Unlock ECU and tunes - don't do what I did

[edido]

Hi,

I wanted to share my two cents based on my recent experience:

1. If you plan to ship your ECU for unlocking:
- Don't use USPS. UPS and Fedex are likely better options.
- Make sure you ship it with signature confirmation.
- Pay extra for overnight return shipment.

What happened to me:
- I purchased ECU unlocking service on TSP. TSP website didn't say anything about "signature confirmation". They actually resell Innovative MotorWorks service (and on IMW website they do recommend "signature confirmation".) TSP replied and said that they will update their website.
- I used USPS 2-days priority shipment. My package with the ECU was delivered to a different business. I called Innovative MotorWorks, they very super nice / friendly and went to search the lost package. Luckily they tracked it down from another business in the area.
- IMW shipped the unlocked ECU back within a day (again, great service and kudos to Derek). But this time UPS had some delays, and it took a week until I got it back.

2. Don't buy Phearable tune from another forum member.
- Phearable tunes are non transferable. Phearable has unfriendly customer service (IMHO) and they would not transfer a tune under a new name. They will ask you to trash it and buy a new tune from them.
- Apparently, they also charge $99 for any revision. Like if you need to disable a single code, they will charge you $99 for the change. It make sense to charge extra if you make big mods like turbo, but it's steep and unreasonable to charge $99 for a small revision.
- If you plan to buy any tune from a forum member, make sure it's transferable.

What happened to me:
- I purchased FlashPro and Phearable Stage 2 tune from a forum member. Both of us were not aware that tunes are non-transferable. Yes, Phearable says that tunes are non transferable under their terms and conditions. I am new to tunes and it didn't cross my mind to read it. I knew that a tune is married to a specific FlashPro device.
- I contacted Phearable about this, and asked them to make an exception or work with me on a solution. They refused. For me, their customer service level doesn't meet my bar.
- I can't use the tune I purchased, and it was a waste of money.
- I have no idea how good Phearable tunes are, and by no means saying anything negative about their tunes quality. My comment was about their unfriendly customer service.

[This post was corrected]

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[Clark_Kent]

I appreciate you sharing this information. Hopefully others avoid these pitfalls. Did you request the forum member to refund your money on the Phearable tune?

 

[edido]

I appreciate you sharing this information. Hopefully others avoid these pitfalls. Did you request the forum member to refund your money on the Phearable tune?

I mentioned the situation to the forum member and expected him to offer me a partial refund. He didn't, and I didn't want to get into a virtual argument.

 

[Clark_Kent]

I mentioned the situation to the forum member and expected him to offer me a partial refund. He didn't, and I didn't want to get into a virtual argument.

A refund seems like a fair thing to do, considering they couldn't fulfill the terms of what you both agreed to. Assuming you're not leaving out key details, they should give you your money back. Who is it? Out them.

 

[JPoole]

Let me shed a little more light here as I'm the one that sold him the Flashpro.
1) The tunes are transferrable in that it is locked to the Flashpro serial number and not the VIN. The OP paid $600 for the FP (which I thought was a fair price considering what I see them sell for on here) and it included a Phearable Stg 2 93 octane tune for an ITS.
2) After purchasing the FP the OP contacted me saying that he had installed a Spoon Thermostat in his car and needed to get the P0128 removed but Phearable wouldn't help him and he was upset because he didn't realize that the tune didn't include revisions. Also, the OP lives in CA which I guess has no 93 octane and I had no idea what his location was until he bought it much less the availability of octane levels in CA.
The point here is, nothing nefarious transpired and I have no control over what someone does to their car after the fact so personal responsibility comes into play here. If the OP lived in a state with 93 octane he would currently be running the map on his ITS without issue save for the fact that he chose to install a thermostat that creates a code. OP believes a Flashpro should sell for $400 to $500 dollars (although I've yet to see that happen on here) but regardless, I have offered to accept the FP for a refund and perhaps he can find one for $400. Thanks!

 

[edido]

Let me shed a little more light here as I'm the one that sold him the Flashpro.
1) The tunes are transferrable in that it is locked to the Flashpro serial number and not the VIN. The OP paid $600 for the FP (which I thought was a fair price considering what I see them sell for on here) and it included a Phearable Stg 2 93 octane tune for an ITS.
2) After purchasing the FP the OP contacted me saying that he had installed a Spoon Thermostat in his car and needed to get the P0128 removed but Phearable wouldn't help him and he was upset because he didn't realize that the tune didn't include revisions. Also, the OP lives in CA which I guess has no 93 octane and I had no idea what his location was until he bought it much less the availability of octane levels in CA.
The point here is, nothing nefarious transpired and I have no control over what someone does to their car after the fact so personal responsibility comes into play here. If the OP lived in a state with 93 octane he would currently be running the map on his ITS without issue save for the fact that he chose to install a thermostat that creates a code. OP believes a Flashpro should sell for $400 to $500 dollars (although I've yet to see that happen on here) but regardless, I have offered to accept the FP for a refund and perhaps he can find one for $400. Thanks!

First, thanks @JPoole for being fair - we settled the difference with a partial refund.

To clarify, I didn't post this thread to call you/anyone out or publicly ask for a refund. I posted it to share my experience so people can read about it and make their experience / decisions better.

 

[JPoole]

All good!

 

[MooMoo]

I would avoid FedEx and only ship with UPS. From experience its the only company I would ship important stuff with

 

[svvitch]

I would avoid FedEx and only ship with UPS. From experience its the only company I would ship important stuff with

This. FedEx consistently tells me my packages in Nashville 3+ hours away are out for delivery lol. 2 or 3 days later they show up.

I would never want to ship my ECU anywhere.

 

[DeVo]

lock this thread.

 

[MooMoo]

This. FedEx consistently tells me my packages in Nashville 3+ hours away are out for delivery lol. 2 or 3 days later they show up.

I would never want to ship my ECU anywhere.

I have gotten packages from fedex that were empty. One of them was empty with tire tracks all over the envelope lol.

 

[Tougefl5]

I wouldn't ship my ecu for nothing.

 

[Bigfx]

I wouldn't ship my ecu for nothing.

yeah that’s why I’m thinking about Cobb, they aren’t too far away from me in Austin, but why can’t independent tuners and dealers unlock the ecu? Tours etc are a great gestures but local unlocking should be available. Is there a reason why Hondata doesn’t do a local unlock?

 

[Clark_Kent]

yeah that’s why I’m thinking about Cobb, they aren’t too far away from me in Austin, but why can’t independent tuners and dealers unlock the ecu? Tours etc are a great gestures but local unlocking should be available. Is there a reason why Hondata doesn’t do a local unlock?

There is local unlock, it's just not widespread. IMW (PA) and Phearable (FL) offer on-site unlock.

 

[menikmati]

2. Don't buy Phearable tune from another forum member.
- Phearable tunes are non transferable. Phearable has unfriendly customer service (IMHO) and they would not transfer a tune under a new name. They will ask you to trash it and buy a new tune from them.

What happened to me:
- I purchased FlashPro and Phearable Stage 2 tune from a forum member. Both of us were not aware that tunes are non-transferable. Yes, Phearable says that tunes are non transferable under their terms and conditions. I am new to tunes and it didn't cross my mind to read it. I knew that a tune is married to a specific FlashPro device.

- I contacted Phearable about this, and asked them to make an exception. They refused. For me it's bad business and bad customer service.
- I can't use the tune I purchased, and it was a waste of money.
- I have no idea how good Phearable tunes are, and by no means saying anything negative about their tunes quality. My comment was about their unfriendly customer service.

I'm going to side with Phearable regarding the tune requiring a re-purchase. As you said, it's clearly stated under their T&C, they have no obligation to make an exception for you.

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