Am I the only one waiting for a call back from Lateral Dynamics??

[JohnC]

Just wondering?? I've been waiting for a response since the beginning of November...
Anybody know the story?

Thanks

[va72mlibu]

I think I read in another post that they were focused on PRI show?

[68protouring454]

be very very very patient

[James OLC]

Mark is really swamped right now. Your best bet is to shoot him an email with your contact numbers and the best time to get ahold of you. He will call you back.

[JohnC]

Mark is really swamped right now. Your best bet is to shoot him an email with your contact numbers and the best time to get ahold of you. He will call you back.

Been there; done that serveral times...just been playing the waiting game for over a month now...

...it's fine I guess...just looking forward to a call.

[ArisESQ]

Just hang out. They are all good guys over there. I'm sure they will call you back soon.

[JohnC]

Mark, please give me a call when you can please! you have my number....
or drop me an email...


Thanks
John
[email protected]

[Bowtieracing]

How about spending your money elsewhere? There are lots of choises for good rearsuspension. I dont see any point why customers should pray to get service .

[Mean 69]

Merry Christmas, all. John, truly apologetic for the horrible communication. Life doesn't always give you choices in terms of direction it forces you to go, the only thing you can do is to choose how you as an individual will deal with it. Months ago I was forced into such a decision which has made my personal life even more complex than it had been for the last several years, which was already a challenge. Doing one's best in an overwhelming situation generally means that some things won't get done to satisfaction, clearly the case here.

Sincerely wishing everyone a safe, healthy and happy holiday.
Mark

(John, I'm shooting you a note via e-mail in a moment....)

[JamesJ]

How about spending your money elsewhere? There are lots of choises for good rearsuspension. I dont see any point why customers should pray to get service .


This is something that you see allot now, with the www anyone can make a great web page and make the outside world think that they are a great company.

I don’t know anyone at LD and I don’t know much about there product except for it may be the best performing rear suspension available as a kit, for the style of driving that most do here on this site.

The question is does that make it the best? Before anyone says anything is the best without reserve they need to consider history of the company or person producing the product, they also need to think about the future. Is this person or company going to be around when they need replacement parts, is someone always going to answer the phone when you call? How many units have they sold, so that you can compare yours to other peoples for help.

I also see many people that buy from the cheapest place online and then when they cant figure it out or something is not working they go to the local retailer where they did not buy it from and what them to help them, but cant understand why they are not that helpful.

In the future I may want to buy a unit from LD, but if I call them and don’t get any responses then I don’t have enough time to waste worrying about it. I will just go else ware.

My .02 cents

[Vegas69]

This is something that you see allot now, with the www anyone can make a great web page and make the outside world think that they are a great company.

I don’t know anyone at LD and I don’t know much about there product except for it may be the best performing rear suspension available as a kit, for the style of driving that most do here on this site.

The question is does that make it the best? Before anyone says anything is the best without reserve they need to consider history of the company or person producing the product, they also need to think about the future. Is this person or company going to be around when they need replacement parts, is someone always going to answer the phone when you call? How many units have they sold, so that you can compare yours to other peoples for help.


I also see many people that buy from the cheapest place online and then when they cant figure it out or something is not working they go to the local retailer where they did not buy it from and what them to help them, but cant understand why they are not that helpful.

In the future I may want to buy a unit from LD, but if I call them and don’t get any responses then I don’t have enough time to waste worrying about it. I will just go else ware.

My .02 cents

I agree. If you have to wait two months for a response chances are you should take your business elsewhere. That means they are two busy for your business or don't care to have it.

[lowboy]

Just wondering if you ever got a call back from LD. I've spent 4k dollars with them and can't get any response to my email and voice mail. I've got to say, the 3-link is very cool and the workmanship is second to none, but it's a little unnerving to have made such a radical change to my car and have absolutely NO customer support.

[awr68]

I just don't understand. Mark is a very smart guy and has a greatly desired product...if he doesn't have enough time to answer the phone, hire someone to do just that. I hate to see his business fail due to poor/aweful customer support!

For the record CS makes or brakes the deal with me! That's one reason why I love DSE! :thumbsup:

[TT LS2]

Just wondering if you ever got a call back from LD. I've spent 4k dollars with them and can't get any response to my email and voice mail. I've got to say, the 3-link is very cool and the workmanship is second to none, but it's a little unnerving to have made such a radical change to my car and have absolutely NO customer support.
Wow! I was contemplating their Watts linkage/3-link system but I wanted to ask those guys a few questions about there set-up and vehicle specifics. After a call and two left messages within the last two weeks, by me, I became a bit skeptical about them. Customer service and support goes a LONG way with me. I actually called them this morning also and no one answered. The system looks killer and I believe that it is the key to a great pro-touring vehicle. Still I am left with questions...
Have you installed your system yet? Just curious. Good luck!

[JohnC]

Mark is has returned my calls and emails. He was very apologetic and has been extremely busy. I think we are getting something going...
...I will let you know if my build progresses...

I see it like this, good things come to those who wait...

I believe he will get back with you guys as soon as he can.

[lowboy]

Yes, I have installed LD's 3-link. All I have left to do is install close-out panels after I get done w/minitub. I'm going to be real honest here, when I was finally convinced that LD's 3-link was the ultimate handling suspension available for my car (69 Camaro), I spent a number of days trying to get in touch w/someone from Lateral Dynamics. Left a number of voice mail and emails w/no response. At this point I was pretty pissed off and decided to go w/DSE's 4 link. In my personal opinion, the 3-link w/Watts is far superior to a 4-link w/pan rod bar (for road racing), but you CAN'T beat DSE's customer service. In a mild fit of anger I came on this site and mildly bashed LD and low and behold I actually got a response from Mark himself. I had a number of email and phone conversations w/Mark that went very well but he was still very hard to get ahold of. He was a very nice guy and impressed me as a very intelligent guy, yet, still I felt like I was working real hard to give him my business. But, I was convinced that LD's 3-link was the answer to all my prayers, so, I finally was able to seal the deal and purchased the kit. During the install, there were times I had too wait a couple of days to get an answer to a question which kind of sucked. Well, I haven't worked on car in about 4 months due to work and am getting ready to fire up on it again when I saw this thread. So, I emailed Mark and left a message on his personnal cell phone about a week ago and have yet to hear from him. I'm kind of at a loss because I had planned on buying everything to complete front and rear suspension from him and he assured me that Lateral Dynamics would be able to supply me w/exactly what I needed to make my car handle the way I want it to. Well, it looks like the guys at American Touring Specialties are going to be my saviors. They are very familier w/LD's 3-link and I was going to get they're coilover kit (front) from LD anyway. Mark said he would have upper and lower control arms for the front ready by the time I needed them, but, I guess not. To sum it all up, I'm a little irritated that I radically altered my car and am left to my own devices to set everything up w/no help from the people that designed it. BUT, it is a bad ass kit and Matt (LD's welder) is an awesome fabricator. Thankfully, ATS will cover the rest of my suspension needs and parts needed to complete LD's kit. If you do ever get ahold of LD and do get the kit, my advice is take your time and measure measure measure. It's not that difficult, just very tedious and time consuming. I'll finish by writing that I hope LD is just in a lull and come back strong w/customer support, because if they do, I'll be one of they're customers. And that my friends is a testament to Mark's knowledge of suspension (theory and design).

[Teetoe_Jones]

Like Lowboy stated in his post-

If anyone has any questions about the 3 link kit from LD, be it pricing, install or technical, don't hesitate to call on us here at ATS. We are very intimate with the 3 link and will be happy to answer all questions regarding the kit. We can even help get your order placed with Mark when the time comes.

Tyler

[mazspeed]

I spoke to Mark once about a year ago, very very nice man, and smart as any anyone in the game. I would just leave a bunch of really nice messages to him stating your issues, he will get back with you, it just takes time. He is busy as can be, but he's not a shyster or a here now gone tomorrow kind of guy.

[David Pozzi]

I've met Mark a bunch of times and he's a good guy, just very busy these days.
David

[lowboy]

Finally received an email response from Mark. He is still out there and Lateral Dynamics still exists which is good news. I guess the bottom line is, if you want the best handling rear suspension for you'r car, you are going to have to be patient, yet, persistent.

[Mean 69]

I'd like to apologize publicly to my existing customers (I already have in private) and express my sincere thanks for the supprt from them at the same time. As I noted a bit earlier in this thread, things have gotten extremely complex for me personally, and given the size of my company (very small), it has definitely had a negative impact on an already non-ideal situation. However, we are still in business, we still intend completely to support our existing customers (first), and explore options with future customers (second). There are a lot of comments made in this thread that 100% accurate, and painful at the same time. I knew going into this deal that there would be things that would have to take a second seat to those things that are critical, and while it might appear to folks on the outside that I chose the wrong things to let slip, I will defend my position by stating that the most important thing to me, integrity, hasn't been something I have compromised. While it is not fun to read that customer service for LD sucks, which I'd agree with currently, I am pleased to point out that no one has written, ever (to the best of my knowledge) and said that the product is no good, or that I made false accusations about the amount of effort that is required to install, or that I tried to "sell" the product to a potential customer that it might not be right for. Most importantly, you won't read that LD took someone's money, and then never delivered, I simply would never do that. You don't pay, until the last bit of your kit has a UPS label on it, ready to go out the door. You can call me a lot of things, but you can't call me a crook, which is not the case with a lot of start up businesses, especially in this industry.

Small business is really, really tough. I have a saying that people that get into starting their own business do so, because they have no clue what's involved in doing so: if they did, they wouldn't have done it. Not so for everyone, but more so than not. Want to learn a bit about yourself? Join the military, or start a small business from scratch (done both, by the way). There are a lot of things that I am personally as it pertains to this whole deal, and there are a lot of things that I am not. I feel that I am reasonably intelligent, I have an enormous passion for fast cars and have tried hard to do all that I can to seperate the fact from fiction as it pertains to suspension. I am honest, as the day is long, trusting, and I am generous, in some demonstrated cases to a fault. I am not a jerk, I hope that I am not viewed as a know-it-all, I know a lot but have a ton to learn, from everyone. I am not a "salesman," nor will I ever be. I'm not afraid to call "BS" when I see it, especially if the "BS" is intended to take advantage of others, which in this industry usually translates to seperating innocent folks from their hard earned money.

At this point, one wouldn't probably choose to do business with Lateral Dynamics unless they felt the product capability meets their "needs" (no one really needs anything sold in the performance marketplace, let's make that clear, it's all about "want"). Our clients generally fall into two categories, and we respect and love both segments. One is the upper end of the bad boy showcase market, they want performance, exclusivity, terrifc looks and downright bragging rights, and as it pertains to the rear suspension, bring it if you feel you can do better than LD. The other segment is composed of those that care about performance above all else, including the need to cut the car up to install. These folks are typically interested in ultra-high performance street, open track, and open road racing, and care as much about the ability to tune and adjust as they do about the "look," more so actually, as well as wanting the best performance potential they can get their hands on. They research all of the options, and care greatly about the engineering attributes of a product. Our rear 3-Link kit is uniquely postured to serve both segments.

You probably wouldn't do business if you want someone on the phone to tell you how cool you'll be if you buy the setup. You won't see LD popping into an internet thread with "Well, let me tell you, we can get you a GREAT deal on this setup, and all of customers just love the thing, just give us a call and we'll set you up!!!" We don't do "Pre-orders," if you aren't ready to deliver a product, don't take deposits as far as I am concerned. As has been stated here, it might take us a while to get back to you with an answer to a question, but we will give you an answer, and it'll be accurate, and fair. This aspect of the business will improve, right now, that's where we're at, honest. Best way to get us is through e-mail currently.

I realize that this disclosure will probably cost us some potential customers, and while that is not ideal, the alternative of setting false expectations, from the attributes of the product, to the expected support you'll receive is not something I wish to mislead folks about. I will emphasize though, we aren't going anywhere, and we also have new things in the works. Lots of new things.

Thanks to all, and the very best of this New Year, may it be better than the last.

Regards,
Mark

[tyoneal]

I'd like to apologize publicly to my existing customers (I already have in private) and express my sincere thanks for the supprt from them at the same time. As I noted a bit earlier in this thread, things have gotten extremely complex for me personally, and given the size of my company (very small), it has definitely had a negative impact on an already non-ideal situation. However, we are still in business, we still intend completely to support our existing customers (first), and explore options with future customers (second). There are a lot of comments made in this thread that 100% accurate, and painful at the same time. I knew going into this deal that there would be things that would have to take a second seat to those things that are critical, and while it might appear to folks on the outside that I chose the wrong things to let slip, I will defend my position by stating that the most important thing to me, integrity, hasn't been something I have compromised. While it is not fun to read that customer service for LD sucks, which I'd agree with currently, I am pleased to point out that no one has written, ever (to the best of my knowledge) and said that the product is no good, or that I made false accusations about the amount of effort that is required to install, or that I tried to "sell" the product to a potential customer that it might not be right for. Most importantly, you won't read that LD took someone's money, and then never delivered, I simply would never do that. You don't pay, until the last bit of your kit has a UPS label on it, ready to go out the door. You can call me a lot of things, but you can't call me a crook, which is not the case with a lot of start up businesses, especially in this industry.

Small business is really, really tough. I have a saying that people that get into starting their own business do so, because they have no clue what's involved in doing so: if they did, they wouldn't have done it. Not so for everyone, but more so than not. Want to learn a bit about yourself? Join the military, or start a small business from scratch (done both, by the way). There are a lot of things that I am personally as it pertains to this whole deal, and there are a lot of things that I am not. I feel that I am reasonably intelligent, I have an enormous passion for fast cars and have tried hard to do all that I can to seperate the fact from fiction as it pertains to suspension. I am honest, as the day is long, trusting, and I am generous, in some demonstrated cases to a fault. I am not a jerk, I hope that I am not viewed as a know-it-all, I know a lot but have a ton to learn, from everyone. I am not a "salesman," nor will I ever be. I'm not afraid to call "BS" when I see it, especially if the "BS" is intended to take advantage of others, which in this industry usually translates to seperating innocent folks from their hard earned money.

At this point, one wouldn't probably choose to do business with Lateral Dynamics unless they felt the product capability meets their "needs" (no one really needs anything sold in the performance marketplace, let's make that clear, it's all about "want"). Our clients generally fall into two categories, and we respect and love both segments. One is the upper end of the bad boy showcase market, they want performance, exclusivity, terrifc looks and downright bragging rights, and as it pertains to the rear suspension, bring it if you feel you can do better than LD. The other segment is composed of those that care about performance above all else, including the need to cut the car up to install. These folks are typically interested in ultra-high performance street, open track, and open road racing, and care as much about the ability to tune and adjust as they do about the "look," more so actually, as well as wanting the best performance potential they can get their hands on. They research all of the options, and care greatly about the engineering attributes of a product. Our rear 3-Link kit is uniquely postured to serve both segments.

You probably wouldn't do business if you want someone on the phone to tell you how cool you'll be if you buy the setup. You won't see LD popping into an internet thread with "Well, let me tell you, we can get you a GREAT deal on this setup, and all of customers just love the thing, just give us a call and we'll set you up!!!" We don't do "Pre-orders," if you aren't ready to deliver a product, don't take deposits as far as I am concerned. As has been stated here, it might take us a while to get back to you with an answer to a question, but we will give you an answer, and it'll be accurate, and fair. This aspect of the business will improve, right now, that's where we're at, honest. Best way to get us is through e-mail currently.

I realize that this disclosure will probably cost us some potential customers, and while that is not ideal, the alternative of setting false expectations, from the attributes of the product, to the expected support you'll receive is not something I wish to mislead folks about. I will emphasize though, we aren't going anywhere, and we also have new things in the works. Lots of new things.

Thanks to all, and the very best of this New Year, may it be better than the last.

Regards,
Mark
============================================

Mark:

It is great hearing from you again. Just wanted to let you know Lateral-1 and Myself are getting along fine, and having a blast. I know it's like juggling 10 balls at a time getting a business going through the first few stages of it's growth as everything is a large change.

I am aware of some of the things you are working on, and I'm certain that they will prove to be very viable products like your 3-link is.

Hang in there and I look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Ty

[lowboy]

I agree w/everything in Mark's post 110% which is why I would and hopefully will do business w/him again. In my original post, I was pissed. I thought LD was done, gone, finished w/out so much as a goodbye and suggestions as to where I could go if I needed replacement parts (spacers, bellcrank, etc.). The last time we (Mark and I) talked, he was working on front suspension and things were "going well". Then it seemed as if LD fell off the map. I'm glad they haven't and, quite frankly, relieved. I'll work on my patience, and Mark, you work on my front suspension..

[Mkelcy]

Mark: your post above only reinforces my confidence in - and satisfaction with - my decision to go with the Lateral Dynamics 3 link in my '68. It's hard to accept criticism, harder still to recognize what your core values are when you have to choose. It seems to me you did both extremely well.

[TT LS2]

I would have to agree with Mark. His reply does nothing to show that he is less than a Stand-up guy. I have waited and did two years of research on a rear suspension set-up. All ideas and conclusions come back to Lateral Dynamics. Never once have I heard ANYBODY bad-mouth his product or talk bad about his person or character. Some of his customers are a bit frustrated with the situation, but they still hold firm that his product is superior. I just hope things get better for him and his company so that I may purchase a rear system from him in a timely manner...summer will be here real soon...i'm ready to roll!!!!

[lowboy]

TT LS2, did you receive pictures of 3-link installed. I was kind of in a hurry when I took them. If you need more, or any particular shot, let me know and I will get them too you as soon as I can.

[TT LS2]

TT LS2, did you receive pictures of 3-link installed. I was kind of in a hurry when I took them. If you need more, or any particular shot, let me know and I will get them too you as soon as I can.
Yes I did recieve...THANKS A BUNCH!
Any chance of getting some under vehicle shots? Have you decided on how to do the rear seats yet? I have a ton mor ?'s...i'll pm you or contact you through regular e-mail. Thanks again...