The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk jim carter's

i have a personnel "policy". if i'm not happy with a product or service, i'm not very shy about letting the vendor know that i am dissatisfied. i also pride myself on complimenting someone on going out of their way to meet a customers needs.

some time back i had generator issues with my 1950 3/4 ton chevy and had ordered a rebuilt unit from jim carter's. after getting the generator, i was not all that impressed with the quality of the rebuilt unit and after inquiring about the standards for rebuilt units on this site, many members recommended i send the unit back and request a different one. which is exactly what i did.

i'm a little embarrassed because i was quick to complain and not anywhere near as quick to compliment. not only did they send out a different unit, but it arrived before i had even managed to get the first unit sent back to them.

i don't know if they are always this good, but regarding this exchange, they did me right.

ya i remember you saying something about that, glad it turned out good, and your happy with them

They have always been that way to me.They do a great job of keeping you happy !!

I've had nothing but good experiences with Jim Carter's, including core refunds, and credits for returned items.

Well,,,Jim Carters is a rare bird. Cuz all the other "suppliers" have been on the bottom of my list,,im running out of paper at the bottom.
Truck Shop,L.M.C.,Brothers,Etc....
And to make it worse,,,,,They dont care.
Marty

Marty...Carter rocks they have sent out several items to me that were bent in transit. They replaced them with no problem with just an email...but you are correct they are a rare bird...Brother's really sucks but LMC and Chevy Duty are pretty good....missed you at the car show the Greed Guys were in full swing! T/C Steve

I am glad to hear that they treated you right. The only experience that I have had with them so far, is buying a few items from them at the Lincoln, NE swap meet.
I am planning on giving them more business, as my trucks progress a little further.

John

well after hearing some much about jim carter, i'll have to give it a try, they are about 45 minutes from me, i've never delt with them, chevy duty is closer. i live in about the prefect area for restoring a truck for three reasons
1. Chevy Duty is 15 minutes north of me
2. LMC Truck is 20 minutes south of me
3. Jim Carter is 45 minutes east of me
+ i'm about 10 mminutes form a FLAPS

I have never had to pay shipping on any truck parts

I remember you having the issue originally, and I am glad to see they sent a good part. I have never had experience with their exchange/return policy, but I have heard before that they are real fair with exchanges and returns. Outside of a minor issue here and there, I think Jim Carter is a real good parts source.

I give them credit for fixing mistakes fairly, which is more than I can say about other suppliers. Their prices seem to be on par with the other houses, too.

It sure is aggravating (and I'm not blaming the parts houses for this) when ALL of the suppliers run out of a particular item at the same time. You'll call one to get some part, and it'll be on back-order. You call two or three more places, and get the same response. Sometime I'd like to rattle the cage of the distributors!

Bill

Jim Carter has ALWAYS been good for our stuff. If John can't find it with American Classic, that's usually he next (and only) stop.

Peg

The only problems I have with JC is their shipping charge policy which is based on the price of the unit not the weight. This is a particular problem when one or more parts of an order are back ordered. You wind up paying more in shipping than you would have if they had waited to ship a complete order. The other problem I had with JC was with door glass. The vent glass I got from them was a different shade of grey tint than the door glass placed on the same order. Also the door and back glass pieces had chips in the edges which would have been below the window sill or covered by the seal, but was not the quality I was hoping for. They took the pieces back and paid for my shipping back to them though. The door and back glass I got from Classic Parts was perfect. I do like JC's 5% off for internet orders though.
I have ordered from all the parts houses over the past four years and the only one I will not use again is Brothers just because their pricing is higher than any of the others.

I don't have the problem of having to ship stuff, I have a great local store about 20 minutes from me. Fat Fender in Fresno, Ca. is extremely helpful and their stuff is of good quality. They have a large stock and will get what they don't have in stock as soon as possible. Thanks a lot Gilbert. I have bought over $4,000.00 for my last two AD's from them and am very satisfied.

I,m fortunate like Mike to have all 3 in close distance. I quit useing Carters for a long time because there over the counter service was lousy but the last time I wen.t there it was OK. LMC & Classic Parts service is excellent. Carters is good for 46 on back parts.

I've ordered new and used parts from Jim Carter. The last time was over 10 years ago, but I got exactly what I was looking for at a fair price. Used 16x6 rims and repro 39 hub caps. Still on my truck today and they look great.

I have been finding out that many of the vendors do not seem to acknowledge STOVEBOLT.COM.

Jim Carter has in the past given discounts to the bolters on the page.

When I called several different vendors fo rthe IRWIPI adventure, many did not recognize STOVEBOLT.COM. I would think that they would be a little more in tune to this site as large as it has become.

I will bet money that American Classic Truck Parts does OK here too.

I just bought some custom made hinge pins for the suburban lower tailgate and some other parts, I expected them to be out of stock, but the complete order arrived in 3 days. This is the third time i have bought from them and have been pleased with the order.

MARCH SWAP MEETS - THIS WEEKEND

Mike,

Sounds like you're in the Old Truck Nexus of the Universe! Sure beats waiting for parts to arrive.

My wife and I went to Kansas City on Monday and Tuesday of this past week.

I was going to buy some parts for my 1953 3600.
I brought a catalogue for the lenexa store with me.

Driving down 24 highway in Independence, I spot a art deco chevrolet and then Jim Carter's.

My wife was driving the S-10, so she turned around and I got all the parted I wanted.

Good service, reasonable prices and friendly staff at Jim Carter's.

Jim

That's a great endorsement. I bought from them I like the online ordering discount.

I live 10 minutes from Classic Industries. Huge modern place. I chatted with one of the counter guys. He told me the owner of the company made something like 10 mil last year. 10 mil gross? No, he made 10 mil. Whatever. I pointed out to him that their catalog says they do "price matching". That's good because they're about 10 to 20 percent higher than every one else on most everything they sell. The guy tried to tell me it's because they manufacture their own stuff and it's higher quality. (yeah, right. probably made in sri lanka like everyone else. Mirrors rusted in about a week.) However, he offered me a 10 percent discount. Next time I went I tried to get a discount. Turns out that sale was over. Yeah, the 10 percent was a sale that everyone was getting! What a schmuck I am. Well, I pointed out how much more expensive they were than all the other distributors. manager came out and after applying my charm and powers of persuation, along with a list of comparative prices, he said price matching was done thru their research department. I'd need to submit proof and wait for their "research department" to "research" the matter. Could take some time. Weeks maybe. At this point I think I've fallen for the old bait and switch. I keeps my cool and negotiate a little discount. So, next time I go, I ask for a discount again. This time the guy shows me the price on his monitor and I see my history. The manager has put a notation in their that says, "...keep in mind this customer likes to argue." Is that what it's called? Thanks for clearing that up for me.

So, for all of you in need of parts for your restoration. Be sure to go thru Classic Industries and pay 10 to 20% more for the same
s*!#t. While you're at it, ask for a discount. Tell them I sent ya!

Another plug for JC-- I ordered some more parts Thursday and specified 2nd day air (go figure?). It turned out that some of the parts were back ordered. Julia, from Carter's, called me and informed me that some of the parts were back ordered and wanted to know if I still wanted 2nd day shipping. No, and thanks for the cost savings. The other thing that added to a great shopping experience was that for the first time I used the online "live" help. I had several questions about the number of trim clips required, shipping method for some paint, etc.. I had my "quick cart" open in one window, and my online help session open in another. I would ask a question, receive an answer, and order the parts in a seamless fashion. Great service.

A little off topic but I had the same experience with Tim Tygart's Obsolete Chevy in Nashville, Ga. last Friday. As Jim Carter's had just called me and informed me that the rear engine mount was back ordered I called Obsolete Chevy, while on the road in my F-250 (sorry, but I actually like it) . I spoke to Helen, as I was on the road doing dangerous things like ordering truck parts while driving, and asked her to find the part I needed, my credit card number, and a drop ship address. She did all of this for an $11.95 part and assured me that it would be shipped within two hours. About 30 minutes later she called me back to confirm that I only intended to order one rear mount as two were required. She was right, and so was I. I only needed one as I had previously mistakenly ordered one from Jim Carter's several months ago.

My whole point is that there are just some incredible folks involved in this wonderful hobby i.e., vendors, you fellow 'bolters, and The Stovebolt Page!

Don

Placed an order online with BowtieBits,Wichita KS on Thursday am, about 10 am, some vent window rubber, and got it UPS on Friday afternoon!! Great turnaround on that one!! will keep them in mind for my next parts order.


Mike

Bluedot - I also have ordered from Bowtiebits and have been pleased. I ordered some "used" defrost vent adapters and they were received promptly and looking like NOS.

AND, don't forget the bunch at Filling Station. I started my project about two years ago, and went with them for lots of stuff. Also, Chevsoftheforties was outstanding when I ordered the complete bed ($$$). Both of them always remembered me when I called them, and refunded anything I sent back because I ordered it twice or it did not fit. Out here in sunny Philadelphia, there are no suppliers, so the West Coast bunch was my mainstay. ChevyDuty was next on the list; they had a lot of the little stuff in stock.
Always ask them how long it will take before they get it to UPS or USPS. If it takes a week or so to get it out to you before shipping time, shop around.

The one time JC offered a discount to stovebolters I ended up ordering $2,000 buck worth of stuff. They shipped everything at once like I requested and dealt with a couple returns faster than most local stores. But what I like most is that they carry NAPCO parts. Good company. LMC is very good as well and their catalog with the exploded views is very handy as a basic shop manual! As far as Brother's I only buy when there is a big sale, then I wait because the parts are on back order. As a matter of fact I am waiting on some cross drilled drum rotors...
Michael