germansupplyscott - [email protected]

[pupjoint]

2nd order wih scott. great part, great service.

[Louisd75]

I wish I could say I had a great experience, but I'd be lying.

After reading around a bit on rebuilt torsion arms, I decided to give German Supply a shot. I placed the order online on September 13th, 2010. Several weeks went by with no parts, so I called up. I got a hold of Scott and found out that there had been a problem with the ball joints and my order had been delayed while they got it sorted out. I was assured that the order would be shipped that day. A week goes by. I call up again. Oops, sorry, they didn't ship. They'll go out today. This repeated itself several times over the next month. I'm finally getting ready to go back to work in mid November. I work on ships, so when I go to work I'm gone for months at a time. I call up with a little over a week before I sail to check and I'm assured that I'll have the parts before I sail. I anxiously keep an eye out for the parts while getting ready for work.

Two days before I am to meet my ship, I get an email from Michelle. It's an apology. The parts haven't shipped yet. Is there another address that they can ship to while I'm at work? Nope. I'm new to this area and the closest friends that I could have it shipped to are 800 miles east or south. So I call up, get a hold of Michelle, and cancel the order. She apologizes for the delays and assures me that she'll refund my payment immediately but it'll likely take a couple of days to show up on my statement.

Another month goes by. No refund. No response to emails. I call up when we're in port and leave a voicemail asking for some sort of response with an update on my refund. On the 22nd of December, I received an email from Scott apologizing about the delays. In the email I was promised that they will "do the refund as soon as we can." A month goes by, no sign of any refund.

This is getting stupid. This morning I called up the credit card company and explained my situation. I will be getting my money back.

Through it all, Scott and Michelle were extremely polite and apologetic. I can't fault them on that. I can fault them on extremely poor communication right from the getgo. If there was a problem with the parts, why wait til I call? Why not be a little proactive and give me a call, or if you want to avoid international business phone rates, drop me an email explaining the situation? Speaking of email, why is it that you supposedly never recieved any email I sent? How come it was almost exclusively me trying to get ahold of you?

Early on in our phone discussions you mentioned that you hoped that this wouldn't turn me away as a customer. Scott, I woudn't say I feel turned away as much as I feel driven away. I wish you luck with your new location, but I'll be shopping elsewhere.
_________________
Louis

[bigashlow]

I can say without question that Scott is a busy man. But I really must say I had nothing but good things to say about him until late last year 2010. At that time he was "moving shop" I had ordered a NOS gas heater which took close to 3 months to get. Then when I did get it it was NOS no doubt. the BUT is that all of the small parts that I knew were going to used show up & guess what NOT TYPE3 !!! the VW book that I paid $50 for incomplete & still after calls e-mails etc. nothing yet. He has gone from great to OK to Hmm... @ this time I would have to say & again it maybe to early say but it not LOOKING GOOD for German Supply. Slow lost money for two months lack of e-mails & now getting the run-a-round? However I will say neutral @ this time
IMO Watch IT!!! I will update @ the end of 3/2011 that is deadline to send all oarts owed to me. I have contacted Everett on this & he told to go to this forum & say what needs to said. Oh I forgot to say he wrapping talent SUCK's the big one that is the reason I got a busted $350 gas heater..& now he dragging his ass big time.

[germansupplyscott]

i offered bigashlow a full refund when the gas heater was damaged in shipping. he declined the offer.

the past few months have been difficult for germansupply but we're still here and we will continue to be.
_________________
scott lyons
http://www.germansupply.com

VW Bus-Centric Online Parts Source

[bigashlow]

As any old VW person knows it tuff to find old parts & Scott is GOOD person. The problem comes when the money has changed hands the service slows down & your package get's to you YOU DON"T WHAT A REFUND. Most just want what they ordered, in my case I was told it would take a liitle time. with that said how long is long a month or two? Fine I get the package & is was very poorly wrapped you don't use large type air bladder wrap around sharp sheet metal ..? Da?? Then throw in news paper & use to increase the weight? Da....that's what happen we me the paper was not stuffed only two sections complete were put in the bottom of the box made for nice reading of what happening in Detroit's free press? I will follow up with Scott & see what happening as NOW he is e-mailing me that's a start. I will send photos, but I still need the rest of the book I paid for?

[germansupplyscott]

it's important to me that anyone who might read this topic understands that while there was damage (unfortunately) to bigashlow's item in shipping, we offered remedies as soon as we were informed of the damage.

i have never stopped emailing mr. miller since he expressed interest, and then purchased, the gas heater. i just looked in my email box and i have sent him 17 email messages pertaining to this item. he has sent us 39 messages. given that i personally answer all technical-sales related email, i believe we are doing reasonably well in terms of paying attention to this customer and while it's unfortunate that the transaction hasn't been smooth, we're doing everything we can to make it right.
_________________
scott lyons
http://www.germansupply.com

VW Bus-Centric Online Parts Source

[BUSLUVR42]

I've had nothing but respect for Scott and his business with all the help and info received, and getting me a replacement head stud in the past...

Been waiting 3 weeks for a new set of exhaust valves and sump plate gaskets to arrive... don't know if it's a hold up on Scott's end or with the shipping company. He'll be getting a call Monday if they don't arrive today to investigate.

PS: tracking numbers or shipping order numbers would be great for the future.

[BUSLUVR42]

[Johnzie333]

Smooth transaction. Part was exactly as described, if not better and came in a timely fashion, well packaged.
I am pleased with my transaction and will confidently look at his ads again when I am in need,
Thanks for the service,
John

Vintage Workshop
Charlotte, NC
_________________
The Carolina Panzers
Charlotte, NC

[bigashlow]

I may have blown my stack a few weeks ago: But I'm here to say that German Supply may be a little slow in Winter months. It boils down down to a man's word & Scott came thru in the heat of the battle. So I do owe him a true heart felt"sorry my friend" Everbody makes a mistake or two...I guess I have made a few more than that. So what we have a is one of a true VW nut's rare outlet that can still dig up those rare pieces & parts that you were thinking "where am I going to find that? give him a try & you be ...digging for more coin for the next part or piece that's missing from your ride ...call Scott! l

[SGKent]

items arrived today as promised, packed perfectly and once again Scott has proven he can pull a rabbit from a hat -

Thanks Scott
_________________
Steve aka Merlin the Wrench

formerly Steve's Racing and Engine Blueprinting. Wrenching since 1967.

bdamico on GF wrote

[gelos]

I also haven't had a good experience with German Supply.

On 2/25/11, I ordered a couple of things from their website, including a custom filler neck hose he makes. Order #3773/3774.

Unfortunately, the purchase page didn't load and I accidentally sent the order through twice. The problem was I couldn't go back and fix it because once I ordered hose, the website listed it as out of stock.

I immediately sent an email explaining what happened and got an apologetic email from Michelle. She said she would combine the two orders and get it taken care of.

I forgot about it for a bit as I had other things going on and other orders coming in. On 3/25/11 I sent another email asking for a status update and expressed my frustration with this order and previous orders that were never taken care of.

Previous problems included multiple phone calls with Scott, each time he had forgotten and misplaced his notes about what I needed. Then emails were unanswered. I even used the contact form on the website and never heard anything. Then the last thing was I called Scott and he was going to transfer me and the call 'accidentally' got disconnected.

I had been trying to get a custom fuel hose kit for my '75 with dual carbs as well as a fuel pump and some other part he said I needed. This was back in March 2007 btw.

On my current order Michelle assured me that they are sometimes slow and Scott didn't intend to hang up. I guess he does that a lot. He certainly has to me.
On 2/25 my CC was charged $46.14 (appears to be for everything but the hose)
On 2/28 my cc was charged 69.94 which should be for the hose.
Then on 3/14/11 I was charged $3.47 (shipping difference?)

On 4/7/11 I sent Michelle another email asking for a status update. Last Friday (4/15/11) I left Scott a VM and sent him a PM on the samba.

Now it's Monday afternoon and still nothing. I had previously given up but this time I really need the parts and I paid for them 2 months ago.

I just want the parts so I can finish my bus. Would a quick email really be that time consuming so I don't think they just stole over $100 from me?

Todd
_________________
1975 vw bus, Soon to be Camper Special with Dellorto carbs

[zuma76]

Here's my experience with this company. I ordered the fuel line replacement kit from them for a 1978 VW bus. It took a very long time to get the item, they explained that they "justed moved" into a new place and said these hoses are hard to get, etc. I accepted this explanation. I then placed an order for wheel bearings ... OMG what a fiasco this turned into. I must've sent 7 e-mails asking them to call me and then also telling them to cancel the order "if" it wasn't shipped yet.

I got ZERO replies ... none whatsoever! Then I had to add minutes to my cell phone plan so I could call "Canada" since they are considered over-seas by my carrier. I called the number they gave me on the one and only e-mail I got from them confirming my order ... this number is DISCONNECTED. I then went to their website and entered the order number they gave me in the e-mail to see what's going on with it. The website said my order DOES NOT EXIST. So I went to their form on their website to send them a message ... guess what? The form has been disabled!

I searched for another phone number on their site and called that one. I was then told on the phone that the order shipped.... that was over a week ago. I decided to just wait. They told me they were going to send me a tracking number within a few minutes.... I had to wait a WEEK for this tracking number! Then only to find out that the item was just shipped that day! A week after they told me it shipped!

I highly recommend AutoHaus over German Supply, unless you got all the time in the world to wait for parts and don't mind not being able to communicate with them (German Supply). I know that I will never again order from German Supply. AutoHaus ships IMMEDIATELY.

[campingbox]

I ordered some parts from Scott and had no problems. The package was well packed and arrived quick.

[gelos]

German supply seem VERY hit and miss. If you order something mundane from their website there is a possibility it won't be a problem.

However, if it involves any action on their part, good luck.

I finally got a response on 4/20/11, after sending an email almost begging them for a response.

I guess one of the parts I ordered is now being handled by an outside company and they don't know when they will get it.
Fine, but I think they should be able to get it in the two months since my order.

I told them to cancel that part, refund the money, and just send me the rest.
So far I haven't heard a thing and as far as I can tell they haven't refunded my money. I certainly haven't received an email confirming my request or a notice that the items have been shipped.

IT'S ONLY A FUEL RELAY AND AN ENGINE SEAL. Seriously, how hard can that be, especially when your customer is angry?

Scott and Michelle seem like very nice people, but they clearly don't know how to run a business.

However good they may have been in the past, at this point, I'm almost ready to call their business a scam. Or at least a lottery.

So if you feel lucky, bet your money.

Anyone know what my legal options might be?

Scott, would you be willing to post a response in this forum? Surely you are reading it. I know you've been on this site after I sent you a PM.
_________________
1975 vw bus, Soon to be Camper Special with Dellorto carbs

[zuma76]

It all depends on how you paid for the item. If you used PayPal they can be notified that you haven't received the item you ordered and demand a refund. Your bank and or credit card company can fight for you as well. Just send them all the e-mails you sent to German Supply and tell them you never get a reply and that you think you've been scammed.

I know the very first order I placed with GERMAN SUPPLY triggered a FRAUD alert at VISA ... probably because a lot of folks have been complaining and getting refunds that way.

I still highly recommend AutoHaus AZ over German Supply and old day. They are right across town from me and if I order today, I'll have it on my doorstep tomorrow.

P.S. Another annoying thing about GERMAN SUPPLY ... they ship stuff requiring a signature and the shipper can't just leave it at the door forcing you to go stand in line at the post office if you're not home when they attempt delivery. What a PITA that is!

[surfknight]

Buyer beware of Scott at German Supply....Don't be fooled, as I was, by the fancy website, online ordering, and seemingly professional business-speak--all polite & welcoming-- it's a scam!

Do not get lured into sending money into this black hole...

I have been rebuilding, modifying, racing, & restoring cars for 30 years & have never in my life had such an unpleasant experience as dealing with German Supply.

I have been waiting 75 days for my parts!!! Not ONE returned email....I emailed after two weeks of placing the order just to ask what the status of my shipment was -- no reply , I phoned after another couple of weeks--Scott said "Oh yeh, I know what happened with that...I'll send it out priority post..." I waited another two weeks and phoned and Scott imediatly hung up on me!! All I said was "Hi, I'm calling about an order I placed a couple of months ago..." I emailed again a few days ago...no reply...There is no reason for Scott to do this...I have been very polite in my emails...I have been very disturbed by this but I see by these posts that others are experiencing this treatment as well.

So now I contact PayPal to file a dispute & they won't open one because...now get this....I WAiTED TOO LONG....by being polite and granting some understanding to Scott "While they moved shop & were a bit unorganized" now I'm screwed!!

I can't believe this...I told Scott I was starting to rebuild my engine...Do you know what that means?? Duh...I need lots & lots of PARTS...get it? I was GOING to buy them from YOU....tough luck on that now buddy.

Scott, you may be very knowledgeable & skilled but you should not be in business...do yourself a favor if you still want to save German Supply and hire yourself a manager....so he can fire your ass.

Oh yeah...I'll be at the bankruptcy auction to buy all the parts I was going to buy (and I'll ship them to me, myself...I'll get them in a couple of weeks)

All those who may read this--don't make the mistake I made..please go to cip1.com, Jake Raby at the Type IV Store, SoCal, or KGPR-- they are really good to deal with--Oh yeh, The Samba as well -- you guys are GREAT!!

[SGKent]

I have known Scott for 4 years. He does a tremendous volume of items and last year was his busiest year. If he hasn't gotten back to you I am sure there is a reason. As for e-mails - they get several hundred a day sometimes about how do I do this or that and he tries to answer them all. His fuel line kits are the best.
_________________
Steve aka Merlin the Wrench

formerly Steve's Racing and Engine Blueprinting. Wrenching since 1967.

bdamico on GF wrote

[gelos]

Well, the saga finally ends.

I got my two parts in the mail on Friday 5/13/11. I was also refunded for the other part that was back ordered.

I've said before, I don't think these are bad people. Just not very good at running a business.

So order from them if you want, but it's a crap shoot and some potential heartburn.
I'm glad it's all sorted out, but I won't be buying from them again. I wish that statement had an effect on them, but I'm guessing it won't. With all the time he spends on this site, I think Scott should post an apology to those of us that have had problems.

Unfortunately, the back ordered part was the one I really needed. The other two things were a 'while I'm at it' purchase.

I still need a replacement fuel filler neck for a '75 bus. The original part is NLA and Scott had a replacement solution.

Does anybody know of another place to get such an item?
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1975 vw bus, Soon to be Camper Special with Dellorto carbs

[Toaster on Wheels]

Item shipped right after it was ordered and arrived shortly thereafter. No problems - smooth transaction.

Thank you again!
_________________
'75 Bus
"in the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty."
-marley