FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Hi,just finished speaking to friend who ordered EJ holden quarter vent window rubbers for his car after ringing and waiting and ringing again,for two weeks finally rang back brisbane rare spares and was given some lame excuse about work stress of worker , so sent his son in to pick up for him as he was coming up to Hervey Bay for a visit. then needed new rubber for his windscreen rare spares Brisbane said 6 week wait as supplyer does not make them anymore ,so he rang Spectrum in NSW and had them next day delivery for $8 more than RS normal price, what do they think we are,

Nicko
Buy over the web, Rare Spares Melbourne or Sydney.
http://www.rarespares.net.au/
https://www.americanautos.com.au

At least you are ordering from a warehouse, I usally get delivery of items within two days.

John M

Guys I have also fallen victum to rarespares slack service.  Before I knew this site existed I was chasing an EK wiper motor they said they could get me a brand new one for $250 and I would have it in 4 days.  7 days went by and still no call so i called them back and they didnt know a thing about it.  Then they said I could have a reconditioned one put togther from two old ones for the same price ready in 9 days.  That is when I started to search elsewhere and found this site.  Ken got me a new 2 speed electric wiper motor delivered to my door for $90 a lot chaper than $250 they wanted for a single speed second hand peice of shit.

MICK

I've found their Bayswatewr, VIc. outlet ok for delivery and about 15% cheaper than the prices listed on the Rares' website.

You have to remember that many R/S outlets are franchises, and the quality of service - whilst it reflects badly on RSA - is out of their control.  As suggested, buy your stuff from their warehouse direct if you aren't happy with the service you get from the local representative.  But a chat to the manager of the franchise (assuming you can remain civil) often works wonders too.

cheers
RET

It's funny you know...I've had similar experiences re: buying from a RS franchise, so I went direct to Rare Spares through their website.......this created a whole new dilemma for me....

...Buy Local ( I'm in the country where buy local means a big deal ), from the local agent or direct from the warehouse over east.....The warehouse ( internet ) is a lot cheaper as it cuts out the middle man ( the local agent ).
So what's more important, saving dollars out of my back pocket by buying over the net, or give more dollars to some other guy just because he's local ?   and YES....for those smartys out there....it is still cheaper ( sometimes ), even with freight !

I guess that's the internet for you !

my mate has restored many cars over the years and is seeing red at the moment due to shit treatment after years of spending in a shop that does not give a shit, with a quick calculation between 5 of us we worked out we had spent at least a couple of thousand dollars in the last two years,and have seen the parts get worse over a few years as to there fit and quality.just to add salt to the wound.

Nicko,

Easy fixed, just don't go there again.

You'll be suprised that most of the parts that Spectrum supplies are Rare Spares stock anyway. As Rare Spares are one of the only companies 100% committed to helping us enjoy our passion I think they deserve a little more respect than they are being shown. They make a significant investment in remaking parts, sometimes the quality isn't up to OEM standards but if you or your mate can do better go for it. Plenty of us will buy the stuff off you - if its of good quality and the service is OK  ;)

Why don't you take the time to put your complaints in an email or letter to Rares in Melbourne. Any franchisee has certain responsibilities when it comes to representing the Franchisor and can be breached for activities like you describe. If they get enough breaches, they lose the franchise.

Write the letter, even if all it does is make you feel better.

Cheers,

Craig.

P.S: I reckon it would be good if we kept the swear words off the site. Save them for when you're complaining to your mate.

correct me if im wrong Craig but i had no idea RS was a charity doing us all a favour, but i will take your advice and get my mate who was  very upset on wasteing money with long distance phone calls and wrong advise as to whats in stock and no delivery after paying out price of parts and postage to ring or write a letter to main office.(more time and money)but i wont swear in front of him as he is a Pastor who flies to remote communities delivering his sermons to the adults and food and toys to the kiddies, he relies on people keeping their word and not wasteing his time that he tries to use  to do up cars when he has a spare couple of days at home.
reguards Nick .
p.s. i will try and remember to keep the swear words down or ad a symbol at the right spot.lol. :-X

Guys
I think the thing that will fix a lot of our problams with supply, demand & workmanship issues will be the new section "RET" is working on at present, with some help from Sarge as it was his idea.

I have only delt with R/S here on about four occassions. Twice by phone to order a new gasket kit for the door locks and then to pic it up weeks later. Once since then for a water pump as is was the best price around.

So I have moved on and gather my goodies from else were and only go back if it suits me.

I buy my parts were I want to buy my parts and as we all know R/S is not the only supplier of Old Holden Parts.

Also if you are so pissed off with the quality of the goods now being produce buy R/S why not go onto their website I am sure there would be a complaints area in which constructive criticism would be welcomed. We the Old car enthusiasts of Australia are their customers after all.

Just a little ranting from me.

Cheers Jim

G DAY FELLOWS. :(
Not long ago I orded a new set of original rear shock rubbers.
I recieved all but one in the mail. I phoned and complained and the man I was talking to was very sorry and apoligized and ask me for my home address and  he said it would be in my mail box the next day.
The next day I left home for work at around 6.45 and noticed something in the mail box and guess what it was that one rubber in a white paper bag.
Now the R/S store i'm referring to it at Homebush and I live at Campbelltown.
I have no more  to add. ;D ;D ;D
Regards. Leon
 

Leon
Had much the same experience with American Autos, purchased a whiteline stabilizer for the rear off them by the web, when unpacked to install one d rubber missing, on the phone they where full of apologies and two days later in the mail arrives the missing d rubber from whiteline(they supplied to American Autos (Rare Spares Homebush).
I have purchased much too much from them and the Melbourne based Rares (A fair bit more then Nicko and his mates combined) and have had very little dramas and very good service from them.

I have also purchased a heap from the Brisbane Rare Spares when doing up EffieC (She was done up at Lowood Qld) and once again had no dramas with them, could be the face to face dealings, hard to lie when someone’s standing on the other side of the counting with money in hand.

Voice your opinion direct to franchisee as Craig suggested not to the counter jock that is getting paid wages.

My tuppence worth
John M

Nicko
       I only use Rare Spares web site to order any parts that I need. Never had any problems, price is cheaper & delivery is normally with-in the week. Each time I have rang Brisbane store the staff have no Idea. So I would say its a case of good help is hard to find. ;)

Regards
Sarge

I also have had no problems with Rares at Homebush (American Auto Parts). Always helpful, and friendly, even if I was only buying a $2 clip. For awhile when I was spending the money on parts on a regular basis, they even recognised me and knew I had an FC. Sure sometimes the prices were a bit high, but then I would always look for a cheaper option and that's where the collective knowledge of the car club came in handy. Have also bought from the Rares outlet in Beverly Hills and never had a problem there also. Sometimes they would not have the stock in the shop, but I learnt to ring the day before and it would be there the next day waiting for me.
My guess is that the franchise you deal with needs a boot up the *** so write that letter.
Regards
Alex

so from what you guys have said ,it sounds like the other shops are better to deal with or use the internet shop, i have tried to keep it local( so to speak)by useing the Brisbane store, as im in the process of getting the FE on the road i will need to put the door rubbers in,so will try internet shop , i hope i come away as satisfied as you others seem to be, you should put in for an advertising bonus on your next order as you have convinced me to give them another go ,(but from another outlet.
reguards Nick

I will always go to our local outlet when buying Rares stuff, Rares Auto One in Phillip ACT. I have never had a problem. If I have needed the part quickly, they get it in specially. While I do have some issues with quality, these can be overcome. Don't forget, some outlets will not order one part, but wait until they get a substantial order to cut down on freight costs. If you want the part quickly, tell them. You will have to pay the freight costs though. Personally, I would rather talk to someone face to face, who knows their stuff, get my club discount & support local business. These are also sometimes the people we go to for sponsorship, so it works both ways.
Colin.