Bad experience with a DMC vendor?

[Stainless]

I prefer to give my business to companies that take care of their customers. Unfortunately, I shipped one of my rear quarter panels to a DMC vendor six weeks ago to attempt a dent repair. Each time I call for an update on the repair I am told that they will get to it soon, but each week comes and goes and the panel still hasn't been touched. Had I known it would take this long, I simply would have bought a new one instead.

I hate having to be the one to call to find out about any updates. Maybe I expect too much, but I feel like I should be the one receiving phone calls regarding updates instead of me bugging them all the time. I also think that a month is plenty of time to attempt a repair that should take no more than 4 hours, so I'm told. I don't want to name names because I actually think he's a great guy. I just wish that he would be straightforward with me and stop giving me empty promises. Anyone else have a poor experience with a vendor, or is it just me?

[sean]

Did you request or receive a time estimate before shipping the panel?

[Stainless]

Did you request or receive a time estimate before shipping the panel?

Technically no. I was told that it would be a 3 to 4 hour job once it got there. There was no mention that it would be 3 to 4 hours in December, or whenever they get around to it. I ASSumed that it would sooner rather than later. Shame on me.

[sean]

Shame on me.

No, not that. I was just curious if you were promised anything. 6 weeks does seem pretty excessive too considering a 3-4 hour estimate to complete.

[Stainless]

No, not that. I was just curious if you were promised anything. 6 weeks does seem pretty excessive too considering a 3-4 hour estimate to complete.

Initially I wasn't promised anything. After one phone call I made, I was told that they would fix it over Labor Day weekend. Needless to say, that didn't happen. I'm just tired of waiting, you know? I feel like I have been very patient up to this point because I want them to take their time with the actual repair and do a good job, but since they haven't even touched it after this much time has passed, I'm getting frustrated.

Let me know if you've had a poor experience with a vendor. Thanks!

[DMC3165]

My biggest problem with the vendors is I've been dissatisfied with the quality of some of their parts. It's been my experience that NOS parts are without a doubt the best quality. Even though some vendors advertise their stuff as new and improved its total crap in some cases. Without this sounding like a shameless plug for someone I prefer to buy all my parts and services from one supplier and over time I've been fairly happy with his services.

[nullset]

I've had mixed experiences with all of the vendors at one time or another.

My favorite to work with is Toby @ Delorean-parts.com. He definitely went very far in supporting me, and he has used parts for reasonable prices.

DMC Midwest also has great customer service.

I've not dealt much with DMC Florida or Houston, other than ordering online.

Hervey spends too much time bragging about how good his parts are. Some are good, some aren't. My car had a D140 on it, and what I think are his Easy Rider shocks. Both were broken when I got the car, despite not being that old. His cold air intake tube didn't come with everything it needed. I think that has changed, though.

He is very slow to respond sometimes, because he's a one man shop. However, once you get him on the phone, he'll definitely talk your ear off and offer advice and opinions, and his prices can't be beat. Call, email, fax, and send him a telagram. Once you get in touch with him, he's pretty easy to work with. His rebuilt brake calipers are top notch. HIGHLY recommended. I also have the KYB shocks ready to install, but haven't had time to get around to it. Those are hopefully better than the blown Easy Riders. If you need something fast, don't call Hervey. He also tends to split large orders up into smaller shipments, without telling you that. So you'll get one box with most of your order, then a week later another with some different pieces, then you'll call him and ask about the rest. I wish he'd be a bit more communicative when he's sending things out.

These are my experiences. I continue to support any vendor that can get me a quality part at a price I can afford.

So far, I haven't had any mind blowingly bad experiences with anyone. Just mixed reviews…. :)

--buddy

[Stainless]

I am pleased to report that after almost 6 weeks of waiting, I got a reply from the DMC vendor that I was venting about in my original post. The panel has finally been repaired and I was told that it will be shipped to me in the coming week. I would like to think that the vendor did this because of my constant contacts, but perhaps he caught a glimpse of this thread and realized that it was him that I was whining about. :) Either way, I couldn't be happier with the pictures of the repair and the last conversation that we had. Go vendors!

[David T]

Let's hope it doesn't get damaged in shipping!
David Teitelbaum

[Stainless]

Let's hope it doesn't get damaged in shipping!
David Teitelbaum

No kidding! It arrived there with no damage, so I'm hoping its journey back to me is just as successful.

[1Mcfly4u]

that's great news! It's amazing what a little open discussion on the forums can seem to do to expedite/ move things along. Lets hope that baby makes it's way back to you with no shipping damage!

[TTait]

His cold air intake tube didn't come with everything it needed. I think that has changed, though.

I just bought one and thought the same thing, it was the tube and one end adapter. I couldn't figure out how to hook it up to the elbow going into the pontoon, so I asked.

He explained that the elbow, it's bracket and the duct seal/ring all get removed and the end of the tube is intended to just push into the pontoon. He's added a photo to his site I'm told, and didn't try to make me feel stupid at all for having to ask... (ahem).

[Kenny_Z]

I spoke to John just yesterday. He was following up on some cores I sent in and wanted to let me know the cores were good and the credits would be going out that night. I had received my baffle kit a few days before and thought I might have been missing a piece, the little white connector. When I asked John about it he confirmed it, apologized for the mistake, and is sending one out. Awesome guy and fun to talk Deloreans with. That's probably why he's sometimes hard to get in contact with, he's talking to one of us about our cars. He's got my business for as long as he has parts I need. His system might be slow but the quality of parts and service I've received have been excellent.

I've got to remember to place that RPM and relay kit order though his site soon. Mine are all original and I have no spares...it is a source of worry.