Tough call on this shop, do you agree with this.

[Ripped]

Pardon me for being non descriptive, but I am not trying to bad mouth anyone.

I had been in contact with a particular shop, for parts for my car, a few months ago. They are a well known shop, with no negative feedback, or issues that I know about, other than they are popular, and busy.

I did not have much luck contacting them by email, because I assume that they get a lot of time wasting questions.

A pretty nice deal came up on a part I want, from another car enthusiast, but the part is at the above busy shop.



I could either ship the part from there to me, or have the shop complete the component installation, on that part, and then ship it to me. The second option would be great, because they are known for quality work.

However, here is where it gets difficult. They still don't respond to emails, and although I got through with one phone call, it was a challenge, and they were pretty busy.

I tried faxing an estimate request and shipping, but their listed fax machine does not answer.

So, I am thinking, as much as I want this part, if these guys are so hard to get a hold of now, I am wondering how difficult it will be when I am spending money, or if there will be massive delays.

In no way do I think these guys are anything but a top notch shop, BUT perhaps going through growing pains, and just not able to keep up with all the information requests, emails and phone calls.

Anyway, I am kind of resigned to the fact, I'm going to kiss the parts deal goodbye and deal with another shop, that's easier to get a hold of. What would you do?

[cornfedbill]

My experience is that service is king. When a supplier is too busy to assist you, there is nothing much that can be done.

If you REALLY want what they have AND have time to wait, it may be the right thing for you.

If it were me, I would look elsewhere to see if I could get what I want from someone who is not so overloaded.

[MrQuick]

call a few more times then shop else where. what did you need?

[aussietony]

Pardon me for being non descriptive, but I am not trying to bad mouth anyone.

I had been in contact with a particular shop, for parts for my car, a few months ago. They are a well known shop, with no negative feedback, or issues that I know about, other than they are popular, and busy.

I did not have much luck contacting them by email, because I assume that they get a lot of time wasting questions.

A pretty nice deal came up on a part I want, from another car enthusiast, but the part is at the above busy shop.

I could either ship the part from there to me, or have the shop complete the component installation, on that part, and then ship it to me. The second option would be great, because they are known for quality work.

However, here is where it gets difficult. They still don't respond to emails, and although I got through with one phone call, it was a challenge, and they were pretty busy.

I tried faxing an estimate request and shipping, but their listed fax machine does not answer.

So, I am thinking, as much as I want this part, if these guys are so hard to get a hold of now, I am wondering how difficult it will be when I am spending money, or if there will be massive delays.

In no way do I think these guys are anything but a top notch shop, BUT perhaps going through growing pains, and just not able to keep up with all the information requests, emails and phone calls.

Anyway, I am kind of resigned to the fact, I'm going to kiss the parts deal goodbye and deal with another shop, that's easier to get a hold of. What would you do?

Any chance this shop is down florida way? If it is i reccomend your keep your money and run like hell. Also read the feedback section if it is the shop in florida.

[FULMNTE]

No service - no money...

[JLMounce]

Are you positive that they aren't responding to your e-mails? Check your spam and junk folders. I run an internet business and this is a real problem. There are so many spam filters out there now that anybody responding to e-mails using a registered domain that is obviously a company of some sort can have their e-mails redirected.

For posterity sake, try whitelisting the company as a trusted recipient and sending another e-mail. If you still don't get a response, you know it's lack of service on their end.

[Ripped]

My experience is that service is king. When a supplier is too busy to assist you, there is nothing much that can be done... get what I want from someone who is not so overloaded.

call a few more times then shop else where. what did you need?

I'm going to try phoning today. My understanding is that works the best.

Any chance this shop is down florida way? If it is i reccomend your keep your money and run like hell. Also read the feedback section if it is the shop in florida.

No not in Florida. They have a good reputation, just busy or growing pains, I think.

No service - no money...

I'm getting an excellent response from one of his competitors, however, he does not have that one part I want. Due to weight, it is not sensible to ship by truck, from one shop to the other, then to me. It negates the good price I negotiated on the part that I want.

Are you positive that they aren't responding to your e-mails? ....... If you still don't get a response, you know it's lack of service on their end.

Yeah, and it makes sense that they are not responding, a small shop getting 20 time-wasting, tech email questions every day, probably uses up a lot of time.
BUT when I buy expensive parts, cross country or a long distance away, I like to have written back up, fax, email, letter to avoid confusion and mistakes. It's better for everyone. I also like to know what I am going to be spending.

[srh3trinity]

Sounds like you are buying the part from an individual and then you are going to have the shop upgrade it. Is that correct? Do you trust the individual you are buying the part from? Maybe they could encourage the shop to work with you and contact you so that he sells his part and they get a paying project. If I misunderstood, then disregard.

[Ripped]

Sounds like you are buying the part from an individual and then you are going to have the shop upgrade it. Is that correct? Do you trust the individual you are buying the part from? Maybe they could encourage the shop to work with you and contact you so that he sells his part and they get a paying project. If I misunderstood, then disregard.

Yeah, I trust both the seller of the part, and the shop.

I phoned and their phone went to voice mail, so I left a message, so we'll see, what happens.

In my line of work (construction/ Project management) generally if the trade/supplier/consultant is hard to get a hold of, even before they start work, then usually that says a lot about how the job is going to go.

[SPCHIV]

They might be thrashing for SEMA.

[srh3trinity]

You probably already knew the answer before you started the thread. I know it is tough to pass up a good deal, but it sounds like you should trust your instincts. Let's hope, for the sake of the hobby and the shop, that they are indeed having some growing pains and they get it sorted out.

[JLMounce]

Yeah, and it makes sense that they are not responding, a small shop getting 20 time-wasting, tech email questions every day, probably uses up a lot of time.
BUT when I buy expensive parts, cross country or a long distance away, I like to have written back up, fax, email, letter to avoid confusion and mistakes. It's better for everyone. I also like to know what I am going to be spending.

I run a company that serves over 20,000 customers. Up until 3 weeks ago we didn't have a dedicated customer support team, we all kind of chipped in. While it does cut in to other work, every customer left waiting is a customer not buying and paying. It's bad business. If you're positive you're simply being ignored (even if they are busy) I'd look elsewhere.

[TheJDMan]

You probably already knew the answer before you started the thread. I know it is tough to pass up a good deal, but it sounds like you should trust your instincts. Let's hope, for the sake of the hobby and the shop, that they are indeed having some growing pains and they get it sorted out.

I totally agree!

[Ripped]

Thanks for the reassurance guys. No return call on the voicemail yet. I am sourcing elsewhere, and getting a new part, but it's also going to cost a lot more, if I go that route.

[cmac06]

Thanks for the reassurance guys. No return call on the voicemail yet. I am sourcing elsewhere, and getting a new part, but it's also going to cost a lot more, if I go that route.

You'll feel better in the end. Saving a little bit of money is not always worth the hassle involved. Usually when spending a bit more, it is for things like good customer service.