What is the deal with S.F. Flatheads?

Is anyone here know or ***ociated with S.F. Flatheads. I believe V. Tardell is connected to them somehow.

I've been trying to place an order and I've haven't heard anything back is few weeks.

I filled out the on-line order form and I've left a few phone messages on the machine.

Any help getting in contact with them would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Banjo

 

Isn't Mike Bishop involved?

http://www.sfflatheads.com/

 

Cool! I'm diggin' what they're doing. Just want them to take my cash. Thanks. I appreciate.

Tim

 

Ah....

 

If yer having trouble getting ahold of them to take yer money, I would hate to see what happens after they do take it and you need help with something.

 

Good point.

 

I do believe Vern is connected with SF Flatheads. Some earlier information that was shared with me; indicated there is a connection.

The last time I spoke to Mike Bishop, he was ***isting Vern with the "prep" - porting - on some of the engines that SF Flatheads were selling; as well as being a partner for the roadsters.
Mike also has a Bonneville project "in the wings" that Vern is ***isting him with.

Getting in touch with Vern is BEST done by fax.
He is not a big fan of computers and apparently when VERY busy;
the answering machine often gets ignored too.

Here is some more info on how to contact them ...
http://www.verntardel.com/pages/contact

 

The New So-cal Speed Shop In Sacramento. I Was Told It Was The Same Guy. Selling French Flathead Parts.

 

Okay guys this is the real deal. I am Joe Fazio and I am the owner of S.F. Flatheads. I know a lot of you on the H.A.M.B. board already through racing, building, or personnel friends.
<O</O
Back in 2007 I bought THE ENTIRE French Flathead inventory that was in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<ST1Sacramento</st1:City> <st1:State w:st=" /><st1:State w:st="on"><ST1Texas</st1:State></ST1. Vern Tardel is my partner in this project and together we have done extensive research and development on all of the individual parts in the inventory prior to us offering anything for sale. This is the reason that it has taken us time to bring all of it to the market place and put out a big advertising campaign. We don’t want the same reputation that the last seller of these parts had by just repackaging them and letting the customer figure out how to make them work.
<O</O
My other partner indeed is Mike Bishop. We are working together on a new book “Project 32” that will chronicle the building of 5 completely traditional cars by Vern Tardel similar to the original AV8 book.
<O</O
I have also just completed a partnership deal with the guys who have the So-Cal licensing agreement for <ST1Northern California.</ST1 We have bought a building in <ST1<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comSacramento</st1:City> <st1:State w:st="on">California </st1:State></ST1and barring any other delays from the city should have our shop open by the end of the month.
<O</O
I can be reached at 1-415-308-8878 or toll free at 1-877-467-3871.
<O</O
Sorry to anyone who has been trying to order parts or buy items from us at this time but since the end of Bonneville Speed Week last year and the merging with So-Cal, we have been extremely busy. Please bear with us as we will have great customer service and parts availability in the next few weeks.
<O</O
Thanks,
<O</O
Joe Fazio
www.sfflatheads.com
www.socalsacramento.com
www.verntardel.com

 

Joe,

Thanks. I'll be calling you soon.

Banjo

 

Thanks Joe!
Glad I got most of the info right!!
Say HI, to Mike for me.
Dave

 

$2500 for a machined block seems a little high to me.......

 

Joe,
I can not wait when will we see this new book?

Bill

 

Hey Bill,

Looks like July-August time frame.

Joe

 

I delt with Tardell once... Never Again! Took several weeks to send the wrong stuff! Never ever returned any phone calls... I ended up selling the wrong parts on ebay & making my own... Don't wast your time & money!!

 

Vern does distribute S.F. Flatheads inventory. What did you order from him that wasn't right? Was it one of our products??

Joe Fazio
S.F. Flatheads

 

Sounds right to me...block X$, cleaning X$,testing X$, machining X$ , further cleaning and checking X$ ,all to a standard that you can offer a warranty on all adds up to more than $2500 to me.

 

Gotta love this computer age. Anything that takes more than 2 seconds gets your thong all wadded up. It's very refreshing to see the owners of these establishments using this forum to help aleviate concerns.

I have had good dealings with most of the venders in this hobby of ours. Patience is a virtue when you don't know what is going on in the background. ( Hopefully I didn't just step on my own ****, and jinx myself.)

OK, back to my corner.-MIKE

 

I hope it's better than it was... It's being ignored that is most frustrating, the result is I took the time to find other more reliable vendors that get all my bussiness now.

 

I got a set of rods,oil pump and fuel pump stand and some very helpful information for my french block motor.The prices were very reasonable and the service spot on.It was good to speak with such courteous people...i even got close up shots sent through to help me open up the valve bowls(thanks Mike)...seems like a place that likes to offer good old fashioned service...suits me.

 

Bought an Ansen style brake pedal ***embly from Vern over the net. It arrived less than a week later. Earlier, I bought the steering box book from Mike and it also came ASAP.

 

Hello, trying to contact SF but seems they are closed until february 2009.. Then I tried Vern by email but got no answer. I just sent a fax now... I hope I can order French parts before waiting 15 days plus shipping to Europe time.

 

I just called SF Flathead and was advised that they are in fact closed for business until February as they are moving all of their inventory from Texas to ??. They then need to stock shelves and set up. They ***ured me that all their products would be ready for shipping in Feb.

Fourdy

 

Not to hijack the thread - but as a business person of many years experience, I can tell you that the most important thing for any business is 'availability' and contact. Your prices can be lower than anyone else's and your shipping can be space-age, but if the clients/customers cannot talk to a human - you're missing a large portion of your potential business. Service is great and should be paramount in any endeavor, but part of service is CUSTOMER service. Somebody in an earlier entry referred to our instant gratification need now that the cyberworld has provided so much access. I don't care how neat your website is, if you don't respond to calls or emails, many buyers/shoppers will move on. One of the biggest mistakes that people make when beginning a business is taking on more than they (personally) can handle. Get someone to answer the phone, so at least your customers can talk to a human. Get somebody that understands your business to do that. Nothing worse than having someone answer the phone that has no clue what's going on in the shop/warehouse/plant....

I do a lot of business with suppliers, and can tell you, that the companies that have knowledgeable people available by phone (if you have to have a separate order line or tech line - you need to do that too) are the ones that I try to support.

I understand that many calls are "how much would you charge" etc...but...this is the business you have chosen. You're going to get some dreamers and creamers on a regular basis - teach your phone folks how to deal with them and how to tell the difference between some twit and a serious customer.

Most of the businesses that are successful have become so by their reputation based on how well they do their work and how they treat their customers. You can't treat them right if you can't get them in the door, and you won't get them in the door if you don't have a way to respond to their inquiries. If their first impression is not good, then the various forums will see "bad press", much as we saw here regarding one of the principals in the posted venture.

dj

 

I agree with DJ.

I tried to order from SF Flathead but they seems to be absolutely underpowered. Never answered to emails and the same to order form. A woman is answering to phone (and she talkes so fast that is very difficoult to understand for an italian) but she still says something about they are not ready yet and still need 15 days more..... An answering machine would be the same.... :-(

So... I'm trying to order the parts from Vern Tardel. Things are little better here...Faxes do not have any answer but Rolo usually answer with a long (days) delay to emails....
I made my order using their online shop but it is very difficoult to make some special request such as a traceable shipping or add something more. This purchase is one of the most complicated I've ever done....

Is out there anybody who knows them and can ask to read emails and answer with less delay, please??? They are the only one with french flathead parts... it is very frustrating.

Thank you

Roberto, italy