Joe at JPI not a man of his word

rmorris · #1 04-03-12, 12:38 PM

We all like to share information on these type of boards, both good and bad. I thought I would share an experience I had with the founder of JPI (he is the JP in JPI).

Joe offered me an upgrade a few years back, right after I had invested in his EDM-760 for my Skymaster. He said I should be using the new (at that time) 960. He offered me an incredible upgrade price, but said I had to wait until after it was certified. To make sure we were on the same page, I put it all in writing (yes I DO have a paer trail of this story) and sent it via email.

At each SNF and OSH I attended (almost every one of both) since that time, i stopped by his booth to check on the progress. There were always excuses and a 'bump' in what the price to upgrade would cost. This past weekend I stopped by for my semi-annual brush off, and he once again had a handful of excuses. I pushed and said he really needed to keep his word. He said to come back the next day and he would have a price (again, note that he had given me a price originally and then kept creeping it up). I think he was hoping I would not show the next day, so he could again delay things. When I showed, he gave me a price that was approx 10 times the original number. He literally had a bunch of bogus reasons, and threw them at me one at a time to justify his positon. As I shot down each one as invalid, he just stared blankly at me. Finally I very bluntly asked - "so you are not going to keep your word?", to which he replied "correct". To make sure we were all clear on things, I repeated it one more time, and he repeated his answer.

He clearly understands he is not keeping his word, which maybe in hindsight he should never have given, but I found the odyssey very frustrating. Bottom line - I think their products are pretty good, but if the man at the top will openly admit that he is not going to keep his committments to folks, how much business do you want to do with this company?

Walter Atkinson · #2 04-03-12, 01:58 PM

If only your experience with JP were rare...

rmorris · #3 04-03-12, 06:16 PM

I did a similar post on AOPA (I spread the word when a company does well, why not when they do poorly, eh?)...any way, a very lively discussion of JPI and their business practices is taking plac here:
http://forums.aopa.org/showthread.php?t=80717&page=2

I had no idea how many people would jump into the fray, so quickly. Apparently JP has been building a reputation, and not necessairly a good one.

A bunch of posts recommending folks look at EI products instead...while I have loved (literally, and had always told anyone who would listen) my EDM 760, maybe its time for a switch to another brand.

Walter Atkinson · #4 04-03-12, 08:19 PM

My experience is that JPI produces the best hardware (next to the Xerion AuRacle) and that EI has the best customer service. Too bad EI won't address their software and owner's manual issues, which are significant. Insight has serious problems with their software and display in the G3.

As many of you know, I've been teaching the use and interpretation of engine monitor data for over a decade. It's a shame that JPI, EI, and Insight can't do what Xerion did--create a very good piece of hardware, software, and provide good customer service.

As the King of Siam said, "Tiz a puzzlement."

rick bell · #5 04-04-12, 01:47 PM

i had to replace some probes and they fast, fair and efficient - go figure from you posts??
usually when these incident happen both parties are not listening to each other. when it
has happened to me i went down the hall skipping assuming

JeffAxel · #6 04-04-12, 08:04 PM

I have a G3 in my P210, no display problems so far, maybe 25 hours or so. Lots of information on that screen too. If your JPI 760 is working though, I would just keep it. Had a 760 in my P337 and loved it, I would not want to change it for a G3....I had an older Insight monitor in the p210, so the upgrade made sense.