Help! - Jack Knight Gears

Hi all, I'm wondering if someone can offer some advice. I have ordered two MGB straight cut gear sets from Jack Knight and am having a hell of a time getting a response from them on delivery. It is now 6 months since order!

I did know they had some difficulties in 2006 but was lead to believe they were still trading. I have had the response that the gears are on the way but nothing concrete. There phone always diverts to an answering machine so no good there I'm afraid.

I would welcome any info anyone has on their situation'

Cheers
Grant

I've been told by more than one person they went out of business or were having difficilties, this isn't the first time something like this has happen at JK. We got Fred McConnell a sc/cr gearbox built with JK gears from Quantum Machancis, and I remember John saying that he couldn't get anymore gear sets at that time. Hoefully this is changed since then. YOu may try emailing Quantum Mechancis to see what they have to about JK.

At some point Jessie Prather was advertising two transmissions - one with JK - for sale. I think one was sold, but I don't know about the other.

If Quantum can't help you Prather Racing might.

Both are easy google searches.

Don't worry, Jack Knight are still in business, spoke to them yesterday, I was after a MGA SC close ratio gear set, they had all the parts in stock apart from the primary shaft and thats only a two week wait.

99hjhm Wrote:

I know at one point production had stopped because JK had gone bust, the rumors were that all the tooling had been sold and sent to China!

Yes, I had 3 for sale, all sold quickly. The Quaife Rocket box makes a great transmission for racing as an alternative. Bell housings can be bought from Pierce.

James

Can you let me know how you got in touch with them? The number on the website always diverts immediately to voice mail. I have left messages but they don't return calls.

Thanks
Grant

PS: Like your GTS. I'm building a replica (loosely) of a works B. It is being painted at the moment, tartan red, white works hardtop etc. Just need some gearbox internals!

I left a message, and they did get back to me about an hour later .

Grant

Send them an email with a link to this discussion and ask them if it matters that their reputation is being questioned in a public forum?

Delivery of the product would be a satisfactory conclusion, would be noted here and would go a long way to reestablishing their name in a good light.

Just an idea.

Steve

Steve64B Wrote:

Hi,
I ordered February 22, 2007, SC/CR gear set for my mgb to jkltd, I pay with paypal, now April 5, 2008 anything.
I sent a lot mails to them, distant answers, apologizes, systematically the answer is "we have a batch going through now and will be ready in 3 to 4 weeks and will send your kit from this batch"
I think jkltd are thieves, bad enterprise.
Incidentally, I bought to Moss UK, a gears set, 4 days time for delivery, my gearboxe work very well.
Regards.

michel Wrote:

Speedracer Wrote:

Gavin

Thanks for your reply. I have used a Needham box in the past but have found they dont last too long behind a strong engine. As such I ordered the JK gears as they are supposed to be very good. Only problem is they seem to be thieves!

Michel

Sorry to hear your story, same thing that happened to me, paid by PayPal and am continually being told the gears are coming etc etc but no luck. They do not answer the phone or return phone calls. Every now and then they return an email but this never has any concrete information. I fear I may kiss my money goodbye.

Daily Update.

Ordered a set of gears to day, they said 3-4 weeks thats now changed to 8 days.
Who knows?

Hi Grant,

I suppose it's the old Caveat Emptor ...

The following is a list of Guys you might find useful in talking to; each has a wealth of experience in dealing with MG's and racing applications.

Paul Trevethan
Broadwalk Engineering
(m) 0427 885 075

Geoff Morse
Peninsula Sports Cars
1300 556 298

Bob Hope
Nepean Classic Cars
(02) 4732 - 3211

All would be more than happy to have a chat with you.

Cheers

Well I finally managed to speak with Kevin at JK last night - finally got through! and it looks as though I may get the gears after all. Hope so, they may even arrive in time for the build.

Gavin

Thanks for the list of contacts. The car is currently being built at MG workshops here in Melbourne by Andrew McDowell and team. Hopefully will be ready in a couple of months. Currently bodywork is proceeding and paint should be complete by month end. Should then just be a case of assembly as engine etc had been done previously.

The plan is to use it in MGCC speed events for a couple of years to get some experience and then go MG racing. It is being built to Sb specs and will be a replica of works cars, ie tartan re with white works hardtop.

Cheers.

Hi Grant,

MG Workshops are competent operators and Andy has been around MG's for a long time http://www.mgworkshops.com.au/ ... I haven't visited his workshops since he relocated from Bentleigh to Mulgrave.

If you're building to Sb specs you might find these two sites helpful.

http://www.vhrr.com/

http://www.hsrca.org.au/

Geoff Morse is someone worth speaking to about Group S being actively involved in this category for quite some time. Geoff is also on the HSRCA Committee and writes a regular column "Group S News" in the HSRCA Magazine, The Oily Rag.

Geoff is more than happy to talk to you re; any queries regarding Group S.

MG Racing http://mgracing.mgcc.com.au/goracing.htm is sponsored by the MG Car Club of Victoria http://www.mgcc.com.au/mgcc/default.shtml ...

Just step straight into the MG Racing ... you'll find it more fun and better organised.

Cheers

PS: Just Googled Jack Knight and they list http://www.mgaustralia.net.au/jackknight.html as a distributor here in OZ ... might be worth a phone call to see if they are able to help speed up the process for you.

GrantS Wrote:

Hi,
Grant
We could do a club
Michel
http://www.britishv8.org/MG/Michel.htm

Hi,
Yesterday I exchange some mails with a in the know Britton, Jack Knight Devlopment were taking orders to try to get out of trouble with the bank.Obviously something they should not have done if they had know that they could not supplie any parts that were ordered. Saddly, I do not think that there will be any way for me to get my money.
You can use that
Contact Joint Administrators, Paul Harding/Julie Branson
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP, David.J.Bennet@pwc.com
but is a waste of time unfortunately.
Ciao JKD.
Regards.

Hi Michel

I think you are right, we don't have much chance of getting our money or gears. I cannot believe how disreputable JKD have turned out to be. I spoke with Kevin from JK last month but have been unable to contact him since.

Have you contacted PWC? Any other ideas? I am considering taking legal action through the small claims court in the UK but this will result in further costs to employ a lawyer / agent. Have you considered this?

Grant.

James

A little further up this thread you mentioned you were quoted 8 days delivery on gears by JK. Any developments on this?

Grant.

Hi Grant
no, everything considered, I renounce, profits and losses.
Best regards.

No. Never got the gears, cancelled the order. Every time I phoned, they said it would be the next day... never happened, then they stopped answering the phone.

Got the gears from Browns&Gammons (www.ukmgparts.com)

MG Motorsport also do them, but they also let us down.

Hi,
I received this mail in response to a question at another England company.
"Hi Michel
JKD did the same to us!
The company went into liquidation two and a half years ago and
They are a bunch of cowboys,
they still have Car parts belonging to us.
We now have another English company making our gears."
Regards

thanks Michel. I guess I can kiss my money good bye. I am not happy about it and will consider taking legal action. Not that I expect to get much of the money but JKD need to be taught a lesson. They obviously took my money knowing they would not supply the parts which in my mind is thievery and deserves punishment. Will see how it goes.

Good luck

Grant,

I know with the time zone change you might not see this in time... and it doesn't help with the money you already sent to JKN... but if you still need the gears!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MG-MGC-MGB-racing-straight-cut-close-ratio-gearset_W0QQitemZ290234126013QQihZ019QQcategoryZ34208QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Steve

Thanks Steve, I'm actually sorted for a gearset. Now just need to get my money. They have promised a refund but I am yet to see it! I really don't want to waist money on legal fees but it is the right thing to do. Can't have cowboys like that spoiling enjoyment of our MGs!

Hi Grant
I received this mail by Nick, JKD people, he propose to me the parts or refund the money. I believe a lie, I ask the parts, I wait.
Regards

"Hi Michel, thank you for your reply and sorry we have been so slow in supplying the parts, it is not our intention to cheat anyone but we have had a delay in production this year which is the cause of our problem, we have made changes here to try and speed up the process, I will send you a delivery date but if you prefer we will return your payment. Once again sorry for the delay
Kind regards
Nick"

Hi Michel

Interesting, they have said the same thing to me but no luck yet. I am going to launch a claim against them on www.moneyclaim.gov.uk. You should check it out. It only costs 80 pounds so is worth a shot. Will let you know how I go. I am not going to rest until I get an outcome. I will continue until I get the parts or the money.

Good luck and stay in touch. My email is grantrstubbs@yahoo.com.au.

Grant.

For those who may have been interested in this thread I am pleased to report I recovered my money using moneyclaim.com. So if you are in the same boat it is worth the trouble.

For others a warning - do not use Jack Knight!