Never considered myself a cry-baby, but I have been waiting since 4 months for a windshield from Ecklers. and waiting 3 months for seat upholstery from a guy in alabama. Both have been fully paid when ordered. anyone else having thhis problem. Whenever I call Ecklers, they say another month before the windshield will be shipped. I could grow old and gray waiting for this stuff.(wait a minute, i already am old and gray)this picture is what it will look like if i ever get the parts I need
Seems like a lot of stuff is still taking longer to get than it did pre-Covid. Materials are harder to find for folks that make stuff. My Pa in law is having a new liner put in his pool, guy that is doing the work is having a hard time getting one made, says everyone is backed up. Also been a lot of business closed down the last few years, putting more strain on the supply chains. Sure seems like if it’s not on the shelf or in the warehouse it’s taking longer to get it to the end customer. That will be a nice Merc when you get it finished!
Are there other areas of the car that You can work on while You’re waiting? Brakes , driveline , suspension or the convertible top ? Echler’s gave me the run around on the windshield for my 57 Fairlane several years ago . They sent the wrong windshield, then told me that they had the correct windshield in the warehouse but they needed the one I had shipped back . Then when that windshield got there the one I needed wasn’t available and it would be another year before they got anymore. So based on my experience with them I’d be looking somewhere else for a windshield. I found the windshield for the 57 from a place in Texas that sold T-bird restoration parts. Very nice people who stayed in touch with me up to the day the windshield was delivered.Was there a time line estimate on the upholstery being done ? Most shops around here there is a 4 months for a seat to a year for total interior wait . If You have time You should be visiting the upholstery shop at least one a week to check on progress . Just my input .
Oh yeah I have plenty to do on the Mercury! I have found new body panels to repair the body, a Lincoln engine and transmission to overhaul and install. All of the car needs work.
Fully paid up front no longer makes it urgent for them...... I hope you get your stuff. I'd be curious who the guy in Alabama is. Where did you find him ? Well known seat upholstery guy or ?
i know a good upholstery man in bama but you better have some really deep pockets. higher then the high price guys.
Eklers is not known for their speedy service, Try to get them to refund your money and order a windshield from a company with a good reputation. Auto City is where I purchased my glass. HRP
Ecklers has been bought out it’s even worse now. I have parts I ordered from Mac’s who then Got bought by ecklers who then got bought by this firm that have been on back order since March of 22! Guy on the phone told me something about the new and old software not playing nice and it’s taking forever to sort threw “archive” orders What a mess doubt they’ll be around long enough to fill my order
I'd seriously look for alternatives. Fortune favors those whom take action. Screw waiting on them, there are hungry companies out there willing to find a way.
Is there no glass companies around you guys? I normally have no issues getting classic glass, I buy through glass search(Libbey Owens Ford) and classic glass. Drive to Kentucky, I'll hook you all up lol
There used to be a go-between... an owner of a glass shop whose living depended on customer service and word of mouth...we got all happy circumventing these guys with our "ordering online" "direct shipping" etc. ....They said it would be cheaper more convenient...instead it got way more expensive and way less accountability stuff and $ get held hostage...then when we tried to go back to the old ways they were gone...out of business too bad so sad...up here you can't even get a rad hose for a 20 year old car at the "parts store" anymore (they've all become shoe/candy/houseware and maaaybe a few parts now) let alone fifty or 60 year old parts...fuggedaboudit!
Ecklers was okay back when they handled only Corvette stuff and had a paper catalog. Went to hell when they started growing by buying out other suppliers.
@Fortunateson You been there lately? I'm serious ...A 20 year old popular car still millions on the road...after talking to every single "parts store" left I had to go to the dealer... who found ONE in the whole country according to them....this is a rad hose!!! In fact for older stuff I usually have better luck with CDN tire than LordNo...they say No so much they should change that name! This is what happens when you don't Support your small businesses is all I can say...long live @Lloyd's paint & glass !!
That's quite a windshield you have there! Read an article a few months ago talking about how 90% of classic car glass comes from Taiwan. They were talking about there could be severe shortages if China invades and everything there shuts down. I am NOT a fan of Ecklers, they bought up several good companies, tripled the price, and cut the customer service to "customer no service" as far as I can tell. Good luck with the Mercury, can't remember when I saw one in the flesh.
yeah I left it on order as it’s nothing I need soon, and it’s cheap. I am However actively looking for the same parts from different sources
That sounds more like a one off part shortage not "nobody has parts for old vehicles." I have yet to not be able to get parts for my truck and have been researching parts for the '49 Mercury I am working on and NAPA can have most basic parts to me same day, next day at the latest (including a radiator hose).
I’v heard the pay and wait Story before about Eklers/Macs don’t do internet orders with them I call and I always ask , is it in stock? If no, I move on I have bought good stuff at better pricing than others from them I won’t do back orders
I second Auto City as HRP mentioned. It's been a couple years but we were able to get complete glass kit for my buddies 57 BelAir no issues. I bought glass for my 58 Yoman wagon as well. Joe
It should be illegal to take your money and not supply the goods. Pay a deposit I understand but full price without the goods, very suss. Imagine pulling up for fuel and the counter jockey tells you to pay and they will have your fuel in a couple of weeks?
Been waiting six months for a brassworks radiator and have been on a list at diamondback classic for four months for tires. I guess they will get here when they get here.
Always pay with a major credit card, not a debit card or cash. If you don't get your stuff in a reasonable amount of time, turn it in to the card company. They will build a fire under the crooks and it usually gets some results pretty quick. If you don't get results or money back, report it as a fraudulent transaction. That usually gets their attention.
This is where eBay is great for the hobbyist, they do not allow back-order sales. If it's listed there, the seller has to have it. It's also great for sellers who actually have stuff in stock, we can charge a premium to people who don't want to or can't wait for it. But that's tough for stuff like upholstery work or windshields, which are difficult to ship. Last year I waited about 4 months for a sway bar from Addco for my '57 Chevy. Had to pay up front, it did eventually come. It was annoying, but the only other alternative was a Hoffman-group looking Chinese knock-off and I didn't want that. I guess sometimes you just have to get on the wait list.
I need to ad the reason I don't buy a windshield elsewhere is because Eckler charged me $650 shipped to me. The other seller wants $1250 shipped to me. So I will wait!
What year and model is your Mercury ? I'm guessing 1958-60 Maybe a Monterey or ? And the Upholstery Guy ? Who is he ? How did you locate him ? Gilbreth Upholstery right in Desmoines has a LARGE building full of upholstery and more than likely could have gotten you the material.
I've never shipped a windshield. Can't imagine how much that would cost but I paid $190 for the windshield in my 60 Chevy. 57 Chevy windshield costs me right at $150 for comparison. Those are LOF or pilkington generally speaking. So by the time I made even $20 profit and tried to ship it(packaged properly), I'd say the $650 is about right. Now if it's cheng shin glass, I wouldn't hit a bull in the ass with it personally.
I just received two exhaust pipe flanges from Summit Racing. Waited 4- months for them. I had almost decided to make them myself, when they arrived. No big deal, as I had lots to do while waiting. In most cases, just have to be patient
I got ripped off for $600 nearly 10 years ago by Ecklers they would never answer the phone or emails if they did just a new line of BS parts delayed .Chalked it up to lesson learned about them never did any business again.
Find a big enough box for windshield. Then put trash bags around it, fill bags with expandable foam. That how my windshield came packed. Keeps cost down.
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