Crankshaft Specialists, Dour Rowe review: Producing engine crankshafts

5/3/23

We run a small engine shop in Downeast Maine. We do labor only, do not purchase parts. Our customers purchase what is needed on our advice and we assemble projects. The shop was originally started in the 1970 by Richard Weaver and continued until about 4 years ago when he passed it on to his son, Richard. It has used Crankshaft Specialists whenever needed and has had decades of a relationship that seemed good and were satisfied. When the shop was turned over to his son (due to health issues) he continued to use Crankshaft Specialists when needed. This has turned into a nightmare. Five customers were directed to them to get their crankshafts. Some of the requests go back to over a year and a half. We can understand the Covid problem and supply chain problem but this isn’t a way to do business. Doug Rowe, who is owner/operator of the company constantly makes excuses as to why he can’t ship out the product, or says it’s being made/shipped/sent out ‘next week’ and give us a fictious shipping number and it never arrives. These have all been paid for. This small shop can’t afford to assume the cost for all these. They average $2,000 each. One crankshaft he did send, not on time at all, we had to send a check to his wife to put into her account so he could pay the shipping (when he was supposed to do originally). We have had excuse after excuse, in the mail, will go out next week, don’t have the labor to do it right now, etc. What can we do? At least he answers our phone calls and then comes up with all kinds of stories. Please help or advise.