Caveat emptor with MotoComposites Hayabusa family.
At each query, request, or questioning of an issue, they become more terse and add barriers to business. For example: First, no wire transfers, credit card or PayPal only; then recommend PayPal; then PayPal only. For international payments, that will attract an extra ~400 in fees and exchange rate slippage for a 6k order. Their 'recommend PayPal' rationale is that it has better seller dispute protections and less for the buyer. On order day, after all of the work done here in the Sequestering Carbon thread, it becomes 'PayPal only'. They know we have gone to the effort of linking a US credit card to our international settlement system. When the moving goal posts are challenged, they cut off all communication.
My guess is that they are screening for compliant, low-expectation clients, or potentially they have the wrong person client-facing.
Either way, this is my pre-sales service rating for MotoComposites so far when compared with a large number and wide variety of suppliers and partners we have enjoyed over 10 years in business.
0-5 (5 being best):
Professionalism: 3.5
Timely responses: 3.5
Consistency: 2
Customer-centric approach: 0.5
Proactivity: 0.5
Empathy: 0
Problem-solving: 0
Adaptability: 0
Personalization: 0
Note that pre-sales service is typically 2x - 1.5x better than after-sales service.
This behavior caught my attention, to say the least, so here is a bit more info on the MotoComposites products.
It looks like they do not design or manufacture their products and are resellers for mainland Chinese producers like this:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006440652105.html. and this
AKOSO Carbon Fiber Official Store - Amazing products with exclusive discounts on AliExpress They don't state this specifically, can anyone verify that? This would explain their long out-of-stock lead times.
Most of the products are made in resin molds rather than CNC metal molds.
Their matte finish is not a proper clear coat with matte finishing; instead, it looks like a light pre-coat. "Matte will show the slightest imperfection in the finished part, has a very light painted finish." "Matte parts are also slightly lighter than glossy due to the lack of a clear coat finish."
I have dodged a bullet here, no doubt.
Back to the drawing board on the carbon bodywork Busa mission. Thank you to all of the hive mind help on this so far.
A timely reminder: when in doubt, speak out.
I hope that is of use.
