Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-23-2021, 07:45 PM   #21
GPierce
Senior Member
 
GPierce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Germantown,TN
Posts: 513
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

Quote:
Originally Posted by aermotor View Post
Take a look the at the 62 cargo ships parked in harbors of San Diego waiting to unload - your parts my be there so go easy on the suppliers.

John
78 yesterday at Long Beach/LA Terminal Island waiting to unload.
Good case for MADE IN AMERICA.
GPierce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2021, 08:18 PM   #22
aermotor
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 1,099
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stingray70 View Post
Yea I get the supply issues. Had that with Brattons & Snyders over the past months. Both of them ALWAYS call to explain. I appreciate and respect that.

Sorry but for Ecklers to not answer the phone or reply to emails for weeks. Unsatisfactory. That has nothing to do with a parts shortage.
Yes it does. How can you pay an employee when you have supply shortages and can't get them. Were is the $'s going to come from? It is a cycle that exists, be patient and don't trash any supplier now as they may not be there when the cycle ends and you need them. They want to make money as much as you want parts.

John
aermotor is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 09-23-2021, 08:36 PM   #23
aermotor
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 1,099
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

Quote:
Originally Posted by GPierce View Post
78 yesterday at Long Beach/LA Terminal Island waiting to unload.
Good case for MADE IN AMERICA.
Maybe true, but where are you going to get the workers to make in the USA?

John
aermotor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2021, 08:42 PM   #24
GPierce
Senior Member
 
GPierce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Germantown,TN
Posts: 513
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

Quote:
Originally Posted by aermotor View Post
Maybe true, but where are you going to get the workers to make in the USA?

John
Last company I worked for we trained them. Most were happy for the opportunity to learn a skill. That was 20 years ago. Hope that desire is not dead.
GPierce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2021, 10:15 PM   #25
Jeff/Illinois
Senior Member
 
Jeff/Illinois's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,787
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Synchro909 View Post
You guys are not alone with those issues - shortages and shipping problems. It's just the same here.
Just this morning, I read an article called "The Great Resignation" which was all about how after this COVID thing, many people are reassessing their work/life balance are resigning from their jobs realising that they will have enough in a much less stressful job and that there is no point working your ass off just for the extras. They realise they don't NEED the big house, the fancy clothes, the overseas holidays or the dinning out. We are in for a fundamental change to society. Get used to it!
Synchro well said, and the same thing is happening here especially in the Midwest. As a rule, we are usually more careful with debt and such than people on the coasts.

I've often said 'WHY do these people building houses today have to have two story 5,000 sq. ft. five bedrooms four bathroom houses, and they usually have no kids or maybe one?? You see that a lot in Peoria and the Chicago suburbs. Interest rates are low so people are building these huge houses they have no need for, hoping they will go up in value I guess and they can unload them on some sucker.

That may be about ready to backfire on big homeowners as utility rates are supposed to skyrocket (natural gas prices have doubled in the last 8 mos., electricity will quadruple if they go to all wind turbine power) and this week our tax guy said that our property taxes are going up next year, by anywhere from 25-100%, because 'houses are worth so much more $$ now and we are re-appraising them.'

"It's silly as having one sole object in life, accumulating wealth. All you really need is a small house to get in out of the weather, to get cleaned up, and sleep in a warm dry bed, and something to eat, and some warm clothes. Everything else is a farce, a waste." Johnny Carson. Midwest Nebraska boy born and raised.
Jeff/Illinois is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2021, 10:35 PM   #26
McMimmcs
Senior Member
 
McMimmcs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Fort Gratiot, Michigan
Posts: 2,296
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois View Post
Synchro well said, and the same thing is happening here especially in the Midwest. As a rule, we are usually more careful with debt and such than people on the coasts.

I've often said 'WHY do these people building houses today have to have two story 5,000 sq. ft. five bedrooms four bathroom houses, and they usually have no kids or maybe one?? You see that a lot in Peoria and the Chicago suburbs. Interest rates are low so people are building these huge houses they have no need for, hoping they will go up in value I guess and they can unload them on some sucker.

That may be about ready to backfire on big homeowners as utility rates are supposed to skyrocket (natural gas prices have doubled in the last 8 mos., electricity will quadruple if they go to all wind turbine power) and this week our tax guy said that our property taxes are going up next year, by anywhere from 25-100%, because 'houses are worth so much more $$ now and we are re-appraising them.'

"It's silly as having one sole object in life, accumulating wealth. All you really need is a small house to get in out of the weather, to get cleaned up, and sleep in a warm dry bed, and something to eat, and some warm clothes. Everything else is a farce, a waste." Johnny Carson. Midwest Nebraska boy born and raised.

and I’m sure you don’t buy luxury items like a Model A! Hahaha

Last edited by McMimmcs; 09-24-2021 at 07:10 PM.
McMimmcs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2021, 11:58 PM   #27
V8COOPMAN
Senior Member
 
V8COOPMAN's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON
Posts: 11,106
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

.

Yup! We've all heard the phrase...."Momma said if ya can't say something nice, then don't say nothin'! Well, I finally had it with Ecklers back in 1991 when I was spending a small fortune on Corvette stuff. I've been trying to think of something NICE or GOOD to say about that bunch ever since, yet it's easy to see that nothing has changed in those 30 years down there. And when I heard that Mac's was going under the Eckler flag a while back now......well, that hasn't turned-out so well either, as I predicted. I guess there will always be those few that think the service is great (waiting on phone, wrong parts or out of stock, or self-generating orders out of thin air.....PLUS, YOU get to pay the return freight. And how about those "REALLY FAIR" freight charges in general that Mac's is infamous for, especially when the wrong part is shipped & YOU get to pay for the return and subsequent freight? I can, and have repeatedly made NICE comments about a few great dealers out there that go the extra mile to deserve praise, like Michael Driskell at 3rd Gen, & MAC VanPELT with their respective friendly and knowledgeable services and parts! DD
__________________
Click Links Below __


'35-'36 W/8BA & MECHANICAL FAN


T5 W/TORQUE TUBE
V8COOPMAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2021, 06:55 AM   #28
ronn
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ
Posts: 6,758
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

when I was a kid, candy bars were a nickel..........
the best hoagies could be bought back then, made by true immigrants who knew their stuff!
A model A was 500..........


guess what guys? it is 2021, time to face the facts, we aint goin back and thats how it is. no point in whining........... adjust with the times and make the best of it!
ronn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2021, 06:59 AM   #29
McMimmcs
Senior Member
 
McMimmcs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Fort Gratiot, Michigan
Posts: 2,296
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

Every time we publicly criticize or trash a vendor we progress one step closer to them locking their doors forever! This does harm to our entire hobby. Our hobby is already in trouble. We don’t need our own members causing us unrepairable harm. Think about it !
McMimmcs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2021, 07:41 AM   #30
77Birdman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: North Eastern MD
Posts: 486
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

Sorry to hear that about Ecklers. I recently acquired a chevy project and ordered a catalogue from them. I did place an order for a couple of books that came promptly. I get at least one, sometimes 2 emails a day from them with offers of percentages off for purchases.
77Birdman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2021, 09:00 AM   #31
Terry, NJ
Senior Member
 
Terry, NJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks Co, Pa
Posts: 3,740
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Synchro909 View Post
You guys are not alone with those issues - shortages and shipping problems. It's just the same here.
Just this morning, I read an article called "The Great Resignation" which was all about how after this COVID thing, many people are reassessing their work/life balance are resigning from their jobs realising that they will have enough in a much less stressful job and that there is no point working your ass off just for the extras. They realise they don't NEED the big house, the fancy clothes, the overseas holidays or the dinning out. We are in for a fundamental change to society. Get used to it!
Yeah, yeah! That's just great...... for now! But situations change. Sometime in the next five years when all this prosperity ends, they're going to wish they had a savings/cushion to land on. I really hate to say it, but, our workforce is made up of so many foreign born people who've never been through the boom and bust cycles and they think it will always be this way. Not so, my friend! Then it will be all over but the crying, and the cries for socialism will the loudest. Our forefathers told us to make hay while the sun shines and living on a govt. handout is not prosperity. All it means is more Bills in Congress for more welfare and bigger handouts and more "funny money" inflation. Not to mention the accompanying shortages of everything from food to housing and spare parts No one has ever taxed themselves into prosperity.
Terry
Terry, NJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2021, 05:17 PM   #32
Jeff/Illinois
Senior Member
 
Jeff/Illinois's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,787
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

Quote:
Originally Posted by McMimmcs View Post
and I’m sure you don’t buy luxury items like a Model A!
Oh yeah

Hey driving a 90 year old clunker vs. a 2022 brand new car,,,,,,, yeah I'd say we're being careful with our $$!!

If you think how much depreciation we eat on a new car in the first two-three years, you can buy a pretty nice Model A Ford for that
Jeff/Illinois is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2021, 06:44 PM   #33
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,472
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry, NJ View Post
Yeah, yeah! That's just great...... for now! But situations change. Sometime in the next five years when all this prosperity ends, they're going to wish they had a savings/cushion to land on. I really hate to say it, but, our workforce is made up of so many foreign born people who've never been through the boom and bust cycles and they think it will always be this way. Not so, my friend! Then it will be all over but the crying, and the cries for socialism will the loudest. Our forefathers told us to make hay while the sun shines and living on a govt. handout is not prosperity. All it means is more Bills in Congress for more welfare and bigger handouts and more "funny money" inflation. Not to mention the accompanying shortages of everything from food to housing and spare parts No one has ever taxed themselves into prosperity.
Terry
I have always believed the truth in what my father used to say. There is nothing softer to fall back on than hard cash!
IMO, it will only take a war or serious economic crisis for this house of cards to come crashing down. That's when those who have a few $ in reserve will rise. When I was studying in the late 60s, our lecturer in economics 101 told how during the depression, he bought bank accounts for sometimes 5% of face value. Once the banks were back on their feet, he had made a very nice profit. During the GFC, many people from here bought real estate in the US. Rental returns are astronomical compared to what they would get here (about 3% pa) and the potential for capital gain was very high.
I guess what I'm saying is that opportunity awaits in adversity.
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2021, 07:36 PM   #34
redmodelt
Senior Member
 
redmodelt's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 6,339
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

Quote:
Originally Posted by 77Birdman View Post
Sorry to hear that about Ecklers. I recently acquired a chevy project and ordered a catalogue from them. I did place an order for a couple of books that came promptly. I get at least one, sometimes 2 emails a day from them with offers of percentages off for purchases.
For Chevrolet, there are other suppliers for those parts too.
__________________
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
redmodelt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2021, 07:53 PM   #35
noboD
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 313
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

I drove by one of the major antique car tire dealers today and stopped to pick up an inner tube. Front door was locked but back garage door was wide open. SO I go back there and see a guy walking around doing nothing. I say I need two inner tubes. He says I have to call, put in on a credit card and then they will bring it outside. I guess and throw it on the ground? I ask what's up with that and he says covid. But they will be at Hershey show in two weeks.
noboD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2021, 08:28 AM   #36
Terry, NJ
Senior Member
 
Terry, NJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks Co, Pa
Posts: 3,740
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Synchro909 View Post
I have always believed the truth in what my father used to say. There is nothing softer to fall back on than hard cash!
IMO, it will only take a war or serious economic crisis for this house of cards to come crashing down. That's when those who have a few $ in reserve will rise. When I was studying in the late 60s, our lecturer in economics 101 told how during the depression, he bought bank accounts for sometimes 5% of face value. Once the banks were back on their feet, he had made a very nice profit. During the GFC, many people from here bought real estate in the US. Rental returns are astronomical compared to what they would get here (about 3% pa) and the potential for capital gain was very high.
I guess what I'm saying is that opportunity awaits in adversity.
There is no security, only opportunities
Terry
Terry, NJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2021, 12:30 PM   #37
BRENT in 10-uh-C
Senior Member
 
BRENT in 10-uh-C's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,487
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stingray70 View Post
No criticism taken. I need fabric which is unfortunately only available from them. If they don't have it I understand. Just surprised that Ecklers is unreachable. That was the point of the OP.
Mike, I think this is deeper than you think. Cartouche is a small entity within Eklers. All Eklers personnel can do is look on a computer to see what is in inventory. Dave is critically understaffed and you are not his #1 focus. Updating material yardage is not his #1 focus either. Him filling existing orders and sourcing supplies has turned into a very time-consuming situation. The same is applying to my own business.

For ya’ll that are critical of Eklers, in the case of authentic upholstery materials, it took their size of checkbook to step up and have them made when no one else was willing or capable.

We are all struggling obtaining labor and/or supplies to fill your requests. I will also share that most of us are in the professional side of your hobby because we have a passion for the Model-A and the hobbyists. This ‘state’ most of us are experiencing has taken the fun out of it for many of us. It has also taken the profit out of it for many of us. Please understand that there is a solid reason behind every difficulty you may be experiencing.
__________________
.

BRENT in 10-uh-C
.
www.model-a-ford.com
...(...Finally Updated!! )

.
BRENT in 10-uh-C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2021, 01:01 PM   #38
BRENT in 10-uh-C
Senior Member
 
BRENT in 10-uh-C's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,487
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

Quote:
Originally Posted by GPierce View Post
Last company I worked for we trained them. Most were happy for the opportunity to learn a skill. That was 20 years ago. Hope that desire is not dead.
It is a different mindset today. This last two generations have a different mindset. When you find someone who is trainable, their retention rate is so low there is not a R.O.I. as they move on to a different career. Their work ethic is different too. They have unrealistic expectations of salary and work schedules. Management cannot devote the amount of time it takes to train when their time is being diverted to sourcing supplies and materials for that trainee to work with. It isn’t just Model-A parts, it applies to vendors who supply tools and supplies. We were nearly 3 weeks on getting our Oxy/Acetylene & Argon bottles refilled and delivered. They were struggling with their suppliers delivering timely, and they only have 3 truck drivers instead of 5. It affected our ability to work because of this.

Now apply this to other industries who supply the Model-A manufacturers and/or vendors, and it can quickly take a profitable company and move them into bankruptcy.
__________________
.

BRENT in 10-uh-C
.
www.model-a-ford.com
...(...Finally Updated!! )

.
BRENT in 10-uh-C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2021, 01:16 PM   #39
Two-Gun Bob
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 17
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

Brent-- thank you for the perspective from your side of the hobby/business. We all need to consider what it takes for us to have the parts needed to restore our vintage cars and keep them on the road.
Two-Gun Bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2021, 03:22 PM   #40
WRA
Senior Member
 
WRA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: South of I-40
Posts: 379
Default Re: What's up with Macs/Ecklers

Macs has been a problem long before COVID. There are years worth of complaints across the car hobby. They have turned into an absolute joke. Incomplete orders, missing items, excessive inflated shipping. Impossible to get on the phone, emails with no response. Far too many good vendors, with good communication and customer service. I will no longer give Macs any of my business.
WRA is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:07 AM.