth and stop talking smack about Pruven and Big AL

 

I've dealt with Dan Cokic the whole time on this (he's called me all of four times,I think). Dan was very pleasant with me, too, as long as he thought he had a blank check to spend my money. The problem was, he was always out on the track whenever I tried to get the job done. Again, the "Big Al" I'm referring to is Al Friedman, who acts as Pruven's "lawyer". I have no idea whether that's dynoflash or not.

 

Cobb - whats with this? Didn't you post that before?

http://forums.clubrsx.com/showthread...threadid=84087

Are you changing your tune like the weather ? OR - did every shop out there screw you ?

Please tell us all the details of your story - which ever version your in the mood for of course!

 

I knew big AL was smarter than that- smear campaign just pissed bout driving a RSX and having to pay for performance- You a Lawyer you can help yourself

 

First of all theres always two sides to a story, not trying to say anyone here is a liar.

Second, it seems no matter the shop/supplier/distributor you deal with, there are good stories and horror stories. Cant please everyone all the time.

As far as this whole "import scene" is concerned, I feel the same way about shops as I do regular mechanics. I dont trust anyone. Cars are complicated systems, and murphys law seems to preveil most of the time. (at least in my case) This is why I try to learn as much as possible about what Im putting on my car before I do it. If it comes down to me not being able to do it, I grill the shop beforehand about cost, their techniques, etc and I keep in constant contact, both over the phone and in person, with the shop. Yes, Ive pissed a few people off, but its my car. Its a liability to me every time I put my car in someone elses hands.

I would like to hear Dans side of this mess though....

 

See man liars are so easily caught, and bull****ters are even worse then liars. You just made yourself look like an ***....im sorry to say, but your story was so unbelievable i had to post what i said...and man dont be pissed off cause you were the dumbass that bought an rsx...you cant touch an evo...

 

Well, if you want to know the real story (not sure whether you do), Cybernation and Pruven were pointing the finger at each other. I first thought it was CN with the problem, since there was some initial problems with their turbo. Turns out, though, when I got them both on conference calls it was CN that knew what they were talking about, and not Pruven (for example: Pruven: "Your pipe doesn't fit". CN: "Try reversing the ends". Pruven: "Your ECU doesn't work because the engine won't rev over 5000 rpm". CN: "Well, the Acura has a rev limiter in idle, like most cars, and you either have to bypass it or go into motion..." Pretty elementary, eh?) I first posted on the RSX site, but later apologized to CN once I found out who was really at fault, if you want to check.
I have no interest in any competing vendor whatsoever, or even any particular ax to grind. The purpose of this post is, hopefully, to keep a couple of guys from making the same mistakes I did. With any vendor, not just Pruven. If they're changing the tab on you, get it in writing! And make sure they are reliable and not off doing a hundred other things they consider more interesting than working on your car.