awful time with Victoria British

[4381821]

I placed an order with VB back in July for my 81ZX to 74 260 project. Well, it's really turned out to be a nightmare.

The pistons were for .40 over, but one in the set weighed 70 grams more than the others. Called them up, and they sent me out 1 to replace it via UPS ground. Get it in, and that one too is 70 grams heavier than the others. Now I have to call them again, and they send another one after some checking to make sure it is right, again ups ground. So I've wasted plenty of good time here already.

Well, fast forward and the block has been bored, pins pressed in, and it's time to start assembling the block. I go to put the plugs in, and there's 6 plugs total. What the hell? I don't want to even bother calling them up, so I just goto NAPA, no biggie there I guess. Well, I find that one of the rings is broken too now. I try to find something locally so I don't have to resort to calling them, and it'd be like $160 just for a ring set, plus 4 days from the nissan dealership

I call them and BEG to get them mailed air express here sameday, I'll pay whatever it costs. It's been 4 shipping days, so I'm pretty sure they lied and it went ground. I thought in the mean time I would just put the other rings on the pistons while I wait for the replacements... and I find that there is no ring that is the same friggin size. I have 3 different oil rings, 2 dif types of 2nd compression rings, 2 dif sizes of the top, and 2 dif sizes of the bottom rails. Some are soo mucher bigger they hang off the pistons freely, while some are so much smaller they actually don't come around all the way when in the groove.

am I going too far when I say this really sucks? and I'm never going to order from them again??? I've had no problems what so ever ordering from other places for this project, Jegs, Tire Rack, MSA, ISKY, Fidanza....

anybody else have any issues?

[240ZX]

I feel for you buddy! We've all been through the same crap, one time or another. Just be patient, get the right stuff and forget about ever dealing with VB again. There are many other reliable outlets for parts. You might try Courtesy Nissan in Texas. Never had a issue with them. It's all about customer service...or should be. I mean.....you get pretty good service at McDonalds, with 16 year old kids!!! Get a clue suppliers!!!(By the way, I don't actually go to McDonalds). Good luck and keep your cool.

[Chino 240Z]

"(By the way, I don't actually go to McDonalds)" well if you did, you'll find out that they shove mustard up your noise and stick french-fries between your toes! They blow CHUNCKS TOO! I only go there because the kids want it sometimes.

Anyways you're right it is all about the customer. GET IT RIGHT V.B., MAKE IT RIGHT FOR YOUR CUSTOMER OR GET OUT OF THE WAY FOR SOMEONE WHO CAN!!!

Business owners should go by this phrase:

"If you like my work tell another;

If you don't like my work tell me, so I can make it right!"

Good luck & gambatte yo! (hang-in there!)

[MikeW]

Unfortunately you can have problems with any supplier. Someone mentioned Courtesy being good while others have complained about them in the past - especially their prices and supposed discount to club members. I've had good service from MSA and VB with a few minor hiccups. MidwestZ was always great but now they're apparently gone. I certainly understand your frustration and can easily understand not wanting to do business with them again. Suppliers who continually offer bad service will lose enough customers that someone else will come along.

[jmark]

Midwest Z was very good. I have a pretty good luck with MSA & VB too. Charlie Osborne at Zedd has been very helpful too.

[mperdue]

Hello everyone! I'd like to preface this post with a big 'shout-out' and thanks to the illustrious admin of this beloved site, without whom this discussion wouldn't even be possible. I think we should each take a few moments each day to turn our thoughts to the guy behind the curtain as they say, the one who makes it happen, the MAN WITH THE PLAN - of course I'm referring to Mike - the PHP wizard of classiczcars.com. Again thanks Mike for making this all happen for us members and the thousands of guests whose lives are geared up a notch each time they visit this place that some of us may even call home.

I sure miss MidwestZ. Who else would put together a bolt kit like this from scratch? No one - that's who. I tried Courtesy and spent 3 weeks f-ing with them and got no where. Most of the part numbers were wrong and they constantly kept upping the price and tried to screw me on the discount that the LOCAL Z club is supposed to get. I don't think I would have ever seen a single bolt or nut anyway. I've also had trouble with VB but mostly just bad phone service. The parts are OK though I do remember getting 2 parts from different manufacturers that should have been identical. They're just lazy I think. Chloe where are you!???! By the way that bolt kit shown includes every bolt, nut and washer you'll find underneath your Z. I should have bought a couple of them when I had the chance...

[jmark]

Holy cow the bolt kit is awesome. Only Chloe would do that..........

[texasz]

The parts are OK though I do remember getting 2 parts from different manufacturers that should have been identical. They're just lazy I think.

This just happened to me but they were more than happy to make it right at their expenxe. Very good customer service and very willing to make sure they had the right matching parts before hand. The new ones are on the way as are the mis-matched pair back to them.

This has not been my first transaction with them and I've always been pleased.

Now some have also dogged on MSA and I have also had good luck and good experiences with them. I would tend to agree that it probably depends upon who you talk to but this holds true for any place you do business.

I have never bought anything from Charlie, YET, but have emailed with him and he seems very willing to help and provide info before the purchase.

I have recently bought parts from Danny's Datsuns and had a positive experience there...and a great price ($18 including shipping for a stock gas cap and the braided hose that goes from the carb balance tube to the engine block, both used but in good condition).

I have dealt with MWZ and agree with everyone here, I miss Chloe!!!!!

[jmark]

Noticed her perfect feedback on Ebay is gone now too.

[hls30.com]

I recently placed a good size order with VB, MSA, and Zedd Findings, The order from VB came in last week, 100% correct, and today I received a card from them thanking me for my business. It was signed(not printed) by seven people. I pla ed the order on line. I received a confirmation that everything was in stock almost immediately, and the next day before noon I had tracking info. The two boxes contained a bit of advice, and a return authorization form with a shipping label. The advice was to thoroughly check the order within 30 days to verify the contents and the quality. I unpacked the box, examining each part carefully, and verifying it against both the invoice and the email confirmation. Everything was just so. It took 4 business days to get the order, and everything was either OEM, or acceptable aftermarket.

MSA did not have a few small parts in stock, and I asked them to hold the order untill they came in. They gave me a discount based upon my membership with IZZC, but the total did not seem to reflect it-I have not received any confirmation from them, but I did ask them to hold the order, and it was placed over the telephone-when I receive the order I will post an update

Zedd Findings had to wait on my check, I don't think it is there yet. Once he received my last one, my order was here in just a couple of days.

Of shopping the three Charley Osborne gave the best experience, We emailed back and forth for several days-I am not in a rush for these parts-and talked about the Canadian Open, the car, my title situation, and Chloe.

The MSA guy was the most add-on oriented, he suggested companion items that were things I might have forgotten. He was not forcefull, and it came across that he wanted me to be sure that I got all of the pieces to put her back together right.

These were good experiences, so far, but even so, I miss "the Chloe experience."

I must say the personally signed "Thank You" card from the people at VB was a pleasant supprise in a bunch of bills, and the only thing I did not put back in the mailbox!

Will

[hls30.com]

I received my order from MSA yesterday, and everything was good except...

I ordered a set(2I and 2O) of front wheel bearings, and they only listed one bearing seal. How goofy! I was only charged for one, but I asked for 2, and after his carefull attention to making sure I ordered everything I would need...

Will

[4381821]

they did the same thing for me to, the card and the speedy shipping, free mind you because it was over 500.

But I am still without those rings even today!!! I called them again, and they said I should get them FRIDAY!?!?! what in the heck?