Southside Obsolete
 

I'm writing to share my experience with this business. I called today looking for a 6 volt ballast resistor. He has them.... but won't sell one to me. Apparently I'm not "one of his customers". I asked what does it take to become one of his customers(?) His response was that I need to be a "regular" and buy more parts through him.
Are you kidding me?? I'm a 49 year old flathead enthusiast who just built a 32 flatty powered truck with my 16 year old son. We are the next generation to carry on this early Ford tradition....and my money isn't good enough??
Most early Ford owners are getting long in the tooth. I value these sages immensely and regularly seek advice on these Fords from them. But when they are gone, who will be left? I represent the next TWO generations of early Ford owners out there, and guys like Southside Obsolete would be well advised to support us. Otherwise he'll grow old and pass on, surrounded by a warehouse full of parts that guys like me can't access.

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

PM sent.

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

Brian, that is astounding. They used to sell to every Ford lover. Maybe since the original owner passed away, they have changed their MO. Hope they see your post.
https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2894

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

I think he has all he can do to fill larger orders and i dont think he has help.

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

Brian, I suspect there are, as always, three sides to the story. I have dealt with Southside for years upon years and every transaction has been wonderful.

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

I sold a bunch of parts to Fred last summer. He looked fine to me then. I just checked and it looks like he was on this site today.

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

Have not passed away been in the hospital the last 9 days. Here now. Was sick before the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks. The poster called and he told me was a looking for a bunch of nos 18- ignition resistors to buy. These do not fall out of trees and fall in a box and my customers who are many and consistent appreciate that they can get hard to find parts from me. I tod that to him and he thanked me. Well you can see where that went.

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

Hi Fred:

I'm sorry to hear that you were sick and I hope you are on the road to recovery. Fred & Southside Obsolete are top flight in my book. Often Fred will mail parts out with an invoice because a man's word still hold value to him.

I'm not going to even get into what may have happened, but I just felt the need to pass along my experiences with Fred.

Hope to see you at Hershey. I still owe you a beer!

Tim

To the OP, I just turned 50, so I'm in the cohort you are talking about.

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

Just my opinion, I had ordered a parking brake cable and tried to use my pay pal account and it didn’t work because i haven’t used it in years so Fred told me to send him a check and he sent the cable that’s as good as a handshake don’t need anything now but he’ll always be my first choice if i do

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

Bought and sold parts with Brian and his father (RIP) great to work with over the past
30 + years. Seems if you have what a customer is looking for, you sell it - or hope one
of your 'good' customers calls one of these days.

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

Only placed one order and that was for NOS door latches for my '39 p/u. Obviously not a "regular" but no issues and very satisfied.

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

I was looking for ONE ballast resistor. Would've bought three if that greased the skids. And I finished the conversation with "thanks" as I had no idea what else to say, since I was blown away that I was turned away.
Seriously, we're all in this hobby of old Fords together. My money is accepted elsewhere so that is where I'll go to next.

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

I've dealt many years with Fred and absolutely top notch with every deal!

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

Sounds like this was simply a mis-communication. Poster was looking to buy one, but Fred understood he was wanting to purchase a bunch of them. And Fred didn’t want his inventory depleted. Mis-communication. Happens to all of us from time to time.

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

I think Jay got it right.

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

Has to be an misunderstanding here somewhere, I have purchased single items from Fred and I am not a regular customer! Maybe twice over several years. Wires crossed somewhere. I just sent an email requesting what I was looking for, quoted a price, sent address and PayPal info, done deal.

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

You've said your peace. Now either go deal with Fred directly or let it go.

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

I recently called Southside Obsolete to inquire about a part and he was very helpful. I didn't purchase the part from him because I found some one who could rebuild the old one for me. Last year I purchased exhaust hangers from him and I was pleased with his service and the parts. I cannot say any thing bad about Fred.

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

Well said!!!!

Re: Southside Obsolete
 

I buy lots of stuff from Fred , he is a great asset to our hobby.
who else would have NOS pedal bushes and shaft for our 33,
Thanks Fred
Lawrie