Parts suppliers during the virus
 

I am speaking for us here at VANPELT SALES but I’ve talked with some of the other vendors and I’m getting the same thoughts from them. Ever since things were shut down back in late March, most car collectors have been busy in their garages working on their old Fords. This generally means they’ve had to order parts for the projects.

The result has been a tidal wave of business activity for the vendors, which we have experienced here as well. There continues to be a steady flow of telephone calls, emails, and orders from everyone. It has been difficult to stay ahead of the work. Sometimes phone messages don’t get returned and emails go unanswered. It’s a priority to fill your orders and get product on the way. This also means staying on top of the inventory and ordering sufficient stock to keep on hand.

So, speaking for ourselves, but also on behalf of all the other vendors who sell to this market, we thank you for your business, and we appreciate your patience with our difficulties trying to keep you supplied with parts.

As a side note, the shipping organizations (ie UPS and the USPS) have had their share of problems too. UPS has been pretty good but the post office is struggling to get things done promptly......surprise, surprise.

Re: Parts suppliers during the virus
 

Mac - Thanks for the update and I'm sure everyone appreciates your efforts (and those of the other vendors). It's funny, but I have observed the exact opposite of what you have been seeing with shipping. Everything I have ordered that was shipped USPS arrived in a normal period of time, while I have had problems with the others. I ordered some crush washers last week from Wisconsin, and they arrived in two days via the post office. I received a brake line yesterday that I ordered last week from Indiana that came DHL. I also ordered some frost plugs that were shipped from San Diego on July 16 and showed up here in northern Minnesota on the 20th via the USPS. I track all of my condenser sales (what there are) and haven't seen any problems there, either. I think everyone is experiencing random problems.

Re: Parts suppliers during the virus
 

Business is booming! thats good Mac, stay healthy.

Re: Parts suppliers during the virus
 

I reckon more projects will be completed in the next few months than in the last few years. Seventeen rebuilds sent in June, nine so far in July, with eleven waiting for me to breathe on.
Due to a couple of recent porch-pirate incidents, I am now having to charge a bit extra for USPS shipping. FedEx is first choice for overseas. The man in the brown suit is my last choice.

Re: Parts suppliers during the virus
 

I am backlogged on steering box rebuilds at an all time high. To make things worse, the common Timken steering box bearings (5BC) are back ordered right now with no ETA. Might have to go to another brand bearing. I have other steering box parts made, and some of those shops have shut down to Covid. I wish I had all of the parts to fill orders right now...

Re: Parts suppliers during the virus
 

Just curios Uncle Max, why is the brown suit bunch your last choice?
Here in Oakland they are a block after Fedex.
I stop at FedEx so I don’t have to listen to pissed off customers.

If Fedex joined ups they could name it FEDUP.

Re: Parts suppliers during the virus
 

I've had a hat with that logo on it for nearly 20 years. DD


https://www.bing.com/th?id=OIP.RIKlY...5&pid=3.1&rm=2






……….

Re: Parts suppliers during the virus
 

Mac,
We were swamped about two months ago. It’s back to normal pace now, however my wife and I finally returned from a vacation and we are instantly 278 orders behind. I too thank the customers and urge you guys to use the smaller vendors like Van Pelt Sales, Joe’s, Etc etc as you’ll get someone knowledgeable on the phone who can tell you straight up what you need and what’s good and what’s not. As a very small vendor, I can assure we smaller guys talk weekly about issues at hand and remedies to better serve the customer. Mac Van Pelt is a excellent example. Not a call goes by with him that either he or myself haven’t learned of a new issue or problem solver.

Re: Parts suppliers during the virus
 

I want to express my appreciation to you smaller parts suppliers and rebuilders. We are fortunate to have you.

I have a ‘58 Chevy that is now pretty-much complete; have not needed to order parts for two or three years. Tried to order something last week and discovered that half the vendors no longer exist. Either have been absorbed by the Ecklers conglomerate, or just plain disappeared.

Sure hope that doesn’t happen to the V8 Ford hobby!

Re: Parts suppliers during the virus
 

You folk that live in the USA are so lucky your packages arrive promptly. Our international packages pre covid had acceptable delivery time , now it’s pathetic. USPS UPS FedEx , it can take 2 months and more to get a package to down under. On package is approaching the 3 month mark, It left TN on May 6th , departure from San Francisco June 9th . Maybe it’s strapped to the back of a migrating Turtle.

Re: Parts suppliers during the virus
 

Ordered some head studs the other week, only took a week to get here, great.
Thanks Michael.
Lawrie

Re: Parts suppliers during the virus
 

Thanks Mac VP

The 8RT pumps you sent me arrived the next day, now that’s service.

Thank again, Dave Cunningham

Re: Parts suppliers during the virus
 

I have found most stores /dealers are doing the best they can to give good service but it bugs hell out of me when I drive some distance to a store that states on their website and on their door that they close a 5 and I get there at 4:30 and everybody is long gone.