Background:
I attempted to order rear quarter panels for my FJ40 back in September. I needed full quarter panels that included the top rail. Salvage/used parts in my area are exremely rare, and those that are available are in bad condition. For my vehicle, I decided that I needed fresh sheet metal parts, but I didn't need to purchase a full rear tub.
After a frustrating attempt to order from PACOL, I finally decided to give TROA a chance.
I began corresponding with TROA on November 4th (2015), when I asked for a quote for a pair of rear quarter panels. They were prompt in replying to my request and answered all of my questions and follow-up questions. TROA quoted an unrealistic delivery timeframe (7 days from Columbia South America to eastern North Carolina). I was curious about the packaging, and assumed that it would be shipped DHL or Fedex Ground. At the time, I was still trying to obtain the parts from PACOL, so I wasn't really ready to pull the TROA trigger.
After I finally gave up on PACOL and obtained a refund from them, I placed the order with TROA on November 23rd. Although the parts took longer than 7 days to arrive, I'm still relatively satisfied with the service that I recieved.
The parts were dispatched from TROA to the shipping company on 11/28, 5 days after they recieved the order. TROA had told me that it would take 2 days to get the package ready for shipping and in the hands of the courier (who would deliver the parts to the shipper). TROA provided a USPS tracking number as well as a tracking number from another shipper (I think the company that shipped the item from columbia to the US). This confused me a bit, but at least I had the tracking numbers to validate that things were moving. I was also confused that the USPS would deliver a package of such akward size.
After several days, I noticed that the parts were still in the posession of the shipping company (had not left Columbia). On 12/9th, TROA finally determined that the order was being delayed by the shipper for unknown reasons, but was finally enroute. Tracking information (from the international shipping company) was finally updated to reflect movement.
So, the parts arrived in the US on 12/13 (just 4 days!). Stayed in customs 1 day, and arrived at my local post office on 12/16.
In general, the experience was as good... Here's a summary:
-Although shipping was not as prompt as TROA originally stated, I was generally skeptical of their 7 day shipping claim anyway. Total time from order placement to delivery in Winterville NC was 23 days.
-Packaging was OK, but could have been a little better
-TROA was mostly prompt in responding to email and phone calls (except when on holiday).
-Quality of the quarter panels is good. Seems to be slightly thinner than the original, but I've not validated that yet. They were primed and not bare-metal.
-The shipper that they currently use seemed to be the weak link. The parts sat with them for a full week before they were actually shipped.
-I noticed after working with TROA and PACOL that Columbia observes LOTS of holidays! If you order from any company in that country, keep this fact in mind. Don't expect any movement on your order the days approaching or following a Columbian "holiday". I don't have a problem with this, it's just something that I wasn't expecting. Celebrating a Holiday was sited as a barrier by both companies on several occasions.
Just thought I'd share my experience ordering from TROA, since there isn't much information about them here on IH8MUD. Hope this is helpful.
I attempted to order rear quarter panels for my FJ40 back in September. I needed full quarter panels that included the top rail. Salvage/used parts in my area are exremely rare, and those that are available are in bad condition. For my vehicle, I decided that I needed fresh sheet metal parts, but I didn't need to purchase a full rear tub.
After a frustrating attempt to order from PACOL, I finally decided to give TROA a chance.
I began corresponding with TROA on November 4th (2015), when I asked for a quote for a pair of rear quarter panels. They were prompt in replying to my request and answered all of my questions and follow-up questions. TROA quoted an unrealistic delivery timeframe (7 days from Columbia South America to eastern North Carolina). I was curious about the packaging, and assumed that it would be shipped DHL or Fedex Ground. At the time, I was still trying to obtain the parts from PACOL, so I wasn't really ready to pull the TROA trigger.
After I finally gave up on PACOL and obtained a refund from them, I placed the order with TROA on November 23rd. Although the parts took longer than 7 days to arrive, I'm still relatively satisfied with the service that I recieved.
The parts were dispatched from TROA to the shipping company on 11/28, 5 days after they recieved the order. TROA had told me that it would take 2 days to get the package ready for shipping and in the hands of the courier (who would deliver the parts to the shipper). TROA provided a USPS tracking number as well as a tracking number from another shipper (I think the company that shipped the item from columbia to the US). This confused me a bit, but at least I had the tracking numbers to validate that things were moving. I was also confused that the USPS would deliver a package of such akward size.
After several days, I noticed that the parts were still in the posession of the shipping company (had not left Columbia). On 12/9th, TROA finally determined that the order was being delayed by the shipper for unknown reasons, but was finally enroute. Tracking information (from the international shipping company) was finally updated to reflect movement.
So, the parts arrived in the US on 12/13 (just 4 days!). Stayed in customs 1 day, and arrived at my local post office on 12/16.
In general, the experience was as good... Here's a summary:
-Although shipping was not as prompt as TROA originally stated, I was generally skeptical of their 7 day shipping claim anyway. Total time from order placement to delivery in Winterville NC was 23 days.
-Packaging was OK, but could have been a little better
-TROA was mostly prompt in responding to email and phone calls (except when on holiday).
-Quality of the quarter panels is good. Seems to be slightly thinner than the original, but I've not validated that yet. They were primed and not bare-metal.
-The shipper that they currently use seemed to be the weak link. The parts sat with them for a full week before they were actually shipped.
-I noticed after working with TROA and PACOL that Columbia observes LOTS of holidays! If you order from any company in that country, keep this fact in mind. Don't expect any movement on your order the days approaching or following a Columbian "holiday". I don't have a problem with this, it's just something that I wasn't expecting. Celebrating a Holiday was sited as a barrier by both companies on several occasions.
Just thought I'd share my experience ordering from TROA, since there isn't much information about them here on IH8MUD. Hope this is helpful.
