Galen's Report

[odcics2]

just sharing.......about 16 months ago I purchased my Mopar that had a Galen inspection report but it was incomplete for what ever reason. At the time Diane quoted me $210.00 to obtain a copy of the report. Due to financial reasons I held off thinking when I can save the money I will reconnect and purchase the report. Just recently after many attempts to reconnect I was quoted $355.00 for the report. An increase of $145.00 for a report that already exists. I had resent my email to show that $210.00 is what was quoted and I declined to pay the new price it as I thought it was excessive for a document that already existed. This is in my opinion not very customer friendly. Has anyone had similar experiences.

Perhaps he charges more to guys with 'chevy" screen names?   

[oldchevelle541]

Wow - what a response !!!

I never knew Mr. G had such a fan base. From what I hear it costs for him to come and inspect your car now that is crazy money. In my case I was solely interested in receiving the complete report that already existed. I am not sweating it if I don't have it as I know what I have.

BTW....when I asked Diane if the notes that Mr. G wrote during his inspection was available with the report her reply was that they were considered confidential and not available.

Everyone's response much appreciated.

[1970Moparmann]

I'll keep my response short - Galen is an ass.....

Congrat's on the Bird!!!

[Edelbroke]

I thought about having GG come out to look at a 70 Cuda 383 4pd I have, I emailed them and got a quick phone call reply. Maybe because my car decode was easy money. (There in WI and so am I.) Motor/trans have never been out of the car, has the matching vin numbers on the engine and trans. Price- $300 for the build sheet/ fender tag decode break down, and if I wanted Galen to personally inspect the car it would be $1600. (Stipulation, I needed to have the car on a lift because Galen broke his foot or had foot surgery or something)

And then I decided I didn't need to pay someone else to tell me something I already know and bought a new grill and interior upholstery for my car.

[68X426]

because Galen broke his foot or had foot surgery or something)

yeah, something like someone's foot was put up his a.....

[hemi68charger]

...And then I decided I didn't need to pay someone else to tell me something I already know and bought a new grill and interior upholstery for my car.

Money well spent.............   

[FJMG]

About ten years ago I decided I wanted an "expert" to look at my car. After consulting with members of my local club and surfing the net, three names came to the top of the list, GTS (Galen) was one of them. Of those three, Galen was the only one to answer the phone, (actually his assistant did). We arranged an inspection date, met him first thing in the morning and he finished mid afternoon. He provided me with plenty of information and I paid what I thought was very fair. Heck  a few years later my family and I were returning from a road trip and decided to stop in, he ended up taking us to dinner.
While I hate lousy customer service, I have had nothing but great service from Galen. Truly unfortunate that the OP is having so much difficulty.
BTW, of the other two "experts" only one decided to return my call, after six months, only to tell me that he was not interested in looking at an old car that is not restored and to bring it buy after I am done......right, after all that time and money tell me what I did wrong instead of telling me what to be aware of before I start, great help.
The third never even returned my call or email.

[charge69]

A number of years ago (10+) I decided to try to talk to GG about my Charger. I had already decoded the fender tag but the build sheets were still in place on it to be discovered later when I actually started the restoration.

I never talked to him, only his assistant and quickly got the idea he wasn't interested in talking about my Charger unless money (from me) was involved! I did not offer to pay him for something I already knew and never actually heard a word from him.

It is possible my Charger is in his data base as I gave the fender tag info to his secretary and requested he could call when he had time. Ha! Stillwaiting on that call!  Thought he might be interested in my original-engine Hemicar but, apparently not.

I wouldn't cross the street to meet him and definitely do not need his "expertise" now!

[Y1CHARGER]

This killed it for me, I had a couple of simple questions about a report he had done on a HEMI Charger a couple of years ago.  I was told by his assistant that there was a place on the web site to ask questions and got snuffed off the phone.  Went to the web site only to find this:
"E-Mail Requests
    If you are thinking about buying or selling a car or you have general technical questions, please send your questions to this e-mail.  We will answer up to 10 questions for $75.00.   All you need to do is provide a Mastercard/Visa number along with your questions.  After receiving your request, we will review your e-mail,  if the charge is more, we would let you know via e-mail.  If you have any specific questions about this service, please contact Diane @ 608-326-6346."

I can see why the assistant didn't want to tell me on the phone, Don't see this as help but just Greed! What a turn off.

[nascarxx29]

You might get ahold of galen mopar on facebook

[JB400]

Maybe, it's his way of making his "service" exclusive to the Mopar market.  He can charge a ridiculous amount of money for his "time", knowing that the average hobbyist isn't going to bother him to much, leaving him open for the more serious car collectors.

[oldchevelle541]

There are a lot of people willing to help give advice on your current or intended purchase because they love the hobby and perhaps recall when they were in that position years ago or when they first got interested in the hobby. I understand running a business means making money but what's your "value proposition". I can see charging accordingly for distance traveled or service provided but everyone is a customer and a satisfied customer becomes a fan who recommends you to others. Not returning calls, giving you attitude or raising prices 10x the inflation rate does not build customer loyalty. They may not be responding to me right now because an inspection report already exists but what if I buy another Mopar or and I know of a friend who is buying a Mopar. Mr. G just lost 2 customers. We all know things cost money and some of us are willing to pay a premium if the service coincides with the value but in this case the service from his assistant is well below par yet quotes big money. This business combination simply does not work. Mr. G needs to rethink his business strategy but it sure sounds like a ripe opportunity for someone else who knows their stuff to enter the market.

BTW - all your responses are very much appreciated.....have a good one.

[daytonalo]

Dave narscarrxx could do this with his eyes shut .................

[69hemidaytona]

If somebody thinks they can do a better job for less money then hop to it. That's the beauty of capitalism.

[TUFCAT]

My two cents is that price from (16 months ago when you first inquired) should still be honored, and I think you should try to speak with Galen personally. Explaining the situation could be good, because he may not know this stuff is going on?  Just a thought.

[GOTWING]

Yeah, I'm done with him too, We paid for a repo "window sticker" for the Superbird, never got it and it was before Diane was in the picture.. well you can forget getting in touch with him. Also he re stamped our fender tag for the 66 hemi car and put the wrong radio code in, same thing no luck in getting it corrected. So guess what it's on the car anyway oh well and the original is in the bank safe. FYI when I had the 66 hemi car decoded with his blessing in 1996 it was around $90 something dollars it was over the phone and then he sent the cars paperwork with his signature after he got the pencil rubbing of the tag etc.

Another thing that i did that was stupid i mailed him my old broadcast sheet to my 70 V code Superbee that i had found after i sold it. I lost track of the new owners info. This was in 1993 when i couldnt get anymore than $3,000    for it as a debendable daily driver. Oh well we all make mistakes. 

[oldchevelle541]

Paying for something and never receiving it or receiving an incorrect product and then not making it right is just not right. So as we know it's payment up front and if someone is to have an issue will the credit card company assist in rectifying the issue? I would never pay cash, check or debit because you have no recourse what so ever. Everyone raises good points and concerns and yes it is highly doubtful for such a small transaction such as mine that Mr. G will be told to care me. Diane is definitely as we say in the business - the gate keeper. I may from time to time decide to send another email and maybe I will get lucky but this I tell you I will not offer up any information on my car as I will consider that confidential just as Mr. G considers his inspection notes confidential. It is not his business what anyone of us pays for our ride and yes Diane 16 months ago tried to get that out of me.

[Edelbroke]

Paying for something and never receiving it or receiving an incorrect product and then not making it right is just not right. So as we know it's payment up front and if someone is to have an issue will the credit card company assist in rectifying the issue? I would never pay cash, check or debit because you have no recourse what so ever. Everyone raises good points and concerns and yes it is highly doubtful for such a small transaction such as mine that Mr. G will be told to care me. Diane is definitely as we say in the business - the gate keeper. I may from time to time decide to send another email and maybe I will get lucky but this I tell you I will not offer up any information on my car as I will consider that confidential just as Mr. G considers his inspection notes confidential. It is not his business what anyone of us pays for our ride and yes Diane 16 months ago tried to get that out of me.

She asked me what I paid for my car too. I wonder what it matters to them? I buy and sell a lot of cars and I don't ever ask a seller what they paid, because I know its none of my business and I don't like the question myself. A little "off putting" to me.