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tripower · 10-23-2001, 10:49 AM

I was disappointed after receiving this dash chrome from Potomac Pontiac. The description was "Slight Pitting". Well take a look at this pic http://www.geocities.com/pmdmuscle/DSC00047.JPG of the ash tray bezel and you decide. There is missing chrome all over this piece. Potomac's response was "try to find a nicer piece for that price", no refunds. I just think they misrepresent the condition of their parts. Maybe its just me, but if I were to sell this piece, I certainly would not describe it as slight pitting. Im sure PP has many satisfied customers as I have seen there name before in some Pontiac publications. Please be careful and get what you feel is an accurate description from PP before buying.

tripower · 10-23-2001, 10:49 AM

I was disappointed after receiving this dash chrome from Potomac Pontiac. The description was "Slight Pitting". Well take a look at this pic http://www.geocities.com/pmdmuscle/DSC00047.JPG of the ash tray bezel and you decide. There is missing chrome all over this piece. Potomac's response was "try to find a nicer piece for that price", no refunds. I just think they misrepresent the condition of their parts. Maybe its just me, but if I were to sell this piece, I certainly would not describe it as slight pitting. Im sure PP has many satisfied customers as I have seen there name before in some Pontiac publications. Please be careful and get what you feel is an accurate description from PP before buying.

Jim Zeek · 10-23-2001, 04:19 PM

The picture of the pieces in question are not available anymore. I looked at them when they were posted on ebay. Pitting means that the chrome is missing. Potomac Pontiac always accurately describes all parts and stands behind them 100%.

tripower · 10-23-2001, 05:51 PM

Sorry, if you try the link in a new browser (cut and paste of type it in) it will work (yahoo does not allow link from other pages. Anyway, I guess my idea of slight and theirs are two different things. There policy directed to me was "no refunds".

berrygoat · 10-23-2001, 08:09 PM

I'm surprised. I have dealt with Ron for a few years and he has always been very good. I had him send me a tilt col. last year that looked fine outside, but when I went to pull the lock cylinder it was full of rust. Potomac credited me back no problem. He is also a wealth of info.

Rashionality · 10-23-2001, 08:49 PM

[img]www.geocities.com/pmdmuscle/DSC00047.JPG[/img]

[This message has been edited by Rashionality (edited 10-23-2001).]

Rashionality · 10-23-2001, 08:52 PM

Well...that didn't work.

Scott Misus · 10-23-2001, 09:22 PM

The problem may stem from the fact that the proprietor of Potomac did his apprenticeship under the owner of Sonic Motors.

Same attitude towards the customer.

TURBO80T/A ROB · 10-24-2001, 07:40 AM

cut the .jpg off the address it will open and that piece is bad it should of said pitting needs rechroming

Jim Zeek · 10-24-2001, 04:44 PM

Have you ever dealt with this company Rash? If not then I don't think your needed in this post. Misus, Ron did not serve an apprenticeship under Barry Martin and is alot better with his customers. Have you dealt with him on any parts? If not then you are also not needed here in this post.

'ol Pinion head · 10-24-2001, 05:18 PM

I have known, traded parts to, sold to, & bought parts off Ron many times over the last 14 years. Never had a problem with him or his parts & would buy off him again.

Everyone has an idea in their head as to what "nice" used potmetal is... same with "minimal pitting." Some pieces have always been in mediocre shape used & in the very best shape show some flaws. Even NOS potmetal in the sealed GM box can often exhibit pitting. Had my share...for a concours car, they were all cores for expensive potmetal plating.

Tripower, I do not know what to tell you, was this an e-Bay auction or outright deal?

Rashionality · 10-24-2001, 07:36 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jim Zeek:
Have you ever dealt with this company Rash?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

NO...your point being?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jim Zeek:
I don't think your needed in this post.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

There you go thinking again Jim...what did the Doctor tell you about that? [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

By the way FYFI all I did was put the picture on the site for everyone to form their own decision.

Scott Misus · 10-24-2001, 11:36 PM

Jim: The apprenticeship thing is a joke. He learned from Barely Marginal, just as you learned from Ron.

Since I've never bought anything from him, I supppose I'm not allowed to talk about those who I DO know that have gotten boned by him.

Leave me out, I suppose.

Andre · 10-25-2001, 08:09 AM

Knowing alot about the parts business, and especially about the early years, I'd call that 64-5 ashtray fascia a piece that is suitable for a weekend/daily driver, but not a show quality piece. I've sold several in that condition for $10-$20.
Nicer ones are not super hard to find, but cost will go up. I got beat out on a NOS one on ebay at $75.
I would describe that piece as having some pinpoint pits, that would not be a distraction at normal viewing range. IE- If it was mounted on your dash ashtray, and I looked into your car, I wouldn't notice it as a hideously deformed hunk of pot metal.

I've also known Ron for many years, and am somewhat surprised that he would not refund your money.

[This message has been edited by Andre (edited 10-25-2001).]

bigpop · 10-25-2001, 12:17 PM

tripower,I feel for you but I must say that Ron Johnson has been very fair to me over the years.He even refunded my money on a high ticket item after one year.I agree with some posts about pot metal items,you really need to get a detailed description as pitting is in the eye of the beholder.I am not being critical,just passing on advise after being disappointed in some pot metal purchases,and they weren't Ron's pieces.I would try to talk to him again.All the best bigpop

Ccass · 10-25-2001, 02:54 PM

This type of situation has existed with used parts vendors since dirt. It is compounded by the fact that Ron's parts usually come at a high price. Therefore, a higher expectation of the part yields a lower satisfaction level when the part is received. As far as no refunds......? well that may be true, but Ron is not here to defend himself and we don't know the full situation.

*******
I do know that he was taking care of his ill father for the last year until he finally passed away last week. Maybe you caught him on a bad day.

Scott Misus · 10-26-2001, 04:41 PM

In this age of cheap digital cameras, any vendor of worth should own one. AND he should be willing to send you a pic of the part in question. If not, move on.

Jim Zeek · 10-26-2001, 05:22 PM

Misus, you are blabbing about 2nd hand information which usually gets twisted around the more times it is told. This particular incident was an Ebay auction. There was a picture posted. It was not the only piece that was bought. It was all three pieces that were sold together for a total of about $40.00! This person never contacted Ron that he was not happy with what he got. Ron would have gladly given him his money back. $40.00 for all three pieces is a good deal, not for a show car as was stated in the auction. All he did was post negative feedback without calling or e-mailing anyone. Any person who knows anything about any car should know that your not going to get a perfect part for nothing. Did he think it was going to be like new? Andre says he gets $10-$20 for a piece like that. This guy got the whole setup for $40.00. So before you know the whole story and have any personal (i.e., YOU, YOURSELF) experience with anyone or anything you should just shut your face!

Scott Misus · 10-26-2001, 05:56 PM

Zeek: (May I call you "Jim?")

I don't recall my making any reference to this particular item, do you?

And I think I know enough not to make statements about things unless I know the facts. Second hand information from close friends? Who cares? It's reliable in my book.

Please don't act like a schoolyard bully.

Thank you.

2FAST4U · 10-27-2001, 05:08 PM

They have some hard to find parts which is great. Only thing is their return policy,among other things:
I order a set of alternator brackets for my 67 bird(but has a 72 455 motor). We agreed $85 with tax for the set. I get the brackets but for a 67 firebird, when I really asked for the later model brackets, and the kicker was they charged me $94 on my card!! I was pissed. I called them up and told them the product was wrong, and I was overcharged..."Ron" denied aggreeing to $94. He wasn't even the guy I spoke to that day! Well he claimed I could send them back within 30 days for a refund. I sent them back within that time frame only to find out that an additional 15% refund penalty fee was assessed- so I recieved a refund of $79.90! Pretty shady. But for $14( and return shipping)I just let it go!
-Chris

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