I'm Done With Jbugs. Need a Preferred Alternative Vendor.

[bluebus86]

[Zundfolge1432]

Nice thing about Bughaus is it’s mom and pop so when you call you are talking to the knowledgeable owner and he will give you good info. Yesterday I needed parts quickly so he overnighted them at no charge. People on the east coast ordering from California could be dealing with this place that’s at least 2000 miles closer or could it be they are chasing so called bargain prices? Why not call and place a small order and see what happens, what have you got to lose except the attitude of a low paid order taker ?

[Freebirdbeachbum]

[Freebirdbeachbum]

[Freebirdbeachbum]

[baldessariclan]

In my experience, Jbugs tends to sell a lot of aftermarket stuff which may or may not fit, may or may not work correctly (or at all), etc. I used them quite a bit when first got my Bug, but ended up having to return over 50% of the parts they sent, due to those issues mentioned. I rarely use them anymore -- only if it's for something I absolutely can't find anywhere else. Otherwise, on average, they often just end up being too big a waste of my time.

Cip1 is a bit of a step up from Jbugs in my opinion, but still tend to sell a lot of parts which are basically crap right out to the box. I have found it a lot harder to deal with their customer service on refunds -- they generally make you jump through a LOT of hoops / time wasted before they'll refund any money for bad parts. That's been my experience with them, anyway -- once again, some serious potential for wasted time and effort if you ever have to return something.

I tend to have the best luck with Wolfsburg West -- a lot of their stuff is acceptable to very good quality, although they still sell some crappy stuff on occasion as well. I've generally ended up having a lot fewer issues with their parts overall though, especially as compared with those other two vendors mentioned above. I've found WW's customer service to be a bit "testy" on occasion, but if you send them proof of poor quality part (e.g. pictures of ill-fitting or failed part, cracked rubber, etc.), they will then refund all your money pronto, no further questions asked or hassle -- i.e. no need for "return authorization number"s, return mailing & postage, proof of disabling/destroying bad parts, etc., etc...

I've also had fairly good luck with these vendors as well:

-- Airhead Parts (Lots OEM used parts available)
-- BugCity (higher prices, but often a good source for original German parts that will fit & work right)
-- VWNOS.com (also pricey, but lots of good original parts that once again fit & work right)
-- West Coast Metric (generally pretty good quality rubber and seals)
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1971 Standard Beetle — fairly stock / driver

baldessariclan -- often in error, never in doubt...

[vamram]

[bluebus86]

[Ricksurfin]

Due to back ordering of parts, and misrepresentation of parts from their online pictures of parts, I will never purchase from jBugs again.

[slalombuggy]

I have spent over 25K at CIP in the last 10 years and only had a couple of issues which were dealt with quickly. They do need to step up their tech department as I've stumped them a few times. They aren't too bad at stating the quality of their parts but I have had a few stinkers that I sent back. They also don't like negative reviews of their products. I've sent in a few reviews and the negative ones were never put on the site while the positive ones were and I was very technical in my reviews

For engine parts, CB is hard to beat. Great service and advice.

I've also had great service from Pierside parts (before CB started shipping by USPS instead of UPS exclusively) and I get a lot of specialty fabrication parts from Pacific Customs.

brad

[[email protected]]

[VengeanceASX]

[Turnswrenches]

I've had great luck with these guys...

https://socalautoparts.com/

I've ordered from Jbugs already, but was not pleased with the super slow shipping.

SoCal stuff always arrives MUCH faster than Jbugs.

[Ricksurfin]

[Tim Donahoe]

Hm? Every time I ordered from Jbugs, I got it in good time. Only once did I have a complaint. They told me to send back the item, and they refunded it to my account.

I try to buy from Wolfgang International here in town. But sometimes they don’t carry the items I need. Not often, but there have been a few times.

I’ve also had good luck with Cipi1. Good customer service on the phone, too.

Tim
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Let's do the Time Warp again!

Richard O'Brien

[scottyrocks]

I always call, never order online. I ask who manufactures the part, if it is in stock, when do they expect it will get to me, and how long I have to return it.

JBugs gives me credit when I need to return a part, which hasn't been often. I ordered a set of wiper arms that disintegrated when I tried to put them on. I returned them and got a credit that was applied to my next purchase, which was okay with me.
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“If you care for a thing long enough, it takes on a life of its own, doesn't it? Mending old things, preserving them, looking after them – on some level there's no rational grounds for it.”
– D. Tartt, 'The Goldfinch'

[Bob Brugge]

Have had similar experience with jbugs. Ordered parts that still haven't showed up yet. Called and sent emails, responded to their "tell us what you think" emails, still no parts, but the bill came right on time. Might never buy from them again.
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Keep on Dubbin'!

[Zundfolge1432]

I bought some window rubber from them and didn’t notice until installed it terrible fit puckered at edges and began cracking within one year. I wouldn’t buy anything from Jbugs, but then again I’ve got a great parts connection less than five minutes from work so why bother? to be fair they did an excellent video howto interior and exterior.

[sb001]

I logged onto jbugs to buy something and put in a cart, filled out the info but then found it at another place for cheaper so I didn't purchase and zeroed out my cart.
That was about 4 months ago, and from that point forward jbugs has relenetlessly bombarded my email address with "special deals," "tell us what you think" and anything else they can rapid fire into my email account despite my requesting at least 3-4 times that they take me off their contact list. So you can count me as one person who will never buy anything from their harassing asses ever. I can't believe companies don't realize that this form of aggression will cost you business. Anyway f&^* them.
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I'm the humblest guy on this board.

1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor

[Igpoe]

If anyone considers only price, Amazon has gobs of Empi stuff at the lowest prices I've seen