JBR’s Free Shipping is a Scam! Or is it?

November 20, 2013 by James

Recently, I’ve received a lot of questions about our free domestic shipping. Most asking if it’s actually free or just marketing BS and deception? I’ve also read a post or two on the subject and I was direct to an actual shipping disclaimer that said “Free Shipping” is a trick. Period. Anywhere that offers you “free shipping” on your order is crazy and losing money, or builds the cost of shipping into the cost of the part. You are always paying for it somewhere whether they tell you or not.

So, I felt compelled to address and dispel the myth that the free domestic shipping offered by JBR is in fact NOT a trick or a scam. Period. I will disclose a few of the ways we’re able to accomplish it and why it it’s so important that you take a closer look at shipping costs and the total you pay for the parts you buy with your hard earned money.

How do they do it?

Here at JBR we have created an order fulfillment process that is very, very efficient. The time it takes once we begin to process an order, to the time it’s ready for pickup by the shipper is usually less than 10 minutes. We do this by having our products well inventoried, stocked on open shelving and pre-wrapped or pre-packaged. We also have a shipping department that was carefully designed around our business and setup up in such a way that the final packaging process is very streamlined saving our employees time and our company money.
We don’t use fancy boxes or tape with our name and logo on them. If we felt it would make the parts perform better or the car handle better we’d do it. It doesn’t so we don’t.
We have scoured the country for the lowest cost on the proper, quality packaging materials that we need to ship our products which save us money.
Many of the supporting components that accompany the parts manufactured by JBR come to us in boxes full of packing pillows, peanuts, and craft paper. So, instead of sending all of that to the landfill, we keep and reuse it to ship our products. Even the clean cardboard boxes are also cut up and used to insulate and protect the heavier parts from damaging each other while in transit so, the parts you buy arrive to you safely and undamaged. About 40% of the packaging material used by us is recycled which saves us money and our planets resources

So when you combine an efficient order processing system, good inventory management, and cost controlled materials used to package our products it allows us to offer truly free shipping.

Still don’t believe me? Let’s do some cost comparison analysis.

A set of shifter bushings from one of our competitors will cost you anywhere from $24.99 to $39.00 + 6.70 shipping. Shifter bushings from JBR, $25.00 shipped. You save at least $6.70 shopping with JBR

A rear motor mount from one of our competitors will cost you anywhere from $119.99 to $135.00 + 16.70 for shipping. A rear motor mount of the same durometer from JBR, $125.00 shipped. You save at least $16.70 shopping with JBR.

An SRI and turbo inlet pipe, often referred to as a stage 2 intake system from one of our competitors will cost you anywhere from 249.99 to $354.00 + 21.66 for shipping. A similar stage 2 intake system from JBR, with no up charge for any color options, will cost you $250 shipped. You save at least $21.65 shopping with JBR.

Just these 3 products alone would leave a minimum of$45.05 in your pocket if purchased from JBR. It really adds up and when the budget is tight, don’t waste money on shipping.

We also don’t try and pass along any hidden costs either. Such as the 2-3% that PayPal and Credit Card companies charge us to process transactions. There are no additional charges when signatures or insurance is required. There are no special handling charges either. Nada, zilch, zip. It’s FREE. When we say we pay the shipping, We mean it!

I have also read that the product quality must be inferior from those that offer free shipping in order to cover the cost of shipping. Well, you already know that’s not true when it comes to parts from JBR. We would’ve been run off long ago if that was the case.

Now, many of you have watched JBR rise up from selling short shift plate kits and AP mounts to one of the leading manufacturers Mazda aftermarket parts. We started out offering free shipping and were continuing to do it today. All while being priced the same or less than our competition. So I ask you, does it look like we’re losing money by offering high quality parts coupled with bar setting customer service and FREE SHIPPING?

The holidays are coming and you want your money to go as far as it can. Shop and compare, then please consider buying from JBR. And beware, just because they say it’s “On Sale” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s less or that you’re saving any money when you add on the cost of shipping.

Thanks for your support.

-Jamie

Where the F#%@K has JBR been!!

September 12, 2013 by James

Where have we been?!?!? We’ve been expanding our operations!!

For the last four and a half years JBR has been for the most part, run out of our home. Our entire manufacturing and development operations consisted of 400sq/ft spread across two locations an hour apart! With our product line growing at a record pace we no longer had the space to store our inventory anymore either so… Something had to change.

I really, really enjoy working from home and with that in mind my wife and I bought two acres last August to build the new JBR HQ. It’s been a long and challenging build but, in two weeks it will all be finished and fully operational.

Over the last 4 weeks we’ve been closing down the old location and preparing it for closing on the 16th. During that time we had to build up enough inventory to carry us for a few weeks while we actually make the final cut over to the new shop. And on top of all that we filled a massive 4 pallet order full of JBR goodness that shipped off just last week.

The new shop is massive and it will take JBR well in to the future. All of our manufacturing and R & D will now be under one roof. We’ve made a significant investment in new equipment and now all prototyping will be done in house. We will be expanding our powder coating operations to include a much larger booth and curing oven. We have a separate building onsite strictly for the assembling finished parts before heading to packaging. The shipping department has been completely overhauled and inventory will be all electronic by year’s end.

Phone lines are being installed soon so now you’ll be able to call in, get answers to your questions faster and place orders over the phone. And believe me….I give good phone.

All in all JBR has gone from 400sq/ft to over 4000 and all aspects of the business have been or are being improved. So keep an eye out for some great things to come from JBR in the very near future.

I would like to also take a moment to thank of all of you for the PM’s and emails expressing concern about our absence online and our slower than normal response times. Starting immediately we will be online as much as possible and quick to reply to PM’s and email.

Thanks again for your continued support.

-Jamie

New Product Release…Blinded by the White Silicone!!

July 29, 2013 by James

We’ve had a ton of requests to add White Silicone to our catalog at an affordable price. Well here it is…A full line of White Silicone is now available for your MAZDASPEED 3 and 6!! Intakes, Boost Tubes, Turbo Inlet Pipes, Bypass Hoses all IN STOCK!!

Our custom silicone is reinforced with 4 or 5 ply polyester braiding as well as wire where necessary. Silicone hoses eliminate the turbulence caused by the factory hoses delivering smooth, oxygen rich air directly in to your turbo and thru your inter-cooler. Our silicone products include wide stainless T-bolt clamps to ensure a leak free seal.

Silicone is superior at insulating the air passing thru it from extreme engine temperatures. This translates in to lower intake temperatures, lower boost air temperatures therefore, it makes more horsepower. Large Intakes and Turbo Inlet Pipes constructed out of aluminum absorb hot engine bay heat, transfer that heat to the air passing thru them and rob you of horsepower. That heat is retained in the aluminum and it’s very slow to dissipate causing significant heat soaking issues.

We’ve even added the proper cold side silicone connection for the earlier model MAZDASPEED 6!

All the products shown above are available in our online catalog. For more information and to purchase, visit our website.

New Product Release…JBR 51R MAZDASPEED 6 Battery Tray

July 18, 2013 by James

We all know how tight the area around the battery is in the Mazdaspeed 6 and how it’s not at all accommodating when the time comes to upgrade to a larger intake system. The JBR 51R Small Battery Tray is a must have if you’re planning on making any kind of big power.

Designed to be small enough to make essential room for the larger intakes yet big enough to fit the power of a full sized battery without sacrificing much in the way of CCA’s! Now, you can gain unrestricted access to the Turbo, Turbo Inlet Pipe, Boost Control Solenoid or Waste Gate Actuator without having to remove your battery.

We know that a small battery tray is a necessary evil that costs money and makes no power. So, with that in mind, we took a simple approach to the problem. We used strong 14 gauge steal powder coated in a durable wrinkle black finish. We designed it to use 3 mounting points instead of 2 like the OEM tray and it includes stainless mounting hardware to secure it. All for $95.00 Shipped!

The JBR Mazdaspeed 6 51R Small Battery Tray Includes:

JBR 51R Small Battery Box*
All Necessary Mounting Hardware
Installation instructions are available in our support section
Shipping is free in the US & our Hassle Free Lifetime Warranty is also included

*51R Battery Not Included

The JBR 51R Small Battery Tray, and a JBR Wide Path Full Silicone Intake System, a combination Full of WIN!

The James Barone Racing MAZDASPEED 6 Small Battery Tray is available in our online catalog for only *$95.00 and that includes domestic shipping. For more information and to purchase, see our product page.

New Product Release…JBR 3.5″ Wide Path IAS Full Silicone Intakes Systems for MAZDASPEED 3/6

February 23, 2023July 1, 2013 by James

The JBR 3.5″ IAS OE Wide Path Full Intake System is the only solution for those seeking unrestricted flow to the stock OE, 2.25″ turbo inlet or the GT 4.0″ turbo inlet. The one piece design eliminates the need for unnecessary couplers and the joining of multiple sections that increases turbulence and friction which ultimately leads to reduced airflow. The thick, 5-ply, wire reinforced high temperature silicone is far superior at insulating the intake air from extreme engine temperatures. This translates in to lower boost air temperatures and more horsepower that no full aluminum intake can accomplish. The 3.5″ Wide Path OE IAS Intake is capable of flowing over 300 g/s on the stock KO4 turbo consistently at WOT with the proper tuning.

The JBR IAS MAF housing includes an OEM style Integrated Air Straightener. Our unique design has no volume or flow reducing impact like others using pressed in straighteners that create a lip and reduce the inside diameter of the housing. Honeycomb air straighteners, the beads rolls and sealant used to secure them, also greatly reduce the internal diameter of the MAF housing and significantly reduce the volume of air capable of passing through them. The seamless design of the JBR IAS MAF housing eliminates these performance robbing problems and provides you a smooth wide path of performance.

Every Wide Path IAS Intake includes a Dry-Flow air filter. JBR Dry Flow air filters flow 200% more air than the factory filter while providing superior engine protection. It uses both depth loading, capable of removing extremely fine particles (down to < 0.1 micron), and structural screen wire to enhance airflow capabilities. This design results in a performance air filter capable of increasing horsepower and torque! The three-dimensional synthetic filtering medium is washable and requires no oiling for years of trouble free service.

The Wide Path IAS Full Intake systems is designed to be run in recirc mode but includes a plug for easy conversion to non-recir mode.

Includes: Full 3.5″ OE Silicone Intake System with IAS MAF (3.380″ ID) Housing

Stainless T-Bolt Clamps
Plug to run in non-recirc mode
K&N Dry-Flow Filter (Washable No Oil)
Installation instructions are available in our support section
Shipping is free in the US & our Hassle Free Lifetime Warranty is included

Fitment: Simple bolt on application. Uses stock mounting location for OEM Turbo. May not use OEM mounting location with all GT Turbos. Fits with the OEM and all aftermarket top mount intercoolers. Fits with all front mount intercoolers that a conventional SRI will work with. Requires a small battery box.

Advanced Tuning Required

Tuning Services available from Stratified Automotive Controls

The James Barone Racing 3.5″ Wide Path IAS Intake System is available in our online catalog for only $295.00 and that includes domestic shipping. For more information and to purchase, see our product page.

I-MOTO Drivers insist on JBR knobs in all their race cars

June 28, 2013 by James

While out at Mid-Ohio for the Diamond Cellar Classic, Continental Tire and Rolex series races this last weekend I spent some time talking to I-MOTO crew chief Tom Badger. While talking about the cars, and what they can and can’t modify on them, I noticed that they run the stock shifter assembly and shift knob. While the rules dictate the stock shifter assembly, cables and linkage must remain OEM, there was no rule requiring the knob to stay stock. Well, it just so happened that I had a few with me so, I offered one up for them to test during the final practice session on Friday. Once he felt it he was instantly intrigued and agreed to put it in a car but, he had to get approval from the drivers first. He then proceeded to forewarn me that the drivers are very finicky and picky about what the crew changes on the cars and that if they chose not to use it, that I shouldn’t be butt hurt. I totally understood and the offer was pitched to a few of the drivers who really liked the look and feel but, graciously declined. Then, driver of the #31 car Pierre Kleinubing got a hold of it, and agreed to try it during practice. Needless to say, I was pretty thrilled.

So, I helped one of the crew members get it installed and off Pierre went, on to the track for practice.

He was out on the track for several laps and then came in to change drivers, and so the crew could collect some data from the car. As soon as he climbed out, removed his helmet and safely gear he came right over to me with a huge smile on his face and big thumbs up for how much he like the improved performance of the shifter with the JBR heavy knob installed. He was air shifting like he was banging through the gears to demonstrate to me how much better it was. I was just ecstatic.

It wasn’t long after that Tom came by, leaned in and quietly asked me if I had two more and that the other drivers had to have one now too. We laughed and headed back to the paddock where we installed them in the 30 and 32 cars.

Tom and I discussed other areas of the car that JBR manufactures parts for and we hope that this is just the beginning of our relationship with I-MOTO Racing.