I have nearly finished purchasing all my parts for the resto. Here comes the important part.. I am a conscious buyer I do my research and in most case I know what I want. I am quick to complain if my buyers rights are hurt but also I make a loud voice for those worthy of it.
I enjoy parts hunt, also I meet new friends and enemies. I prefer to use smaller businesses versus the big names so they can grow and I take my time and I appreciate relationship selling approach of the seller. I dont take it if I taken as fool.
End of the day its a business and you want to get what you pay for. - usually a lot at this game.
So my avoid sellers are: Ben Keen from QLD Australia alias "roadkilldovii" - ebay. Typical catch-and-run seller. Quick to take and hard to reach after sale. Some bait is in place but generally overpriced. He plays with oem and aftermarket mixing at hard to judge items like rr ambulance door handle etc. 100% avoid
BTB Products from Henderson US - ebay alias "landcruiserparts". These people are simply a con. Description never match, no communication unless you press hard for refund via ebay official routine. 100% avoid.
4x4world.com.au - Australian nightmare from Melbourne! They have a website full and full with items they can not supply, yet no communication skill at all. They are quick to take $$ and after all sort of excuses will arrive like, we are moving now, family issues, staff issues, grandparents died -(thats a joke) anyway they have no phone contact so you can only click and buy but products are not available yet you can checkout. Later they offer you japanese equivalents and discount for inconvenience. Packaging is very bad, it shows that they are not on top of their business. Serious problems to deal with them. On top they are ignorant and slightly offensive at times.
100% - avoid
Roger alias Cityracer on mud and ebay and
www.cityracerllc.com is a five star SUPERSTAR. Keep up the good work Roger! I love you!!! 1000% recommended
Roger recommended me Mark alias "coolerman" from the mud. He is awesome and highly recommended for rare electrical parts for cruisers.
megazip.com - excellent communication and customer care from Russia!!! The seller girls also pretty but you cant know if thats part of their pitch.. You must seek for a discount sometimes but they are ok to negotiate here and there. This seller is best for Australian buyers where stock parts are scarce. US buyers have access to better deals at the big players but they don't ship international.
fjparts@fjparts.com - Sonny is a nice guy, very helpful accurate and honest.
Highly recommended.
I found this mob Esam Daoad on ebay alias "daoad2014" he is in Amman, Jordan and has a warehouse business. He stocks brand new engines and all kind of new toyota parts. He has s***loads of NOS and its better if he supplies us then isis. (Joke)
He is a good guy highly recommended.
I can provide direct access to go behind ebay at your risk - btw, I had no problem a number of times.
onlineautoparts.com.au typical big player but they have a very userfriendly system in place and they answer the phone straight away. Highly recommended for Japanese parts.
In Western Australia all your paint needs should go straight to Autopower in Balcatta, WA. Nathan the owner made me spraypaint with confidence. Awasome people!
KBS - Australia very helpful very nice people. Adrian Kors is a good salesperson with quick response and good advise. They looking at 1/2 pint just like it was a shipload of paint.
Pierre - all your gearbox, diff rebuilds in Perth. His details were posted earlier.
Very nice guy with lots and lots of experience. If you in Australia not only WA contact him with confidence. Highly recommended.
I had many success at gumtree.com.au at various private sellers I obviously cannot list here. This is my tuppence on the parts hunt issue. Let me know if you need any further details, happy to share my experiences.