Questionable vendor, advice? Options

[MattR]

I placed an order last week to a vendor, who shall remain nameless, tuesday to be precise. I needed the pistons so I could get some machine work done during spring break (the only time I have as a student). I expected to have the pistons last friday because they are relativly close to me, but I held out until monday. After UPS had come and gone on monday without my pistons, I decided to email the vendor. Apparently they backordered my pistons without me knowing it and it would a "couple more weeks." Is it me or is this BAD business? You cant backorder stuff when they are expecting it. There was NO indication on their website or any follow up emails from the vendor that the part was on backorder.

I could wait a couple of weeks for him to get the pistons in, but I would have to push all my plans back and sit on my hands for the remaining week of spring brake (meaning my car probably wont run until the summer time).

Or I could cancel the order and find another vendor that might have the pistons in hope that I will get them before friday so I can drop that stuff off to the machine shop and work on it next weekend. My schedule is still screwed because I should be going to the machine shop tomorrow to bore out my cylinders and do headwork... but atleast I dont have to deal with a stupid vendor.

Any thoughts?

I really thought this was a good vendor. He has been praised on this forum and I think he's even a member. I wouldnt normally care for a 2 week setback, but the fact that he ignored telling me for a week really pisses me off, especially when time is such an issue.

[Rusty]

I totally understand your frustration, because sometimes I need to schedule time to work on my car.

A story: I returned from Egypt a couple of years ago. Parts were ordered WEEKS in advance, when I was still in Egypt. I was left high and dry with my car on jackstands. The vendor didn't ship parts when he said he would (and told me he DID ship them). When the packages arrived, the shipping label told a different story. I didn't have time to complete the job, so I left my car in another freaking STATE, and then went to work. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/finger.gif) I've never gone back, and never will.

Lesson learned: I have learned to ALWAYS ask if something is in stock. If they can't put their hands on it, then you can't rely on it being there by day X. It sucks, but there are ebbs and flows in inventory, and it's impossible for a vendor to stock everything (they're not exactly rolling new 914s off the assembly line).

Just don't LIE to me. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fighting19.gif)

-Rusty (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smoke.gif)

P.S. I miss my smoking my hookah pipe. I can't seem to get any tobacco for it (waiting on mail order). The guy who used to bring shisha to our camp got blown up. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)