Repro suppliers, who is the best?

[Flop]

I deal with Snyders a ton as they are only 45 mins away . Boy do they like to see me coming .Brattons is my second choice as the parts will be there next day .

[DougVieyra]

Tom Wessenberg writes in an earlier post:
"When it comes to repro parts you have to deal with fit and quality of the part, and there are good and bad repro parts from all the dealers, but I have found the best quality when dealing with A&L, Bert's, Bratton's, and Snyder's."

"If you are placing several small orders, then shipping charges play a big part also, and as I recall A&L and Bert's have always only charged me actual shipping costs."
__________________________________________________

Tom echoes my sentiments exactly. - Doug Vieyra, in Eureka, Calif

[diomed]

What a great thread. I hadn't really considered Bratton's, but a lot of guys seem to like them. Good to know,

[Ted Duke]

I have ordered from many of the vendors mentioned. I understand when people get upset when a part is NOT readily available, but having been a sales rep for a wholesaler (not auto parts) for 19 years I understand that the company you order from can NOT always control when a part you ordered is not available and their suppliers don't always supply them with good information.

Every supplier mentioned has had things go wrong at one time or the other. Tell them your problems and persist until you are satisfied.

I don't favor any of them, but I will say that I have ordered from MAC's several times in the last three years and the one problem I had was resolved quickly.

I strongly suggest we should NOT be saying negative things about any of our suppliers. I suggest that if you aren't happy with a vendor don't order from them, but don't bad mouth them UNLESS there is fraud involved. Instead, make POSITIVE recommendations. Just my TWO cents worth.

[eagle]

I have ordered from several of the suppliers mentioned. More often than not I go to Mac's. Their catalogs are second to none, very seldom are parts on backorder, and are usually the lowest or close to it on price. They are a long ways away from me and don't usually ship the same day so they are not so quick but hey, I'm not usually in too big of a hurry anyway. I've had very good luck with their quality. I guess I can say I haven't had problems from any of the suppliers I've ordered from. Some people seem to always have trouble, no matter who they do business with. Common sense and realistic expectations go a long way in life.

[mshmodela]

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As new caretaker of a Model A; I think at least in terms of paper catalog, MAC, macsautoparts.com is very useful. I cannot speak in terms of price or customer service but the photos and diagrams in MAC's the paper catalog are second to none --a great reference as is...

[Skibb]

Originally Posted by Mike

For me Brattons auto parts 1st choice, 2nd is Snyders

Mike

Same here.

For me, MACS has been a mine field of poor to bad service. As for saying only positive things, I respect that point of view but when you've had bad service speak up so others don't get the same.

[Brian in Wheeling]

Like Flop, I too usually deal with Snyders or Brattons. Being in Wheeling, WV - Snyders is only about 1 hour away, and once again like Flop, boy do they like to see me walk in the door! Never had any problems with either one of them and they are both not too far away...lucky me!

Brian W.

[Rowdy]

Berts is the best, next question please. Rod

[Hioridge]

I really like the folks at Tams in Massachusetts.
It's a real family operation, Joe has extensive model A knowledge and is very willing to share it.
I've also bought from Bratton's. No problem with quality and I find lots of helpful info in their catalog.

[Curt Campbell]

Try Birdhaven Vintage Parts in Colfax IA....20 east of Desmoines on I80. Nice people and service. Parts for T A V8 thru 1957. Call for catalog.

[Mike V. Florida]

It's not the vendors that are a problem it's the manufacturers that are the problem with ill fitting parts.

[Ron in Quincy]

I agree with Ken, A&L Parts are spot on !!!! Our good friend Al Lepore was the best and really supported our hobby ; his son Allen is carrying on the business and doing an excellent job. Just give Allen a call and he will send you a catalog.

Ron

[Fishercat]

If you're in the Northeast TAM's is great because they ship so fast and are very helpful. Their prices and shipping cost are very competitive. I've never had a problem.

[latecomer]

A&l Has a web [email protected]

[Bruce,Upstate NY]

Many had bad experiences with Mac's some time ago. Now I understand they have changed hands for the better. I hope so, but living in NYS I order out of state to avoid the taxes. Brattons, Snyders. A&L.

[Bill Stipe]

Who makes the best 30-31 cowl patch panels--LOL

It is true that the Mfg. is the determining factor not so much the catalog company's fault although they should be researching the products they are selling.

[Skibb]

For our new engine in the restoration car, I wanted to be sure we could climb hills as our driver had big trouble on the Blue Ridge Tour with big hills. Brent explained how important the cam is in this regard and suggested a Stipe IB 330 cam. So, I called and ordered one. First start was Monday, sounded swell. We have to finish the other 50% of the car before we drive it. But the machinist who put the engine togehter was impressed with the cam. Thank you Bill.

[Bill Stipe]

Originally Posted by Skibb

For our new engine in the restoration car, I wanted to be sure we could climb hills as our driver had big trouble on the Blue Ridge Tour with big hills. Brent explained how important the cam is in this regard and suggested a Stipe IB 330 cam. So, I called and ordered one. First start was Monday, sounded swell. We have to finish the other 50% of the car before we drive it. But the machinist who put the engine togehter was impressed with the cam. Thank you Bill.

We have been running a little behind on cams this last year. I lost 2 guys in 2013 one retired 28 years with me and the other 25 years took a teaching job at a college in the machine shop and they were both just superb machinists and workers. so the industrial work is setting us back a little right now.