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BilletPro AV Knobs - FYI

Blueruck

Full Member
Joined
May 17, 2002
Messages
2,368
I missed out on the group buy and went to BilletPro.com to buy the AV knobs. I couldn't find them on the site so I e-mailed them and got the following response.

Since that time, we have been in contact with GM to get licensing for use of their logos. One of the stipulations was that we cease selling anything that is their copyright, until such time as the product is approved.

If you like, I can contact you when, and if we get approval, or we still have the plain and horizontal bar models.

Thanks for your inquiry,
Dan
 
Doh!
homer13_thumb.gif


Looks like those of us that lucked out getting in early may have limited editions ;D


Hopefully something will be worked out. ?
But I know it's tough to get these big companies to release anything. ?A lot easier to just decline a request than to route it through to the bigshot that can actually approve it.
 
I would assume that you can still get the bowite, Z-71, or plain billet knobs still at the discounted price.

But if you're wanting the AVA_LAN_CHE knobs you might be out of luck.

I wonder how he can get away with the bowtie & Z-71 logos but not AVALANCHE?
 
Wow, you're right :eek:

He must have got busted for using the emblems :rolleyes:

So those of us that jumped on these really do have limited editions ;D

Sorry guys.

The plain billet would still really dress up the interior. Especially combined with the white A/C overlay.
 
Thought I would check and see if I am the only one (most of the time I am :))

My headlight knob stopped turniong the switch a couple of weeks ago. :cry: I did just e-mail them to see if there is anything I/they can do about it....

Anyone else seen this issue?
 
Mine still works fine, although I let them turn on and of automatically 90% of the time.
 
Just an update:

I spoke with Billetpro by email about 2 weeks ago...
They are working on an "illuminated version" of their billet knobs. They did get approval from "The General" and are just awaiting the final paperwork...
Then I think we will see the bowties, Z71, Z66 logos go back up for sale again...
By the way, you can still order their knobs at a 20% discount.
 
Thanks Cindy for the update - I just sent them an e-mail today asking about the status :)
 
Perpendicular said:
Thought I would check and see if I am the only one (most of the time I am :))

My headlight knob stopped turniong the switch a couple of weeks ago. ?:cry: I did just e-mail them to see if there is anything I/they can do about it....

Anyone else seen this issue?

i had this problem too.. and the only time i use that knob is when it's raining during the day cuz the lights don't go on automatically.. anyway, the molded plastic in the knob just came loose from the metal.. i just popped the plastic out, used some crazy glue on it and popped it back in.. works fine now..
 
I sent them an e-mail yesterday and David called me back within just a few hours.

Wow, what great customer service. If more businesses did business like they do, the world would be a better place. He is mailing me out a replacement straight away and appologized for the problem. He was surprised that it happened, but didn't question it and took care of me like I was someone that just spent a bunch of money with them.

He also did say he is just about ready to start selling the logo'd pieces. He is waiting on the paperwork to be finalized still, but it is very close. He also said he should be at the Texas Heat Wave with a lot of product come summer time, and since I live 5 miles from there I guess I will have to go meet him and shake his hand.

For anyone even contemplating this mod to your truck, these are the people to deal with - you won't regret it!
 
Bad news here is the note I got yesterday when I inquired about the logoed knobs: :C:

we currently do not offer any a/c or headlight knobs with logos on them. We did make some last year and ended up selling quite a few. We decided it would be best to proceed with getting licensed by GM so we would not run into any copyright laws. During the licensing process we were told one thing only to get the final contract a couple of weeks ago that says something a little differently. We have declined to go through with the agreements and will not be making any more AVA knobs. I know there will be a lot of disappointed Avalanche owners out there. We have received quite a few emails over the past several months with most waiting until we do get licensed. We do however still carry the a/c and headlight knobs in plain or ball milled.



Dave Hoelzeman ? Billetpro

www.billetpro.com

 
lordmac said:
Bad news here is the note I got yesterday when I inquired about the logoed knobs: ?:C:

we currently do not offer any a/c or headlight knobs with logos on them. ?We did make some last year and ended up selling quite a few. ?We decided it would be best to proceed with getting licensed by GM so we would not run into any copyright laws. ?During the licensing process we were told one thing only to get the final contract a couple of weeks ago that says something a little differently. ?We have declined to go through with the agreements and will not be making any more AVA knobs. ?I know there will be a lot of disappointed Avalanche owners out there. ?We have received quite a few emails over the past several months with most waiting until we do get licensed. ?We do however still carry the a/c and headlight knobs in plain or ball milled. ?



Dave Hoelzeman ? Billetpro

www.billetpro.com ? ?

That sucks. I was looking at getting these when they just quit making them. Man I'm a little late like always.
 
AtomTaz said:
That sucks. ?I was looking at getting these when they just quit making them. ?Man I'm a little late like always.

I was waiting and looking forward to getting the: "illuminated version".
 
Hi Everybody. the bads news is correct. I have not had the chance to send emails to all those who emailed about the AVA knobs. Some of you may be getting your first notice of the news here on this forum.

I am just as dissapointed as you all are. The AVA a/c knobs on the pre '03 models were very unique. I have had several people ask about them over the last few months. We have not had the chance to make any 2 knob sets for the '03 models.

We are very dissapointed about how EMI handled the licensing process. Equity Managment Incorporated is the firm that handles licensing for GM and other large companies. The beginning of the licensing process began several months ago. Throughout the process we have asked for all the necessary requirements that will be needed to complete the licensing process. This request felt like pulling teeth as EMI never openly provided the information when requested. We received the final license contract 2 weeks late after the date our license was supposed to start. Terms were added to the license which were never mentioned to Billetpro despite several requests. To meet the new added terms we would have to dole out more money in costs and would have added several extra weeks worth of delays. Needless to say all forms have been returned unsigned and we will not being doing business with EMI or GM.

For those of you who are looking for the illuminated version of our a/c knobs, we are not going to offer illumination for some time. Those who visit our website will notice that we do not offer illumination with any of our products. We did illuminate some of our Dodge and Ford a/c knobs a couple of months ago with varying degrees of success. We have discontinued doing so until we get a chance to spend more time on the illuminated inserts. We have tried a few different materials, but overall did not achieve the results that we were looking for.

Dave - Billetpro
 
Well now that sucks. Well I guess you can say it was not ment to be. Thanks for the update and explaining the situation in person. That was very nice of you.
 
I hope this does not appear a stupid question- but HOW do you remove the Av 2003 light switch ribbed knob??? I have pulled, pushed, twisted and turned and nothing [but it did temporarily cuttoff the lighting under the knob]. I just need somebody to tell how to get it to release. Help please- Anybody??
 
I see an opportunity here. I have a very close freind who owns a large machine shop. I bet if I could give him some sort of plans, he could make a batch of 15 to 20 sets for me. Does anyone know how I could get some plans or specs? If they are made, I would be willing to give a free set to the person who helps with the plans/specs. I do not want this to be a business, so I would only do one batch and sell them at cost. I would just keep a set for me for my time. Whatcha think? How hard can it be?
 
Actually BilletPro in Arkansas makes them all already- and really dirt cheap. If you look at this thread you will see his remarks with the problems he had with GM on logos. The guy is really nice and makes a good product. GM did not like him using GM names [Z-71/ Ava Lan Che, etc] on the knobs. To cure that GM also changed the knobs on the A/C from 3 knobs to 2 knobs- and GM had one rough contract to meet which would make almost anyone choke. You can look this up back a page or two.
 
colonelmotox said:
Actually BilletPro in Arkansas makes them all already- and really dirt cheap. If you look at this thread you will see his remarks with the problems he had with GM on logos. The guy is really nice and makes a good product. GM did not like him using GM names [Z-71/ Ava Lan Che, etc] on the knobs. To cure that GM also changed the knobs on the A/C from 3 knobs to 2 knobs- and GM had one rough contract to meet which would make almost anyone choke. You can look this up back a page or two.

What I meant, is that he could make a batch with AVALANCHE. Or actually, I could make a batch for personal use. As long as I do not sell them, I am not doing anything wrong. So these will not be for sale, free to all who donate the agreed upon price to my divorce fund. ?:cry: ?;) Like I said, I do not want to start a business or make a profit, just help some people, including myself get these knobs.
 
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