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Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:55 pm

Like to update. I have been purchasing many items from BFY in the past few weeks. I also had a problem with a set of pistons that were dished. I spoke to the owner Darren. I have to tell you that Darren took excellent care of me. Darren took care of every issue and even sent me a set of flat piston tops trusting me that I was going to send the dished pistons back. I have no problem maintaining my trust in BFY,
Thank You Darren,

Matt

Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:47 pm

I usually buy more or less exclusively from WW, but I needed a steering wheel and a cargo may for my split bus which WW did not have but BFY showed they did on their site. I ordered the items back in early July.
I still don't have either item. To make matters worse I was lied to by not only an employee there but the owner as well on the existence of the cargo mat and the shipping date on the wheel. I finally talked to someone there who was a bit more upfront and am a little more mollified over the situation. Still, I will likely never order from them again unless there is a major turn around.
--Dan

Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:34 pm

I bought a set of 36hp bearings a while back. After a couple weeks without seeing anything, I emailed them asking about the status. They told me they were out of stock. "Ok, so when will you have them?" "No idea, but we'll let you know when get some in."

Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:34 pm

Shit! Shit! Shit!
Wish I would have known about this thread before I ordered from them.
Jul 31- Ordered wheelwell sheetmetal

Aug 13- WTF!! Called and was told my order 'just shipped' and will be here in the next day or two. Emailed asking about tracking numbers and if it normally takes two weeks to ship a part -no response.

Aug 15 (today)- Nothing yet. Read this thread, threw up a little bit, and realized I screwed up.

Honestly, who takes two weeks to get anything nowadays? This isn't the 50's anymore! Shit, I could buy an elephant online today and he'd be fucking up my yard with a packing list stuck to his ass tomorrow! These people are ridiculous and will NEVER get my business again unless they get their shit together. Pissed. :evil:

Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:11 pm

Aug 18- Still nothing.

These people are seriously fucking up the time frame on my bus. It was supposed to be at the media blasters today. I wanted to have panels welded on by now. Pissed.

Tue Aug 19, 2008 4:48 am

Holy Crap: I can't believe I am not the ONLY person that had a steering box problem, and had to wait more that a month to get $460 refunded to my credit card.

Twice I got the "it just shipped today" bullsh*t after days of no action.

Check out this post with pictures....
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2995795#2995795

Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:12 am

d_ville wrote: Holy Crap: I can't believe I am not the ONLY person that had a steering box problem, and had to wait more that a month to get $460 refunded to my credit card.

Twice I got the "it just shipped today" bullsh*t after days of no action.

Check out this post with pictures....
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2995795#2995795 If you would have just cleaned up the threads with a file like you were advised to do in your Rant you wouldn't have lost that month of aggravation! One day of filing. :wink:

Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:49 am

glowplug wrote: Aug 18- Still nothing.

These people are seriously fucking up the time frame on my bus. It was supposed to be at the media blasters today. I wanted to have panels welded on by now. Pissed.

Good luck on your parts. I ordered a few patch pannels for my bug the first week of July. Had to call and email two or three times to get what I currently have. Was told it was in stock, then told waiting on shippment, then told in stock and would be mailed in mid July. Only received half the order two weeks ago with no ETA on the missing parts.

On a seperate order, I waited over a month for a pair of front bumper license plate mounts.

I've had good success with BFY over the years. I plan to continue ordering from them. However these last few months have made me reconsider doing any large or time impacted purchases.

Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:14 am

This has been an interesting read to say the least. I'm sorry to hear about all of the challenges that people have experienced when it's come to buying their parts from BFY (or any other vendor for that matter). Plain and simple, it sucks. I'm fortunate to have the luxury of being able to drive to BFY and get what I need and not have to wait for something to be shipped out, but after reading the posts here, I thought I'd try to shed a little light on BFY's operation for those folks that have never been there in person and have met the staff.

BFY has been around for a long time and over the years their staffing has changed quite a bit. Currently, they are a team of four. Most people talk to Darren and Julian since they're pretty much it when it comes to ordering. The other two folks are shipping and doing paperwork. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out just how much work they're doing to keep things going. If it was just a mail order business, things would be much simpler since they wouldn't have guys plopping into the store and chatting for an hour while buying $10 worth of spark plugs. From a business standpoint, that's a loss. Of course from a customer's perspective, it's nice to go to a place and get your stuff personally.

Without writing a novel here (too late), and not to just be defensive about BFY or any other business because both a business and a customer have responsibilities, I think it's unfortunate that for the most part people are too quick to fry a business before understanding the nature of the operation. I fully agree that there is no excuse for lying about shipping and lack of parts in an order etc. etc., but I would rather see Darren do his job than spend his time online diffusing the frying of his company.

It's my understanding that he's making some changes to the operation and we should see the results soon.

E

Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:19 pm

After reading some of the more recent postings about BFY I think I'll vent too. I hope that no one will place an order with BFY without knowing how difficult this transaction has been. Too many times I accepted info given by BFY as being reliable - these guys are good talkers.

Original order placed 1 May for 9 items and after the normal shipping time had been reached I called to inquire about the shipment. They said it had been shipped but returned to them - but they didn't bother to contact me about this supposed problem. Had I not called I don't know if it would have ever been shipped the "second time".

Order received 19 may had 4 items. One of the items received had to be returned as it was not for a a 69-71 bay window bus and I asked that I receive a refund for the returned item. and that the order for this item be canceled. A refund for that item was made in a timely manner - this left 5 still on back order

After about 11 phone calls, and many statements of the "already shipped", "being shipped today/tomorrow" variety, 2 other items were finally received on 4 August. This left 3 items still on back order. One of the items received on 4 August was body panel but it was not for the correct side of the bus.

On 4 August I called and asked about returning the incorrect item, canceling the remainder of the order and about receiving a refund for the incorrect item as well as the items still on back order

On 5 or 6 August I returned the incorrect body panel and according to FedEX tracking it was received by BFY on 13 August.

On 14 August I called to make sure that my request for canceling the back ordered items and for a refund would be processed.

It's now 21 August - 2 weeks later and I just went online to check my credit card account - no refund has been posted to my credit card. I called BFY - Darren said the refund was processed on 18 August and that it takes 2 to 3 days to get posted to the account. I do hope that proves to be true. Even if I get the refund BFY will not get my next order - I'll try another supplier.

Pat

Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:12 pm

EDDYOC1 wrote: This has been an interesting read to say the least. I'm sorry to hear about all of the challenges that people have experienced when it's come to buying their parts from BFY (or any other vendor for that matter). Plain and simple, it sucks. I'm fortunate to have the luxury of being able to drive to BFY and get what I need and not have to wait for something to be shipped out, but after reading the posts here, I thought I'd try to shed a little light on BFY's operation for those folks that have never been there in person and have met the staff.

BFY has been around for a long time and over the years their staffing has changed quite a bit. Currently, they are a team of four. Most people talk to Darren and Julian since they're pretty much it when it comes to ordering. The other two folks are shipping and doing paperwork. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out just how much work they're doing to keep things going. If it was just a mail order business, things would be much simpler since they wouldn't have guys plopping into the store and chatting for an hour while buying $10 worth of spark plugs. From a business standpoint, that's a loss. Of course from a customer's perspective, it's nice to go to a place and get your stuff personally.

Without writing a novel here (too late), and not to just be defensive about BFY or any other business because both a business and a customer have responsibilities, I think it's unfortunate that for the most part people are too quick to fry a business before understanding the nature of the operation. I fully agree that there is no excuse for lying about shipping and lack of parts in an order etc. etc., but I would rather see Darren do his job than spend his time online diffusing the frying of his company.

It's my understanding that he's making some changes to the operation and we should see the results soon.

E

maybe they could open only a day or 2 for local pickup only and focus the other times that they are open on the mail order? just and idea wtf do i know?

Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:04 pm

sammler wrote: After reading some of the more recent postings about BFY I think I'll vent too. I hope that no one will place an order with BFY without knowing how difficult this transaction has been. Too many times I accepted info given by BFY as being reliable - these guys are good talkers.

Original order placed 1 May for 9 items and after the normal shipping time had been reached I called to inquire about the shipment. They said it had been shipped but returned to them - but they didn't bother to contact me about this supposed problem. Had I not called I don't know if it would have ever been shipped the "second time".

Order received 19 may had 4 items. One of the items received had to be returned as it was not for a a 69-71 bay window bus and I asked that I receive a refund for the returned item. and that the order for this item be canceled. A refund for that item was made in a timely manner - this left 5 still on back order

After about 11 phone calls, and many statements of the "already shipped", "being shipped today/tomorrow" variety, 2 other items were finally received on 4 August. This left 3 items still on back order. One of the items received on 4 August was body panel but it was not for the correct side of the bus.

On 4 August I called and asked about returning the incorrect item, canceling the remainder of the order and about receiving a refund for the incorrect item as well as the items still on back order

On 5 or 6 August I returned the incorrect body panel and according to FedEX tracking it was received by BFY on 13 August.

On 14 August I called to make sure that my request for canceling the back ordered items and for a refund would be processed.

It's now 21 August - 2 weeks later and I just went online to check my credit card account - no refund has been posted to my credit card. I called BFY - Darren said the refund was processed on 18 August and that it takes 2 to 3 days to get posted to the account. I do hope that proves to be true. Even if I get the refund BFY will not get my next order - I'll try another supplier.

Pat

I would not trust a single sylabile(sp) that is uttered by Darren ESPECIALLY if it has to do with returns/refunds/cores, talk to Maria, she takes care of ALL the paperwork stuff... I have been dealing with them since June 1st, and I think I am finally done and squaredish with them... as soon as my core charge for a steering box is returned(Spoke with Maria today about it)

Fri Aug 22, 2008 5:46 am

I had the chance to go by BFY yesterday (thanks to my ongoing Highroof headaches) in the early afternoon and he was slammed. There were probably about 8 people at the counter and a couple of delivery guys in the back and of course the phone was ringing off the hook.

I did have a chance to talk to Darren regarding a pressure plate I needed and I also asked him if he was aware of this ongoing thread. He assured me that he was fully aware and that although he wished he could be responding to each post, he hasn't found the time (while gesturing at the people he was waiting on at the counter). He did say that he's implementing some new measures that will make shipping and tracking of packages better (working with FedEx) so that's good, and he's trying to take care of each customer one by one. He did ask me if I knew of anyone that really knew VWs that would be interested in working there to contact him. It's tough to find someone that REALLY knows things in and out, but hey, if you're out there and need a job, opportunity is knocking.

(Got my clutch fixed finally).

Fri Aug 22, 2008 2:52 pm

got the missing parts today .... a superbeetle front brake hose and a brake spring set .....

now happiness is complete

thank you Darren !!

Fri Aug 22, 2008 3:31 pm

You know, I'm sure there are lots of people who can relate to this aspect of running a business (reference to the posts above). Few of them, however, would condone blatently lying to customers repeatedly. I totally understand how hard it is to run a successful business when you're taking the 'losses' previously mentioned and I genuinely feel bad for anybody going through that. You just can't lie to the customer though. That has to be one of the easiest ways to lose customers in masses. Frankly, it has to be better to just fess up and admit that parts may not be in stock or shipping may be delayed for one reason or another. Sure, you'll take your licks and lose a few customers who refuse to wait, but most people applaud honesty (not enough nowadays) and will stick with you by rule.

I do want to make clear that I really have no ill feelings towards BFY Even though I have sent them more than one admittedly rude emails (simply as 'fire under the ass'). I honestly hope they get things together to restore their reputation and this thread gets thrown in the bin. It's just that I can't in conscience buy anything else from them or even recommend them until this happens.

By the way....
Aug 18- Sent an email saying I was going to call Visa and dispute the charge if the part didn't show up the next day
Aug 19- Got an email from Darren with the tracking number.
My package was picked up at BFY by FedEx 3:14pm Aug 19 (a week after I was told it was already sent) and expected to arrive Aug 25 (25 days after ordered).
I checked the tracking number today, and the part is in GA now. I wanted to cry when I read that.... unbelievable.

Mon Aug 25, 2008 4:57 pm

Forget what I said before. Got my part today. Black panel made in I guess Finland, beaten all to hell (wheelwell lip is smashed badly), crappy stamping, and wrapped by a crackhead with a tape dispenser. None of this pissed me off until I realized the sticker on the panel said it was for a 68-72 transporter. Fine, but I have a 65. Now I'm gonna assume without looking it up that this panel will indeed fit with my simply having to cut for the cargo hinge, but WTF? I ordered a part for a 65! Gonna do my research before I make a complete ass of myself, but this will not excuse the bullshit.

Anybody else have the same result with wheelwells? Is there anybody else making this part with the cutout for the door hinge (besides Gerson)?

I hope anyone reading this thread wises up and orders their parts somewhere else, and I don't care what the people have to say that have the 'luxury' of walking in the door to get their parts and never have to deal with the bullshit. This company is a joke and I'm actually considering taking the loss so I don't have to deal with them anymore.

Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:19 pm

IIRC, some bus sheetmetal fits 63-70, so you might be okay. I had a '69 Bus and often received earlier parts that fit fine.

Sorry to hear about the poor packaging, though...

Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:27 am

I did receive the refund; it was credited to my account the day after I my last posting to this list.

Pat

Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:05 pm

Since the subject has been changed from BFY's customer service to sheet metal......I have had some fun with some of the early Brazilian doglegs being a tad too long. I don't think it was a mistake either.

One interesting piece of sheet metal was the bottom cargo door early replacement piece that was coming out of Brazil. Great skin for the outside of the door if yours is in need of help, but the inner structure was similar to that of a barndoor cargo door.

I think that as time goes by and more folks are repopping stuff (especially if they're repopped from poor original and/or non-original samples), we'll continue to see all sorts of parts get retweaked to fit more applications. It's a pretty big investment to make even some of the smallest bits, not to mention trying to get a good return on your investment for those gazillion cargo door hinge plugs you had made. ;)

Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:17 pm

EDDYOC1 wrote: This has been an interesting read to say the least. I'm sorry to hear about all of the challenges that people have experienced when it's come to buying their parts from BFY (or any other vendor for that matter). Plain and simple, it sucks. I'm fortunate to have the luxury of being able to drive to BFY and get what I need and not have to wait for something to be shipped out, but after reading the posts here, I thought I'd try to shed a little light on BFY's operation for those folks that have never been there in person and have met the staff.

BFY has been around for a long time and over the years their staffing has changed quite a bit. Currently, they are a team of four. Most people talk to Darren and Julian since they're pretty much it when it comes to ordering. The other two folks are shipping and doing paperwork. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out just how much work they're doing to keep things going. If it was just a mail order business, things would be much simpler since they wouldn't have guys plopping into the store and chatting for an hour while buying $10 worth of spark plugs. From a business standpoint, that's a loss. Of course from a customer's perspective, it's nice to go to a place and get your stuff personally.

Without writing a novel here (too late), and not to just be defensive about BFY or any other business because both a business and a customer have responsibilities, I think it's unfortunate that for the most part people are too quick to fry a business before understanding the nature of the operation. I fully agree that there is no excuse for lying about shipping and lack of parts in an order etc. etc., but I would rather see Darren do his job than spend his time online diffusing the frying of his company.

It's my understanding that he's making some changes to the operation and we should see the results soon.

E

Dude. There's no excuse for Darren lying. That's the biggest problem BFY has. He just flat out lies to you and deserves to be fried. Change or no change, I will never ever trust the guy again and will forever recommend that nobody buy from them. End of story.