TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu May 09, 2013 11:42 am

md perf wrote: Vanapplebomb wrote: I will put in another vote for Appletree Automotive. They have very reasonable if not free shipping, and they often have some great deals online. The variety of parts they offer has also expanded a lot over the past couple years. They also have an excellent tech expert hanging around you can instant message via their website during most work day hours. Very helpful for answering any questions you may have about products.

:wink:

X2

Way way cheaper that carcraft after the shipping is figured in. Carcraft has better prices, but shipping from them is what kills it. saved over $100 on a $500 order between them and Appletree. Great service too.

Stingray250 wrote: Try Appletree... bought some stuff over the years... free shipping most times... parts are just as good as others and sometimes even cheaper...

http://www.appletreeauto.com/home.php

Vanapplebomb wrote: I will put in another vote for Appletree Automotive. They have very reasonable if not free shipping, and they often have some great deals online. The variety of parts they offer has also expanded a lot over the past couple years. They also have an excellent tech expert hanging around you can instant message via their website during most work day hours. Very helpful for answering any questions you may have about products.

:wink:

Not saying that you haven't had good experiences with Appletree, but I just wanted to share my opinion.

In my experiences Appletree has very low quality parts. Very few Items I have ordered from them i have not replaced on my rail and I have only had it for 2 years.

When I first started building my rail I ordered from them...
1. They are a Michigan company and wanted to support local business even though I had to pay sales tax.
2. Shipping was a great price and made up for having to pay a sales tax.
3. They had a good variety of parts. I was able to order a lot of things from them.

I spent over 4 thousand dollars at Appletree when initially building my sand rail.

I was Happy Happy Happy, that is until I started driving my newly finished sand rail. Then Parts started Failing and failing and failing.

Around this time is when I discovered this site. I started learning of the woes of cheap parts. I found that most had the biggest hatred torward EMPI. Well Guess what that is appletree's biggest supplier.

At the time I didn't realize I was buying cheap parts.

Anyways Appletree's Cons are:
1. 90% of Appletree's parts are EMPI, or Latest Rage.
2. Appletree often sends the wrong parts for my order. They need new pickers in their warehouse.
3. Ron often answers their 888 Number and He is a (a polite word) JERK!

Overall I have not had good experiences. Honestly based off the cheap quality product that they sell I can tell they are strictly in this business for the money and do not share the Buggy guy helping a buggy guy Brotherhood that we all have.

I apologize if it is out of line to complain about a company in this fashion and if it is I welcome the moderator to delete my post but the OP is wondering of a good replacement for his favorite website, and I would not want a brother in the buggy world to share the same experiences I have!

Oh and I guess I never stated who I like to order from, but now I like Chirco, aircooled.net , and Carcraftstore.com

Thu May 09, 2013 1:05 pm

JJozwiak wrote: Not saying that you haven't had good experiences with Appletree, but I just wanted to share my opinion.

[...]

Oh and I guess I never stated who I like to order from, but now I like Chirco, aircooled.net , and Carcraftstore.com

x2 I started using Appletree because they're the cheapest on the internet.

But then it'd take 4 or 5 weeks to receive my stuff, they were TERRIBLE on the phone, etc, etc.

Now, I've had nothing but fantastic experiences with Chirco. They're a little bit more expensive, but it's great to talk to someone who 1) is personally nice 2) will actually check the stock on something 3) takes the time to ask what you're working on and 4) has enough sense to ship something in a little bit of a non-standard way (USPS over UPS since I'm not that far from them) as it benefits the customer.

I'll gladly pay a few dollars more for stuff from Chirco, EMPI or not. The service is worth it.

Thu May 09, 2013 1:28 pm

I think what you two guys have to say is very fair. Everyone has different experiences. Fortunately I have had good luck with them. I always make sure I know the source of the parts I am ordering ahead of time to try to avoid unnecessary surprises. Once and a while not so fun surprises happen with every company. That is one of the nice things about their tech chat thing. You can ask them part sources and other things like dimensions of parts to check fit before you buy.

All other corporate junk aside...

When it comes down to it, it is all trail and error to figure out what parts have worked well and which ones haven't. Fortunately we don't have to do all of this ourselves thanks to other fellow off road vdubers on the forums. Read up, ask question, and figure out what you need first. Then find a parts supplier who sells the exact part your looking for.

Thu May 09, 2013 9:23 pm

I live close to moore and have spent a decent amount of money there over the years for my buggy.Seen alot of employee turnover there as well some are very knowledgeable.Havent had any bad experiences there.

Makenzies is only 5 min away and depends on what i plan to buy i will just run there and pricing is very close.Makenzies is more race off road type and high quality parts.But they carry quite a bit of vw stuff as well.

If i need cv parts,lubes,suspension stuff,few misc engine related i mostly hit makenzes.

If i need center console,guages,exhaust,ignition i usually hit moore.

Tue Jun 18, 2013 10:13 am

www.pacificcustoms.com

We carry stock OEM product as well as aftermarket, please visit us!

Tue Jun 18, 2013 9:13 pm

FWIW....

I placed an order with Moore Parts on the 5th on this month, and by the 17th it had not shipped. They were missing 2 brackets and held my entire $300 order over a couple of small parts. They also refused to break up the order and ship what they had. Actually let me rephrase, they were happy to ship what they had but said if they did so, I could forget about the parts that hadn't arrived yet and the money I paid for them. After two phone calls and absolutely rude customer support and no resolution in sight, I cancelled my order.

Placed an order with Pacific Customs last night. It shipped today (free shipping too!). Much better experience.