Vern Tardel

[OLD AS I]

Anyone know if this guys still in business. advertises in the Early Ford V8 Times, www.verntardel.com sites says "After banging our heads too many times to get out from under a car to answer the phone, we’re contactable by fax only" Well fax doesn't work and no email address ???

[Ed Pitts]

Just ordered from his web site. Good quality stuff. Ed

[OLD AS I]

Ed, any phone number or email address on invoice you got for order ? I'm in Canada and wonder if that's why fax wont go through, using the number plus 1 ???

[Tim Ayers]

I think the fax thing is genius. Keeps down distractions. Everyone wants a piece of Vern.

[jagnweiner]

Looks to me like your options are to submit an order using the website and the checkout cart or, if you need to communicate something more than just submitting an order, send a fax or a letter.

[itslow]

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Originally Posted by oldasi

...sites says "After banging our heads too many times to get out from under a car to answer the phone, we’re contactable by fax only" Well fax doesn't work and no email address ???

Send a fax or a letter? It's 2016, not 1986!!!

They need to hire an assistant or let the phone go to voicemail. Set aside time each day to respond to those calls and emails which require it.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by itslow

Send a fax or a letter? It's 2016, not 1986!!!

They need to hire an assistant or let the phone go to voicemail. Set aside time each day to respond to those calls and emails which require it.

Why? The guy has more work than he can ever handle.

If you don't like his business model, do business elsewhere. I don't think Vern would mind.

I applaud him for this and wish I could do it. When I retire, I'm ditching all this crap and going back to basics. It's too much!

[rotorwrench]

Vern isn't getting any younger and I'm sure he has more business than he wants right now. You have to be patient. Not everyone works at a 21-year old's pace nor do all of them use all the modern gadgets to do their business. I've purchased stuff from him and always received it in a timely manner by my own standards but everyone is different.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

Vern isn't getting any younger and I'm sure he has more business than he wants right now. You have to be patient. Not everyone works at a 21-year old's pace nor do all of them use all the modern gadgets to do their business. I've purchased stuff from him and always received it in a timely manner by my own standards but everyone is different.

Well said. I don't know him, but I'd assume Vern is a analog guy living in a digital world and doesn't really concern himself with the latest tech gadgets.

All I know is he builds rad cars and puts out products that help all of us in this hobby.

Never had an issue ordering from his website.

[Ronnie]

[email protected]

R

[Ed Pitts]

Per Google, for a fax from Canada to the US, Just use the country code in front of the phone number..for the U.S. that number is 1.
Other than an order through his web site, it's a fax or a letter.
Ed

[Charlie ny]

Well said Tim...........I will admit it's not 1986...........it's 1946 at least in my world. Hiring
help today carries huge legacy costs.
Charlie ny

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Charlie ny

Well said Tim...........I will admit it's not 1986...........it's 1946 at least in my world. Hiring
help today carries huge legacy costs.
Charlie ny

Thanks, Charlie. Yeah, I truly believe we put too much stock in being immediately accessible. Nothing wrong with Vern's business model. Works for him. If it doesn't work for you, make a choice. Comply to his model or go elsewhere. Seems relatively simple.

I wish things weren't the way they are, but the genie is out of the bottle. Maybe we can all learn a lesson from Vern's way of doing things.

That's what I love about events like Hershey. Human interaction. Talking to people, hearing their stories, etc. It's not a faceless click on a site like Ebay or the like.

[adileo]

Let's see....750hp Corvette of today or a 85hp flathead Ford of yesteryear ?

On a beautiful day, what's the rush? I'll take the flathead Ford.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by adileo

Let's see....750hp Corvette of today or a 85hp flathead Ford of yesteryear ?

On a beautiful day, what's the rush? I'll take the flathead Ford.

Exactly. True test- When the cars are parked side by side, see how many people come up to the Vette and then the old Ford.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

Exactly. True test- When the cars are parked side by side, see how many people come up to the Vette and then the old Ford.

True......when parked side by side. But rowing thru the gears and powering thru the curves in the Vette will make your face hurt from smiling so hard! DD

[adileo]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

True......when parked side by side. But rowing thru the gears and powering thru the curves in the Vette will make your face hurt from smiling so hard! DD

You have a point. My face don't hurt but smiling hard from the horn honks and thumbs up I get.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

True......when parked side by side. But rowing thru the gears and powering thru the curves in the Vette will make your face hurt from smiling so hard! DD

Could be. Fast forward a few years and see how much you can get that Vette for compared to the same old Ford.

Listen, I like performance as much as the next guy. Don't look down upon Vettes and think they are awesome.

If I was looking to drop $75K on a car, damn straight it would be a gennie '32 roadster and not some cookie cutter car that will have little value in 10 years.

Older gen Vettes are a dime a dozen. The newer ones will be too in ten years. When is the last time you saw a drop dead gorgeous original '32 roadster?

But I digress...

[Ronnie]

Don't forget there a dime a dozen 32 glass re pop's out there also

R

[OLD AS I]

OMG, this has become a hornets nest, I was simple asking if this chap was still in business as I could not get a fax to go through and he had no voice phone number or email address. I had heard good comments on him that's why I was wanting to place an order however I wanted to check that he had all items in stock, send a fax asking just that. jagnweiner, his fax has been busy for 2 days now, sending a letter is most likely a month for return answer. itslow, yes, voice mail is simple. rotorwrench, I'm was only asking if the chap is still in business, Ronnie,.... thanks for the email address Ed Pitts, yes, I used 1 in front of his number. After all this perhaps he doesn't know there is something wrong with his fax so I can now email him. Sorry to have got so many members with there "nickers in a knot"

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by oldasi

OMG, this has become a hornets nest, I was simple asking if this chap was still in business as I could not get a fax to go through and he had no voice phone number or email address. I had heard good comments on him that's why I was wanting to place an order however I wanted to check that he had all items in stock, send a fax asking just that. jagnweiner, his fax has been busy for 2 days now, sending a letter is most likely a month for return answer. itslow, yes, voice mail is simple. rotorwrench, I'm was only asking if the chap is still in business, Ronnie,.... thanks for the email address Ed Pitts, yes, I used 1 in front of his number. After all this perhaps he doesn't know there is something wrong with his fax so I can now email him. Sorry to have got so many members with there "nickers in a knot"

All in good fun. After all this old man ranting, try the sales e-mail.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Ronnie

Don't forget there a dime a dozen 32 glass re pop's out there also

R

Key word: original. Don't worry, I can't afford either a new Vette or original roadster

[A bones]

Originally Posted by oldasi

OMG, Sorry to have got so many members with there "nickers in a knot"

No sweat, nobody is uncomfortable. We are just proud to see the world with a different telescope. (including V8COOPMAN)

[Ronnie]

I wouldn't worry about those old farts that is all they have to do today is pound on the keyboard."LOL" None of them had the email info did they!!!

R

[mercman from oz]

Vern Tardel - This is the man himself

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

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Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

Why? The guy has more work than he can ever handle.

If you don't like his business model, do business elsewhere. I don't think Vern would mind.

I applaud him for this and wish I could do it. When I retire, I'm ditching all this crap and going back to basics. It's too much!

Tim,
I agree ! Guys like Vern and I are somewhat retired but dont ever plan on stopping. I have a cell phone but dont ever turn it on, its in my truck consol if i need to call someone. I just talked to Vern last week , he moved to Austin and now has moved back to Calif doing stuff he likes to do...

[jagnweiner]

No knickers in a knot here. I was only commenting that I checked out the website and it looked like fax and letter were the only means of communicating. No personal experience. Looks like someone else had an email.

[V8COOPMAN]

Getting a hold of Vern via FAX only is nothing new. That's been his method of operation for quite a few years now. DD

[rotorwrench]

Vern used to put messages on his site but I don't know if he still does. I haven't checked it out for a while. He would give folks a heads up about old things and new things plus stories about projects and stuff. He is semi retired himself but I think he still has employees to do correspondence for the business. I'm not sure if they make all the products there or if they farm some of the products out for manufacture or not but the site will usually let you know if something is not available. Vern is a hot rodder at heart and still likes to get his hands in there. He would never be able to do anything if he was on the phone all the time.

I answer phones at the helicopter shop when I have time but we get so many calls I would never get anything done if I answered them all. Most are worthless recorda calls and salesmen anyway. I just turn on the answer machine and go to work. I check the caller ID to see if it is a customer when I can. I check the answer machine at breaks. When I finally do have a break, I usually go on here to relax & see what's up.

[Kahuna]

I know Vern. Have done business with him via FAX & face to face.
A fine man, honest & forthright. Bought the block in my 32 from him
a few years ago.
I was sorry to see him leave the state. If he's back, I'm glad.
Good man
Jim

[Randy in ca]

Answers to many typical questions including email, shipping, stock, payment, etc., etc. can be found in their FAQ section (link at bottom of Homepage).






-

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

Why? The guy has more work than he can ever handle.

If you don't like his business model, do business elsewhere. I don't think Vern would mind.

I applaud him for this and wish I could do it. When I retire, I'm ditching all this crap and going back to basics. It's too much!

We will miss you when you retire and ditch this crap!!!
Let us know by snail mail or fax how that ditching plan is workin out for you."LOL"
You arn't goin anywhere Ford Barn deprivation would be to much for you.

R

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Ronnie

We will miss you when you retire and ditch this crap!!!
Let us know by snail mail or fax how that ditching plan is workin out for you."LOL"
You arn't goin anywhere Ford Barn deprivation would be to much for you.

R

Ronnie:

Ain't that the truth. I'm thinking of asking my IT to disconnect my internet just so I can get some work done around here!

Plus, I'll miss you too much to leave...

[Graeme / New Zealand]

The legend himself on you tube and also have a look at the clip "a sweet sickness"
seems like a real nice guy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsU1ybixGn8
GB

[russcc]

It was all well said about Vern, so it was worth the nickers knot. We should all emulate hi biz model.

[OLD AS I]

Graema/NewZeland .......... thanks for the youtube site to view Verns shop, quite the shop and business, now 3 hours later, viewing his clip lead to another and another, this modern stuff is time consuming alright !

[psogden]

Vern is old school which is why he doesn't like spending 5 hours a day emailing and constant phone interruptions. He worked on my car many years ago and is solid in every respect. He has responded to me, as he requests on his website, by answering a mailed letter to the address he shows on his website--the old fashioned way. Many of you old timers sound like millennials who have to have instant gratification. That's not the way Vern works

[tiger.1000]

Hallo Barners in the USA,

Where I live in the outback of the wild Hertfordshire countryside (UK) we have access to a new fangled contraption. Photos attached ! It may take you a decade or so to find out how to use them. No batteries to go flat or catch alight. The wife won't catch you texting your girlfriend or sending her images with your pants down. However when you've mastered the art of using them you can chuck your Apple or what-have-you in the trash bin and discover the joys of sending and maybe receiving the finished article in the post.

As far as Vern is concerned; just address the envelope to Vern, the Santa Rosa, USA......the postman will be privileged to send or receive it !

[Ol' Ron]

Just curious, are there any Fench blocks left??

[rotorwrench]

I'll bet there are. The price at SoCal & SFF is high enough that most folks would keep looking for an old one.

[kehughes]

Beware! I purchased some rear brake drum retainers from Vern on Nov 28 and still haven't received them...17 days later. I received an email on Dec 1 sayin it was shipped, but they gave me no tracking number. For the last 3 or 4 days, I have been trying to contact him to get a tracking # and let them know I haven't received my stuff.
I've emailed and faxed multiple times. They will not respond. This, IMHO, is awful customer service. Hopefully, it will eventually show up. Hope I'm not out $58.

[JM 35 Sedan]

I feel very fortunate to have visited with Vern for a day in 2010. He allowed me to spend as much time as I cared to looking around every nook and cranny of his shop and yard. Probably took over 100 pictures. Then we sat down together and looked through several picture albums of cars he has built over the years. Had a fantastic time, sure glad I stopped to see him.
As far as I know, he is no longer building cars, and has sold most, if not all of his early Ford parts that he had stashed in his yard. I think he still keeps somewhat active in writing/publishing his How To Books, and making/selling tools he has designed/built over the years.
I'm friends with Vern on Facebook, and could probably contact him through that website if I cared to.
He is an absolute legend when it comes to early fords, flathead ford v8 engines, and traditional hotrods.

[deuce_roadster]

I did park next to a 65 vette at a car event with my avatar roadster, when 2 teen aged boys walked by and looked at my engine, one told the other that my car had a corvette engine because it had "fins on the valve covers"! I just smiled.

[kehughes]

JM 35,

Not sure if you let Vern know I was trying to contact him or not, but he emailed me back today.
He stated that he was not satisfied with the last batch of drum retainers so he held off on shipping to me until the new batch came in. He gave me a tracking # and is now shipping.

[kehughes]

I am glad he takes pride in the parts that he sells and is very particular. I have no problem with the delay to get good parts...was just a little frustrated concerning the communications.

thanks if you helped

[mhsprecher]

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Well, for all the comments about him being analog in a digital world, he has a Facebook page and a newsletter that he sends out via e-mail plus a web site. Sounds like he is just doing business the way he wants to. Nothing wrong with that. There have always been business people that way. We have all become accustomed to business at internet speed, although the loss of net neutrality may slow that down for us in the years ahead.

[chap52]

I can respect the fact that Vern has deciided how he wants to do business and the pace he chooses to work. Why complain if it's not your style? Just go somewhere else.
In this day and age he could be politically correct and lie about it and then put you on hold for who knows how long.
Much better than, as some vendors do, just hang you up for months without any notification.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by mhsprecher

Well, for all the comments about him being analog in a digital world, he has a Facebook page and a newsletter that he sends out via e-mail plus a web site. Sounds like he is just doing business the way he wants to. Nothing wrong with that. There have always been business people that way. We have all become accustomed to business at internet speed, although the loss of net neutrality may slow that down for us in the years ahead.

I agree with your comments, but realize Vern’s business is by no means a one man shop. He has folks who help with that type of stuff. Not a knock, just the facts. Love Vern.

[Tony, NY]

He hasn't sent out a newsletter in years. I was getting them. I think a friend of his is running things. I follow his Facebook and never see any posts.

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by kehughes

JM 35,

Not sure if you let Vern know I was trying to contact him or not, but he emailed me back today.
He stated that he was not satisfied with the last batch of drum retainers so he held off on shipping to me until the new batch came in. He gave me a tracking # and is now shipping.

No, it wasn't me who contacted him. May have been someone else who posts or lurks here, and is close to Vern, or maybe someone involved in his business.

[felix 40]

California wildfires hit Verns hometown last month. I thought a portion of the town burned and Vern was relocating vehicles out of harms way. He could be busy dealing with that.

[felix 40]

My mistake... I didnt realize the original post was over a year old. I'll try to pay better attention before I contribute.

[Old Redneck]

I did not know of Vern until today. I enjoy reading and also watching him tell about his place. I would love to visit him place and take it all in. My 32 is all stock but would like to build a Fram with a French block that I have with a Columbia rear end. Now I am dreaming. I will keep his site to watch over and over again. Sure makes a fellow dream.I wonder what he would do with my Junker

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Old Redneck

I would love to visit him place and take it all in. My 32 is all stock. I wonder what he would do with my Junker

First, he'd take those big, ugly fenders off and begin making a PROPER, old-timey hot rod out of it! DD

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by chap52

I can respect the fact that Vern has deciided how he wants to do business and the pace he chooses to work. Why complain if it's not your style? Just go somewhere else.
In this day and age he could be politically correct and lie about it and then put you on hold for who knows how long.
Much better than, as some vendors do, just hang you up for months without any notification.

Well said, IMO !
And, for those who do not know and/or are not aware of V. Tardel, you may want to have a copy of his book (if it is still available). Very helpful if you are interested in flatheads and old timey rod art and practices.

Not everyone is concerned /interested in....speed of light contact/responses. And, there are still choices to go somewhere else.

[qmdv]

Just deleted a post

Tim