Ecklers vs willcox
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Ecklers vs willcox
Hey guys,
As I am sure many of you have seen, I am getting ready to replace my front bumper. I wanted to know which vender is the best to buy from.
Both have tru-flex even though I was leaning towards fiberglass. However, the bumper on willcox is about $100+ cheaper and they have a sale this weekend. So I wanted to know if they are cheaper bumpers with more alignment issues or they are pretty much the same and willcox is just selling it cheaper.
Thanks.
As I am sure many of you have seen, I am getting ready to replace my front bumper. I wanted to know which vender is the best to buy from.
Both have tru-flex even though I was leaning towards fiberglass. However, the bumper on willcox is about $100+ cheaper and they have a sale this weekend. So I wanted to know if they are cheaper bumpers with more alignment issues or they are pretty much the same and willcox is just selling it cheaper.
Thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 115
From: Yelm Wa
So far I have not bought from Willcox, but I intend to when I have a need.
My reasoning is, he obviously is a great supporter of this forum.
He provides schematics/tips/ideas..what more can you ask?
My reasoning is, he obviously is a great supporter of this forum.
He provides schematics/tips/ideas..what more can you ask?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 911
Likes: 47
From: Kansas City MO
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 956
Likes: 86
From: McDonough Georgia
Earnie Wilcox doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, just great product, great prices, superb customer service and great tech support.
Ecklers charges state tax and shipping. They are getting pricey.
I have bought from both but try to use wilcox as much as possible.
Ecklers charges state tax and shipping. They are getting pricey.
I have bought from both but try to use wilcox as much as possible.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 226
From: Cocoa FL
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
I`ve been getting everything from Willcox. Those guys have taken the time to talk to me on the phone (at length), and offer great advice and tech help. Their "How To" videos, and free diagrams are extremely useful also. Add all that to the best prices, and discounts in addition to the forum special section, it becomes an easy choice.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: Castle Rock CO
I like to shop where the best prices are and as far as I have seen Wilcox carries quality parts but they do not always have the parts I need. So I shop multiple sites for parts I need on my Corvette. I say use Wilcox if the part is less they are a quality parts store !! Ecklers tends to buy parts from other online stores to carry a larger selection of parts and sometimes they are more expensive so they add in there overhead to carry the part. Getting the right part at the source is less then a middle man. Shop all the sponsers here to find what you need than choose the right price 
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake Virginia
I've spent thousands of dollars doing my frame off on my '81 and have divided that between most of the various vendors and here's what I have found.
Willcox----better prices, slower to process the order, no tracking number, long delivery times.
Ecklers---a little more expensive, fast processing, shipping times a bit faster, tracking numbers supplied.
Corvette America---competitive pricing, fast processing, fast shipping, tracking numbers supplied.
It all depends on how fast you need the parts and rather or not you want to be able to know when they will get to you.
I'm not trying to bash anyone, I'll buy again from any of them but this is what I've experianced over the last year.
Willcox----better prices, slower to process the order, no tracking number, long delivery times.
Ecklers---a little more expensive, fast processing, shipping times a bit faster, tracking numbers supplied.
Corvette America---competitive pricing, fast processing, fast shipping, tracking numbers supplied.
It all depends on how fast you need the parts and rather or not you want to be able to know when they will get to you.
I'm not trying to bash anyone, I'll buy again from any of them but this is what I've experianced over the last year.
1969/1971/2021 Coupes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 80
From: Port Huron MI
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Earnie Wilcox doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, just great product, great prices, superb customer service and great tech support.
Ecklers charges state tax and shipping. They are getting pricey.
I have bought from both but try to use wilcox as much as possible.
Ecklers charges state tax and shipping. They are getting pricey.
I have bought from both but try to use wilcox as much as possible.
100%I once saw a post where Ernie recommended not buying one of his own parts because the fitment was substandard. Now that shows me he's in it for more than just the money.
Terry
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Wow, recommending not to buy his parts. That seems odd. Instead of not recommending his parts, why wouldn't he find a different supplier? But I am glad for the honesty.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
I bought about $3K of fiberglass parts (top surround, inner and regular fenders, lower surround, bonding strips) from Ecklers. I called their "Customer Service" about a question on the top surround when I was fitting it. They not only didn't let me speak to a tech person, but the "Customer Service" person told me their tech department said I should go to a body shop. My question only involved their placement of the headlight supports on the top surround. Last purchase I made from them. Another supplier busted my ***** on the return of a $10 open credit on my account. Said it's there for my use anytime. I said I wanted it now to clear up loose ends. Still busted my *****. Another supplier written off my list. I intend to buy weatherstripping for my '69 from Willcox - at least $600 with the hardtop. Otherwise I like Paragon. My .02 FWIW, YMMV.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
Likes: 983
From: Orlando FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
I try to purchase products from a vendor that actually stocks the product, rather than one that has the product drop shipped from another vendor. The reason being, if there is a problem with the product I only have to deal with one vendor for satisfaction, rather than going to the selling vendor and having them deal with the vendor that supplied the product.
Case in point, I purchased a 1979 rear urethane bumper from Corvette America. It was an Ecklers bumper, but is stocked by Corvette America. I could not get the bumper to fit and returned it to Corvette America. Received full credit less the shipping within two weeks.
You might want to see if Willcox actually stocks the product.
Case in point, I purchased a 1979 rear urethane bumper from Corvette America. It was an Ecklers bumper, but is stocked by Corvette America. I could not get the bumper to fit and returned it to Corvette America. Received full credit less the shipping within two weeks.
You might want to see if Willcox actually stocks the product.
Last edited by mark79,80; Nov 17, 2013 at 07:23 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 802
Likes: 1
I only buy from ecklers when I'm in Fl and drop by their warehouse mostly for the convenience.
The used to be very good a long time ago before they went corporate. When they went corporate, they build a fancy office looking building in the next lot and the whole place looked like a corporation. Then they moved back to their original building.
I don't like the fact they they are not a supporting member like Wilcox.
Steve L
73 coupe since new
The used to be very good a long time ago before they went corporate. When they went corporate, they build a fancy office looking building in the next lot and the whole place looked like a corporation. Then they moved back to their original building.
I don't like the fact they they are not a supporting member like Wilcox.
Steve L
73 coupe since new