I hate to hear that about Jim Carter. I've ordered a few things from them a couple years ago. My speedo is also from them in October of last year.
I've never had any problems with them but I haven't done a whole lot of business with them either. I hope they can get their act together.
There are other companies, OPGI for one, that I won't do business with for exactly the reason you stated. Out of stock parts sold as if they are in stock and then stringing you along after you've paid for them.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)