Im really disappointed in Vette Brakes Products

I am currently having a coil over kit installed on the front of my Vette. I posted this probably five or so weeks ago.
Help on this forum is awesome and a suggestion was made to run part #C1-1188. These are aluminum spring pocket reinforcement discs. Basically a part that they sell in a performance kit they offer.

On 5-6-15
Called looking for the part, the kid that answered the phone had no clue, said I needed to talk to a tech, give me you're number he will call you back. NO CALLBACK

On 5-13-15
Called again looking for part, tech was busy, call you back at this number I was asked, yes please. NO CALLBACK

On 5-15-15
Call and get to Tech, sure we will sell you the part, wait ok we need to make them I'm told, no problem I will have them ready to go and ship on Tuesday 5-19-15. I gave him my CC info in good faith to just charge me and ship them.

On 5-19-15
Call and talk to tech, following up on order, was told not yet, looking like Thursday instead

On 5-21-15
Call following up on order and of course I'm put on hold while they check, about five minutes, machine used to make discs is broken and needs repair, OH REALLY

On 5-26-15
Call and kid who answers the phone says, let me check, on hold now, comes back to tell me they have to check with there vendors for the part, wait what? So now they don't make them in house? Let me check and I will call you back at this number, I'm told, please sir. NO CALLBACK

I just cannot believe the lack of CUSTOMER SERVICE, and the common curtesy to even CALL ME BACK!
Oh and BS they told me over he phone.

VBP I'm done with you and your products!

Sincerely
Michael Butera

 

I certainly understand your frustrations. I chime in here, once in a while, even though I haven't done any serious work on a C-3 in quite a while. back when I was, however, and I was ordering "performance" parts, I noticed that Ecklers, Van Steel, and VB&P all sold the same stuff. I can't say for sure who was making the parts, and who was simply "repackaging" them for resale, but I found that if one didn't have the part, frequently the other did.

This doesn't excuse the "run-around" that VB&P gave you, but it might help you locate the parts you need.

 

That's crazy. I'd talk to the owner -

 

Some companies rather give you the run around hoping they'll get what you need sooner or later rather than be a stand up vendor.

 

Years ago the place was run by some super efficient lady, who had to move north for some reason, after she left, I noted the 'service' took a hit, but I have not bought anything from much of anyone in years now, just that the '72 is basically finished......I can't find them in the vendor/sponsor list here just now.....

 

I wouldn't get your hopes up with most aftermarket vendors. They all suffer from the same lack of customer service. During my install of a T56 in my 78, the only vendor that provided ok service was a company that I could actually visit and talk to in person. Living in Canada most parts are required and sourced from the US, so it's a long distance relationship. I have had problems with the correct parts during the quote process ( the people selling have no idea on what works with what), wrong items ordered ( wrong numbers used ), wrong shipping company used, wrong parts picked for the order, parts do not fit as stated, etc etc etc.

You are not alone.

The aftermarket car industry is just following other industries ,cut the expense of customer service and support to improve short term profits and get out while you can.

 

After living in Georgia most of my life and then moving nine years ago to The Desert in Southern California I am still astounded at the lack of customer service I receive from just about all vendors I have dealt with. If I make an appointment for someone to come to my house it's a surprise if they show up on time or at all.

 

Well I find that quite remarkable. As a Canadian, when we go into the States, It seems to my wife and I that the retail vendors fall over themselves providing fantastic customer service to us. Then we go home and get the bitch at the grocery store who thinks she's doing you a favor....and you owe her!
I ordered a rear spring, spreader bar, and strut rods last week from these guys, and the stuff is already in my shop....thats pretty good delivery times for us in Canada.

 

Wow, last time I was critical of vbp my thread was deleted in a couple of hours.

 

Thanks for the replies, the sad thing is not only did they lose a customer, they held up the build and most likely I will miss the big show we have this Sunday.
I'm in the commercial and residential service industries and if you call me to fix your heating and cooling equipment, I fix it correctly, even if I run out of time and lose money in the process, but you hope leaving a positive impression will keep me in the Customer's Rolodex. I don't push you and say you need this or that, and most importantly return the customers phone call.
Believe me our customers will call the office and bitch or complain if they are not treated fairly.

The lesson of the day VBP- Accountability, Ownership and Pride in your work. After all it is the hardworking men and woman on this forum who support and keep all vendors here in business!

Thank you

 

They all aren't bad. Bair's in Pa is great. I'm not saying they have the parts you need, but if they say they will call you back, they mean it. I called last week and spoke with their tech that specializes in rebuilding their diffs, all he had to say was mine needed rebuilding and I would have shipped mine right off. But he advised me that he would not rebuild it if he were in my shoes. He saved me over $600. They will get my business anytime I need a part or service. Their shipping cost are even better than everybody else. They just shipped me $400 worth of parts for $11 shipping.

 

You should contact them on their Facebook page. They helped me out very well just recently, when I tried ordering a custom full poly kit for my '79.

That being said, hiring an extra customer service employee might not hurt the speed of response. Should earn him-/herself back soon enough I figure.

 

I can vouch for Bairs also.

Years ago I had them install 3.70 gears and do a rebuild on my 80 vette differential. I was new to vettes then, and did not trust UPS to deliver the rear , so I removed the whole bat wing, stuffed it in my van and drove it myself to Bairs.

My hunch was confirmed, when Bairs called and told me UPS dropped my rebuilt unit on the way back to me, and it was destroyed. The next thing I know I get a knock on my door one night. It's a guy from Bairs, who was in the area for some other reason. He had my rebuilt rear in his trunk. I meet him again at the Carlisle show years later, and he remembered me.

That is the kind of service that will have me going back...........

 

she was a friend of B2B, I think he called her Ducky

 

I think that was Patty. Last year when I called VB&P I was told she was no longer with us

 

Patty was a genuine asset.

 

I called VB&P two different times last week and talked with "the tech" and he was a very knowledgeable person that talked very fast and I could hardly write everything down as fast as he said it. He covered the whole gamut with me without me even asking. It was a pleasure to talk to him both times.

I hate to hear you had such a bad experience with them. I was/am looking forward to doing business with them. I have a long way to go...

 

I believe they are a forum vendor, so this will probably get locked down.

However, their reputation isn't what it used to be as evidenced on other forums.

I have had great luck with Van Steel and Wilcox, and I will stick with both of them for everything I need.

 

Yep, I'll vouch for Bair's also. They almost exclusively get my business. I don't know if it's good or not when they can recognize my voice when I call in.

Eric

 

Bair's is the best in my opinion too. They know me when I call and always there to help. They have my credit card on file too because I use them for almost everything. It is hard to beat their service and prices.

Joey