Frustrated with vendors - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Bulldog3071 · 10-23-2015, 05:27 AM

I continue to complete upgrades on my car and recently I have experienced to cases with which I have placed orders from vendors only to be notified a few days later that the parts are not in stock or back ordered up to two months. In both cases the vendor has already received the funds (credit card), and when the part was ordered their was no mention that the parts were not in stock or back ordered. If this was the cases as mentioned I would never place the order. What gives? Are the vendors so desperate that they are willing to mislead us just to get our money? Some of the vendors are sponsors on this site, they need to step up and provide more accurate information on their web sites. I will mention that both vendors have offered to refund my money.

ActNup NY · 10-23-2015, 05:32 AM

I too believe that to be the case . I won't say all vendors but I'll say just some.

Sent from my HTC Desire 610 using Tapatalk

BlueN20Camaro · 10-23-2015, 06:26 AM

Remember they make their money here. I'm pretty sure the vendor will post the usual "I'm sorry please contact me for a refund" post soon and majority of these people will eat that up like cake. I ordered the "new and better fit headers!" From TSP and it wasn't redesigned at all. They just put a merge collector and sold it. Then they said "it was redesigned to fit because of another issue" when a search reveals the steering rack to be the only issue, but they denied that. Most are just salesman and to be honest the price they sell aren't that good. Amazon had my nitrous kit for 600$ when retailed here for 1,200$. Just use them for part numbers/knowledge if you need it and search for better prices.

But some are legit as well. The FSP guys, Bo White, and plenty others.

But I give them credit, they gotta deal with the people who don't search for anything and keep the threads of "how many hp will a CAI add."

Rainbow1616 · 10-23-2015, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueN20Camaro

Remember they make their money here. I'm pretty sure the vendor will post the usual "I'm sorry please contact me for a refund" post soon and majority of these people will eat that up like cake. I ordered the "new and better fit headers!" From TSP and it wasn't redesigned at all. They just put a merge collector and sold it. Then they said "it was redesigned to fit because of another issue" when a search reveals the steering rack to be the only issue, but they denied that. Most are just salesman and to be honest the price they sell aren't that good. Amazon had my nitrous kit for 600$ when retailed here for 1,200$. Just use them for part numbers/knowledge if you need it and search for better prices.

But some are legit as well. The FSP guys, Bo White, and plenty others.

But I give them credit, they gotta deal with the people who don't search for anything and keep the threads of "how many hp will a CAI add."

This

And Amazon doesn't charge you until they ship. I always research items then by them from Amazon. My wife is finally gettting use to the Amazon boxes Every day.

I recently bought a new front splitter to replace a damaged one...Amazon..free shipping and best price By Far.

Trob85 · 10-23-2015, 06:48 AM

Agreed with above statements I hardly buy from vendors here usually you can find them cheaper online, unless it's a one off thing. It's convenient for most to just buy from people one here but honestly shop around and doing some research will save you in the long run.

BlueN20Camaro · 10-23-2015, 06:59 AM

Amazon is like the vendors worst nightmare, they usually are at 10-40% below market value and with prime have fast shipping.

SlingShot · 10-23-2015, 08:06 AM

You'll also find a lot of the venders don't stock anything, they simply drop ship.

xk49 · 10-23-2015, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueN20Camaro

Amazon is like the vendors worst nightmare, they usually are at 10-40% below market value and with prime have fast shipping.

How can it be below market value? It appears to me that the market value is determined for "whatever" you can sell it for. So, for a vendor to complain they are being undercut, then the vendor needs to change his business practice.

A little off subject here, but I too am pretty fed up with the small mom and pop online stuff, not all, but there's enough that its an issue. I posted the same issue a few months ago with my frustration at ordering stuff online direct from the vendor only to be stalled for about a month, not days, a month.

Don't sell if you don't have it or clearly state a "conservative" delivery time.

CamaroCracka · 10-23-2015, 09:27 AM

There are items on Amazon the come up at the top of the search and are substantially more than if you change the searchto yield more results and filter by price. There is always someone willing to take your money. In general, I find if a vendor is getting stuff from China and repackaging it, you can find it cheaper elsewhere. Sometimes if you don't need 100 of them, the vendor breaking bulk for you is a better deal.

There is a lot of footwork to parts sourcing at lower prices, so lots of people just pay the price of the first thing that comes up in the search. For me the extra effort is worth the money as I sit in front of computer all day anyway.

PalmerGA · 10-23-2015, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulldog3071

...when the part was ordered there was no mention that the parts were not in stock or back ordered. If this was the cases as mentioned I would never place the order.

That is why they don't mention it.

As stated by others, a good many vendors are just middle men. They take/process the orders and the item is drop shipped directly from the manufacturer to the customer. The vendor you deal with may actually have no inventory at all.

It's always best to use vendors whose sites tell you if an item is in stock or not, and how quickly it will ship. If this info is not on their site, give them a call and ask them before ordering.

"Buyer beware!"

Ace0751 · 10-23-2015, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PalmerGA

That is why they don't mention it.

As stated by others, a good many vendors are just middle men. They take/process the orders and the item is drop shipped directly from the manufacturer to the customer. The vendor you deal with may actually have no inventory at all.

It's always best to use vendors whose sites tell you if an item is in stock or not, and how quickly it will ship. If this info is not on their site, give them a call and ask them before ordering.

"Buyer beware!"

This. I usually ask to see if the product is in stock then make the choice to buy it or not. Most of the vendors here will get back to you very quickly to see if they have it in stock or not.

rdame · 10-23-2015, 11:58 AM

Buying has always been like this. Hence the phrase caveat emptor. If you are dealing with a small vendor then do your due diligence. Small mom and pop operations are the backbone of the hot rod industry. However small operations are also the riskiest to buy from because everyone looks big on the internet. You don't know if they have the buying power to get 50 sets of headers at a time or if they are a dorm room hot rod shop drop shipping. You don’t know if they are swimming in cash or barely hanging on. Were they really really good and suddenly overwhelmed by their success? If you go there and are buying a part and want some honest expertise, and they possess that knowledge, then be willing to pay a little premium for that. Look to buy from them through a storefront that will have some kind of standards for seller and will step in of things go hinky like Amazon. Larger vendors are different and more out there with different problems like OEM'ing a product and then stepping back if there is an issue with the manufacturer. Maybe Fred the shipper is new and screwed up the inventory and billing. However larger less than optimal suppliers are outed pretty quickly if they have poor practices and customer service. The fortunate thing is now that the internet is here pricing is no secret. Customer service and relations is no secret. Reviews are everywhere and even though everyone can end up with a troll or two, the preponderance of the reviews is usually pretty accurate over time. Just make sure to view it with a grain of salt. Gouging and high prices are outed pretty quickly. Being part of a specific community, like Camaro5 kind of makes us fish in a barrel. Focused interests and typically anxious to buy. Camaro5 seems to do a good job of keeping the riff raff out, but they are there. I have noted change in customer service and quality in all areas of products and buying. Tight economies are forcing smaller margins and stores are often squeezing the quality out of the product and customer service to survive. Bottom line is knowing your supplier and protect yourself with using a CC, PayPal, and your search engine. All that being said, s*@# happens. Even the best suppliers have bad days as do customers. Sometimes things just go sideways. If you run this then just work it out. Use the tools at hand. Get a promised delivery and weeks later it is not there. Protest the charge. Sometimes you have to just take the loss and vote with your feet, and have the endurance to not buy there not matter how good the sale. I just spent some money with a well known sponsor here on this board who is well liked and has great reviews. They also had a few nasty ones also, but everyone who is in the business will have a few. How they handle them is what matters most. I still drove down to see them face to face. I actually ended up there because another reputable sponsor never responded to me despite two conversations and several emails. Their communications and follow up with the supplier I bought from were prompt and quick, despite their full days. I voted with my feet. If they are too busy when I am trying to buy, how will they be after the purchase. They may be the greatest supplier in the world but I am done with them.

My only comment for vendors is customers are your bread and butter. Know your market and what it takes to keep it happy and healthy. Customer service is a key component to that... If a customer asks if something is in stock and you tell him it is and know it is not, or will process a refund and then do not, then don't be surprised if the smoke rises. On the other hand you can be rewarded handsomely if you generate a happy client base.

My 2 cents, or may more like my $2

carfansince73 · 10-23-2015, 12:30 PM

The right thing to do is charge your card when the product ships.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulldog3071

In both cases the vendor has already received the funds (credit card)

This is your best defense for those that don't offer a refund or a call back because you can dispute the charge. Either you get your money back or the vendor gets it in gear and ships your merchandise. Love that!

BaronConcepts · 10-23-2015, 12:36 PM

I am not a huge vendor, so my experience might be slightly different.

Sometimes not all systems are 100% synced because I am a small vendor and don't have resources for expensive computer system that tracks inventory everywhere. Therefore I manually adjust inventory across my marketplaces. Very rarely, I am low on stock and get several orders at night or when I am busy. Unfortunately I am not able to adjust inventory right away on another website and I get a sale there as well. Of course I am forced to refund right away.

However, I NEVER have this issue when I have a "manual" sale because I check inventory before I offer the item or get asked about price/availability.

10-23-2015, 05:27 AM	#1
Bulldog3071 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 931 View My Garage	Frustrated with vendors I continue to complete upgrades on my car and recently I have experienced to cases with which I have placed orders from vendors only to be notified a few days later that the parts are not in stock or back ordered up to two months. In both cases the vendor has already received the funds (credit card), and when the part was ordered their was no mention that the parts were not in stock or back ordered. If this was the cases as mentioned I would never place the order. What gives? Are the vendors so desperate that they are willing to mislead us just to get our money? Some of the vendors are sponsors on this site, they need to step up and provide more accurate information on their web sites. I will mention that both vendors have offered to refund my money. __________________ Hurst Short Throw Shifter, K&N CAI, SRP Racing Pedals, GM Performance Exhaust, GM GFX Package Lakewood Strut Tower Brace, JBA Shorty Headers, JBA 8 MM Wires, Airaid TB Spacer, Phastek CAI Scoop, Washer Bottle Relocation Kit, Stainlees Steel Brake Lines, Brake Performance Slotted and Drilled Rotors, BMR Tunnel Brace, BMR Trailing Arms, BMR Subframe Connectors, Borla ATAK Muffelers, Z28 Wickerbill Spoiler, VTC, Bow Tie Delete, BMR Adjustable Front Swaybar, BMR End Link Kit, BMR Extreme Rear Anti-Roll Kit, Diablo I1000 "InTune"

10-23-2015, 05:32 AM	#2
ActNup NY Drives: 2011 1LT Black Camaro Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 2,496 View My Garage	I too believe that to be the case . I won't say all vendors but I'll say just some. Sent from my HTC Desire 610 using Tapatalk __________________ *The DREAM is free... It's the HUSTLE that is sold seperately*

10-23-2015, 06:48 AM	#5
Trob85 Svt lol Drives: 2011 ss inferno orange blown Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Topeka Posts: 2,312	Agreed with above statements I hardly buy from vendors here usually you can find them cheaper online, unless it's a one off thing. It's convenient for most to just buy from people one here but honestly shop around and doing some research will save you in the long run. __________________ plasti dip is not a mod.......and a cold air intake doesn't make you fast!

10-23-2015, 08:06 AM	#7
SlingShot Drives: 2012 ZL1 - #670 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Seminole, Fl. Posts: 8,009	You'll also find a lot of the venders don't stock anything, they simply drop ship. __________________

10-23-2015, 09:27 AM	#9
CamaroCracka Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 2,736	There are items on Amazon the come up at the top of the search and are substantially more than if you change the searchto yield more results and filter by price. There is always someone willing to take your money. In general, I find if a vendor is getting stuff from China and repackaging it, you can find it cheaper elsewhere. Sometimes if you don't need 100 of them, the vendor breaking bulk for you is a better deal. There is a lot of footwork to parts sourcing at lower prices, so lots of people just pay the price of the first thing that comes up in the search. For me the extra effort is worth the money as I sit in front of computer all day anyway. __________________ 2010 SS - On3 kit with downpipe cutout, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1/1LE brakes. 2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. ZL1 brakes.

10-23-2015, 06:26 AM	#3
BlueN20Camaro Banned Drives: 1LE LS3 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Miami Posts: 539	Remember they make their money here. I'm pretty sure the vendor will post the usual "I'm sorry please contact me for a refund" post soon and majority of these people will eat that up like cake. I ordered the "new and better fit headers!" From TSP and it wasn't redesigned at all. They just put a merge collector and sold it. Then they said "it was redesigned to fit because of another issue" when a search reveals the steering rack to be the only issue, but they denied that. Most are just salesman and to be honest the price they sell aren't that good. Amazon had my nitrous kit for 600$ when retailed here for 1,200$. Just use them for part numbers/knowledge if you need it and search for better prices. But some are legit as well. The FSP guys, Bo White, and plenty others. But I give them credit, they gotta deal with the people who don't search for anything and keep the threads of "how many hp will a CAI add."

10-23-2015, 06:59 AM	#6
BlueN20Camaro Banned Drives: 1LE LS3 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Miami Posts: 539	Amazon is like the vendors worst nightmare, they usually are at 10-40% below market value and with prime have fast shipping.

10-23-2015, 11:58 AM	#12
rdame Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Central Massachusetts Posts: 78 View My Garage	Buying has always been like this. Hence the phrase caveat emptor. If you are dealing with a small vendor then do your due diligence. Small mom and pop operations are the backbone of the hot rod industry. However small operations are also the riskiest to buy from because everyone looks big on the internet. You don't know if they have the buying power to get 50 sets of headers at a time or if they are a dorm room hot rod shop drop shipping. You don’t know if they are swimming in cash or barely hanging on. Were they really really good and suddenly overwhelmed by their success? If you go there and are buying a part and want some honest expertise, and they possess that knowledge, then be willing to pay a little premium for that. Look to buy from them through a storefront that will have some kind of standards for seller and will step in of things go hinky like Amazon. Larger vendors are different and more out there with different problems like OEM'ing a product and then stepping back if there is an issue with the manufacturer. Maybe Fred the shipper is new and screwed up the inventory and billing. However larger less than optimal suppliers are outed pretty quickly if they have poor practices and customer service. The fortunate thing is now that the internet is here pricing is no secret. Customer service and relations is no secret. Reviews are everywhere and even though everyone can end up with a troll or two, the preponderance of the reviews is usually pretty accurate over time. Just make sure to view it with a grain of salt. Gouging and high prices are outed pretty quickly. Being part of a specific community, like Camaro5 kind of makes us fish in a barrel. Focused interests and typically anxious to buy. Camaro5 seems to do a good job of keeping the riff raff out, but they are there. I have noted change in customer service and quality in all areas of products and buying. Tight economies are forcing smaller margins and stores are often squeezing the quality out of the product and customer service to survive. Bottom line is knowing your supplier and protect yourself with using a CC, PayPal, and your search engine. All that being said, s@# happens. Even the best suppliers have bad days as do customers. Sometimes things just go sideways. If you run this then just work it out. Use the tools at hand. Get a promised delivery and weeks later it is not there. Protest the charge. Sometimes you have to just take the loss and vote with your feet, and have the endurance to not buy there not matter how good the sale. I just spent some money with a well known sponsor here on this board who is well liked and has great reviews. They also had a few nasty ones also, but everyone who is in the business will have a few. How they handle them is what matters most. I still drove down to see them face to face. I actually ended up there because another reputable sponsor never responded to me despite two conversations and several emails. Their communications and follow up with the supplier I bought from were prompt and quick, despite their full days. I voted with my feet. If they are too busy when I am trying to buy, how will they be after the purchase. They may be the greatest supplier in the world but I am done with them. My only comment for vendors is customers are your bread and butter. Know your market and what it takes to keep it happy and healthy. Customer service is a key component to that... If a customer asks if something is in stock and you tell him it is and know it is not, or will process a refund and then do not, then don't be surprised if the smoke rises. On the other hand you can be rewarded handsomely if you generate a happy client base. My 2 cents, or may more like my $2 Last edited by rdame; 10-23-2015 at 12:31 PM.*

10-23-2015, 12:36 PM	#14
BaronConcepts Drives: Camaro Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: NYC Posts: 223	I am not a huge vendor, so my experience might be slightly different. Sometimes not all systems are 100% synced because I am a small vendor and don't have resources for expensive computer system that tracks inventory everywhere. Therefore I manually adjust inventory across my marketplaces. Very rarely, I am low on stock and get several orders at night or when I am busy. Unfortunately I am not able to adjust inventory right away on another website and I get a sale there as well. Of course I am forced to refund right away. However, I NEVER have this issue when I have a "manual" sale because I check inventory before I offer the item or get asked about price/availability.