acceptable turn around time?

[Johnny Blaze]

Heres the deal.

On Feb. 04, 2010, I placed an order for a set of prebent stainless steel brake lines from a big company that specializes in prebent lines. They advertise in many magazines.

The set I ordered was a standard stock replacement set in stainless steel for a 1975 chevy c 10 1/2 ton 2wd.

On the site it states that some items may take up to 3 weeks, but instock items, such as mustangs, camaros, chevy trucks, ship sooner.

week 3, I began e mailing company to get an update on my order, since this is for my daily driver truck, I need it soon.

After 3 emails, sent 3-4 days apart, I get a response on march 9 saying,
"
Hello Jeremy,
Your order is in process and almost complete. Chevrolet Truck is on fire for us right now so that is the reasof for the delays.
Thanks for your patience"

So, I replied,"Any idea in a time frame? 1 week? 2?"

To which he replied,

"SHOULD be complete and leaving here tomorrow… 03/10/10.
Thanks,"

Well, I am about 3 days shipping distance, and have yet to see the parts.

Sent them another e mail asing for an update.

IMO, this is a bit much. It has been over 1 month since they too $220. from me, and I have yet to see anything.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Tell ya what. Most of the entire industry has been caught off guard by the unexpected rush of business. We are setting sales records every month. We are hiring rightnow. Yes we work really hard. Yes we have been on a hard push and promotional things have started paying off. So we are probably are growing disproportionately. But things are alive and well in the Hot Rod world I tell ya. And that theme seems to be consistent with manufacturers. Companies that had to forecast forward 6 month for out source components are caught totally off guard right now and are sold out. No body really expected it to be this strong.

Also, most everyone trimmed staff, and now is trying to handle the rush with the staff they have, not knowing weather to believe the rush will last, so they are reluctant to hire.

Combine all this with industry habit of pulling down inventory for the end of the year taxes, then things get strong in january, You have little inventory, no labor, no forgings, and it causes a dilemma.

I have no idea if this is happening to your manufacturer, but I am seeing it and know everyone is going as fast as they can go.

Just be happy it is not the other way!

[silver69camaro]

My tip: Forgot the emails. If you want an answer, give them a call. Many companies handle emails as the lowest priority.

[Fesler built]

My tip: Forgot the emails. If you want an answer, give them a call. Many companies handle emails as the lowest priority.

Good info here, emails are last on the list and so is checking forums. The best way to get a solid answer is to pick up the phone and call and call and call. That way you know if you are getting the run around.

[Norwoodx55]

I am dealing with the run-around on some parts for my 68 C10 project. I ordered in October and still don't have my complete order. I have been in phone contact with them every 3-4 weeks, my call to them, they have COMPLETELY dropped the ball in customer service and correspondence. I am currently waiting for the promised update call.... yesterday at 1:00PM Pacific time. This is from a company that has an outstanding customer service and product reputation on another(truck) forum. What Frank is talking about may have some merit.

[Johnny Blaze]

All I ask for is a little honesty and communication.

Last week it was, they are finishing them and will be shipped out tommorrow.

Today the reply was,

"Production is having a hard time finding the patterns for your build and is trying hard to find them"

So, they out right have lied to me.

I called and canceled to order, and the salesman that I have been in contact with said,
Sorry we could not accomodate you so quickly"

Accomodate me quickly?!

I think 6 weeks is not very quickly.

I them called their competition, another big name in brakelines that also advertises in the magazines,
Ordered the part,
And he said, we should have them today, they will ship out tommorrow at the latest.

I will not post the names here, but if anyone is in the market, pm me and I will let you know who they are.

[Vegas69]

Get some brake line and bend them up yourself. It's not that difficult.