Classic Industries

[jcruz]

I've had pretty good luck with CI until recently. I don't plan on using them ever again based on my latest experience. How wrong is this?

I ordered an Ididit steering column for $500. In their catalog, they indicated that a steering column bracket was necessary ($75) along with a new rag joint ($100).

After a couple months I get around to installing the new column. After days of trying to get the wiring working I call Ididit for tech advice. Their response was "that column won't work for a 69 and we've issued an advisory to the vendors to stop selling it".

So, I call CI to set up a return. No problem there. I package everything back up and send it away.

Next thing you know, I get a notice from CI that they're sending back the bracket because it wasn't in the original packaging and they're returning the rag joint because it was installed. But wait, there's more -- they're holding all the parts until I file a claim with UPS because the column was "dented" and the box was "creased" according to the paperwork they sent.

I've started the claim process but the whole situation stinks as far as I'm concerned -- I'm out almost $700, have no parts, wasting my time running around filing claims and on the phone -- all the while because I bought some parts that CI shouldn't have sold me in the first place?

WTF?

John

[steveK]

Whatta bunch of crap!!! I too had used Classic many times and never had problems but since they are in CA. it is pricey to ship items from them or return for that matter from east coast. Sorry to hear about that and very poor customer relations for them.

[RASK]

I wouldn't buy anything from CI unless I have to. The only vendors I trust are Ames and PY. They are better informed, knowledgeable about pontiacs and honest.

[TransAm525]

I haven't had too many problems with Classic Industries, but I am trying not to use them as much as possible anymore. Their OER parts, which are GM approved, usually fit like crap. I used a lot of their parts in the restoration of my 1978 Trans Am, and now 4 months later I'm having to re-replace parts because they are failing (like their weatherstripping). I try to use NPD as much as possible now because they carry a lot of NOS and genuine GM parts in their stock, as opposed to cheap reproductions.

[2manyT/A'S]

I wouldn't buy anything from CI unless I have to. The only vendors I trust are Ames and PY. They are better informed, knowledgeable about pontiacs and honest.


What he SAID!

[RAIVJUDGE]

Yea I would question buying anything from them. I was having coffee yesterday morning and My Classic Car was on. Dennis was interviewing a guy from Classic in his usual new product segment. They were discussing new hoods and had some on display. Some cowl induction hoods and a 400 Firebird hood and others. They come to a white hood that looks like a 69 TA hood and Dennis goes " is this a fiberglass 69 TA hood, I thought they were steel" The guy from Classic states "Pontiac was very progressive during this time and all OEM 69 TA hoods from the factory were fiberglass" I had to hit the replay feature on my Flat screen to see if that was what the guy said and sure enough that is what he said. I guess the two 69 TA's I have owned with steel hoods are flukes. What a joke when a vendor does not know what they are selling. The guy even states that this is a big controversy regarding these hoods whether they were steel or glass. Well if the guy in the segment from My Classic Car is reading this, there is no controversy THEY ARE STEEL!

[mikeb]

I ordered some interior paint from them. I needed some more and on the next order they had discontinued that brand of paint in favor of another brand. The other brand wasn't close in color at all (too orange).