Feedback on Japan Road Trip

[dpd]

If this post is in the wrong place or not appropriate, my apologies in advance.

I feel that I should provide feedback on my Delica purchasing experience with Japan Road Trip. Anyone considering buying from them can use this information to help them if they choose.

I first contacted JRT in September 2007, interested in a camper-converted delica, advertised as "1990 Delica 5-speed manual Turbo Deisel". I made inquiries, they were promptly and courteously answered, and I purchased the vehicle. Clayton from JRT was attentive and professional, and the sale went smoothly.

While the vehicle was being shipped, I did my own research on the unit, as it was unusual in a few respects. I discovered that the engine in the vehicle that I had purchased was a non-turbo 4D56, thus it had been sold with false information. After contacting Clayton at Japan Road Trip about the issue, he apologized profusely, claimed ignorance (did he not once look under the hood before selling it?) and offered to make it right.

He gave me two choices: 1. a full refund and cancellation of the sale, or 2. delivery of a working turbo unit at his expense. I chose option #2, as I believed that I was still getting a decent deal even with the added trouble and expense of doing the installation myself. Clayton promised me that a turbo would be delivered in November along with some other vehicle deliveries.

As of today (May 28 2008) I still don't have a turbo unit, my emails are being ignored, and I can only assume that JRT has completely reneged on their commitment. I take responsibility for placing trust in their promises once they had already taken my money, and this is never a great idea... but it seemed like a reasonable risk given the generally good experience I had had up until then, and the positive feedback that they had received from others on this forum.

At this point, I have to warn potential customers. There is an added risk with a Japan-based dealer, and there are few options that I know of if things go wrong... but for JRT specifically, beware. You may not get what is advertised and agreed upon in the sale (a missing turbo is a pretty big problem, IMO) and JRT will NOT honour their promises to rectify the situation. Based on my experience they are not a trustworthy outfit, and I strongly discourage anyone from buying from them.

I have waited some time to make this comment in public, in hopes that I would have my communications returned and the situation would improve, but at this point I have to assume that I'm on my own, and that JRT has simply decided not to follow through. I will happily remove or elaborate on this comment, if they belatedly follow through and deliver what was promised.

David

[loki]

that sucks, sorry to hear it, I had a pretty good experience with them but I also bought a van that was already here so I was able to look at it. The only issue I had with them was that the woman (his wife?) rejected my paypal payment (she didn't recognize the email address) for the entire cost of the van about a month after I was already driving it around! I suppose I could have gotten my van for free but I decided to call them and arrange to re-do the payment. I'm pretty sure I have their number in Japan, I will PM it too you when I find it.

If this post is in the wrong place or not appropriate, my apologies in advance.

I feel that I should provide feedback on my Delica purchasing experience with Japan Road Trip. Anyone considering buying from them can use this information to help them if they choose.

I first contacted JRT in September 2007, interested in a camper-converted delica, advertised as "1990 Delica 5-speed manual Turbo Deisel". I made inquiries, they were promptly and courteously answered, and I purchased the vehicle. Clayton from JRT was attentive and professional, and the sale went smoothly.

While the vehicle was being shipped, I did my own research on the unit, as it was unusual in a few respects. I discovered that the engine in the vehicle that I had purchased was a non-turbo 4D56, thus it had been sold with false information. After contacting Clayton at Japan Road Trip about the issue, he apologized profusely, claimed ignorance (did he not once look under the hood before selling it?) and offered to make it right.

He gave me two choices: 1. a full refund and cancellation of the sale, or 2. delivery of a working turbo unit at his expense. I chose option #2, as I believed that I was still getting a decent deal even with the added trouble and expense of doing the installation myself. Clayton promised me that a turbo would be delivered in November along with some other vehicle deliveries.

As of today (May 28 2008) I still don't have a turbo unit, my emails are being ignored, and I can only assume that JRT has completely reneged on their commitment. I take responsibility for placing trust in their promises once they had already taken my money, and this is never a great idea... but it seemed like a reasonable risk given the generally good experience I had had up until then, and the positive feedback that they had received from others on this forum.

At this point, I have to warn potential customers. There is an added risk with a Japan-based dealer, and there are few options that I know of if things go wrong... but for JRT specifically, beware. You may not get what is advertised and agreed upon in the sale (a missing turbo is a pretty big problem, IMO) and JRT will NOT honour their promises to rectify the situation. Based on my experience they are not a trustworthy outfit, and I strongly discourage anyone from buying from them.

I have waited some time to make this comment in public, in hopes that I would have my communications returned and the situation would improve, but at this point I have to assume that I'm on my own, and that JRT has simply decided not to follow through. I will happily remove or elaborate on this comment, if they belatedly follow through and deliver what was promised.

David

[Kuan]

HI Guys,

I had a similar experience with them. I purchased some smaller items from them 3-point seatbelts and a set of slider windows. I had my mom pick them up for me in Vancouver.

One of the slider windows was twisted, and some of the seatbelt parts were missing. I contacted them, and they agreed to replace the window and send me the seatbelt parts.

We picked up the replacement in Vancouver, no problem. However, when I went to install them I realized that I didn't have all the parts needed. The gasket is different from the pop-outs and you need these small metal clips for securing the frame to the Deli.

So more emails later, they apologized and agreed to send the parts..... Never came.

Contacted again and they apologized and were coming to Vancouver so they would ship them from there. Never came.

This was over 1 year ago that I originally ordered the parts.

Out of the blue however, Clayton emailed me about a month ago and apologized and said my parts went to Edmonton. Then the said he would send them to me. I said great.

Still no sign.

Its my impression that JRT does NOT have bad intentions. My impression is that they are a bunch of dudes that are severely disorganized and have their attention focused on other things like their snowboarding business in Japan. This export/import is just a side thing for them.

I guess I am lucky its just small parts.

David - regarding the non-turbo Delica, if its the same engine as mine in the Delica Truck (non-turbo 4D56) then it might not be a case of just adding the turbo. When we bought the truck, I was going to add a turbo but Mardy told me that the pistons are a different size in the non-turbo so you can't just add it on. I don't know all the tech. details but contact Mardy for more info. He can probably tell you. Hope you can sort it out.

[dpd]

Intentional or no, it's impossible to say whether or not he deliberately screwed me. The end result is the same. Lie to make the sale, or lie about making good afterwards... who cares. sometimes I prefer a straight up con man, to a goof who wastes your time with make-believe promises and stalling tactics, hoping you'll just give up, know what I mean?

Even if the turbo didn't work, and promising it was another screw-up on Clayton's part, I'd still rather have it to sell to a club member with a busted one, or hold on to it as a spare if I get another Deli... or to come to some other arrangement... than be ignored and avoided, that's just crazy. I'm not an unreasonable person. But I don't know if he ever intended to follow through, he has made plenty of sales and shipped plenty of stuff lately. Time to either deliver, or stop bluffing and squirming.

We all know the better kind of businesspeople in this community, who are honest when they do make inevitable mistakes, and care about their reputation and what they do, and aren't just making a quick buck for today. Props to them.

[BCDelica]

Understand how you feel David, buying something that wasn't as advertised, something as pricey as a vehicle. Shame.

But, really curious how your Delica, and Kuan's nifty truck, drive without turbos? Delicas are slow by nature, and the non-turbo model would be slower; wouldn't it be a more durable engine without though?

I agree with you, you should be able to find a forum member interested in a turbo.

Cheers,
Kev

[Kuan]

Hi David,

I didn't mean to justify what they did at all. I feel bad for you and others definitely should be warned.

[hijack_post]
Kevin - ours is light and swift feeling - something I could never describe the van as. Its way lighter and a manual transmission. Its basically a tin can - the inside is more like a VW. It picks up faster and when we went to Tofino in April it topped out at 130km/hr in 5th. Its also been expertly prepared for us by Mardy and his boys.

It has a little less umpfh now we are on B100 but it still feels great. The 1st gear is nice and low and you can let it out and it will climb up our steep gravel driveway without putting on the 'gas'.

I can't say enough great things about the Delica pick-ups.
[/hijack_post]

[Green1]

But, really curious how your Delica, and Kuan's nifty truck, drive without turbos? Delicas are slow by nature, and the non-turbo model would be slower; wouldn't it be a more durable engine without though?

Well technically I have a turbo, but it doesn't work, so I can tell you that it's fine, except when merging on to a highway, especially if the engine isn't warmed up all the way yet, also makes passing impossible, and hills awkward...
on the bright side, it improves fuel economy

[piyeguyo]

A couple of times I tried to do business with Japan Road trip but it wasn't possible; now I'm glad... First one they had a roof basket for sale supposedly in Edmonton. I told their contact I would go up there to pick it up... Emails came and went and I got tired ot waiting... End result no purchase. The second time I was interested in buying a small car for my wife, but at the end we decided not to buy it. I agree they should concentrate on their ski business in Japan and let other people with more time and better customer service skills work on the car importing business...

Fabio

[dpd]

Hi Kuan, no worries I was just grumbling some more!

BCDelica, the acceleration is slow, hills seem to be OK (there aren't many in Edmonton to try it out for real), but I haven't driven another Delica to compare it to. The speed tops out just a little over 110, it is a manual. From what I understand, that's pretty typical. I haven't taken it out enough to gauge the gas mileage yet.

Since it's a camper and not an everyday driver, I can live with the lack of power... I just have to remind myself that it is not the end of the world to have to cruise a motorhome at 90 getting passed all day, getting better gas mileage, the engine lasting longer... it's still a rockin van and gets lots of attention. I'd just rather make those decisions with my right foot, and have the power when I really need it.

[delicat]

You could always post some pictures of your camper van, then have a lot of us tell you how jealous we are of your camper and at the end of the day you'll be a happier man. But we need pictures... Sounds like you got a nice unit after all!

[dpd]

I saved the photos that JRT took for the original ad here, if you want to take a look:

http://www.fwalive.ualberta.ca/~dpd/del ... hotos.html

I'll put more up soon, I'm doing a big schwack of work and add-ons right now trying to gear up for camping and festival season.

[delicat]

That's a very nice, clean and compact unit, well done! Sucks that you had a bad experience but you're one of the very few that has the camper version, get on the road and enjoy it! (and yes, I'm jealous...)

Cheers,
David

[MardyDelica]

Hi, David,
your delcia just need to do fine tuning there is still more on it. as kuan say, i prepare & tune his delica & result is good. more power & runs better, as i also have another pick-up with non turbo & runs great. when you have time to come down to vancover maybe i can show you my pick-up that runs good like kuan pick-up.
you delica could run more than 110 kms.
cheers:

[konadog]

I'm jealous..

Me too! What's the deal? Why are there pretty much NO campers here?! I've never seen one in person and this is only the second time I've seen pictures. I can only imagine they would be hugely popular... Thanks for the link to your photos - looking forward to seeing more