A BIG negative for CARS

Discussion in 'Buyer/Seller Feedback' started by wild1965, Dec 20, 2003.

  1. nailheadina67

    nailheadina67 Official Nailheader

    I just want to add that Glen is an ok guy to deal with. I don't think he does things on purpose, it's all part of being in business. He should just make himself easier to contact, that's all.

    The best advice I can give anybody is that when you order from them, ask many questions and have them read your order back to you before getting off the phone.

    Once I ordered a pair of trunk lid grommets along with some other parts. They only sent one grommet. When they sent the missing one, (after an arguement) it cost me over $11 after shipping and the $2.50 "minimum order charge" for a $1 grommet! It was their fault, for god's sake! It costs $8 to ship a gromett in an envelope? :af:

    In their defense, at least you can phone them. Classic Buicks and Buick farm don't disclose a phone number any longer. They are on line ordering only.:blast:
     
  2. MikeM

    MikeM Mississippi Buicks

    CARS, or Glenn or a rep should be in here by now to explain their policies.
     
  3. txgwildcat

    txgwildcat Guest

    Re: CARS

    Their whole problem is their inability or unwillingness to resolve problems making it a waste of time for anyone to deal with this company. Their Get it somewhere else, we don't make mistakes, zero accountability approach seems to be working for them and their customers.
     
  4. MikeM

    MikeM Mississippi Buicks

    Not forever. Unless there is a change we are looking at a big discount on parts when their going out of business sale happens. Business is tough, and no one can escape bad customer relationships in the long run. Especially when they have a closed market like this to work with.
     
  5. wild1965

    wild1965 Well-Known Member

    Updaye

    OK Guys, I have been able to determine the cause of my parts problem. And the problem lies squarely on the sholders of CARS, Inc. I called and talked to Jeff at CARS a few minutes ago. My understanding is that he is the #2 guy or manager or something.

    After about 5 minutes of discussion, the best I was able to get Jeff to commit to was that he would be in touch with me by the end of this week with their solution after discussing the situation with Glen.

    My solution is that they give me my money back. Something I have been asking for since the Buick Nationals. So I'll keep you posted here as to their reply.

    Why it's going to take them another week to make their minds up about refunding my money on defective parts they had manufactured I have no idea. No one should have to go through what I have been through to get their money back on a defective part. They have thrown up road blocks every time I tried to get my money back. Heck they even charged me shipping to return the defective parts back to me after they determined "that nothing was wrong" with them.

    So, all you CARS cheerleaders out there, what do you think CARS will do? Will they refund my purchase price? Like I said, I've been asking them for 6 months to do just that. Or will I get some more song and dance about how it's not their fault?

    If you want to see the cause of the problem, go here and read my last post. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32675
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2004
  6. wild1965

    wild1965 Well-Known Member

    Final Follow Up

    Jeff from CARS called me today. He said they will be issuing a refund for the now confirmed defective spark plug wires. The refund will not be issued until I return them to CARS. CARS is going to pay the return postage via a UPS call ticket.

    So in the end they stepped up. It just shouldn't have taken 6 months for them to do so. Live and learn. More than likely the last purchase I'll ever make from them.

    Each of you will have to decide for yourselves if you want to do business with CARS. There seems to be a lot of emotion on both sides.

    That's my final post on the subject.:Smarty:
     
  7. Ken Mild

    Ken Mild King of 18 Year Resto's

    Well, I made my decision years ago. I'll never do business with them again.

    It's absolutely preposterous that you had to go through this BS for so long and jump through so many hoops due to this simple product flaw.

    Those of you who have never had a problem with CARS, I would venture to say that the odds are that if you ordered from them regularly (even two or three times a year) you would experience a high ratio of BS and horrible customer service.

    However, I am nobody to suggest who you should order from, that's up to the individual. Everyone has warned of their experiences though, and I'd hate to continue reading how people keep getting hosed after reading these threads.
     
  8. lapham3@aol.com

    lapham3@aol.com Well-Known Member

    I haven't dealt with CARS too much over the years, but didn't really like their attitude much. They've had a spotty record for a long time. I know Ray Knott from the Riv club talked to Glenn about problems some years ago. I avoid them when I can.
     
  9. 68 LeSabre 4dr

    68 LeSabre 4dr Well-Known Member

    Well last year I bought many items from CARS . What got me hot is when I called and told them they sent the wrong breather tube .

    They told me "it's the same one every one else gets , why should your car be any different ". Then he says "you must not have the original engine ".

    Now that did it !! I tell him it is original and to check the OEM part # and see what he gets. He checks it and says " Oh you have that one . We have one here thats been sitting for years .
    It will cost you 39.00 plus shipping . The one you have won't work .

    No Chit !!! The correct one cost me nearly twice as much and he does not apoligize . Then I tell him yes I will take i tand send the other one back for a refund.

    I also said while I have you on the phone , I recieved a can of Buick Red paint that is pinkish and a silver exhaust paint instead of grey . Also this idler arm is non greaseable and I do not want it .

    He then says he will not accept the items and i will not get a refund . Nothing wrong with the items he says .... just the fact you don't like them .

    Long story short ......... Want a deal on a 68 leSabre idler arm or how about some paint ???


    CARS CAN KISS MY :moonu: :rant: :spank: :error: :af:
     
  10. JohnK

    JohnK Gas Guzzling Infidel

    I've Been Lucky So Far

    I've bought from them 3 times, once by internet, twice by phone. No problems with customer service while they were taking my money. I didn't have any concerns with what I bought, so I didn't have to call back to return items or ask questions or deal with a dude with a 'tude.

    Only concern I had with a part was the woodgrain for first gen Rivs. I decided to buy from them because the ROA discussion board said their woodgrain has the foil backing just like the original. It took them about 2 months to ship it, and it didn't come in time for the BCA/ROA Natls at Flint. For being "die" cut, most pieces took a little trimming for an exact fit. Other areas around the edges are not flush, with up to 1/16" gaps. Oh, and it DIDN'T have the foil backing like the originals. Looks OK from a couple of feet back, and looks OK sitting in the car driving. But I think I could have done better buying the venier myself, and cutting it to exact fit with cereal box cardboard templates. All other parts have been small stuff, like rubber parts, gaskets, etc. No problems to report, but maybe I've just been lucky so far.
     
  11. TimR

    TimR Nutcase at large

    I bought a used 71 taillight from them once"good condition".

    It showed up with four vertical cracks in the lens, it was warped, the edges were painted white and also oversprayed onto the lens portion, chips on the edge were actually chunks missing, taking part of the lens with.

    After much arguing, sent it back, lost brokerage and duty, got screwed on restocking fee. Never again. They probably resold it to someone else.

    later
    Tim
     
  12. tom Hearsey

    tom Hearsey Well-Known Member

    And I thought it was just me. Back in Nov. I looked in their online catalogue and couldn't believe my eyes when they said they had NOS quarters (both sides). Everyone has been telling me to put NOS quarters on my GSX, so I thought here we go. He who hesitates... . Next day I phone and ask about their Nos Quarters. They don't have the right only the left. Oh well One down I'll source the other sooner or later. I say, your on line says you have both but I guess you don't update regularly. So to make shipping more worthwhile Do you have the two NOS fenders in stock. Just the Right one. OK thats the one I need most. And your trunk floor? Yes In stock. Allright ! Heres my Visa number. Sorry we don't take Visa over the phone for our NOS parts. Well how can I be assured that the parts will still be in stock when my money order arrives from Canada. Oh not to worry those are not big movers they'll still be here. Well If you won't take my Visa for payment for the NOS stuff how about taking a deposit on Visa so the parts will be Held until my money gets there. No we can't do that. Could I talk to the manager? NO we really don't have a manager. You could talk to the owner but he's not here. (Saturday). Ok I'll call Monday and talk to the owner. Monday morning I call. No owner but it seems they now have a manager. Jeff. I run the whole scenario by Jeff and he confirms the company policy. Ok, but I'm really gonna be annoyed if when I get this money to you the parts have already gone out the door. 'We'll refund your money, no problem.' I weighed the situation and decided I really do need the parts. These guys are always at the Nationals so they must be above board. My wife got the US money order and to expedite the process I spent another $25 on courior. Three days later I phone and talk to Jeff. Yes He got the money. And a big yes after checking inventory the parts are still there. We'll ship them right away. Great! Big bucks but hey its only money. That was November 28. I located a Right hand quarter in the Chicago area and got that coming a week later. On or about Dec 20 I recieved a call from Cars Inc.. Yah looks like we don't have a left quarter but your in luck for the right quarter. Well I just about lost it right then and there, but knowing they had all my money kept me restrained and I managed to coherently relate my tale to them and told them I had already found a right side quarter a week after I ordered from them and it was in my possession. Oh do you still want the other parts. No I don't thankyou just send me my money back like you said you would. And don't send it US funds to be drawn on an American Bank please, because for some reason they don't do that here. It has happened to me before. Send a money order. OK Sir. We'll get that out to you right away. Three weeks later I was pleasantly surprised to find a check in the mail. Made out to the wrong name, in US funds, drawn on an American bank. So thats my story. It all could have been avoided If it wasn't for some inane policy on the way they ALLOW you to order parts. Oh yes I'm out the 30 dollars for the money order and courior. I think its a very poor way to do business and they must be able to read the desperation in ones mind when trying to find Buick parts. Tom
     
  13. pooods

    pooods Well-Known Member

    Problems here too! My father and myself did a 64 Riv last summer. Ordered several items from CARS. Got a "In Good Condition" front corner light lens. Once received it was full of small cracks just as the original ones we had were. Ordered a woodgrain kit for it and it took over 2 months to receive it. Woodgrain was just a 14 day item in the beginning. I never bothered sending the the light lens back and that is my fault. But, they should have listed it with a better description.
     
  14. harrysc

    harrysc Guest

    Well as a new owner of a 64 Riviera, and in the process of a complete interior restoration I am very interested in this thread. I have been buying from Clark's with great satisfaction. Luckily I read this post about 30 minutes before placing an order with CARS for parts they were cheaper on. My understanding is if you don't know this Glenn the owner you're pretty much screwed. Well after reading these nightmare stories, and since I don't know Glenn think i will pass. Thanks guys for the heads up
     
  15. Eric

    Eric Founders Club Member

    A company is only as good as their worst customer service person.
    I dealt with them also a year or two ago and it was a horrible experience.
    You can't tell me that an owner doesn't know about a customer service
    person (who is his employee) talking down to everyone he talks to.
     
  16. RACEBUICKS

    RACEBUICKS Midwest Buick Mafia

    ITs funny when I call and ask for Jeff and get great service everytime!!! I have been doing business off and on with them for 10 years and I have yet to be messed around. ONE time I got the wrong part and they replaced it to me within a few days. I sent back their part and all was good. Cars is not always the problem.
     
  17. Topcat

    Topcat Got TORQUE?

    I've been dealing with CARS for over 15 years.....never a problem.

    Those threads are over 4 years old.......

    Peace WildBill
     
  18. David G

    David G de-modded....

    This thread is 4 yrs old, but there are newer CARS "complaints" threads too. I've bought once, and will never again. Seems they are either loved or hated by all who've done business with them. They had their chance to have me as a repeat customer and blew it.
     
  19. 64LeSabre455

    64LeSabre455 Well-Known Member

    Never had a problem with them. Of course I have only bought repro pieces. Nothing NOS or OEM. They are good in my Book!!
     
  20. Poppaluv

    Poppaluv I CALL WINNERS!!!

    After4 years,you'd think they would have responded here by now!?:confused:
    They WILL NEVER get a chance with my $!!!!:blast: :spank: :moonu:

    For you guys you know the owner congrats.....:rolleyes:
     

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