Danchuk

[Bamaboybwoody]

Asked Danchuk to over night some headlight retaining rings ( shipping was 10 dollars more than the part) they were wrong, actually for a 56 the part is maked for a 55 PN # 16030. My disapointment was the guy on the phone said that I could "make it work" and that they had never had any complaints. I will miss getting my car into the local World of Wheels because of this. I also had a problem with getting the right door seals, Danchuk said that these were correct for the car although they were 1' too long and the "molded end ones" were 6 months on back order. I had ordered these last year on line it would have been nice to have a foot note or something to warn me, it is really a pain to find this problem at 1 o'clock in the morning.I got some from soft seal and they were just like they needed to be molded ends and all and cheaper. I have tried to buy everthing from Danchuk but these guys are in left field on these issues. I guess it pays to shop around.

Joe:banghead:

[mickeywestsr]

Sorry you had problems but I can understand your frustration. I enjoy doing the W of Ws too.
bowtie-trifive

[567chevy]

Joe,
Sorry about your not making it to the W of W.
I don't think your criticism of Danchuk is fair.
They sent you the wrong headlight rings "At the LAST HOUR" when you requested them overnight and this is why your car could not make it to the W of W, is that correct?
Let's ask some questions here!
How long did you know about the Date of the W of W?
When I had my Chevy Parts business, I displayed a huge sign over the counter, in full view of everyone that walked into the store, that said the following;
"LACK OF PLANNING ON YOUR PART
DOES NOT CREATE AN EMERGENCY
ON OUR PART"
There was no confusion then about who was responsible for the planning of the customers project. THE CUSTOMER!
While we bent over backwards to help folks in your situation, we were limited by the parts in stock and the backorders outstanding.
AS for shopping around, I encourage everyone to do so.
Do not let price alone determine your purchasing decision.
Let things like courteous, knowlegeable prompt customer service, quality fit and finish of parts, delivery times, prompt notification of backorders at time of placing orders, and knowlegable after sales customer support be some of your criteria for dealing with a parts vendor.
Build a relationship with your local parts dealer. You will be surprised.
After all they are probably Danchuk dealers. There are hundreds of Danchuk dealers around the world

The moral of this post is don't slam your parts suppliers for your lack of planning.

[Hotroddder]

So if he had ordered them earlier and installed them during final assembly and they were wrong or would not fit like they said, then he would have had time to run around at the last minute and over night them from someone else....?????

If they did not have the parts he was stuck. If they sent the wrong parts or they gave bad advise, they were wrong.... no matter how long he waited...

If you can't manage and send the right part get out of the business...... If your people on the phones cannot take the order right or don't care get out of the business. If the customer makes the mistake, then he should take it like a man and admit his failures.....

Hotroddder

[rayharris]

I like to say give me what I need. Not what I ask for.:sign0020:

[Sparkywax]

Asked Danchuk to over night some headlight retaining rings ( shipping was 10 dollars more than the part) they were wrong, actually for a 56 the part is maked for a 55 PN # 16030. My disapointment was the guy on the phone said that I could "make it work" and that they had never had any complaints. I will miss getting my car into the local World of Wheels because of this. I also had a problem with getting the right door seals, Danchuk said that these were correct for the car although they were 1' too long and the "molded end ones" were 6 months on back order. I had ordered these last year on line it would have been nice to have a foot note or something to warn me, it is really a pain to find this problem at 1 o'clock in the morning.I got some from soft seal and they were just like they needed to be molded ends and all and cheaper. I have tried to buy everthing from Danchuk but these guys are in left field on these issues. I guess it pays to shop around.

Joe:banghead:

Preach it Joe. I agree with you. If you order something it should be what you ordered. PERIOD! It doesn't matter if you ordered the part one year, one month or one day. It should be the correct part. You paid the extra shipping. If someone thinks you should plan your whole world better, well........... good for them. Glad there life is so perfect. Also if the part is wrong they shouldn't tell you to make it fit, thats NOT what everyone does. Sorry you had to miss World Of Wheels.

[So Cal Cruzer]

Sounds like a mis-labeled part(s) since 55's have a specific pn# and 56-57 have there own. I've bought them for my 56 and they were fine, but under pn# 14222. THe 1955 version is under pn# 16030. That may be what the label says, but whats in the bag may be different. I would image that someone at Danchuk could check the 2 against the one you received to determine this. But I have to agree, this should not have been a last minute deal. stuff like this happens all the time and at the worst possible moments and I know its sucks, but that's life with humans and human error.
I've made it a practice to verify what I order is correct before I stick it away for a future install and if it's crunch time, it's usually when stuff like this happens. A freind of mine bought a complete seal kit for his 68 Camaro and waited 5 years to install it after he got the car out of paint, just to realize then it was for a Chevelle...Murphy's Law I guess. There will be other car shows and you will be better prepared for it and give a better showing too, instead of rushing the job. This is a Hobby after all and it's suppose to be fun even though things don't always work out the way we want. I'm Sure Danchuk will make it right for you in the end. They can't turn back time, but if they have the right part they'll get it to you.

[Bamaboybwoody]

The part Danchuk has was the wrong part I talked with them and they went out and got the same ones from the shelf, so not only was my part a 56 but also the parts they had were also a for a 56 marked as a 55 PN #. I like Danchuk and I guess my post was a knee jerk reaction ( never a good thing) I didn't just order those at the last minute I had ordered them earlier and they were also for a 56 and marked as such. My mistake was not checking the earlier part before I started assembly but Danchuk had marked the overnight parts as for a 55 so maybe I am at fault also but I hope they review these parts and get the right ones on the shelf.I think the thing that got me going was the " I could make it work" comment. Thanks guys for making me look at the whole picture


Joe:cool:

[petes83usa]

Sounds like a mis-labeled part(s) since 55's have a specific pn# and 56-57 have there own. I've bought them for my 56 and they were fine, but under pn# 14222. THe 1955 version is under pn# 16030. That may be what the label says, but whats in the bag may be different. I would image that someone at Danchuk could check the 2 against the one you received to determine this. But I have to agree, this should not have been a last minute deal. stuff like this happens all the time and at the worst possible moments and I know its sucks, but that's life with humans and human error.
I've made it a practice to verify what I order is correct before I stick it away for a future install and if it's crunch time, it's usually when stuff like this happens. A freind of mine bought a complete seal kit for his 68 Camaro and waited 5 years to install it after he got the car out of paint, just to realize then it was for a Chevelle...Murphy's Law I guess. There will be other car shows and you will be better prepared for it and give a better showing too, instead of rushing the job. This is a Hobby after all and it's suppose to be fun even though things don't always work out the way we want. I'm Sure Danchuk will make it right for you in the end. They can't turn back time, but if they have the right part they'll get it to you.


Awesome post !...... :tu

[trifive]

Okay guys, I contacted danchuk and they will reply to this post tomorrow after they research the problem.

So lets wait and give them a chance to answer.

Remember always two sides to every story.

Thanks

otis :)

[roughneck424]

I have seen other hobby Forum boards that have sponsors that are very active on the particlular board.
I like seeing that, where the sponsor is active on the board and supports the board in more ways other than just paying advertisment. Then the forum board supports the sponsor in return. Just a win win.

[nunu]

I have seen other hobby Forum boards that have sponsors that are very active on the particlular board.
I like seeing that, where the sponsor is active on the board and supports the board in more ways other than just paying advertisment. Then the forum board supports the sponsor in return. Just a win win.


From what I've seen active sponsors usually get raked over hot coals, at times. so it doen't seem to pay to be an active participant.
It's way too easy for any anonimous soul to blast a vendor for any reason what so ever (not directed at orig poster).

[Rick_L]

Well, stuff happens. There's problems on both sides here. A lot of us, and a lot of folks at Danchuk, know better on the "you can make it work" deal.

I don't think you can restore a 55-57 Chevy without Danchuk parts. But you don't have to buy retail from them.

So you have to figure your best strategy when doing this stuff - and modify your strategy based on your experience.

Ironically, a 55 headlight ring is one of the few pot metal parts that can still be found "good used".

[G.R.]

I don't think he was going for "good used" on a World of Wheels show car. :sign0020:

If the part was mislabeld then it is the vendors fault...and the service reps advice:rolleyes:...that is what is wrong about dealing with some of the vendors, a real lack of customer service.

[blonby]

So if he had ordered them earlier and installed them during final assembly and they were wrong or would not fit like they said, then he would have had time to run around at the last minute and over night them from someone else....?????

If they did not have the parts he was stuck. If they sent the wrong parts or they gave bad advise, they were wrong.... no matter how long he waited...

If you can't manage and send the right part get out of the business...... If your people on the phones cannot take the order right or don't care get out of the business. If the customer makes the mistake, then he should take it like a man and admit his failures.....

Hotroddder

You couldn't have said it better I agree with you my friend

[angs1957]

Interesting I would have thought plain and simple a wrong part is a wrong part no if`s or buts

[15055chevy]

You couldn't have said it better I agree with you my friend

I triple that!

[TheHotrodHandyman]

I triple that!

X4 here.

[fuzz1957]

I had a bad experience with Danchuk a couple years ago. They ran an online sale and I called right away when I saw some of the deals. I even "double asked" the Danchuk representative if everything was actually for the sale price. He assured me they were and I gave him my cc number and finished the deal. Everything was posted online stating part number and price. The next day, I got a call from Danchuk saying they couldn't send the parts I ordered as they were not on sale. They made a mistake and listed some parts not on sale. They wouldn't stand behind their sale prices and basically said, Too bad and it was a computer error. This was for about $200 in sale parts. Their cost = maybe $100 or less I'll bet. I asked what computer listed these parts? :sign0013: They gave me a bunch of BS and they would fill my non sale items order. I cancelled them too. I wondered and asked them how a big outfit like them can do something like this without double checks and someone in authority knowing what's going on. No answer. Well, anyway - I always now look elsewhere for my parts first. Just left me with a sour taste in my mouth as they could have offered some kind of compromise or better yet - stood behind what they advertised the first time.

Fuzz

[chevman57]

Guys lets not turn this thread into a bashing thread or it will be closed. Thank you, Terry.

[Randy 57]

Guys lets not turn this thread into a bashing thread or it will be closed. Thank you, Terry.

I like Danchuk:) I have great and not so great issues with them, way less problems with them than at the local Kragens:sign0020:

Randy

[trifive]

I will reopen this post Monday.

Thanks for understanding


Otis :)

[trifive]

Thread is now open

Otis

[Danchuk Rep1]

Asked Danchuk to over night some headlight retaining rings ( shipping was 10 dollars more than the part) they were wrong, actually for a 56 the part is maked for a 55 PN # 16030. My disapointment was the guy on the phone said that I could "make it work" and that they had never had any complaints. I will miss getting my car into the local World of Wheels because of this.
Joe:banghead:

Joe,

Overnight shipping can be expensive there is no question there. I'm sorry to hear about the mishap with your order. We did check the inventory at both California and Indiana and there are no mislabeled parts for # 16030 or # 14222. This does not mean that we shipped you the correct part and we will be happy to replace it at our expense if we didn’t. The 55’ retainer ring has 2 spot welded tabs and the 56’-57’ has no tabs at all. The 1955 headlight retaining ring (http://www.danchuk.com/ItemForm.aspx?Search=16030&Item=16030) # 16030 are held in place by 2 screws and a spring. The 1956-1957 headlight retaining ring (http://www.danchuk.com/ItemForm.aspx?Search=14222&Item=14222) #14222 slides over a tab on the side and is held down by a spring (no screws). Looking at these linked pictures which part did we send you? If we did send you the 55' retainer ring it is possible you might have a different year seal beam bucket. We have seen some 1955 Chevy customers have a 55’ sealed beam bucket on one side and a 56’-57’one on the other. This is shown in section 12 of the shop manual (for all years). So we need to make sure you truly have a 55' seal beam bucket. If you would like to post a picture of both sides of your sealed beam buckets I will get one of our technicians to check it out and we can go from there.

**Update**New instruction sheets have been created. Download links are below:

1955 headlight retaining ring # 16030 Instuction Sheet (http://www.danchuk.com/images/Downloads/Instruction%20Sheets/16030.pdf)
1956-1957 headlight retaining ring #14222 Instruction Sheet (http://www.danchuk.com/images/Downloads/Instruction%20Sheets/14222.pdf)


I also had a problem with getting the right door seals, Danchuk said that these were correct for the car although they were 1' too long and the "molded end ones" were 6 months on back order. I had ordered these last year on line it would have been nice to have a foot note or something to warn me, it is really a pain to find this problem at 1 o'clock in the morning.I got some from soft seal and they were just like they needed to be molded ends and all and cheaper. I have tried to buy everthing from Danchuk but these guys are in left field on these issues. I guess it pays to shop around.
Joe:banghead:

It sounds like you ordered the 1955-1957 Chevy Door Weatherstrip Seals with Clips (http://www.danchuk.com/ItemForm.aspx?Search=553&Item=553), part # 553 which is typical to cut and glue up to the original molded ends if they are still good; we give you extra length. The 1955-1957 Chevy Door Weatherstrip Seals with Molded Ends (http://www.danchuk.com/ItemForm.aspx?Search=914&Item=914), part # 914 are with the molded ends and are an exact fit. We will not see the 914’s until around the middle to late March since they are being redesigned.

[Bamaboybwoody]

Joe,

Overnight shipping can be expensive there is no question there. I'm sorry to hear about the mishap with your order. We did check the inventory at both California and Indiana and there are no mislabeled parts for # 16030 or # 14222. This does not mean that we shipped you the correct part and we will be happy to replace it at our expense if we didn’t. The 55’ retainer ring has 2 spot welded tabs and the 56’-57’ has no tabs at all. The 1955 headlight retaining ring (http://www.danchuk.com/ItemForm.aspx?Search=16030&Item=16030) # 16030 are held in place by 2 screws and a spring. The 1956-1957 headlight retaining ring (http://www.danchuk.com/ItemForm.aspx?Search=14222&Item=14222) #14222 slides over a tab on the side and is held down by a spring (no screws). Looking at these linked pictures which part did we send you? If we did send you the 55' retainer ring it is possible you might have a different year seal beam bucket. We have seen some 1955 Chevy customers have a 55’ sealed beam bucket on one side and a 56’-57’one on the other. This is shown in section 12 of the shop manual (for all years). So we need to make sure you truly have a 55' seal beam bucket. If you would like to post a picture of both sides of your sealed beam buckets I will get one of our technicians to check it out and we can go from there.

**Update**New instruction sheets have been created. Download links are below:

1955 headlight retaining ring # 16030 Instuction Sheet (http://www.danchuk.com/images/Downloads/Instruction%20Sheets/16030.pdf)
1956-1957 headlight retaining ring #14222 Instruction Sheet (http://www.danchuk.com/images/Downloads/Instruction%20Sheets/14222.pdf)



It sounds like you ordered the 1955-1957 Chevy Door Weatherstrip Seals with Clips (http://www.danchuk.com/ItemForm.aspx?Search=553&Item=553), part # 553 which is typical to cut and glue up to the original molded ends if they are still good; we give you extra length. The 1955-1957 Chevy Door Weatherstrip Seals with Molded Ends (http://www.danchuk.com/ItemForm.aspx?Search=914&Item=914), part # 914 are with the molded ends and are an exact fit. We will not see the 914’s until around the middle to late March since they are being redesigned.

The rings I got from you all are correct for a 56 and some 55s but they do not fit my original headlight buckets. They should fit using 3 equally spaced tabs and screws and are similar to 67-68 camaro headlights. I was able to get the correct ones from CCI, my only complaint with them are they are not made in the USA as yours are, but the CCI ones fit. The exception/difference from a camaro is the 55 rings have slits above each screw tab which the camaros ones do not. My car was built in late 54 which maybe the reason for the difference in the rings, these may be 54 type rings. My disapointment is the " I can make them work" from the tech at Danchuk, since I work on these things myself I can agree with that statement although doing that would not be my expectation when I order a Danchuk part , I pay for quality parts that fit right . The door seals were just an agravation to me since if you all had stated the above when I ordered the things I could have made adjustments. I think it is right for you to know that Soft Seal was able to get me the correct seals the next week so I am not sure why you all are having an issue with suppliers.

I have always and will continue buying things I need from Danchuk first and maybe I did reflect a a knee jerk reaction to my agravation but my goal is to get the right part and for others to have the same service. I believe that improvement in service from vendors and increased knowledge is the goal of this forum.

Joe

[So Cal Cruzer]

BINGO!!! IF the buckets are the original ones that came on that very car, or another VERY EARLY 55 and they have three evenly spaced tabs aroud the outside, then yes you have a 1954 style buckets. In other words somewhat uncommon, not all early 55's came this way. Yes you could make the 55 styles work, but that's not what you wanted, I understand. At least we all learned something abour EARLY 55's and one of there Idiosyncrasies. An honest mistake/oversight on both parties. In my 25 years of messing with tri-fives I have only seen 1 car this way and thought then that somebody made something work, since it had the same retainer that came on my Nova that I had at the time.

[Danchuk Rep1]

The door seals were just an agravation to me since if you all had stated the above when I ordered the things I could have made adjustments. I think it is right for you to know that Soft Seal was able to get me the correct seals the next week so I am not sure why you all are having an issue with suppliers.


Danchuk manufactures the 1955-1957 Chevy Door Weatherstrip Seals with Molded Ends (http://www.danchuk.com/ItemForm.aspx?Search=914&Item=914), part # 914. These are going to be different than Soft Seals; it has been our experience that Soft Seals does not have the metal insert on either side of the molded ends. Danchuk has the metal insert on both ends. We have changed our tooling which will allow the vulcanization process to include the metal inserts all at one time. In the past the ends with the metal inserts were attached by hand with an adhesive. You could see where it fit together to the molded ends. Now, because of the EPDM rubber process they will have a more continuous rubber look where the pieces fit together. The tooling has been altered and they are beginning production.
Again, we are sorry for the misinformation that happened about the headlight retaining rings. I have informed our Customer Service Supervisor about this and he will be happy to help you out. Please email Jason at jasont@danchuk.com if you would like to return the rings. That was definetly one of those one in a million circumstances.

Regards,

Danchuk Manufacturing

[rod2133]

Good response from Danchuk. Not all customer reps are good ones and sometimes they really make a situation worse. As for the original post we all have last minute issues at one time or another and the response he received was poor and only compounded the issue. It's good see Danchuk step up. Would like to know how they follow through.