I usually really dislike "bashing" posts as they are often one-sided emotional pieces rather than factual and leave out critical information. So I will not say anything other than paste a copy of my letter to a Florida attorney, Elissa Vessal who's office is in the same town as Vette Parts, Inc. I think the letter is self-explanatory:

Dear Elissa,

I found your name on the internet. My name is George Lewellen and live in Califiornia. I have a small problem that is giving me a major headache. If you are not interested in this, I would appreciate a referral.

Here are my facts:

In July of last year I contacted a company, Vette Parts, Inc. 135 SE 24th Ave, Boynton Breach, Fla. They are an automotive parts supplier and advertise a "D44 Conversion." This is an entire rear end for a Corvette. Corvettes in my year with automatic transmissions came with a D36 rear end. The D44 is a much stronger piece. I ordered the D44 Conversion and sent them a check for $2,860. Since July, 2006, I have received 4 packages out of 6, all part of the conversion. Without the last two, the rest of the pieces are useless. The parts went out of production by GM years ago. My personal opinion is they do not have them, otherwise this deal would be done by now.

I have called Vette Parts probably twice a month or more since then, at least a dozen times over the past 6-months, always getting promises "the pieces are on the way." Then I started getting excuses (3 separate occasions) they sent the pieces to someone else with a similar name by accident. Finally, on 1/2/2007, I called and followed with an email, either send me the missing parts or refund my money. I asked if they cannot send the parts, to tell me now and we can start the refund process. I did say I expect them to pay the freight when I send what I have received back to them. This should amount to about a hundred bucks or so. I have heard nothing.

My contact person there is a man I know only as "Carl," 561-737-8855. Every time he has been the person I spoke to. He has always had a promise of some kind the parts are on the way, or sent to the wrong place, etc.

This is a truly small matter, but I am too far away to show up personally in small claims. I really just want the parts. But if they cannot deliver, I want to undo this entire matter. I have given up on this company. Do you have a suggestion? A nasty attorney letter? I do not mind filing a suit if necessary, the only problem is the amount is small, but the aggravation factor is great!

Life without my Vette is like a day without sunshine

George Lewellen, CPA
1135 Pine Strett, Suite 112
Redding, Ca 96001

 

I'd be very interested to know what Ms. Vessal's reply is.

Good luck with your problem.

Larry
code5coupe

 

I hate to see posts like this one. We send money to people expecting to be treated fairly and wind up getting screwed. I try to deal with local people whenever possible or well known reputable forum supporting vendors. I hope you get your parts or your money!
Bernie

 

You might prefer your money - what if the parts don't work together or fail in 6 months - warranty you say?

 

I've been a resident of south Florida for over fifty years. We seem to draw some very colorfull characters in all businesses. (especially construction (roofers). The hurricane was over two years ago and there are many roofs that are still half done/incomplete. The roofers ran out on the homeowner.

This goes to many professions down here, sorry.

 

At this point, we are just going to try the nasty letter approach (as of today) and see what happens. Filing an actual suit is a minimum of $1,500. Elissa recognizes the small amount involved (by litigation standards) and has cautioned fees and costs can exceed the recovery. In breach of contract cases, I believe I am only entitled to contract damages, that is, not atty fees. Bummer.

Supposedly VetteParts does some upgrading of the weaker parts in the D44. As for warranty, I do not expect that since the rear end started as a used item and is used in a high performance application. My engine is not all that violent anyway, around 400+ torquey/moderate rpm hp with automatic trans, so I think the D44 is plenty strong enough.

 

I sincerely hope things work out for you. I hate businesses that make their problems yours. In the mean time, Jamie at J & D Corvettes in Bellflower might be able to help you get the parts to get running. (I'm not connected with them). And thanks for the heads up, that guy seems to be on EBAY alot.

 

I had the exact same problem with that company... unfortunately, I was so busy at the time I never posted my experience.

I ordered the exact same parts to do a D44 conversion on an automatic D36. After months and tons or phone calls and maybe threat here and there... we got 90% of what we needed the the shop took care of the rest.


DO NOT EVER DEAL WITH THIS COMPANY!!!!

-JRW

 

Ditto here George!, I only ordered a dana 36 with 3:55's. I sent them my good ( very GOOD ) dana 36 for a gear swap. What I recieved was a cracked pumpkin ( not even mine ) with new 2:73 gears. Long story cut short, I LOST MY MONEY WITH THEM. I went with http://www.ikerds.com/ and had no problems with them.

Mike

 

i just put a new rear in that i got from ikerds. Took less than a week to recieve after i ordered it. good price and i am pleased.

 

Thanks for posting. Getting the word out on these deadbeat sellers is much easier now than it used to be thanks to the Internet. There are two or three other similar deadbeat sellers still out there operating with the same MO; one is in Virginia Beach and another is in Boulder, CO.

 

Holy missing parts JWR and Mike, this is sounding worse and worse ! I am getting sick to my stomach! But, I am prepared to go to the mat with this company if need be. And I have given Elissa a heads up on empty promises.

What I have received looks to be in good shape. I mainly am missing the rear cover (D36 will not fit the D44 I am told) and some parts that were supposed to accompany the drive line)

Guys, I DO appreciate the leads on good parts suppliers in the event Vette Parts would rather get their stuff back and refund my $$.

 

That rear cover is $700-$1200, and only fits D44's!

 

Sorry to here about this. I bought my dana 44 from tom's differentials. It was there B O E ( best of everything) for 2800 4 yrs ago when they were having a jobber sale, Call tom.

 

I had a similar experience with this man about the same time last year. His name is Carl Shuhi and he has several corporations listed in the state of Florida. The company name that I dealt with was Vette Parts Online. I sent him a Dana 44 for a gear ratio change. It took about 4 months to get one back from him. Same story, I shipped it as a commercial address and it could not be delivered. It is setting in a DHL terminal waiting for a new label and many other weak excuses. It was supposed to be the 4.11 ratio, but it came back 4.10 and it was not the same case that I had sent him. I was happy to get a dana 44 back from him as I had sent him mine and the money CC to pay for the gear change. It appears that he is a one man operation, not the company that he claims to be and he subcontracts the work and or finds the pars after someone orders them. I am not familiar enough with the laws, but if there is any way that you can get a judgement against him or get the law involved it would be a wise thing to do. I think you have been more than patient.
LOL

 

Here in Tn there is the Tennessee Consumer Protection Statute
that would apply in this situation I would assume that Fl. would have something similar
I have done many cases for people and it works out well because the statute calls for treble damages (3X) plus atty fees
Your case may not be as small as you think it is
I have never lost one that has gone to trial because they are usually such outrageous cases as is yours
I went to law school with some people in Florida (one who works in the Attorney General's Office I believe)so if this other thing doesnt work out let me know if I can do anything
Just PM me

 

who is the one in VA beach? i live near there and would love to know who to stay away from?

 

Have any of you others ripped off posted about it on here? If you get ripped, the least you can do is try and save someone else the same hassle. Otherwise the company will keep getting away with it over and over again.

 

That's a helluva nice thing to do, 94ZR1. You, sir, are a credit to your profession.

 

Corvette Masters... sometimes called Vette Masters. Problem is a lot of the parts new from GM are discontinued on these cars and you don't have much choice but to try to find good used in some cases and you have to try to steer around these guys. By the same token there are a couple who are golden too.