TheSamba.com :: View topic - CIP1

Mon Jul 03, 2006 4:27 pm

Well, I got my replacement sheetmetal from CIP1 today...
They sent me the same exact WRONG PART AGAIN! I'm glad I only ordered a couple of cheap parts from them. I'll never order from them again.

Let me just say that besides my 65' Bug I also own a 62' Nova Convertible, a 63' Nova Hardtop, and a 67' Dodge Dart. I've dealt with quite a few aftermarket companies while restoring these cars... I've never had a company send me the wrong part twice. Not only that, they charged me bigtime for overnight delivery too, only to get the wrong part twice. I've been delayed for two weeks now because of these guys. Never again will I order anything from them. The first time I could understand it, hey I mean everybody makes mistakes, but to send the same damned wrong part TWICE IN A ROW? I'm sorry, there's just no excuse for that.

CIP1 could learn a thing or two from GOODMARK or DYNACORN. I've never had a problem with thier distributors. They seem to realize that you don't keep on getting chance after chance to satisfy a customer. The first mistake is understandable, the next time you're out.

Bye bye CIP1...

Mon Jul 03, 2006 7:32 pm

lennytee wrote: I've purchased a lot of stuff from CIP over the last two years. Nothing but positive dealings. I see though that their discount policy has changed - no more "5% off your total order" (or 10% off sales). It now says "up to 25% off." I looked over the prices on my "wish list" and it looks like everything went up to stated catalog price with an inflated "mail in or call in" order price. Some stuff went up even more... Since their policy change, I've already ordered stuff from other folks because CIP prices (even with free shipping) were considerably more, which hasn't been the case in the past.

Good to see you again Lenny. I agree, everything went up. Alot. I emailed them and asked, and they told me that it didn't, and that it "balanced out the same". Not quite. But, other than the recent skyrocketing prices, I have had pretty good experiences with them.

I ordered a replacement dash once, and it came in bent. They promptly agreed to replace it, but it took forever.

Fri Jul 14, 2006 12:25 pm

john@aircooled.net wrote: Send us the compufire, I'll replace it, you pay the shipping.

Some companies allow returns/exchanges on electronics, and even carburetors. You need to figure out who they are.

John
Aircooled.Net Inc.

i get stuff from cip but the wait is killing me. john if you guys start taking paypal let us all know. i dont do credit so thats why i buy from cip but would from others.

and no im not some low life with bad credit :) i work at a bank thats why i dont do credit :) i ordered a master cylinder from cip a week and a half ago and paid 3-4 day shipping and just got it yesterday:(

Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:46 am

I bought the German door seals kit from them about 9 months ago. The seals were all installed correctly from the shop. Well first the chrome window scrapers didn't fit correctly. I called them and asked them replace it, they told me the shop would have to tell them that. wtf? so the shop tried, couldnt get them to do anything, so they just rolled it out so it fit. Then I got the car home about 4 months ago. A month ago I realized that the door handle seals were cracked. I took pictures and sent them to cip1. I didn't get a response. So I called and the guy said he'll tell his boss to email me. So the guy emails me and says "Ya I saw those pictures a week ago"... So if he saw the pictures why didn't he respond? He has to wait for me to call? Anyways he asked where I lived, I gave him my address, I figured it was all taken care of at this point. Well no, it still wasn't here about a week and a half later. So I called them and talked directly to the guy who was supposed to take care of it. Well he says "You know the part cost $4.50, right?" I don't care that it cost $4.50, I care that I spent the money and there not giving me a quality part. So anyways He says he will put it in the mail. That was 2 weeks ago. Now I see that on the passenger side door, their is a metal piece that is bent out and it scratches the window when it goes up and down. This was the worst $200 I ever spent...

Here are the pics of the door handle seals.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g83/70fasty/IMG_1549.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g83/70fasty/IMG_1548.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g83/70fasty/IMG_1547.jpg

Wed Jul 19, 2006 2:32 pm

Like i said ... stay away :!:

Thu Aug 17, 2006 1:19 pm

Called again so they could replace my window scrapers that were scratching my windows, they said they will replace it, I also found out that the "German" Deluxe door seal kit I bought was just German door seals, with the rest being brazlian stuff. So I paid almost $100 more for door seals that made my door hang improperly and align wrong? So my advice, atleast for those buying type 3 door seals, is to go somewhere like ISP west and the DDB, or of course NOS because CIP1's stuff is horrible and a great waste of money.

Fri Aug 18, 2006 1:49 am

What makes you think ISP West's or DDB's parts are going to be any different? How many different manufacturers do you think there are vying for the vast Type 3 door seal market?

A few years ago I bought a new Beetle off the dealer lot in Mexico. On every car in stock, the door handle seals were split exactly like in your pics. And these were genuine VW parts. Likely, the handle seals you got were also genuine.

My point is, CIP isn't the manufacturer, they don't control the quality.

Sat Aug 19, 2006 7:36 pm

have had almost flawless dealings with CIP1. until I needed a master cylinder. they sent me some weird one with the correct number. called them and they admited that they get a lot of those back. luckily Austin VeeDub had the right one and OEM ATE.

if your a type 3 person ask for Gary. he seems to know his stuff and knows what works with what on the 3's. some other guy there Josh or Joseph, didn't know what a variant was.

isp Alex is always helpful and on top of things. great service great parts.
the new site will be up soon, that old one sucks. dosnt cover aftermarket enough.

Fri Aug 25, 2006 11:06 am

Bruce wrote: What makes you think ISP West's or DDB's parts are going to be any different? How many different manufacturers do you think there are vying for the vast Type 3 door seal market?

A few years ago I bought a new Beetle off the dealer lot in Mexico. On every car in stock, the door handle seals were split exactly like in your pics. And these were genuine VW parts. Likely, the handle seals you got were also genuine.

My point is, CIP isn't the manufacturer, they don't control the quality.

It's not just the door handle seals, every peice in the whole set was crap. The reason I know ISP west's and the DDB's stuff is better is because the vast amount of good feedback they recieve on these items. Plus the DDB's door seals are completely unique they sit on the door frame instead of the door itself. And from all I've read about them, they're the best. I also have several ISP seals and they're all still looking fine, unlike the cip1 seals.

Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:20 pm

I need to congratulate Cip-1 and especially Kris the General Manager for demonstrating great customer service. I ordered $250 dollars worth of parts to include the German engine compartment tar board kit for my bug. All the parts were fine except the tar board was bent over during shipping causing damage (it could have been packed better). I emailed Kris with what had happened and he emailed back, apologized and shipped me another one packaged very nicely. I was expecting to have to ship the damaged one back and wait till they received it then they would ship me a replacement. Nope, he took my word and shipped me the replacement right away.

Thanks Kris for the great service and you will continue to get my business.

Wed Feb 28, 2007 5:33 pm

Ordered a replacement accelorator pedal and kit back in the summer and it took 4 days to ship it to me (I'm in Washington state too). But I just marked it up to a cheapo part and using the free shipping option.

I ordered $400 worth of parts there five days ago and paid extra for 2-3 day shipping. Today I finally get the shipping confirmation. Five freakign days to pull and ship an order?

I may be forced to buy from them in the future but it will be as a last resort. They can cram their slow service up their fourth point of contact.

Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:24 pm

bholbrook wrote: I ordered $400 worth of parts there five days ago and paid extra for 2-3 day shipping. Today I finally get the shipping confirmation. Five freakign days to pull and ship an order?
Do you realise they are CLOSED on the weekend?

Fri Mar 23, 2007 7:18 am

They sent me the wrong body trim kit. I emailed them. A week later they ask for some pictures of the trim. The next day they apply a gift certificate for the cost of the wrong trim to my account. They told me to keep the wrong trim and don't worry about shipping it back. Great service. I was expecting a big fiasco.

Fri Mar 23, 2007 12:29 pm

I haven't had any problem with Cip directly, but almost every other order from them gets held up by UPS somewhere along the line, and UPS always blames customs.

In fact, I have an order right now that's been sitting in friggin' Seattle for the last three days.

I think this will probably be the last time I order through them, and it's not even their fault.

Mon Apr 02, 2007 2:03 pm

Same boat here. Now they seem to be shipping out of Canada instead of shipping out of Washington. Presently, the entire shipment (which includes my goodies I that eagerly await) is stuck in Seattle. The whole shipment must clear customs before any of it continues on its way. Not really CIP1's fault. Kris at CIP1 has always been great to deal with (returns, exchanges, etc.). Their site does state ground shipping usually takes 7-10 business days. I used to get shipments in a few days due to location (if I ordered on Monday always got the shipment on Fridays), but seems those days are gone. At least our boarder are secure :lol:

Update: Customs only held up the delivery date by one day. No biggie.

Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:48 pm

Another customer with a shipment getting hungup in Seatle.

This is my 2nd order with them and I'm pleased. Free shipping is a HUGE plus along with ability to pay with paypal - I don't like to give my billing info to every single place I order from.

When shipping is free - I'm pretty darn patient, I don't expect to see it until about 10 business days and it's worth it. Order parts in advance when you can.

Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:58 pm

Lee. wrote: They sent me the wrong body trim kit. I emailed them. A week later they ask for some pictures of the trim. The next day they apply a gift certificate for the cost of the wrong trim to my account. They told me to keep the wrong trim and don't worry about shipping it back. Great service. I was expecting a big fiasco.

Got the trim. It was the wrong one AGAIN. I emailed them again, they said would send the correct kit out today. I guess they had their inventory mixed up. We'll see. They have handled it good so far.

Anyone want to buy a 68-72 aluminum beetle body trim kit? (I have 2):lol:

As far as their shipping, a lot of the orders I place get hung up in customs. Every one of them makes it to my house before 10 business days. If you need it sooner, they offer quicker shipping methods.

Thu Apr 05, 2007 3:54 pm

To update my update above. Opened up the CIP1 box to find the Bugpack cooler/fan kit I ordered is not a 96 plate cooler as advertised, but a 72 plate. Already have a 72 plate. Called Bugpack and they don't even offer a 96 plate complete kit. Urrrg. The errors in their ads, and there have been many, really chap my hide. I'm sure they will take care of it, but this was the weekend I had set aside for a complete engine compartment re-do on our rail. Can't mount new tabs without the right cooler. Damn.

Update: They are sending UPS to pick up the cooler system and will refund my money and shipping costs (wasn't eligible for their free shipping). A bit of a PITA, but again, Kris handled the error in an excellent/professional manner.

Tue Apr 10, 2007 4:54 pm

Received our order from CIP1 and got what we ordered. The chrome lugnuts were just thrown into the box but no big deal. One major gripe I had was with the shipping company they use (UPS). Box said it was delivered but we didn't have it. Called UPS and was told that if you want the box you will have to call CIP1 and figure it out with them. If it was UPS's fault would you think that they would be responsible to get it and deliver it to us? We ended up driving to the business where they dropped it off, showed our ID and got our package. I wish they had the option to pick your shipping company, I would not use UPS cause of their terrible customer service and snooty attitude again.

Wed May 16, 2007 2:54 pm

Well, CIP1 got the mis-advertised cooler (returned) back on April 16. Today is May 16. CIP1 promised (by e-mail) to credit my account by April 27 ($204.57). Hasn't happened and e-mails now ignored. Sadly, they've lost a pretty good repeat customer.