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Eckler's made me laugh

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3.8K views 39 replies 32 participants last post by  Bob McLaughlin  
#1 ·
Well, I used one of their discount deals and bought a grocery list of parts. I also used their "meet anyone's price" on a heater valve unit. Danchuk had them in their Christmas catalog for under $40. Eckler's was over $60. So I challenged them and the reply I got was they are not the same part. Since this was one of many parts I ordered, I agreed to pay the additional $20 for "theirs". When the shipment came, what they sold me was the Danchuk part.
:sign0020:
 
#12 ·
You must need a new prescription on your glasses then :sign0020: i research my butt off before i purchase anything from anybody, and Ecklers has bye far always been the cheapest supplier for a quality product, and 9 out of 10 times, the stuff i have purchased came in a Danchuck box. It has always killed me that Ecklers can sell a part from Danchuck, but for 10 to 30 dollars cheaper than what Danchuck list the parts for :confused0006:

I guess it all boils down too we all have different experiences with different suppliers......

Rick
 
#7 ·
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Well, I used one of their discount deals and bought a grocery list of parts. I also used their "meet anyone's price" on a heater valve unit. Danchuk had them in their Christmas catalog for under $40. Eckler's was over $60. So I challenged them and the reply I got was they are not the same part. Since this was one of many parts I ordered, I agreed to pay the additional $20 for "theirs". When the shipment came, what they sold me was the Danchuk part.
:sign0020:
This should be fun to watch too. It's been a long time since I pulled up the lounger and cheetos.
 
#19 ·
Ecklers is way down on my list also. I was once told that they would move my order to the top of the shipping list for an additional fee. Not that it would be shipped any differently, just moved to the top on their list.
Then there's the issue of back ordering parts while having me believe they are in stock. I don't get this from anyone else. I don't like to post negative remarks, but they have crapped on me in the past and now it's my turn. :sign0020:
 
#20 ·
I guess I'm lucky when it comes to them...called last week about an order that would be drop shipped from an 'outside' supplier and they said they'd check and get back to me. Next morning, message said it'd ship this week. Since I hadn't gotten a shipping notice, I called today and they said it MIGHT be Tuesday before they could confirm a ship date. Got a call back within the hour saying that I'd receive it next Wednesday (fine with me as a lot of businesses 'out' on Monday). They were the only place I could find that had my longroof item and I got a discount when I ordered that more-than covered shipping. If it arrives on time, not critical for me, I'd say the transaction was as promised. Sorry others are having problems, but I'm OK with Eckler's.
 
#24 ·
I've been purchasing from Ralph Roberts for about four years now. I started because, He's close and answers the phone, He always checks inventory- even for small parts, he will ship via USPS to my PO Box which is significantly cheaper and faster - typically ONE DAY.

Ralph has never charged me "Handling Costs". That adds up quick to $$$ Ralph is OLD SCHOOL, just call him and ask him ""How you doing today Ralph".

Ralph is always friendly and He knows practically every part on a TRI-5, and personally owns several original TRI-5s

Recently I ordered several sets of brake and clutch pedal parts, bushings, springs, rubber parts, all small parts, not much of a sale. Ralph cheerfully placed my order that morning and I received them the next day in my PO Box. I don't recall the exact shipping prices, But it was only a few Bucks.

He are a few prices I copied from him web site list to compare to ChevyNuts list.

Yes, his data base is,, somewhat difficult. But, Doing biz with Ralph has been a real treat. A few of us drove up to see his place in Brush Prairie, a nice drive. He was pleased to see us and spent time looking at or cars and looking up info for us. I should have taken pics of his place. A step back into time, both in service and his office - a real treat.

T1308 1956 Hood Bar w/Installation Kit (461) 197.55
3721987 1956 Hood Bar Extension, Left Hand 88.64
3721988 1956 Hood Bar Extension, Right Hand 89.49

K-238 1956 Hood Bird (J-24) 94.53

Ralph Roberts Classic Chevy

http://www.56chevy.com/maincat.htm
 
#25 ·
in response to NUNU

and Firebird mentality. Yep. Firebird.

The Music City show this coming July will be all the Chevy's under their umbrella and Camaro's which has been standard for awhile and new this year Firebirds. I know they're sister cars but how does this jive with a Chevy show? After that buck in any way they can get it I guess. I see the Winter show also has gone to the 'birds.

http://www.classicchevy.com/showregistration/index/viewshow/id/37/
 
#27 ·
Chevynut,

You are correct, Ralph's data base is ,, well a little better than years ago. But, he will help you on the phone. But, I've got to give Ralph a break, he's getting up there in the years. I'm thinking He's over 85 perhaps 90. And when I say his place is amazing, it truly is..

BUT, he is a work around for you.

After you go to his on line catalog, select the part section for the part you are looking form , Example,,,,SHEET METAL.

Then select the entire page and block copy it. Then paste it into yout word processor. Now you can save this new file, say,,Ralph's SHEET Metal.

Now you have the entire sheet metal data base. So, just do a search for your part. Works well for me. Plus I have a copy stored on my hard drive, simpler the next time....

Have Fun,,,
 
#28 ·
This Eckler's story doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me is someone posting they typically have lower prices which they usually don't. Usually it takes them having the part on sale to match others' everyday prices.

I used to try to keep an Ecker's catalog on hand because it's very complete and has more photos than a lot of others. No more, it's not worth the trouble, I just use an old one.

I prefer to order my Danchuk parts from H&H. Their website is very good about showing their inventory, which is large, and when you call, you talk to someone who actually knows what the part is and who made it. And they also sell some stuff from multiple suppliers and let you make the choice - and they will explain the differences. They do have some parts in generic packaging with their part number only on them, and those are usually sold at a good price. Typically those are US made parts that they buy from the same sources that Danchuk and Eckler's use.
 
#30 ·
They have seen my last order. I placed an order for over $200 during the 20% off sale. Asked the sale man if he could hold the order for a couple days since I was going to be away. No Problem gave me a number to call and release the order. So today I called to release the order, The sales guy tells me the number refered to a quote, I said the guy took my credit card number. after a discussion he puts me on hold goes away. Never to come back on line.

So I decided to check resto-world for the same parts. They were 25% below for the same parts on the regular price. so even with 20% off Ecklers was 5% higher. Plus two of the heavy parts are in a whse in Dallas no frt. I have spent between my Vette redo and the 57, about 13 to 14k. They won't miss my orders, but I will never order from them again.

Most of their staff is good, they do have a few attitudes they need to dispose of. Enough venting.
 
#32 · (Edited)
"Eckler's....when you absolutely positively don't care what it costs!" This should be their motto!

I stopped using them years ago (for reasons other than price) and continue to laugh at all you guys who do and then come on here to complain. These Eckler's posts have been on going for years. Any research done on this forum would scare off even the most hardened restorer. :sign0020: But this sure is entertaining reading! Hey NickP any room on the couch? I'll bring my own cheetos!!

Don
 
#35 ·
Back to the original part in this post. I just looked at Eckler's Web site and their heater control valve is now $79.99 each.

http://www.classicchevy.com/chevy-heater-control-valve-deluxe-1955-1956.html


And $114.99 for a heater core !!

http://www.classicchevy.com/chevy-deluxe-heater-core-1955-1956.html

After being Burned, I haven't looked for price comparison at Eckler's. But not I sure see what ChevyNut pointed out.


Ralph Roberts heater valve is $53.15 for a '55 or '56 and $45.55 for a '57 on his Web Site

http://www.56chevy.com/heaters.htm


When I finally rebuild and installed my heater, Spring of 2007, the heater core pop'd in only a few months. What a mess.

After disassembling the heater box, I discovered that the control valve had a small leak and the core failed. I called Ralph this tie for a replacement valve and heater core. Ralph told me to have my core rebuild at a good radiator shop because OEM versions were not well suited for newer Motors with higher pressure cooling systems. That's Ralph !!

I purchased the control valve for Ralph and had the core rebuild locally. I had the radiator shop add two AN fitting for the coolant lines, total rebuild cost for the heater core,, about $85.00.

Ralph's control valve was somewhat different from the previous part, thicker materials and overall better appearance. Still working perfectly with no leaks.

How many parts suppliers now will advise to go elsewhere for a better part ?

You can email for specifics RE parts and pricing. Not all of Ralph's parts are made in the USA. But, if you ask him he will tell you what country a specific part in made.

ralph@56chevy.com <ralph@56chevy.com>