[ckelly]

'll just relate this to the group and let you form your own opinion. I've done business with Autokrafters on and off for about 10 years and it's been satisfactory.

I ordered about $100 worth of stuff for the 70 Mustang on 4/7/06. One of the items was belt line weather strip at $49.95. The shipment came 4/13 - no beltline weatherstrip. There were two papers in the box - one with the complete order detail including the beltline showing all items shipped. Attached was a paper with the beltline part number that said "Inventory error - part never left building, item moved to new order".

Last night or this morning (4/19) I received an email saying that the price had gone up. It was now $89.95 but they could let me have it for $69.95.

I called today and complained like heck. They said that the part was really out of stock (none of the acknowledgements indicated out of stock and the web site said available) and when the new stuff came in it was a higher price. I told them that their web site STILL said the price was $49.95 - I was looking at it:

(copy/paste 4/19/06)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Use "Detail / Quantity" link in right column to see complete description and large picture and to change quantity
Product # Desc Price Actions
70BLT65 Beltline Weatherstrip - 70 Mustang Coupe $49.95

Quantity:
Available Detail
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They said they only update the web prices once a week. (side note as a site designer/operator - not a good plan if you're selling things)

My response was that I also run a business. If I quote a customer a price - ESPECIALLY on PAPER- and then go get my materials and find out I got hosed because the price went way up, I just have to smile, thank the customer for the business and eat the rest. If I'm a smart businessman, next time I'd better verify material pricing before I quote.

I asked that they ship at the prior acknowledged price or cancel the order and I'd take my business elsewhere.

They did agree to ship at the original price.

BTW- the current price at Laurel Mountain is $64, $79.95 at Mustang's Plus, $74.95 at Classic Mustang of OK for the same item.

 

[Beoweolf]

You handled that well.

Unfortunately, this is more common than most online businesses are willing to admit. Just as in the supermarket now... (no more prices on the stock, you have to hunt down the UPC sticker - somewhere on the shelf). It is very easy for them to markup or infrequently markdown sale items.

Unfortunately, for them, the word doesn't always get out to match the price change. But that is not the fault of the customer. You can only go by the price they advertise, if the advertisement is current, there is no intent to defraud by the customer and the seller has had an opportunity to refute a error...in writing. Then the customer has every legal right to request the item at the quoted price.

They should update their web site price, before they start enforcing the new price structure. Until it is updated, the old price is still valid, that old excuse of being "out-of-stock", so they can stick you with the higher price, doesn't fly. good on ya'h for sticking to your guns and holding them to the quoted price. In addition, a small bit of respect to them for being man enough to realize and rectify the mistake...even though you had to call them on it before they did the right thing.

As you pointed out, if their pricing structure is so tight that they can't absorb an honest mistake, on their part, then they shouldn't be in business.

Like you, ... I really hate having to review the price I was charged against the price that is posted (both at the supermarket, on web sites...just about everywhere they use electronic scanners instead of price tags attached to the item). It's not just bad business, its actually theft. What gets me even more angry is the tax implications. As long as they can point to the advertised price as being "X", but stick you with paying "X + ?", they are making free money as well as collecting extra taxes from you...for free! That looks like 100% profit to me? If you look at it right...There is an implied threat in there somewhere, if they still insist on wanting to play hardball. No one wants the IRS breathing down their neck over a few pennies, they spend much more defending the charge than to just take the hit and mark it down to experience and better bookkeeping.

It’s a sad commentary on the state of affairs. You have to watch out for robbery in the store as well as watch out for muggers and thieves on the street.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Beoweolf on 4/20/06 12:36am ]</font>

 

[63SportsCoupe]

Maybe I'll just skip right on past them when I order parts for 66 Fairlane.

 

[wildosvt01_OLD]

Me and my Dad went to a autozone. We noticed these funnels for 3.75 (something to that tune) but ONE has a tag on it that said 3.19. I told my Dad to buy mine with his and I would pay for the oil we were buying. Yup we saved some money. It would be against the law if they were to TRY and charge us the other amount. Getting the second one at that price was a bonus.

I think Autokrafters will be shutting down soon. I had to wait over 2months to get my stinking swaybar from them. Although the service rep gals did a fine job at keeping me calm. I had them patch me in to one of the owners of AK and I gave a good word for them!

 

[ford4v429]

I bought a bunch of stuff for the gal from them, and aside from delays in stainless brakelines(vendor delays) they were good at communicating, and seemed pretty decent.
I gotta agree though, they had better get that stuff straightened out on their website, or they WILL go out of business from bad feedback/word of mouth stuff...I wouldnt doubt the problem *COULD* have been similar on their end- vendor data not up to date, so wouldnt bee too quick to judge- I'd talk to them, have them call their vendor, and see if something could be worked out...if not, at least youd know who the culprit was.

 

[dpfalls]

I do not know what the problem is. I ordered from them about 4 years ago and things were fine. I do know that they have moved a few miles to the north of where they were in Broadway, VA- into a much nicer facility. I hope that the facility rent is not killing them. It is nice having a vendor I can drive to in about an hour and a half or so.

 

[retyler]

I bought my belt line w strips from J.C. Whitney for around dollar 50 and they were top quality. Auto Krafters charged me over fifty dollars for a rusty water pump puller and a rusty dip stick and tube. There are no returns on used parts. I haven't been back since.

 

[rbohm]

i have done business with autokrafters for 9 years now, and have always been satisfied with them. i do like their store in new market as well.