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Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:31 am

Last year I contacted Gene Berg Ent. to order some parts, because they have (had?) the reputation of selling the BEST. They couldn't supply me with a catalog and reffered me to their website. Not much help there. I called to place my order and most of what I wanted was out of stock (deep sump, oil pump , etc). The order took forever to arrive. The heads I sent them for a valve job to over a month to get back to me when they told me a week to 10 days. And OMG when I got my parts, the stacks of notices I got telling me what I had to do (remember my account #, we won't help you if you don't do this or that). Haven't these people ever heard of a computer data base for customer info? And more importantly haven't they heard of being Customer Friendly!!

To be fair I thought I would give them another chance. I just contacted Gene Berg for a catalog. They say they are not printing catalogs, visit their web site. Well IMHO their web site SUCKS!!! It has to be the worst vw site out there. Lots of outdated info (no CR above 6.9, etc.), not one picture of any part anywhere. The tone of the "tech guidance" articals are so preachy and rightous (everyone else is stupid or a crook). If they would put as much effort into a catalog or their web site, as they do putting down everybody else, I might consider buying from them again.

Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:55 am

GBE is a rather "interesting" company.

Catalogs... sometimes years between reprints and updates, but tons of info.

The Website is basically just a copy of the catalog... no online ordering.

Don't you just love all the blue instruction sheets?

Many of the technical info dates back to the 70's and 80s.

BUT...

Some of their stuff is the best out there... and some is nothing special.

I've been a GBE customer since 1980 and I guess i'm "used" to them. I can tell you it's nice to talk to them on the phone and they know me personally. Their customer service is the best and I never had a problem getting Gene (when he was alive), Clyde or Tim on the phone. The one time I had a problem with an electronic ignition I bought from them, they had me send it back and ran it on a dyno engine. They then installed it on one of their daily drivers and used it for a week... they didn't find any problem. They sent it back and when I reinstalled it I found my tach wire was grounding and causing the problem. I called them to tell them I found the answer and they were just glad the problem was solved... never complained that I wasted their time.

So... it can be frustrating at times, but they do make some of the best stuff.

They still run the place like a "Mom and Pop" store with a old cash register... but that's what i like about them.

Sun Dec 18, 2005 10:38 pm

Glenn is right. I haven't bought a lot of parts from them, but the parts that I did buy were A1! Of course, I'm close enough where I can just walk in. Part of the charm is walking in there. It's like a throw back to the early 80's!
Some of their stuff is the best, no doubt, and some of their stuff is nothing special. BUT, the one thing that is great about the Berg's is their customer service.

Tue Dec 27, 2005 10:58 pm

I have a 1969 vw convertible that has a 1914cc turbo charged motor. I bought a locking shifter from the shop. I ordered a custom shifter knob & when it arrived it wouldnt go on right. I took car to shop they removed and reinstalled shifter at 0 cost on the spot. The shops def a throw back to old school but thats cool. Dee rocks in my book :).

Sat Dec 31, 2005 12:10 am

Well...the Gene Berg Memorial Cruise will be heading to Michigan in the new year in May for the Vintage VW show in Ypsilanti. AFAIK...Dee and Gary Berg and family will be sure to be going, I'm sure Doug might be going and maybe Clyde (not sure yet).
I'm sure that one of the staffers can bring a catalog(s) to distribute if any available.
Here's the link of the 10th Anniversary Gene Berg Memorial Cruise: http://www.gbcruise.net

I have never had any problems with Customer Service from the Bergs, they all know me quite well.

Sun Jan 01, 2006 9:25 pm

I currently have an engine built by a very respected engine builder . . . but it does not compare to the first engine I built myself years ago, buying Berg parts (cash) over time as I could afford them and following the directions on the blue instruction sheets. Fortunately I lived in the area, and could walk in to make purchases, and didn't have to deal with the peculiar "rules" involving purchases.

Sun Jan 01, 2006 11:54 pm

On many forums I've seen people bitch and piss and moan about how many parts they have that are on back order or are out of stock or whatever. I spent a couple months working for the Bergs about three years ago--long story, I'll save it for another time--and it was the highlight of my short stay in SoCal.

If people had any idea of the small numbers of people there are to make all the parts that they manufacture, they would better understand why the wait is often long for parts. It's usually worth the wait, though.

And I truly believe that you cannot judge a company by the website. If that were the case, there would be a lot of outfits that people would say suck, in my opinion.

Wed Jan 04, 2006 4:00 am

I've bought linkages and shifters from berg and other things and no problems at all. However the old man is waiting for his lockout shifter for his thing we personally ordered through Dee and she said that the computer was down and so forth, and that she would call us when it was done. Well a month or so went by no call, so I called they said no order was found for our shifter, but they still had not made anymore yet. I'm still waiting for the part but it's okay I know that it's worth it and it's hard to keep up with all the orders and the service they offer. I'm going there on Thursday to pick up some parts for my 2275 I'm building so I'll find out anyways. Btw, the catalog is the same as their website you are not missing out on anything by looking at the website.

Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:01 am

sickbug19 wrote: Btw, the catalog is the same as their website you are not missing out on anything by looking at the website.

Well...only thing missing on the website are the pictures. Pics of the products they sell would be nice like how they're described in the catalog.

Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:49 pm

The website is a pain in the ass.

They would have sold me more parts if there were pictures of the products.

Why they don't trade an engine for some web work is beyond me.

I feel the lack of a catalog and pictures on the site is holding them back.

The heavy pulley is one fine piece of work!

FG

Thu Jan 12, 2006 9:02 pm

fred g wrote: The website is a pain in the ass.

They would have sold me more parts if there were pictures of the products.

Why they don't trade an engine for some web work is beyond me.

I feel the lack of a catalog and pictures on the site is holding them back.

The heavy pulley is one fine piece of work!

FG

Pictures do not a quality manufacturer make. On that token, Shitfuck, Incorporated--I mean, EMPI--has pictures galore on their web site, but when you dole out the coin on their crap, you end up with stuff like this:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=151086

I don't think it's necessarily a must that the Bergs have pictures of all their products in order to sell 'em, as they've proven themselves for the last 40 years...though I will agree that illustrations are helpful and can only help entice buyers.

Thu Jan 12, 2006 9:30 pm

I still use the catalog that Dee gave me for free (only if I promised to read it cover to cover)...in 1986...and I still use it today. There web site isn't the greatest, but its not that bad. Last month I ordered a full flow oil filter kit for my '71 bus. It took about 3 minutes on the phone because I had my customer and part numbers, and it and my zotz candy were at my doorstep 2 days later. Quality is just great as always. I wish there were more venders like GBE.

Wed Feb 01, 2006 11:12 pm

I ordered an exhaust system in mid to early December from them and admittedly their web site is not the best but it has allot of great info on it. I thought I had the one I needed picked out but in the process of taking my order they realized I needed a different one and changed the order on the fly. I will say their assistance has been great so far and they are easy to deal with over the phone. They where even up front with me about having problems getting the heater boxes for the system I ordered as their supplier had gone out of business. The exhaust is the last part I need before putting in my motor and I'll update this post when I get my order. But on that note I am still waiting patiently and hoping as others have said that it's worth the wait. Other than the delay every thing else has been A+ especially finding out I had chosen the wrong exhaust for my application based on a phone call. I wish someone had a scan of an old catalog to share :D

Thu Feb 02, 2006 12:29 am

fred g wrote: The heavy pulley is one fine piece of work!

The Equalizer pulley is a nice piece. Unfortunetly, those are currently on backorder along with the locking shifter base. :(

Thu Feb 02, 2006 7:39 pm

Yeah, the website needs work, but they are some of the nicest and most helpful people I've ever dealt with. When I need something, I just call 'em.

Sat Oct 20, 2007 3:57 pm

i was lucky coz when i was buiying from them, they had most of the stuff in stock....shipping DHL 3 days to my doorstep...

as usualy the quality is second to none...

but i would suggest to update the catalog, tech info and also increase the number of quality parts.

Sat Oct 20, 2007 5:40 pm

They do have a customer database.... That is the purpose of your customer I.D. number.

I always have this number ready when I call.... Only a fool would not.

This makes orders easy for both ends... And also prevents people calling for advice installing some crappy chinese part. This has always been their policy.

- Joe

Sat Oct 20, 2007 6:44 pm

Type 5 Joe wrote: They do have a customer database.... That is the purpose of your customer I.D. number.

I always have this number ready when I call.... Only a fool would not.

This makes orders easy for both ends... And also prevents people calling for advice installing some crappy chinese part. This has always been their policy.

- Joe

The last few times I have ordered, their computer system did not even work and the whole customer number thing appeared to be history. They in fact lost my order and it was kind of an adventure getting my locker but all turned out well. They admitted they were looking to upgrade the computer system (hopefully to one that works). Geez I remember back in the 80's if you called without that number the old man would have your ass.

Great stuff though, no question about that. Just wish they made more!

Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:55 pm

Gene Berg should not even be compared to the others- there is so much history behind this company (40 years), and proven methods as well as R&D, that their attitude has become that you shouldnt really need to see the picture- just order it, and it will be a part that you can put your trust in.

for any Berg newbie who doesnt understand this, however, their approach to marketing has gotta make one wonder what the hell is up. the whole gospel according to Gene is a bit much :roll:, and the fact that he doesnt use language quite right doesnt instill confidence in his "logic". but dammit hes right about most everthing he says... so one can criticize his arrogance in principle only.

well, if you read his literature, you either get it or you dont. GB has had a huge sucess rate with both his past marketing efforts, and his engines. i think that they have gone downhill in the past five years, but at least you dont have to endure the "soup nazi treatment" from gene, as he is too busy pushing up daisies these days. wouldnt normally be callous about the dead, but he was truly a bastard on the phone- beyond rude, absolutely abusive and insulting...

bottom line for me is that Gene Bergs representatives will not lie! i fuckin hate liars which is why i wont deal with anybody but GB and WW. others leave out info you need to know, info that would also be bad for sales.

Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:19 pm

I'm thrilled with their quality. My only complaint is they said they send me a t-shirt and some stickers since I placed a large order with them 3500.00. My stuff arrived incomplete. I called and they said the delivery guy forgot a box. No problem it arrived 3 weeks later, without any shirt or stickers? So I called and asked. Dee said she forgot, and would send some in the future. 3 months later I called about getting a lock for my shifter, and inquired about my missing shirt and stickers. They said I could buy them. I said they were supposed to be free. Dee said thats not their policy, and promptly hung up....THANKS DEE :roll: