Parts suppliers

[SGTBILKO]

I was just wondering about the attitude of Morris Minor parts suppliers these days. I have just had an altercation with one of the above and it concerns a thermostat housing kit. They have this kit listed twice but under different part numbers. They are identical in price but the so called Web offer does not include studs, nuts and washers. They seem unwilling to supply the missing parts unless I pay extra. They imply that it was my mistake in ordering the wrong part number (OFF107). In reality their so called offer is not an offer at all. I can only say that, up until now, I have had very good service from this supplier but will relunctantly have to go elsewhere for my parts. No names mentioned to protect the not so innocent. It concerns part numbers OFF107 and 10M220K. Has anyone else a similar tale to tell? The point being they don't seem to care less and customer loyalty counts for very little.

[Boomlander]

The two different part Nos clearly state that one kit includes studs, nuts and washers, the other doesn't.

[amgrave]

Always read the small print

[SGTBILKO]

The two different part Nos clearly state that one kit includes studs, nuts and washers, the other doesn't.

That is not in dispute, what is incomprehensible is why were they the same price?

[jagnut66]

At the end of the day it pays to shop around anyway. They all have their plus's and minus's. Customer loyalty having any value, like many good things, is a thing of the past.
Best wishes,
Mike.

[Boomlander]

The two different part Nos clearly state that one kit includes studs, nuts and washers, the other doesn't.

That is not in dispute, what is incomprehensible is why were they the same price?

What is incomprehensible is why you ordered the kit with no fixings when you could have ordered the kit that included everything - I know which one I would have paid for!
P.S. I just ordered a radiator drain tap advertised by the supplier to fit the Minor but when it arrived it was too small.
It was the only drain tap listed so I was sure it would be correct. No problem, I simply sent it back and ordered from a different source making sure it was the larger 1/4" BSP type that fitted my 1953 radiator.
The OPs supplier also accepts returns so send the incorrect item back!

[Mark Wilson]

No problem, I simply sent it back

Glad you are so patient with suppliers who can't take the trouble to describe their parts accurately. Personally I would have been rather annoyed at the time and expense in posting it back unless it was clearly my mistake.

I have personal experience of the attitude of the supplier we are talking about, and they certainly don't automatically accept goods back if they are unsuitable. I had a frankly bizarre reply from them when I complained about one of their panels - without seeing it they told me it couldn't possibly be unsuitable, and that I should take them to court if I disagreed. I was tempted, but life is complicated enough without going to court over £30 or so. I just don't use them other than as an absolute last resort.

[SGTBILKO]

Well Boomlander, I made a mistake, easy enough, could happen to anyone (apart from you maybe). This was explained to the suppliers but there was no leaway from them so they lost a customer. They can probably live with that, I know I can.

[bmcecosse]

If you knew one kit included the studs/nuts - why on earth did you not order that part??? Seems very unfair to criticise this supplier - he sent you exactly what you ordered!

[les]

If you knew one kit included the studs/nuts - why on earth did you not order that part??? Seems very unfair to criticise this supplier - he sent you exactly what you ordered!

Yes, I'm trying to get my head round that one! Agreed we all make mistakes but if there's a clear choice between one or the other-------

[SGTBILKO]

If you knew one kit included the studs/nuts - why on earth did you not order that part??? Seems very unfair to criticise this supplier - he sent you exactly what you ordered!

I didn't realise this at the time, it was ordered with quite a few other parts. There is no rhyme nor reason in offering two kits for the same price but one having fewer parts, surely?

[Boomlander]

Well Boomlander, I made a mistake, easy enough, could happen to anyone (apart from you maybe). This was explained to the suppliers but there was no leaway from them so they lost a customer. They can probably live with that, I know I can.

Oh dear, do I detect a hint of sarcasm creeping in to the proceedings? Yes we all make mistakes, myself included as I previously related.
Personally I have never encountered a problem with returning items to this or any other supplier.
I guess we all deal with suppliers in our own way.

[SGTBILKO]

Posting the parts back from France is an option but the postage would cost more than the value of the missing bits.

[Boomlander]

The offending part No. has now been priced at zero which either means it is a genuine bargain or the supplier has withdrawn the item....??