Thats right, as of about two weeks ago they closed their doors after almost thirty years. A series of events led up to the closing, no one thing totally responsible. As anyone knows that ever dealt with them, their main focus was early Chevy parts, and graduated up to a full line of top quality parts and accessories. They had their own brand of parts labeled as Serious Hardware ranging from complete front and rear suspensions to billet wiper arms. The suspension parts will still be available through the actual manufacturer, Kimbridge Enterprizes in Washington. I don't have a phone # but I'm sure you can find it. If anyone has an outstanding order, I would suggest you contact your credit card company and see if you can get a refund. I don't know if all card companys do this, but I know a lot of them will. I am only here to report this as a former employee from a few years back, and in no was have any connections to the company. There are plenty of other companys out there to aquire the same parts, but I hate to see a company as old and as diverse as RB's have to shut their doors.
I bought the disc brakes on stock spindles kit from them for my 49 chev. good customer service. a smooth deal. too bad they are gone we need more businesses like that,
A customer called late last week and told me he'd been charged for his RB's order but hadn't received the parts a month later (so was re-ordering from us). Definitely get on those credit cards if you don't have your parts, because you wont be getting them now. I'm not sure how that works in a bankruptcy though, which is what happened to RB's. Kinda leaves a lot of people hanging...
Ray had nothing to do with Pick Ups Northwest. He was one of 2 people that started RB's and remained through the end. Pick Ups Northwest was started by Bill - the other half of the inception of RB's after a very bitter splitting up. Ya might as well call it an ugly divorce - cuz that is basically what it was. Bill has since sold the Pick Ups Northwest business several years ago and retired.
That's too bad! I used to deal with them a lot in the early days, when they were in Snohomish, before the divorce; and after they moved over to hiway 99. Even though it was a drive, you could get your parts fairly soon or I could send one of the kids up there. I didn't buy much from them after they moved to Arizona. Hopefully there aren't any health issues.
That is correct! I used to tour with Bill before R&B's. I've known Ray and Karen for many years and I find this a bit odd but perhaps a sign of the times.
As a very recent former employee, of almost 6 years, I can tell you that Ray has had some minor health issues, but that is not related to the business closing. It is definitely closer related to the poor economy right now.
I quit buying from them when they closed the showroom on Saturdays when they were still in Edmonds. It just showed how much they cared about local business. Its sad to see them go, they started out down the street from me. Dave
Unfortunately, they closed Saturdays simply because there wasn't enough business to make it profitable. This is the reason we are losing good places like this, the old junk yards, good parts places etc. Everybody complains when these places close, but nobody wants to support them when they are there. I guess business' are supposed to wait around for everyones convience, and be open 24-7. It is sad to say, the good places are all going away because of the Checkers, Harbor Freights, Home Depots and on and on. The day of the mom and pop shops is gone. If RB's didn't care about local business, they wouldn't have been around all those years.
They were always friendly. Always had parts in stock when needed. But unfortunately, were always priced considerably higher then everyone else I dealt with. Still sad to see them go.
I know I'm going to regret this, but what is RB's? I'm sure I know the answer, but my brain isn't working full speed this time of night and I'm just drawing blanks. lol
The only time I went in their shop, when the store was still up here, I needed a s**** gas pedal badly. They only had one but it was on display and because it was on display the guy wouldn't sell it to. I've never been back and won't miss them.............
I've always liked that way to do business. We can't sell the display item, because someone else might come in and want to look at it; so we can tell them we are out of stock and no we won't sell you that one. Makes a lot of sense to me.
I have bought some stuff from them in the past and found them to very easy to deal with even though I live in Aus It is a shame to see them go
You sell that display item and make a lifetime customer. If you don't, you go under and wonder why. Anything to please the customer.
Terry, thanks for letting us know. That's really sad. Their Thursday night cookout was a staple of Goodguys Scottsdale, too. There goes another tradition. You are also right about the Mom and Pop's. When all we have left is Checker and Auto Zone, we'll really see the complaining here. The cl***ic salvage yards are all disappearing (miss ya, Charlie), and crushing everything. They are getting 2-300 a ton for s****! We'll miss all those parts, too. Just sad! Bill
A couple of weeks ago, I was at another local shop the when I found out they closed. The sad thing is while it increased business at the store I was at, several customers said their checks were cashed and credit card charges went through days after the doors were closed.
Bummer, sorry to see them go. mags they advertised in will lose ad revenue as well, and who knows what all. I feel ya on the display item thing. If somebody sold me a part on display, you bet I'd remember that and tell my friends they went the extra mile. I know its not always possible, but it sure is good business from my perspective.
Ed Moss did that for me in 1982 met me at TCI on a Saturday, opened up for me , he packaged my 32 Hood I bought at a swap meet,so I could get it on the plane back to England & he sold me the s**** Pedal off their display !! As was said above , I've never forgot those gestures of kindness, he had a stinking cold at the time as well I've been a customer ever since. Sad to see any business close in our industry times are tough I just hope we get tougher .
If you bought stuff with a credit card and didn't get it you will get a refund. The way credit card processing works is that if a merchant goes belly up, the merchant's credit card processor has to stand behind the transactions.
Not losing, lost. Apparently one of the things that put them under. Like Terry said, not one particular thing but the addition of multiple little things.
The Jalopy Journal
