I placed a large order with them nearly a week ago. It still says "processing" on their site and they haven't answered any of my emails (3).

Should I be concerned? How long does it usually take to get stuff from these guys? I am getting it all shipped to the border and driving down from Canada to pick it up in one go, I don't want them shipping the items in dribs and drabs.

Anyone have anything good to say about this vendor?

Most restoration businesses do not have all parts on hand or in stock.

What did you order?

I have been buying parts for about 25 years...all Firebird related. I will share a little of what I know...and learned.

Depending on the business, if they don't carry a part or multitude of parts, they outsource. As an example, Performance Years sells Part A for $32.99. Ecklers sells it for $42.99 but do not stock it and is technically a pre-order. Thus, you order is still processing. They are waiting for your part to be delivered to them at a markup.

Tamraz is notorious for this business practice.

In order to save on overhead and storage costs, you (along with many others) buys a 400 hood from a vendor. In order for them to get the best price, they wait until 10 or so hoods are ordered and make you wait. Yous till pay their price, but the volume of a particulat item ordered reflects a better price for them.

Thanks for the explanation.

So I could have to wait months to get my items (none of which said back order at the time of sale)? I will call them tomorrow and see what the scoop is.

Perhaps I had better cancel it as the shipping address is not my home address. I had thought four weeks was an acceptable expectation, but then again I am new to the game.

It would be great if they stated the lead in time on their site.

They could have answered my emails and explained this.

What was the part(s) you ordered?

Wiring harnesses, seat covers and a few other odds and ends.

Nothing I would consider too uncommon.

To be fair their site did state the seat covers would ship direct from manufacturer. I assumed that they had most everything else in stock because it didn't state otherwise(my fault I guess).

Hopefully my concerns are unfounded and they giving the tracking details when I call tomorrow.

There are too many colors to keep in stock. PUI manufactures a large majority of the covers...I can't remember the name of the company that recreates the correct wiring harnesses, and that too...probably 12 different engine and lamp harness configurations for them to keep every one on hand and in stock.

IMO, they are waiting for someone else to ship your parts to them...or drop shipping to you direct.

Different supplier but my sheet metal was overnight, my mirrors and emblems were 2 weeks, my seat covers and foam were 6 weeks, my front wheel opening mouldings took more than 6 months. I dealt with a more local Canadian supplier and the prices were slightly higher than classics online catalogue but freight wasn't too bad. They also "weeded out" some of the poor quality stuff that I had been looking at online and steered me towards some better parts. Good luck.

My guess is that it is M&H Electrical Fabricators who do most of the repop wiring harnesses.

Neill, what supplier did you use for these? I am always looking to compare cdn. suppliers.

Hotrods and classics in Chilliwack.

I phoned and they told me the order was being held because my CC was Canadian and I was getting it shipped to the US. You can't blame them for this as that would have been Visa.

However it would have been nice to know!!!! My order on their website merely stated "Processing" for the last week.

They were nice enough to cancel my order.

Why did you choose Ecklers? I have looked through their offerings and was not impressed. There are several well known and established vendors that can take care of you.

Performance Years and Ames are the two I have used for more than 20 years without trouble.

Marc

Thanx Neill, I had ordered some seat covers and buns from them a few years ago, I remember they were very good to deal with.

Dion

Besides Ames and Performance years also NPD, I've used them for 20 yrs and service is always good and quality too. Fast shipping.

If your close to the border then have them ship your stuff to a outlet that holds your shipment just over the border in the US. Then come down with your truck and bring them across. A lot of suppliers will ship to US address for $0. Quicker and cheaper in some cases.

I use Montana Shipping Outlet in Montana.

That is exactly what I am doing Gus...(great minds) ;-)
I am using A. N. DERINGER INC, through Kinek. They are in Calais, Maine.

The trouble is I am not super close to the border, it is 4.5 hours each way and I didn't want to make multiple trips to pick up my order over 2-3 months.

They held my parts for 3 months. Got a bunch of stuff!

Wow...

I have never done it before so I didn't want to push it. I will likely be making another run in the fall.

They should have about $5000 in part waiting for me by the end of the month. Christmas in June!!!

That's what I said to my wife as well. She didn't laugh though.
It's amazing how long they can harbor a grudge and abstain from sex. I can't do it. lol

I keep a separate bank account at our Credit Union for my Firebird.

It helps keep the peace.

I also serves as a checking account in my name only in case of a total collapse.

Like minds think alike. It just solves A LOT of potential problems!

It's always been "our money" and not "my money, her money".
In the end you cannot take it with you.

Same applies to debt.

When one of us gets sick the other rubs their hands together (it's going to be all my money soon).

LOL, I can relate to that Brian...

The debt and the money are one in the same at our place as well.

I feel the some pain with every major purchase