Don't do business with Kepich Exhaust........get this

If you have read my previous postings about the experiences I have encountered with my Kepich stainless exhaust system, I don't need to repeat my prevoius threads.


Well, since my car is back together, today I called John Kepich and asked for a refund on my stainless mufflers that he sold me last month. He blamed my car for the loose baffles that were never welded correctly.

He also informed me that "304 stainless is the "only kind" of stainless used on exhaust systems, and that discoloration is "normal". When I told him that 316L does not do this, he then did a 180 and said that "304 is what he sells".

Them when I asked for a refund, he tried to get my authorization for more charges to pay for the return shipping. When I refused, he called me a "jerk" and said I was "wierd". (I already know I'm wierd, but jerk I am not) (sometimes):grin:

What really burned my nads is when he called ME a "con artist" for disputing my charge with my credit card company and attempting to return this junk for credit. He belittled me like I know nothing and tried to make me feel like I was somehow cheating him.

I am going to post some pictures, some of these I have posted before in another thread, I am going to start with how these mufflers look now...........these "STAINLESS" mufflers have actually started to rust! Look closely at the edges of these pieces of junk:

 

Here's a sample of the welds on their quality hand made mufflers:

 

Here's one of their quality pipes:

 

Here's the business end of their quality resonators:

 

I'll say it again, absolutely unreal!

I would have done everything you did with the addition of legal counsel!

 

Here's how their pipes look after taking a 1,000 mile trip:

 

All I would like to add is that it is obvoius who the true "con artist" really is here, and the statement in his ad that states "sounds purrfect" is just simply not true. I guess we really do have to beware of businesses who do not operate on the up and up.

If my postings have prevented just one person from getting ripped off by this outfit, then all the trouble I have gone through has been worth it.

What is really needed is a reliable company to reproduce the '66-'70 Riviera exhaust system in stainless steel in a respectable form. I would have gladly paid more than $1,000 for something worthy of putting on my car.

Perhaps someone will read my posts and put their thoughts into a quality reproduction stainless exhaust system.

:bglasses:

 

304 is CHEAP stainless steel that WILL rust and discolor. It is used in aftermarket exhaust systems for "CHEAP ENTRY" level stainless systems. OEM's have also used 304. Example is the 1996 Impala SS. 304 stainless systems price point type of product. More expensive than aluminized exhaust but a lot less than 316 systems.

Put a magnet to your pipes and mufflers. You will find that a magnet "will" stick to a 304 stainless steel. It will not stick to a 316 stainless steel.

As you have found, stainless steel is not necessarily stainless or painless.

You would have been better with a good aluminized system. But I am sure you know that now.

Thanks for the posting of the pictures so other members will learn from your experiences.

 

thats cheap stainless. i got a set bent and put on at the local cal and gus in elckart lake wisconsin for around $300 i think it was.
still looked new a few years later when i sold the car. i put about 6000 miles on the car after that as well.
after my restore on my wildcat i'm doing now you can guess where i'm going again.
anyone in wisconsin that want there number or anyone else just let me know. very nice guys to work with and very resinable on prices.

 

Don't worry Joe, I'm in the market for a new Exhaust system and your posts have taught me a great deal. I know where I WILL NOT spend my cash.:TU:

I wonder if your system is one that was made on a day when the normal welder and QC person were on vacation. Words don't describe the crap they sent you:spank:

 

Want to hear the real topper????????? When I told him I had to split the mufflers in order to get them off the pipes, this guy said to me that he won't issue credit unless they are in re-sellable condition............that's a real joke ou:

How can you re-sell mufflers with loose guts that were never properly welded?:spank:

When I was talking to him, he mumbled something about making the mufflers from "920 over 7" or something .............whatever that is.........any metallurgists out there know what that meant? I should have asked him why they have no sound insulation in them. :blast:

 

I know it's to late now, but gardner exhaust systems has stainless, fits perfect, carl has it on his gs.... www.gardnerexhaust.com member northeast chapter and gsca


owen

 

I tried them........they don't make Riv systems.:rant:

 

That whole system looks like a P-----O-----S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:af: :rant: :af: :rant: :af: :rant: :af: :rant: :af: :rant: :af: :rant: :af: :rant: :af: :rant: :af:

I've never welded a thing in my life, but I'll bet my first attempt would come out better than that "S#*T" !!!!!!!!!!!!ou: ou: ou: ou: ou: I would take a trip to his shop and launch that crap through his front window at the stroke of midnight !!!!!!!!!!

Some people deserve a "LOUISVILLE SLUGGER MASSAGE"............NYC style !!!!!!!!!!! (that is........try to hit a home run, his KNEECAP is the ball).

TUFBUICK

 

I like the way ya think. I was thinkin' just take them down there and skip 'em 'cross the floor and sonic speed!!!

Sure enough looks like rust to me on them seams. And yeah, it's been a while since I welded but I definitely can do better than that crap!

Whatta con!! Some people just don't have any ethics or morals.:rant: :rant: :af:

 

Un-Freakin' Believable!

Joe,
I've been following your exhaust saga and can only imagine your frustration and heartache.
I had my own frustrating experiences with exhaust, but nothing to this degree.

:af: :rant:

Kepich has been around for sometime haven't they?
How did they manage it?
Hope you get satisfaction!

 

Gardner

For the record, Gardner only sells aluminized steel; no stainless; they used to sell some stainless (years ago). I have a system that will be going on my GS shortly now....
Glad to hear that positive feedback on them~! They are GS folks, BTW... father & son team.
John

 

Riviera Exhaust System

Thanks for the heads up/ follow up Joe . . .
At the prices they're charging you would certainly expect a lot better quality, not to mention better customer service - if they expect to stay in business! You should consider putting the power of the ROA into action, if you don't get the matter sorted out to your satisfaction.
King & Queen in PA has been recommended for systems - they do aluminized steel and sst, but so far I only have quotes from them, and no actual product to judge fit 'n finish.
Maybe some 'quality' manufacturer will step up to the plate and do systems for our Rivieras, but as it stands now there just isn't any out there. :Brow: :Brow: :Brow:

 

Anybody had dealings with Classic Exhaust? They advertise in Hemming's and others.

Daryn