The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Buyer beware

Recently I had to remove the floor mat from my 41 Chevy. I purchased the floor mat from Jim Carter about two years ago. To my dismay, it crumbled and tore apart while removing. Further investigation has revealed that the rubber is so brittle that it will readily crack when bent. The mat has been stored indoors or installed with absolutely no exposure to UV sunlight rays. The images tell the rest of the story, but this certainly was not the best $95 plus shipping that I have spent.

[img]http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/3176/medium/IMG_68951.JPG[/img]
Close inspection reveals at least 5 areas of failure in this "new" mat

[img]http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/3176/medium/IMG_68971.JPG[/img]
At nearly every bend there are cracks

[img]http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/3176/medium/IMG_68961.JPG[/img]
Another close-up, you can see how brittle this mat has become

Thats bad. Have you contacted him so he can make a recommendation?

Paul-

I hate that for you, but thanks for posting; and +2 on sstock's recommendation to contact them. They've even helped me out before with things I didn't purchase from them. (until I started better record keeping, I'd get confused with what came from where)

That mat almost looks a little too original. I've been looking into floor mats recently, so keep us posted if you do get any feedback.

Thanks
Brad

Thanks for the feedback guys. I bought the floor mat probably two years ago so I very much doubt that Jim Carter would do anything about the issue. That company has never been very supportive to me so I have deleted them from my vendor list. I suspect that one company produces the same mat for all of the reproduction companies. My intent is to warn others of this defective product as it is a total waste of money. I am planning on making another mat from 1/4 rubber sheet stock sold by the foot at Tractors Supply. It doesn't have the ridges as per original, but will still help to deaden some road/gear noise.

If only companies sold products that actually worked...

Well, we're on the same page with that one... I picked one of the mats up yesterday that came from there. A neighbor had a mat he didn't need; it's 3/4" but I'm still planning on using it.Your vendor mat will be VERY useful for a pattern. I don't have a pattern- I plan on shaping it out in sections, somehow.

Brad

I made a pattern for the rubber floor mat material in my '37, using spliced paper grocery bags. It took some trial and error efforts, but got the job done. I added foil insulation to help reduce cabin heat and some of the road noise.

That's the method I'm thinking of- good idea Sparky. Now, I still wish I had the original worn out mat, either way.

Brad

If your engine and transmission are out of the vehicle, you can cut the mat to the outside dimensions and then trace all of the perforations needed from underneath. An enamel paint marking pen works great.

Made a new floor mat from the Tractor Supply 1/4 inch rubber mat. Fits and looks pretty good, and cost only about $17 versus the $95 plus shipping I spent on the piece of crap Jim Carter mat.

[img]http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/3176/medium/IMG_70181.JPG[/img]

I used the crumbling crap mat from Jim Carter to transfer the cut out locations. I had to make some adjustments for the overall outline as the Jim Carter crap mat didn't really fit.

[img]http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/3176/medium/IMG_69991.JPG[/img]

Here is another product from my favorite vendor; never, never again.

[img]http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/3176/medium/IMG_69981.JPG[/img]

Looks good, Paul.

Just out of curiosity, what did you use to cut the TSC mat?

Thanks
Brad

Hey Brad,

I used a garden variety utility knife with a new blade. I made all cuts along a steel framing square functioning as a straight edge. Most cuts required a couple of passes with the blade to cut all of the way through the rubber.

Paul

Not tryin to get off-topic, but I heard pond liner makes good floor mats.
I never tried it myself because its pretty expensive, but the guy who told me says it works good.
The stuff I saw at Home Depot looks kinda thin, and might wear out fast on a truck floor.

Just wonderin.

the crap mat - yish.

I like the mat you made. Better quality and for less. You could make a paper pattern - and sell them. I could / would like to make a mat like yours - but 95.00 for a pattern from JC is out of hand.

I would contact Jim Carter. Always been fair to everyone. He actually has a direct email and will eventually answer. He does not want to sell inferior products. He has no control over a Chinese company changing rubber compounds from time to time which dry out and crack. He gets screwed by that the same as you. It is his job to make it right. Your pictures should convince him you are legit. A kind email explaining the issue is the answer. Not hate mail. He is a valued supporter here. If you reach out and you're sincere and he does not make it right, let us know. We will not consider this a warning about him until you do that. The value of all these vendors, forced to sell Chinese parts, is how they respond to a legit complaint. Keep in mind, rolled up for two years while thermal cycling is a bit long even though it should have lasted.

Not looking for your approval, just stating the facts.

I do disapprove of your heading "Buyer beware". You are saying buyer beware of Jim Carter. I disapprove of that. Furthermore, I explained why it may not be the vendors fault. You have not given them a chance to respond because of "deleting them from your vendor list".
We have all had some parts problems from every vendor. There are many stories about quality, fit, etc.
The proof is how they handle it. You are "warning" us about an issue that you refuse to try and solve. NOT Kosher, NOT "facts". I know for a "fact" that he is honest.
FYI: JC has floor matt material made in the U.S.A.
Cut to fit. Probably actual natural rubber. There are two types of rubber, natural and synthetic.
Then there are products made from recycled water bottles, old tennis shoes and tires.

Jim Carter Website:

Important:
NO returns without your invoice!

NO return of special order items!

NO cash returns after 30 days!

Satisfaction Guarantee:
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is our commitment to rendering outstanding service to you, Our customer. It is hands-down the best guarantee out there. We keep it pretty simple:

We’ll get your orders right. If your order isn’t 100% accurate, then we will refund your freight, issue a call tag for the incorrect merchandise, and cover the shipping costs to re-send you the correct product.
We’ll ship your orders when promised. Almost all orders are shipped within 24 hours (next business day). And, if a rush air freight order is in by 1:00 PM EST on a business day, it will ship the same day. *Guaranteed.
We’ll respond promptly to your requests or comments and always try to resolve them to your satisfaction. We’ll even follow-up to make sure we’ve met your service expectations.

Almost all (but one) of my experiences with Jim Carter Truck Parts are that he/they are excellent in trying to provide customer satisfaction. I have received refunds for parts that I did not install for more than two years - the parts were wrong, or they were unsatisfactory. In one case, it was a rebuilt part.

Sorry to hear about your disappointing item. I had heard the term 'paper thin' about these types of mats when I was searching the vendors for my own mat. I decided to cut my own from a used Photobucket222 truck bed mat. I like this particular style mat because it has large raised dimples on the under side to channel out moisture. I used a large cardboard box cut into sections as a template. Then I used a quality pair of poultry shears to cut the thick rubber. $10 bucks and 3 hours labor. Good luck in whatever you do to finish the job. Thanks for the post.
Photobucket111

That looks really good, Marko

Concur with Bart et al above. Give Jim a chance to make it right -- he's a good guy.

FWIW, I purchased a floor mat from Jim a few years ago and it is just fine and holding up like new.

Good luck!

John

This topic certainly has gotten wings. I have been on this forum for long enough to know that often subject topics meander and become convoluted. This may be a contender for the record books, as inference-observation confusion has reached uncharted levels.

On my second reply I said:
“Thanks for the feedback guys. I bought the floor mat probably two years ago so I very much doubt that Jim Carter would do anything about the issue. That company has never been very supportive to me so I have deleted them from my vendor list. I suspect that one company produces the same mat for all of the reproduction companies. My intent is to warn others of this defective product as it is a total waste of money”


I think that clearly states my “positive” dealing with the vendor in the past, and the statement of “Always been fair to everyone” is simply not true. I could give you the gory details of poor performance and lack of accountability, but I felt that was not germane to this topic. I tried with the patience of Job to reach Jim, but he was never “in”, nor did he return repeated phone messages or emails, never got past the service manager.

My entire reason for making this thread is to demonstrate that the products did not serve the functions as they were intended, PERIOD. I have more allegiance to the fellow bolters on this site than I do for a vendor selling an inferior product. The mat and stomp starter are junk….the images don’t lie. I don’t want to see others waste their hard earned money. The vendors can sort out their own mess.

John, I realize in your position in this is sort of prickly and I regret the discomfort it may impact onto you, but I hope the 1st amendment is good on Stovebolt?

I am offended by some cyber bully that crams down my throat as to what they perceive reality. Tell you what “bartimos”, I really don’t care what you approve or disapprove. Do you want to buy a great condition floor mat?

How about this? If JC is such a great guy…why not get him to donate the price of that crap floor mat and stomp starter bellows to the Stovebolt in my name? The donation total should also include the price of shipping and handling too, right? Seems pretty reasonable, doesn’t it?

Oh yeah, I am still on the lookout for quality reproduction Chevy parts.

Paul

It is not about seeking approval but a reminder on how to do business. We all drop the ball from time to time myself included. Jeffrey

I have dealt with various venders and none has been flawless. If it is not quality the part comes damaged, or the part does not fit.

I am glad when a fellow poster gives us the heads up and warns us about doing business with a vendor. Your original post left many key details out. Responses can only be made to what is written. Jeffrey

I bought and toured Jim Carter's business. I think he really tries to get the best pieces to sell us.

But 2 years after you buy something, you are right. It is hard to think or expect a vendor to do anything about it.
Jim Carter is the vendor, not the manufacturer.
Two years is just a little too long IMHO.
I don't think that would be reason for me to drop him from my vendor list or make the buyer beware post about a chunk of rubber.
And I am not looking for approval for my post.
Good Luck.

I think as a customer that a floor mat for my truck/car should not fall apart after 2 years.

As a business owner I would want it brought to my attention when a part I sold failed as bad as that rubber mat.

1. Because I then can take steps to see if the manufacturer will make good.

2. Know to stop selling that product.

3. Find a new source.

You nailed it, the service life should be well over two years without any question.

OK. I can agree that it "should" have a service life of over two years. But does it come with a warrantee for 2 years? If not, I don't know why one should expect that the vendor warrantee anything. He can discontinue the product, but that really doesn't make him "responsible" to pay anyone back or to donate something. Maybe he can work out a replacement with the manufacturer, but that would be up to him if he wanted to take on the task.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease, but "Buyer Beware" messages isn't the way to go. I'm sure there is a return policy. They are there for a reason.