VBP versus Ecklers
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
VBP versus Ecklers
What a contrast! I'm restoring an '81 that's been sat in a field for quite a few years, hence my credit card's been getting a hammering. So far I've bought a full set of brake calipers & lines, suspension kit, & a few odds & sods from Vette Brakes & Products. I cannot praise them highly enough. They've gone WAY beyond the call of duty to help me out, & Pattie has been an absolute star, especially with my rather convoluted methods for getting the stuff here (the UK) without paying huge amounts of shipping & tax.
By contrast, I also bought some bits from Ecklers - U-joints & KBD mufflers. The latter were just 'packed' loosely in a box with TWO sheets of newspaper to 'protect' them. As a result they were seriously badly scratched by the time they got here, & look very secondhand indeed. I emailed Ecklers - twice - & they haven't even bothered to reply. Needless to say Ecklers won't be getting any more of my money, either for the '81, or the '79 I'll be restoring next winter. VBP on the other hand will probably be getting most of my salary over the next 12 months...
By contrast, I also bought some bits from Ecklers - U-joints & KBD mufflers. The latter were just 'packed' loosely in a box with TWO sheets of newspaper to 'protect' them. As a result they were seriously badly scratched by the time they got here, & look very secondhand indeed. I emailed Ecklers - twice - & they haven't even bothered to reply. Needless to say Ecklers won't be getting any more of my money, either for the '81, or the '79 I'll be restoring next winter. VBP on the other hand will probably be getting most of my salary over the next 12 months...
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
VB&P is an incredible outfit, and their products are second to none.
For fiddly restoration parts, ZIP has become my preferred vendor. I don't know if they'll ship to the UK, though.
For fiddly restoration parts, ZIP has become my preferred vendor. I don't know if they'll ship to the UK, though.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicsville Va
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
VBP has outstanding products; their service is the best. Friendly, with a willingness to help you made sure you are doing your project correct. Great service, Great Product. I called them this moring; Gary and Steve in support are outstanding.
Last edited by 1981 corvette; Apr 16, 2007 at 05:12 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 59
From: FL
Once upon a time, Ralph Eckler owned Eckler's and they actually made a lot of their stuff or had it made for them.
Today, Ralph is long gone and most stuff is drop shipped a lot like JC Whitney used to.
Today, Ralph is long gone and most stuff is drop shipped a lot like JC Whitney used to.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Paragon drop ships (I'm sure they all do) and Dr. Rebuild just kills me with the child-ish way they run things.
Jim
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 1
From: Edinburgh
Hi Radialhead,
I have been shipping parts over to UK from Zip and VB&P to name but 2 over the past 10 years or so with excellent results and I have had similar results from Jegs and Corvette Central. The least said about Eklers the better!
Graeme
I have been shipping parts over to UK from Zip and VB&P to name but 2 over the past 10 years or so with excellent results and I have had similar results from Jegs and Corvette Central. The least said about Eklers the better!
Graeme
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 1
From: Mounds View Minnesota
I usually ship via FedEx esp for overseas. Cheaper and faster.
Don't bother with insurance however. It's extremely rare, not to mention time consuming, to get more than $100 out of them.
For example, A guy I know ships electronic timing equipment all over the states and insures it for $10,000. They are packed in hard plastic shipping containers with custom foam inserts, 6"thick foam. The containers alone weigh about 20 lbs.
Fedex, ripped the handles off, smashed the container and destroyed a laptop and a timing unit.
They 'offered', after 3 weeks, $500 for probably $5000 worth of damage. He's spent more than that in wasted time.
Don't bother with insurance however. It's extremely rare, not to mention time consuming, to get more than $100 out of them.
For example, A guy I know ships electronic timing equipment all over the states and insures it for $10,000. They are packed in hard plastic shipping containers with custom foam inserts, 6"thick foam. The containers alone weigh about 20 lbs.
Fedex, ripped the handles off, smashed the container and destroyed a laptop and a timing unit.
They 'offered', after 3 weeks, $500 for probably $5000 worth of damage. He's spent more than that in wasted time.
