[rotorwrench]

Mac's is a corporate division of Ecklers which is a fairly large organization that purchases from manufacturers and retails a lot of the parts they supply. Stipe's company is a Mom and Pop type organization. I don't really see the comparison except in a general way since they both supply reproduction and specialty parts but that's about it. Bill Stipe's Specialty Motor Cams outfit likely manufactures most of what they sell. Eckler's doesn't really manufacture all that much of what they sell. Eckler's has always had a reputation of holding on to customers funds of parts they don't have in stock and then the customer is treated like a mushroom until they finally fulfill an order to completion. This may also have extra charges for shipping. Some companies like this have higher than normal shipping rates which can also be problematic.

Stipe tells customers up front that it's going to take a period of time to complete the order. The customer just has to have the patience to wait the estimated period or they should do their business elsewhere. The two companies don't compare unless Stipe doesn't fulfill the orders at all or is very late past the estimate on the completion of the order. Only then could they be compared as equals.

Many Mom and Pop organizations have a sign up in there shop that says they have the right to refuse service to anyone. Does this keep folks from doing business with them? If they stick by their word then that's a good reputation in my book.