At the beginning of March, I installed the MX-5 sway bar in the back of my S2000 as part of a revised setup for STR autocross. Unfortunately, I didn't clearance the brackets enough, and during the next event (March 4) the bar collided with the left rear differential mount bolt, tearing the mount.

Knowing that I was committed to instruct at an autocross on March 17th and compete in the S2000 Challenge at Chuckwalla on the 25th, I decided to order a complete set of Innovative 75a mounts, just in case my other OEM mounts had been damaged as well. If the lead time was too long, I would use the OEM replacement instead.

I called Innovative on the morning of March 12 and inquired about the availability of a 75a set. I was told they were in stock and could ship that day from Orange County, so they should be in San Diego on Tuesday. Satisfied, i gave them my credit card information, and went back to work.

By close of business, I had not recieved a tracking number for the shipment, so I called the next morning (Tuesday) to enquire. The individual who answered the phone confirmed that the shipment had not gone out, and asked me to hold while she "went in back" to check on my order. After half an hour on hold, I had to hang up, as I had a meeting to attend. When I called again in the afternoon, no one picked up the phone.

I tried again the next morning (Wednesday, March 14), and was told that the order was still not complete. I was again put on hold, then told that she had walked the order back to the assembly line herself and I should get shipping confirmation in 30-45 minutes. Needless to say, this was not the case, but I ave them until close of business again.

When I called on Thursday, I was told that they were consulting with the owner and the production line to figure out the holdup, that they would overnight me the mounts to insure I didn't miss the autocross, and they would call me back in 20 minutes. They didn't, and repeated calls during the afternoon were not answered. At this point I gave up on making it to the Saturday autocross (which was eventually cancelled due to rain).

Friday morning, I finally got an honest answer. One of the mounts was not in stock. I was again placed on hold while they "checked with production", and again had to hang up after a protracted wait. At this point I planned to cancel the order, and order the OEM mount instead. Since they already had my credit card info (they did not charge my card, the only point in their favor) and I couldn't afford to be charged for both, I called 5-6 times during the afternoon, but no one answered.

They were closed all weekend.

This morning, I called again, and was told that the parts would ship on Wednesday. I said no, and canceled the order. I'm now left hoping I can get a replacement OEM mount in the car before I have to drive to Indio Saturday afternoon to check in to the hotel for the Sunday event.

In short, the staff at Innovative Mounts lied to me repeatedly, didn't answer or return calls, and may have cost me a points event in the Challenge. I would advise everyone on this board against ever doing business with them.

-Andrew

 

file a chargeback. end of the story.