Ecklers vs. Corvette Central
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,878
Likes: 1,980
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I have used Corvette central, VBandP and Vansteel. I'm in Australia and the only gripe I have is that Corvette central don't know how to pack stuff. They use a box twice the size needed, which adds a bomb to the shipping. Also they usually have a wait on some parts, so it might take 4-6 weeks longer than you expect. Apart from that, I haven't had any problems rebuilding the rear of my car (including new shocks, trailing arms and a glass spring) via mail-order 
Corvette B A C K - O R D E R Central !!!
They are the worst !!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 1
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area CA
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 1
From: Winston-Salem NC
Ecklers will never get another dime out of me after today! They made me wish I had gotten all my parts from Willcox( because you treat people like you care, and are so willing to at least help ),etc. I spent about 10,000 in all over the years with them, and they wanted t hassle me about some parts THEY sent me duplicates on, and talking bout charging me a restocking fee, because I was sending them back after 90 days instead of 60 days? Hell, I told Linda in CS that my car was in resto, and the parts were sent to them, and there were about $7500 worth of parts, and it takes time to go through all that crap! Never will they get another friggin' penny from me and they can kiss my a$$!
Last edited by eagle275; Oct 16, 2009 at 11:42 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Alta Loma CA
Wilcox and Zip by far the best. Know how to treat cutomers. Also have had good luck with Corvette America. Bought from some of the others with success too.
All have given good customer service on problems.
Now the only bad one I ever dealt with was Chicago Corvette. Took the nearly 8 weeks to issue a refund after they got the part back. It was a major hassle. Never buy from them.
All have given good customer service on problems.
Now the only bad one I ever dealt with was Chicago Corvette. Took the nearly 8 weeks to issue a refund after they got the part back. It was a major hassle. Never buy from them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,878
Likes: 1,980
From: LONG ISLAND
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 54,014
Likes: 6,215
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Wilcox and Zip by far the best. Know how to treat cutomers. Also have had good luck with Corvette America. Bought from some of the others with success too.
All have given good customer service on problems.
Now the only bad one I ever dealt with was Chicago Corvette. Took the nearly 8 weeks to issue a refund after they got the part back. It was a major hassle. Never buy from them.
All have given good customer service on problems.
Now the only bad one I ever dealt with was Chicago Corvette. Took the nearly 8 weeks to issue a refund after they got the part back. It was a major hassle. Never buy from them.
Forgot about Chicago Corvette. I had them restore a 63 brake booster a few years ago, which took 6 months (apparently they shipped it to California- so much for me thinking they were 3 hours from here). It was completely unacceptable when I got it back. I have to give them full credit though- I complained and I sent the booster to Booster Dewey who got it dead-nuts perfect, and Chicago reimbursed me for the cost. So, good for them. I wont add them to my short "no use" list.
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Near Round Top (pop. 90) Texas
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 54,014
Likes: 6,215
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Good for you, Toolman. Its simply not the vendors' fault when they get caught up in the various states' use tax laws and nexus rulings. Id rather deal with someone in compliance with the laws like everyone else.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 709
Likes: 10
From: Carlsbad CA
AS always on this forum people say things to make issues out of nonissues. I was not suggesting they do not charge the sales tax. I just don't buy from them because they do. Why would I pay 8.75% more just to buy from them? Not their fault, just the way it is.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,704
Likes: 838
From: WI
I have no problems buying from Ecklers. They have items many of the other sellers don't sell. I recently placed an order with CC and that was good (just got my items on Fri), but there was one key item they didn't have ...that Ecklers sells. So... I'll probably batch of items from them next time. But I like to get as much as I need from one supplier to cut down on shipping costs.
Mark G
Mark G
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 54,014
Likes: 6,215
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
I have only had my vette project for less than a year but I get everything from Willcox. The guys there are great to deal with and always helpful. The owner even drove over to my house to look over my issues and offer suggestions. Cant beat that! Theres a lot of venders in that list on here, but I dont think I ever seen a post in here from any of them to help anybody, just to announce sales.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,064
Likes: 104
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
i also agree the first one i would check would be wilcox. i bought every interior part made for my 78 pace car from them and they were head and shoulders way above all the others in service and price. you can't go wrong using them if they have what you need. check them first for sure.
the last one i would use and it would have to be out of desperation only (and the proverbial last place on earth to get it) would be ecklers. at one time years ago they were the premier parts supplier with fantastic customer service........today in my opinion the are below the bottom of the barrel on both counts.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 709
Likes: 10
From: Carlsbad CA
i also agree the first one i would check would be wilcox. i bought every interior part made for my 78 pace car from them and they were head and shoulders way above all the others in service and price. you can't go wrong using them if they have what you need. check them first for sure.
the last one i would use and it would have to be out of desperation only (and the proverbial last place on earth to get it) would be ecklers. at one time years ago they were the premier parts supplier with fantastic customer service........today in my opinion the are below the bottom of the barrel on both counts.
They were a victim of there own success. An investment group bought them and down they went. I heard the original owner is trying to get it back.