The Ford Barn

swedishsteel · 03-24-2013, 02:19 PM

Putting the door glass in my '36 coupe today and in the process of determining exactly where the metal channel should mount to the glass, all of the spot welds came loose on the repop metal window channel. It was simple to drill and plug weld them back on, but there is NO excuse for something that shoddy. Made in Argentina, sold by Mac's. Good day, all. Rod

35 coupe · 03-24-2013, 03:22 PM

Yes and if you call and complain they will tell you they never had a problem before, you are the first. I just had that with a drag link that would not fit, said they never had a problem ( made in china) ordered one from a different vendor and that one fit. Don't know where it was made but you can see it was better quality.

Willit Stop · 03-24-2013, 04:58 PM

Sounds familiar....Only rich people can afford cheap parts.

Walt Dupont--Me. · 03-24-2013, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swedishsteel

Putting the door glass in my '36 coupe today and in the process of determining exactly where the metal channel should mount to the glass, all of the spot welds came loose on the repop metal window channel. It was simple to drill and plug weld them back on, but there is NO excuse for something that shoddy. Made in Argentina, sold by Mac's. Good day, all. Rod

In case most people don't know. Mac's has been sold out to Eckler Industries Inc. Witch is owned by Baird Capital Partners. They are supported by operating resources In Asia focused on facilitating and executing Asia sourcing manufacturing and distribution strategies for Baird Capital Partners' companies. So all I can see is everything from Mac's is coming from across the puddle. Walt

31chevy · 03-25-2013, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt Dupont--Me.

In case most people don't know. Mac's has been sold out to Eckler Industries Inc. Witch is owned by Baird Capital Partners. They are supported by operating resources In Asia focused on facilitating and executing Asia sourcing manufacturing and distribution strategies for Baird Capital Partners' companies. So all I can see is everything from Mac's is coming from across the puddle. Walt

What a shame.
Gary.

32phil · 03-25-2013, 09:15 AM

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That will probably begin the sad slow decline of Mac's. Once the company is run by accountants and not real car guys then it goes down hill very quickly. This brings to mind the story about the repro ignition coils that looked so perfect you could not tell them apart from a mint NOS part.........one drawback was that the repro coil did not work.

Robert/Texas · 03-25-2013, 09:28 AM

I'm sick of this too. Last year I bought a Mallory chrome plated 12 volt coil with built-in resistor for my '34 from a well known on-line store. It didn't work so I bought a black one from NAPA. Both coils were made in China. I went to another NAPA store and explained my problem to them They were aware of this problem and sold me one made in Mexico. This one works just fine.

Shadetree · 03-25-2013, 10:57 AM

I know the people at my NAPA think I am nuts, but I get a thrill when the part says `Made In The USA'. I recently bought a throw out bearing at NAPA for my `51 Ford made in the USA. It had 1972 on the box, not sure if that was the year made or what.

Charlie ny · 03-25-2013, 01:05 PM

Swede,
I wasn't going to do this and it may cost me my Mac's dealer status...
but here goes....
I live near enough to Macs to pickup my orders vs having them shipped.
I check every part prior to writing them a check. If I'm not satisfied with a part
I place it in a stack for return....if the part is good I place it in the box to go home
with me. I'm no genius but I know good and I know not good. As I reject parts
the counter man rebags them and they are returned to stock.
YIKES
If my dealer status is recinded because of this...oh well...!
Charlie ny

Tim Ayers · 03-25-2013, 01:18 PM

As my father always said, "No no no repos. Keep the hobby pure."

Tim Ayers · 03-25-2013, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadetree

I know the people at my NAPA think I am nuts, but I get a thrill when the part says `Made In The USA'. I recently bought a throw out bearing at NAPA for my `51 Ford made in the USA. It had 1972 on the box, not sure if that was the year made or what.

Me too. I'll ask them to dig around and find a US-made version. They are happy to do it for the counter guy is of the same mindset.

Tim Ayers · 03-25-2013, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie ny

Swede,
I wasn't going to do this and it may cost me my Mac's dealer status...
but here goes....
I live near enough to Macs to pickup my orders vs having them shipped.
I check every part prior to writing them a check. If I'm not satisfied with a part
I place it in a stack for return....if the part is good I place it in the box to go home
with me. I'm no genius but I know good and I know not good. As I reject parts
the counter man rebags them and they are returned to stock.
YIKES
If my dealer status is recinded because of this...oh well...!
Charlie ny

Charlie:

I appreciate your honesty. I think one of the big A/M sellers did some market research on parts that don't fit. I think they've found out that only 10% of buyers will return a part for poor fit. That isn't enough concern for them to retool or make the part correctly.

It is still cheaper for them to keep pumping out the crappy part and refund the small percentage of buyers who complain about it than do it right. Sad, but true.

Tim

bigvince · 03-25-2013, 01:29 PM

Unfortunately this is throughout the hobby. I have a 48 Ford Woodie, 67 Mustang Convertible and 68 Dodge Charger and it's a banner day when I can buy a part Made in the USA. The workers at the Ford plant in Chennai, India make approximately $1.08 an hour. That explains why everything is made overseas.

Rock Hornbuckle · 03-25-2013, 01:48 PM

Good Bye Mac's!

Chisel · 03-25-2013, 01:51 PM

The only thing that is missing in this thread is the retailers coming on and bad mouthing us for complaining about the cheap crap they are screwing us with.

raprice · 03-25-2013, 04:02 PM

I'm very disappointed that Mac's was sold. They used to be a fairly decent outfit to do business with. I'm in agreement with most of you that I'll buy American made parts whenever possible. Yes, I'm a flag waver, but that's not the reason for my purchase preference. The American made parts are just better made and more reliable.
Rog

Cecil/WV · 03-25-2013, 06:29 PM

I bought rear axle bearings at Carquest this morning for my '99 F 150 and was delighted to see they were made in the USA.

FHFD · 03-25-2013, 07:09 PM

We as a soceity asked for and shopped by low price and on demand availabilty..the companies of today have given us both.
There are a select few of us who would gladly pay for a quality item made in the USA (if one existed)..unfortuneatly we represent a small fraction of the population.
Can you say Walmart?..perfect example.

Willit Stop · 03-25-2013, 07:27 PM

When I was very young my dad was a floor layer and he always carried cards with him when he gave estimates.At times, customers would question the price of the carpeting at which point he handed them a card and it read as follows: "Quality is like buying oats.If you want nice fresh oats,they come at a premium price.But they're a lot cheaper once they've been through the horse."

Straightpipes · 03-25-2013, 07:38 PM

We are now programed to accept low quality and poor service.

03-24-2013, 02:19 PM	#1
swedishsteel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 342	More foreign made junky parts Putting the door glass in my '36 coupe today and in the process of determining exactly where the metal channel should mount to the glass, all of the spot welds came loose on the repop metal window channel. It was simple to drill and plug weld them back on, but there is NO excuse for something that shoddy. Made in Argentina, sold by Mac's. Good day, all. Rod

03-24-2013, 03:22 PM	#2
35 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 373	Re: More foreign made junky parts Yes and if you call and complain they will tell you they never had a problem before, you are the first. I just had that with a drag link that would not fit, said they never had a problem ( made in china) ordered one from a different vendor and that one fit. Don't know where it was made but you can see it was better quality.

03-24-2013, 04:58 PM	#3
Willit Stop Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Eureka Calif. Posts: 968	Re: More foreign made junky parts Sounds familiar....Only rich people can afford cheap parts.

03-25-2013, 09:15 AM	#6
32phil Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Montgomery, NY & Port St. Lucie Florida Posts: 935	Re: More foreign made junky parts Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) That will probably begin the sad slow decline of Mac's. Once the company is run by accountants and not real car guys then it goes down hill very quickly. This brings to mind the story about the repro ignition coils that looked so perfect you could not tell them apart from a mint NOS part.........one drawback was that the repro coil did not work. __________________ Early Ford Lock & Key Service http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46583

03-25-2013, 09:28 AM	#7
Robert/Texas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Burton, Texas Posts: 681	Re: More foreign made junky parts I'm sick of this too. Last year I bought a Mallory chrome plated 12 volt coil with built-in resistor for my '34 from a well known on-line store. It didn't work so I bought a black one from NAPA. Both coils were made in China. I went to another NAPA store and explained my problem to them They were aware of this problem and sold me one made in Mexico. This one works just fine.

03-25-2013, 10:57 AM	#8
Shadetree Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cottageville, WV Posts: 1,535	Re: More foreign made junky parts I know the people at my NAPA think I am nuts, but I get a thrill when the part says `Made In The USA'. I recently bought a throw out bearing at NAPA for my `51 Ford made in the USA. It had 1972 on the box, not sure if that was the year made or what. __________________ Son, you will never blow an engine up in high gear.

03-25-2013, 01:05 PM	#9
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	Re: More foreign made junky parts Swede, I wasn't going to do this and it may cost me my Mac's dealer status... but here goes.... I live near enough to Macs to pickup my orders vs having them shipped. I check every part prior to writing them a check. If I'm not satisfied with a part I place it in a stack for return....if the part is good I place it in the box to go home with me. I'm no genius but I know good and I know not good. As I reject parts the counter man rebags them and they are returned to stock. YIKES If my dealer status is recinded because of this...oh well...! Charlie ny

03-25-2013, 01:18 PM	#10
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,177	Re: More foreign made junky parts As my father always said, "No no no repos. Keep the hobby pure."

03-25-2013, 01:29 PM	#13
bigvince Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 48	Re: More foreign made junky parts Unfortunately this is throughout the hobby. I have a 48 Ford Woodie, 67 Mustang Convertible and 68 Dodge Charger and it's a banner day when I can buy a part Made in the USA. The workers at the Ford plant in Chennai, India make approximately $1.08 an hour. That explains why everything is made overseas.

03-25-2013, 01:48 PM	#14
Rock Hornbuckle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Noxon Montana Posts: 532	Re: More foreign made junky parts Good Bye Mac's! __________________ '31 Fordor Deluxe 2W Briggs 170-B / blackwalls '41 Fordor Deluxe / 2-duece flattie '66 1/2 Dodge Charger '14 100th Anniversary Challenger Limited Edition. Semper Fidelis

03-25-2013, 01:51 PM	#15
Chisel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 232	Re: More foreign made junky parts The only thing that is missing in this thread is the retailers coming on and bad mouthing us for complaining about the cheap crap they are screwing us with. __________________ Chisel Evil Lurks...for those that don't carry a side arm!!!

03-25-2013, 04:02 PM	#16
raprice Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Elwood, NY Posts: 299	Re: More foreign made junky parts I'm very disappointed that Mac's was sold. They used to be a fairly decent outfit to do business with. I'm in agreement with most of you that I'll buy American made parts whenever possible. Yes, I'm a flag waver, but that's not the reason for my purchase preference. The American made parts are just better made and more reliable. Rog

03-25-2013, 06:29 PM	#17
Cecil/WV Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gerrardstown, WV Posts: 2,265	Re: More foreign made junky parts I bought rear axle bearings at Carquest this morning for my '99 F 150 and was delighted to see they were made in the USA.

03-25-2013, 07:09 PM	#18
FHFD Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Grays Harbor County, Wa Posts: 223	Re: More foreign made junky parts We as a soceity asked for and shopped by low price and on demand availabilty..the companies of today have given us both. There are a select few of us who would gladly pay for a quality item made in the USA (if one existed)..unfortuneatly we represent a small fraction of the population. Can you say Walmart?..perfect example. __________________ "Get your facts first..then you can distort them as you please"

03-25-2013, 07:27 PM	#19
Willit Stop Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Eureka Calif. Posts: 968	Re: More foreign made junky parts When I was very young my dad was a floor layer and he always carried cards with him when he gave estimates.At times, customers would question the price of the carpeting at which point he handed them a card and it read as follows: "Quality is like buying oats.If you want nice fresh oats,they come at a premium price.But they're a lot cheaper once they've been through the horse."

03-25-2013, 07:38 PM	#20
Straightpipes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ballston Spa, NY Posts: 789	Re: More foreign made junky parts We are now programed to accept low quality and poor service.