model A parts suppliers
 

Howdy Fellas , I was wondering what your thoughts were on parts suppliers, I get catalogs from MAC's , is there others?
I would appreciate any insight.

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

Snyder's in Ohio and Bert's in Colorado

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Re: model A parts suppliers
 

The sticky at the top of the main page ::

http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17518

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

yup. Brattons is another good one.

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

Snyders,Berts,Bratton says it all. also Tam's I'm Mass.is one of the good ones....IMHO Rob

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

Exactly this! ^^^^^^^

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

Ditto jiml...

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

Brattan's in Mt Airy , Md
Mod A acres in Watsontown, Pa
Berts in Denver, Colo
Snyders, Ohio
Smith and Jones, N. C.
Mike's Affordable Ga (?)
As Mitch says, At the top of the page. there is a link/sticky to all the vendors, many with specific services, such as pouring bearings, or engine rebuilding, or making electrical harnesses, or whatever.
Terry

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

Krazy,
Get MANY catalogs, they're almost like a Shop Manual, with spec charts, exploded views & tips.
Thumb through EACH page, it's AMAZING how much you can learn.
Friends have called me, asking where they can buy a certain part??---I say, "CAN'T YOU READ"!--LOL
Bill W.

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

A&L is also at the top of my list.

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

I hesitate to say this but I think it is important for us to share our vender experiences .

I have a 1919 Model T and 1931 Model A.

The T came first and I get almost all of my parts from Lang's because of great service and good prices. It helps that they are close to me so I usually get parts within a couple days.

When I got the A I had to find a source of parts for it.
My first orders were from Snyder's because the guy that rebuilt my motor used them.
I was surprised to get the parts in 3 days.

When I decided to rewire the car I ordered a bunch of stuff from Mac's because it was easy to find what I needed in their catalog. The pictures are great.

Boy have I been disappointed!
When I place the order they said that everything was in stock and I got an email saying that shipping was pending on some of them.
Over the next 30 days the parts came in a few at a time until there was one little throttle spring missing.

I finally called them and was told that they had the spring and it was allocated to me but they could not tell why it was delayed.
I then asked to talk with a supervisor and was put on hold.
After about 20 minutes I hung up and called back.
I got the same lady and she put me on hold while she tried to get a supervisor.
After about 5 minutes it went to voice mail that said if I left my name and number they would get back to me.
I did this and made sure I left the number at least twice.
They never returned the phone call and the spring showed up 4 days later.

By then I had placed another order with Snyder's and included the delayed spring in it.
The Snyder order containing the spring beat Mac's spring by 2 days.
2 days for Snyder's and over 30 days for Mac's for something that was in stock

Bottom line -
Mac's catalog is great but their customer service stinks.
I WILL NEVER ORDER FROM THEM AGAIN!

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

FYI BERTS in Denver is probably one of the best sources for good original parts.

I have ordered most of my stuff from snyders and happy with everything.

I have ordered from brattons and equally happy.

Same with Berts! If you are near Denver or ever get out that way definitely worth a stop in and have a look!

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

thanks fellas I appreciate your insights. I do like looking at magazines ...lol and I have learned a little from the pictures. So this is quite helpful, Thanks fellas. I am assuming there aren't many women folk on here... If there is ,you have my apology and respect.

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

Thank you Mr. Bill Williamson Sir. I especially like what you had to say.

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

Avoid the common mistake made by many antique car restorers and shop with your BRAIN, not your wallet. In this life you get what you pay for. Ever wonder why Mac's parts are a little cheaper than most vendors? Place an order with them, try to install the parts, and then you'll quickly find out why. Would you rather buy the lumber to build your house from Home Depot or Menard's? The same principle applies here. Oh, BOY, does it apply here! There is no free lunch and there's a reason why lousy lunches are sold at a discount.
Marshall

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

I find Menards and Home Depot on the same scale. To try to compare lumber and auto parts is unrealistic.
If you investigate further you will find that Macs actually supply parts to the other vendors.To continue to criticize Macs without specifics serves no useful purpise in fact it does harm to our hobby. Wayne

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

Yea, most of the suppliers on their websites have a way to get a free catalog - i highly suggest that as most of them have nice exploded view diagrams to give a better understanding.

Re: model A parts suppliers
 

My unsolicited experience of purchasing parts from Snyder's, Bratton's, Mac's, and Berts:

Snyder's:
Renewed website (this year) has made finding parts much easier.

Part quality seems good; I am left with the impression they are selling the best that is available.

The staff have always been helpful. A couple of times I found a part was missing in an order, and they shipped a replacement at no cost, no questions asked.

They have by-far the best shipping option for me in Europe (FedEx International Economy, or Express). With the Express option, parts arrive in 2 days, for very nearly the same as what I paid when in California for UPS ground.

Bratton's:
Seems like a small operation. I have ordered parts from them only a few times. The few (2?) times I have spoken with them on the phone, they were helpful, and demonstrated great knowledge of Model A's. I was left with the impression that the guy I had spoken to had memorised the part number of every single piece that goes into a Model A.

Website is low-budget, but does the job once you figure out how to use their search engine.

Part-quality to me seemed also as-good-as-available.

Bert's:

I have the least experience with this supplier. I have used them a few times, and all has gone well, although I'm a little mad at them for allowing me to have thrice ordered a clear (transparent) distributor cap, despite them not actually being able to deliver this part.

I recently spoke with them inquiring about an original part I was interested in, but they did not have; instead, they gave me good, simple advice (of no benefit to them) on who could restore the damaged part I had (FL door latch for 160B).

I've made too few orders from them to judge part quality, but have been happy with what I have received from them.

Mac's:

They definitely have the most readable, informative catalogue. Their website is OK. Some of the parts I have bought from them have been fine, a few have left me wanting - meaning, essentially, they have haven't fared well in a side-by-side comparison to that which I had ordered from Snyders (side curtain fasters being one example).

On the few (3?) occasions I have had a problem, I have found the staff to have a good attitude; however, it was clear that the persons I have spoken to were simply customer service persons (perfectly respectable), but not Model A specialists or enthusiasts.