Sad to report that a once "go-to" source of Corvette parts has changed dramatically. I had an oil line going to my oil pressure gauge break and the driver's floor flooded with about a quart of oil before it was noticed. I fixed the problem, but needed replacement carpet and padding. I placed the order with Ecklers and received a confirmation that said it would ship in 3-7 business days. That time has passed, so I attempted to call them. After over 45 minutes on hold and listening to their recoded message emphasizing their "excellent customer service", I was nearly postal so decided to follow their instruction and email "service@ecklers". I received an automated reply that says they normally respond in 2-3 business days and don't send another message as it slows everything up. That time, too, has passed with no response.

It seems that a once customer-focused company has learned the lessons of the pandemic: Save money by understaffing the customer support people and just amend the recording to say "due to higher than normal call volume...". They also seem to have picked up on lessons from Amazon and moved from being a supplier to being a broker. More and more items "ship directly from the supplier". That means they simply take my order, jack up the price, and order it from whoever is on their list for that part. Amazon without the fulfillment centers...

Now that they have no interest or capacity (whichever) to support customers, for me they have moved from a "go-to" to an "avoid at all costs" supplier. It is truly sad to see, but fortunately there are alternatives available. Eventually the few surviving companies in many fields will be those that recognize that this erosion in customer service is not an acceptable "new normal".

 

They were a "go to" for me back when Ralph was alive and owned his name brand.

 

I am goin thru the same thing right now. I ordered, paid and they shipped my part to a another state! That was 5 weeks ago and I never got my part. I too sat on the phone at least 10 times waiting for their customer service! I have ask for a refund thru PayPal and am done with Ecklers! I too have ordered before but something has changed. Look them up on BBB, they have 60 or more resent complaints. Sad!

 

So who is the go to supplier? I’m just starting my Corvette journey.

 

I'm sorry, but my experience with Ecklers was tarnished years ago when I ordered some parts including a t-shirt. The t-shirt was not in stock so the held my entire order whilst they waited for the shirt to
come in without even an email to let me know what was happening. Apparently they thought the t-shirt was more important than the parts for my corvette. When I found out what was going on I cancelled
the whole order. I takes long enough for your order to arrive when your on the other side of the world without being stuffed about by inconsiderate a-holes.

 

Rock Auto has ACC carpet for our Corvettes and ships quickly.

 

wow great find..
I literally ordered carpet Saturday..acc..
price similiar to ra..another vendor significantly higher..both helped me with samples..not sure ra would..
ra is a great site..BUT humans do not exist period…

 

Zip Corvette is a good source. Their web pages show whether the item is in stock and when it will ship. They maintain a lot of inventory, so they can ship much quicker, than some other suppliers, that are mainly drop shippers.

 

Corvette America is good for interior parts.

 

A few years back I orderd a $4.00 2" x 1/2" long ( inches not feet ) green sticker that goes on your coil springs . They charged $8.95 shipping that was the demise of Eckler's for me as well as marking everything listed for C3 in their catalogs 68-82 when 90% of the item's didn't fit 68 ( ONLY ) or didn't fit anything at all made in CHINA crap !!! PASS on Eckler's they have not clue about the hobby, nor do they care, it's another company that lost its HUMAN connection !!!

 

Too bad they didn't keep their old website when they got absorbed into Top Flight Auto. I spent a lot at CA in the past, and that's where the other vendors get it all anyway (or Al Knoch, or ACC for carpet). Now, for interior stuff, and very "Corvette Specific" stuff I use Zip, Willcox, and Bair's.

For simple stuff, I use RockAuto whenever I can. For example, having 10 choices for a lock actuator, and full disclosure of the source, beats any Corvette vendor, and not just on price. You can have either have great human-based customer service, or a great website with complete transparency and rapid (automated) email updates. Companies that do neither very well probably won't be around for long.

 

Ecklers-
I ordered (8) brackets- the price with shipping was a good deal. Zero communication- but the box showed up 5 days later.

Open it up there's one out of 8. The rest were back ordered for a month plus. They charged me like $15 shipping - so if I canceled the order
one bracket would have cost me $27. So i sat it out- and it eventually showed up. This day and age where
everything is electronic- why no email re:backorder- everybody else can do it...

Rockauto- super-fast- tell you immediately - before you place the order- if it's in stock or not-
AND here's 5% off-

 

Rock Auto is cheaper, but a real pain when something goes wrong. They actually made me pay the shipping to return their defective part to them (they sent me a hydraulic timing belt tensioner that arrived with all the oil leaked out.) Sometimes I've received good parts from them and sometimes it seems that they send old stock that is banged up.

 

Moving to Transaction Feedback.

 

I am going through the same issue right now. I have posted a thread today on my problems with them and you are correct about just being a broker..... i didn't think I would get Corvette Mods type of service from Eckler's but yet here I am.

 

Stay away from Corvette Mods and apparently Eckler's too

 

I have found myself going to Top Flight Corvette a lot. I signed up for their emails and they are constantly running free shipping promos.

 

Love Rock Auto's selection, but their shipping always turns me off. You never get a break there.

 

This thread ceased being about Ecklers a few posts ago and the OP has not added any additional info on the original disputed transaction.

If the OP or Ecklers has a resolution or a development to share, please send it to me and I’ll add it to the thread.