VB and P customer service??
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Glendale AZ
Something bad is happening at VB & P.
I was looking to blow a fat wad of cash on steering products I need replaced. Emailed .. no reply. Called .. no answer. I've previously had good experiences with them but I suspect they may be going under or having some massive trouble.
I ended up spending nearly $800 with other vendors because I couldn't get ahold of them.
I was looking to blow a fat wad of cash on steering products I need replaced. Emailed .. no reply. Called .. no answer. I've previously had good experiences with them but I suspect they may be going under or having some massive trouble.
I ended up spending nearly $800 with other vendors because I couldn't get ahold of them.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Weird ... I've never had anything but good experiences with VB&P, but then again the last order I placed with them was well over a year ago. I hate to see a good vendor like them go bad, but I'm hearing more and more stories like this one. 
VB&P used to post here regularly under "vettebrakes", but I'm not seeing anything recent from that handle.
VB&P used to post here regularly under "vettebrakes", but I'm not seeing anything recent from that handle.
Last edited by wcsinx; Sep 8, 2011 at 11:35 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
I just finished an order with VB&P a copuple of weeks back on a pair of calipers, the order was handled over the phone, no wait time, no long holds, the parts were delivered promptly and packaged well, including the prepaid shipping label for the return of the cores.
Prior to that order it had been years since I dealt with them, based on that experience though I would deal with them again.
Prior to that order it had been years since I dealt with them, based on that experience though I would deal with them again.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I purchased a suspension system with some changes from VBP and found them very reasonable to deal with along with their excellent products. All items were protected for shipping in my case.
As far as charging your credit card, I agree with that policy because it offers protection by both parties. Can you imagine if VBP just sent products out when people called hoping to receive the "damaged" items back? Sadly, that could sink small companies.
Based upon my experience, I would order from them again (need a steering damper).
Good luck resolving your concerns!
As far as charging your credit card, I agree with that policy because it offers protection by both parties. Can you imagine if VBP just sent products out when people called hoping to receive the "damaged" items back? Sadly, that could sink small companies.
Based upon my experience, I would order from them again (need a steering damper).
Good luck resolving your concerns!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 427
Likes: 32
From: North Alabama
St. Jude Donor '24-'26
Remembered this thread from earlier in the month and thought I should comment on my experience.
Ordered a Rack Attack steering system on Friday the 16th. Phone order with no waiting or issues. Noticed they hit my credit card on Wednesday morning the 21st and that afternoon the kit showed up, packaged well and complete. Now thats service! Couldn't have asked for a smoother transaction. I've used VB&P a few times now and I would use them again without hesitation.
Ordered a Rack Attack steering system on Friday the 16th. Phone order with no waiting or issues. Noticed they hit my credit card on Wednesday morning the 21st and that afternoon the kit showed up, packaged well and complete. Now thats service! Couldn't have asked for a smoother transaction. I've used VB&P a few times now and I would use them again without hesitation.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
From: Willington Ct
Your experience with vband p is the same as mine..Being put on hold for "just a second" and no one ever comes back. They sent me the shocks for the wrong year car.. not the item I ordered. Had a lot of trouble getting it straightened out and when I did I was charged with shipping again for them to send the correct shocks even though it was their mistake. Again I tried to get a hold of them but they either told me the person I had to talk to was in a meeting or put me on hold indefinately. I grew tired of wasting my time with them and my credit card delt with them swiftly.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Your experience with vband p is the same as mine..Being put on hold for "just a second" and no one ever comes back. They sent me the shocks for the wrong year car.. not the item I ordered. Had a lot of trouble getting it straightened out and when I did I was charged with shipping again for them to send the correct shocks even though it was their mistake. Again I tried to get a hold of them but they either told me the person I had to talk to was in a meeting or put me on hold indefinately. I grew tired of wasting my time with them and my credit card delt with them swiftly.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 483
Likes: 3
From: d.d.o quebec
I am an old VBP customer but I have to say that since Cathrine ( the manager ) left it is not the same. I ordered a rack and pinion steering when they had there sale in January. When i was ready to install it this summer, I had an issue with a part that was not fitting. Called them and emailed them with out any answers, Shawn, the manager now, has no clue what is going on. You need to speak to Craig Gonzales he is one of the owner he took care of me right away with out any run arounds that the actual manger gave me. What I ander stood is that it is quiet now and that they are having some problems. I would still buy things from them. I hope they find the right person to give the customer service we are use to. Good luck.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 1
From: New Albany IN
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'06-'08-'09
I placed an order a few weeks ago on-line and it went through and credit card confirmed. 2+ weeks went by with no product. Finally called and they were like "hmm I dunno why it never got shipped".....I can understand mistakes and I don't hold it against them THIS TIME, and I will order from them again is needed, but it did kind of spin me the wrong way. The package did show up two days later though.
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I placed an order a few weeks ago on-line and it went through and credit card confirmed. 2+ weeks went by with no product. Finally called and they were like "hmm I dunno why it never got shipped".....I can understand mistakes and I don't hold it against them THIS TIME, and I will order from them again is needed, but it did kind of spin me the wrong way. The package did show up two days later though.
Any other experiences from other members?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 704
Likes: 10
From: Blairsville Ga
I am an old VBP customer but I have to say that since Cathrine ( the manager ) left it is not the same. I ordered a rack and pinion steering when they had there sale in January. When i was ready to install it this summer, I had an issue with a part that was not fitting. Called them and emailed them with out any answers, Shawn, the manager now, has no clue what is going on. You need to speak to Craig Gonzales he is one of the owner he took care of me right away with out any run arounds that the actual manger gave me. What I ander stood is that it is quiet now and that they are having some problems. I would still buy things from them. I hope they find the right person to give the customer service we are use to. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1,195
From: Canberra Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I purchased some brake rebuild parts 18 months ago with no problems shipping to Australia.
In the last few months I have sent a number of requests for advice on what part to buy and not a single one has ever been replied to.
I will be looking elsewhere.
In the last few months I have sent a number of requests for advice on what part to buy and not a single one has ever been replied to.
I will be looking elsewhere.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 4
From: Springfield VA
Anybody send a private message to VBP's CF account?
EDIT:
I sent a link to this thread to VBP's CF account and also their online message box. Maybe they will stop by. They have a great Rep here and I was also planning on ordering soon myself.
EDIT:
I sent a link to this thread to VBP's CF account and also their online message box. Maybe they will stop by. They have a great Rep here and I was also planning on ordering soon myself.
Last edited by Marlin; Jan 28, 2012 at 01:36 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 480
Likes: 42
From: Los Angeles CA
One thing with any of the Corvette suppliers today. Make sure the products are made in America. I called before I placed my order with VBP in October and the gentleman I talked to was real helpful about which products were the ones he would recommend. It sounded like they were getting a mix of products. If the price is half of what is made in the good old US of A then that is what you get. Sad, but true. Buyer beware.
I was talking to a J & D Corvettes Rep and he said they offer and ship the cheap stuff because that is what people want. They offer the good stuff, but you have to ask for it. Sad but true.
I was talking to a J & D Corvettes Rep and he said they offer and ship the cheap stuff because that is what people want. They offer the good stuff, but you have to ask for it. Sad but true.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
From: Peterstown WV
I bought some wheel spacers to mount C5 wheels to my El Camino. The lug nuts for the front were too big in the shoulders and didn't let the wheel set flush against the spacer. I didn't realize this (my bad) until it was pointed out to me by a garage replacing my ball joints about a year later. In addition I was now in living in a different state. Because of the time lapse I had no record of my purchase. I ordered what I thought I needed and they sent me the same thing I had. When I called, they went back through their records, found my original order and machined down and shipped me another set. I thought I needed a shorter shank but it was where the lug wrench fit on that was too long. Sorry if I rambled, but I felt they went way above and beyond what they were morally responsible to. All at no charge for the replacements or shipping. I'm a fan.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,868
Likes: 13
From: Mascoutah IL
Seeing as I've had several months to cool down after the original posts, here's my opinion (and we all know about opinions)... I got "ripped" on the shipping pure and simple... Didn't think it was worth the hassle to call my bank and deal with what it takes to cancel a charge... Still saved 20% on the entire order, so still a little ahead at the end of the day...
VBP sent me a return authorization to ship the sway bar back to get fixed, but didn't want to wait the 3-4 weeks to get it back... I'll touchup myself...
When I put the rear sway bar on, the bushings did not fit... Called Shawn back up and he promptly sent me a new pair... Still did not fit... I measured the rear sway and it is a 3/4 bar and I had two sets of bushings for a 5/8 rear bar... Once I called them back up and told them they sent me a 3/4 bar, a week later I finally had the correct bushings...
While I still like the equipment I got from VPB, the other vendors that support this forum have much better customer service than VPB... It would take a huge monetary savings for me to purchase from them again... That's just me and I'm sure I am probably in the minority to have rcvd terrible customer service from these guys... It happens and it is very hard to make everyone happy... I realize that and moved on...
Rogman
VBP sent me a return authorization to ship the sway bar back to get fixed, but didn't want to wait the 3-4 weeks to get it back... I'll touchup myself...
When I put the rear sway bar on, the bushings did not fit... Called Shawn back up and he promptly sent me a new pair... Still did not fit... I measured the rear sway and it is a 3/4 bar and I had two sets of bushings for a 5/8 rear bar... Once I called them back up and told them they sent me a 3/4 bar, a week later I finally had the correct bushings...
While I still like the equipment I got from VPB, the other vendors that support this forum have much better customer service than VPB... It would take a huge monetary savings for me to purchase from them again... That's just me and I'm sure I am probably in the minority to have rcvd terrible customer service from these guys... It happens and it is very hard to make everyone happy... I realize that and moved on...
Rogman
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
...
While I still like the equipment I got from VPB, the other vendors that support this forum have much better customer service than VPB... It would take a huge monetary savings for me to purchase from them again... That's just me and I'm sure I am probably in the minority to have rcvd terrible customer service from these guys... It happens and it is very hard to make everyone happy... I realize that and moved on...
Rogman
While I still like the equipment I got from VPB, the other vendors that support this forum have much better customer service than VPB... It would take a huge monetary savings for me to purchase from them again... That's just me and I'm sure I am probably in the minority to have rcvd terrible customer service from these guys... It happens and it is very hard to make everyone happy... I realize that and moved on...
Rogman
Having made an early career in customer service, an old adage that I lived by was "You only get one chance at a first impression" and if profit was anywhere near the top level of the business model, pissing off the clientele wasn't going to help.
As a VB&P customer from several years back, I will follow rogman's lead, leveraging this post as one reason:
VB&P never commented to this thread. I'm disappointed they couldn't respond.
I realize they are busy but all I can compare with is other vendors who actively support CF with relevant postings, especially to customer service issues. I don't have to name name's; I believe you guys would be equally aware.
I guess, we'll see how VB&P chooses to answer, if at all. ?
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I didn't like the way VBP answered my questions via email and when I called. Via email all i got where "yes" for one and "no" for the other... needless to say I went with another vendor that was much more thorough and helpful with my questions.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida