Can anyone comment on the quality of the parts these guys sell? I had read on one of these posts a month or so back that they have excellent quality carpet that meets NCRS Judges approval so I had to check them out. The reason that I am questioning them though is that their prices seem very cheap compared to other parts suppliers out there. As I start to order parts for my car I find myself getting more and more concered that I will be getting good quality reproductions and not just replacement parts...so any advice from you all will be appreciated. Thanks.
-
-
Re: Willcox Corvette Department,IN, Parts Quality
The parts I've purchased from them are very good. This outfit gets there parts from the same sources as the other guys, but for the most part passes the wholesale price to the buyer. They make their money through volumn.
I bought a set of C2 tail lights and parking lights a couple years ago and got "Trim Parts" taillights and GM parking lights.
Just tell them what parts and from whom you want them and they will price them out to you. In most cases, the price will be better than any discounted price (NCRS or otherwise) from the other places.
good luck,
tc -
Re: Willcox Corvette Department,IN, Parts Quality
They've always had a good reputation for parts and service. But that's not to say that some of their stuff will judge well. They are NCRS and C1 and C2 savvy. They post regularly at the crpl bulletin board.Comment
-
Re: Willcox Corvette Department,IN, Parts Quality
Ernie Frey, Jr. owns the place. His daddy was the parts manager for Willcox Chevrolet while it was still in business and then Pops bought the Willcox name and started sellings strictly Corvette parts. He passed about 12 years ago, Jr. is running the business. He has done a good job of supplying quality parts and usually a better price than you can find elsewhere. Ernie takes care of his customers, probably won't take a lot of BS from a stranger. If you have a question about the quality of parts his business is selling, ask for him, personally. I'm sure he would be glad to tell you exactly what he is selling. He knows his parts well. I've been buying from him or his Daddy since 1971 and NEVER had a bad experience.Comment
-
Re: Willcox Corvette Department,IN, Parts Quality
Greg, I have bought maybe several thousand dollars in parts from Ernie and Willcox. I recommend them, particularly for NOS GM parts that are hard to locate, but many of these NOS parts may be unavailable now. Their prices are hard to beat simply because they keep their overhead and margins low; their business philosophy might be that they are trying to make a decent return and repeat business.
However, dealing with Willcox will be no different than dealing with any other vendor. You will have to know the differences between the "right stuff" and cheap imported repro parts. Ernie will deal with you straight up without trying to deceive you, but you have to understand that he may not be an expert on every particular part you are purchasing. Further, he has a range of customers, from those just trying to keep these old cars running to those doing NCRS restorations. Not knowing what you need, and then later blaming Willcox for point deductions on the judging field would be blatantly unfair.
Explain your objective for your car upfront, and he will tell you what he has in stock and whether he believes it will suit your purposes. In some cases, he will be able to provide you with a lower cost part that is an exact duplicate of the original by the same manufacturer. If you later receive the part, and find it won't work for you, my experience was that he would be glad to take the part back, and try to find one that will meet your requirements. I hope that business practice hasn't changed.
I did have a minor book keeping dispute with Willcox once, but it was completely understandable given the amount of parts I was ordering and those returned for credit. Ernie and I worked out our differences, and I later ordered additional parts for them for my C4. As with any vendor, if you are making large purchases, you need to keep good records of parts received and those returned for credit.Comment
-
Re: Willcox Corvette Department,IN, Parts Quality
Chuck and all:
Can anyone give me a phone number or contact information for Wilcox? I'm impressed with the good recommendations posted here and would like to call them. Thanks
Jeff SalzComment
-
Re: Willcox Corvette Department,IN, Parts Quality
Jeff:
Willcox # is 812-288-7103, FAX is 812-288-7147. e-mail is willcox@bellsouth.net.
MikeComment
-
What is their 800 number? *NM*
Comment
-
"YOU WANT AN 800 NUMBER?!!... "
Low overhead, remember?
Acutally, they do have one. All the contact info you need is shown below. Note that the 800 number is restricted to orders only (just like the Doc)...if you want to chew the fat about Corvette resto, you have to pay the dime.
Willcox Corvette Department
123 E. Maple Street
Jeffersonville, Indiana 47130
800-58-VETTE (Orders only)
812-288-7103 TECH
812-288-7147 FAX
Willcox@bellsouth.netComment
Comment