Specter Off-Road

[Code54]

To update an old thread....

Ordered the parking brake rebuild kit - about two pounds and in a box 6"x6"x8" - charged $51 for UPS shipping and took over a week. They have all kinds of disclaimers on the site about the shipping not working right, so I thought they would just correct it. I was wrong. I emailed them and received a response basically saying that was it and sorry too late.

That’s fine, spending 10k on parts, but that will be the ONLY thing I ever buy from them. Hopefully others will learn from my mistake. Buyer beware.

 

[eaj71]

$OR

 

[charliemeyer007]

They ($or) is my first choice for looking for parts, I have gotten use to their online catalogue. Yes their prices are high. but they often have stuff no one else does so the choice is often cheap and not ever in stock or expensive and on the way. As long as I have been here they have never screwed anyone and have went above and beyond several times.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

They are my very last resort for parts. High prices, sure, but several years ago I ordered a part I needed in time for a trip, and they sent the wrong item. I called, told them of the mistake and asked them to send the right part immediately and that I'd ship the wrong one back. They refused to ship anything until they either had the incorrect part back, or I paid for another and kept my fingers crossed that I'd get a refund. Plenty of other companies around.

 

[POPO AGIE]

SOR does have things in stock others don't have and have have bought from them for almost 50 years, but I use them as a last resort and try to be particular about what I do buy. I do shop around with other venders that are on MUD or do an internet search. But it really irks me to pay way more in shipping then what the parts cost.
I have called them out on there shipping costs and they have the same excuse they cant help the cost of shipping. I beg to differ because when I shop around for what I am looking for and get it the shipping is always much less.

They and other venders when putting in the shipping address for some reason when I put in the address, zip it will default to NV not WY and have to pay close attention before finalizing the order or it could go to an address that does not exist in the wrong state.

 

[sleepycruiser]

I just don’t understand their outrageous shipping costs. $50 for two small brackets that would fit in a $7 flat rate box.

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

I just don’t understand their outrageous shipping costs. $50 for two small brackets that would fit in a $7 flat rate box.

Pure profit. I wonder if a lot of people don't even pay attention to shipping costs. The claim that they can't do anything about it is insulting.

 

[sandsfj40]

Ive stopped buying items from them online for that same insane shipping reason. I only purchase the items I need in person when Im in the area. I brought this to their attentions the last time I was in and they didnt have anything to say on the shipping prices or method they use. Long gone are the days of Marv and any logic over there. RIP

 

[70fj40]

I like SOR and do buy from them as well as other Mud vendors. I know I could shop around but I also believe without them our community would take a little hit. I am one of the ones that doesn’t pay any attention to the shipping when I order. I don’t really shop around much either though and those probably are the wisest choice always. I will pay more from a mud vendor rather than shop prices but I certainly don’t blame anyone for shopping the best deal.

 

[TwistedTrails]

I’ve had to put SOR as my last resort sadly for all the reasons that have already been mentioned. I’ve been going there in person since before they moved into their current place of operation. It’s great to see all the cool stuff. When Marv was there he kept things nice and customer service along with himself were really nice. I’ll admit, that’s not how it is now. For best prices I’ve used BTB in Vegas. Who used to be out in Chatsworth area before their move out of California. They’re really helpful, and have given me good prices on stuff SOR was way more expensive with. They get a lot of their stuff from Toyota out of Arizona if they don’t have it in stock and it usually ships up to them in a day. But they have a ton of parts and used stuff in stock. They also have a lot of aftermarket stuff the SOR will just rip into you and make you feel stupid for asking. I hate to say it, but it’s true. I really do miss the “olden days” when you felt like family going in there. For anything else I just shop the internet between cafe racer, cruiser outfitters, teq, and for sheet metal the ol Texas cruisers folks. I still have old SOR parts books for all their diagrams haha. Anyways. Thought I’d share. Thanks

 

[TwistedTrails]

I’ve had to put SOR as my last resort sadly for all the reasons that have already been mentioned. I’ve been going there in person since before they moved into their current place of operation. It’s great to see all the cool stuff. When Marv was there he kept things nice and customer service along with himself were really nice. I’ll admit, that’s not how it is now. For best prices I’ve used BTB in Vegas. Who used to be out in Chatsworth area before their move out of California. They’re really helpful, and have given me good prices on stuff SOR was way more expensive with. They get a lot of their stuff from Toyota out of Arizona if they don’t have it in stock and it usually ships up to them in a day. But they have a ton of parts and used stuff in stock. They also have a lot of aftermarket stuff the SOR will just rip into you and make you feel stupid for asking. I hate to say it, but it’s true. I really do miss the “olden days” when you felt like family going in there. For anything else I just shop the internet between cafe racer, cruiser outfitters, teq, and for sheet metal the ol Texas cruisers folks. I still have old SOR parts books for all their diagrams haha. Anyways. Thought I’d share. Thanks

Of course I meant city racer, not café, dang AutoCorrect

 

[brian]

Yes sor has crazy shipping, but they also have a 2026 website I can order from in a hotel at 3am anywhere in the country.

 

[JohnnyC]

I honestly feel bad for sor … when marv was there their shipping was still nuts

Was and still is better to call and order … I recall last time I ordered they called me back with shipping cost… and he adjusted it? Because it was wacky … but that was years ago

Way back I used to order a TON from them and shipped to loading dock at my work and I was surprised at it being not as bad as I thought it was going to be … thinking I’m screwed … marv shipped me a complete set of bows all in one piece (not cut up) … and every thing I got for quite some time had some sort of swag in it … free shirt… mugs… hats … it made it pleasant enough to think I’ll order more

Wish those days were back… the most pleasant ordering was with Beno when he was still parts slinging … cruiseroutfitters they do good … cityracer … loved conferr and Downey and the old MAF

I am still kinda amazed at availability of stuff… took years to find a set of bows untill marv pulled through

 

[Wasatch Jay]

I fully understand companies are in business to make money, and I have no problem when companies make a reasonable profit on parts sales. However, I draw the line on using the shipping department as a profit center.

 

[Pitter Patter]

They ($or) is my first choice for looking for parts, I have gotten use to their online catalogue. Yes their prices are high. but they often have stuff no one else does so the choice is often cheap and not ever in stock or expensive and on the way. As long as I have been here they have never screwed anyone and have went above and beyond several times.

Gotta side with you.

I agree their shipping is crazy expensive and you can get got with that. Overall they are a great vendor. Lots of selection, I’ve always had a good experience.

It’s important to research. Cruiser Corps will free ship on stuff over $100 but their selection is limited. There’s no delivery costs if you can buy OEM and pick it up at your dealership.

A neighbor of mine ordered a manifold from SOR and it cost something like $160 in shipping and he was pissed. I wasn’t about to tell him Facebook marketplace would have likely had what he needed… just research and know if you order from SOR you will pay a lot for the man in tiny brown shorts to deliver it.

 

[onemanarmy]

SOR is always last resort

 

[POPO AGIE]

There are more options now to order parts for our old Land Cruisers and Free Enterprise still works if you do the research. Sometimes I can even get parts from my local Toyota dealer if I have the part numbers up front. Maybe SOR will figure it out that they are not necessarily the only game in town. We still have the choice to spend out money where and how we want.

 

[Engineer8000]

Sometime SOR is the only option. I pick the USPS shipping option for the small stuff I get there.

 

[Biscuit]

If I need to order from them and I know the parts fit in a USPS priority mail, there is an option for that. Definitely has kept the shipping prices more manageable when only getting small parts.

I think I have only once used USP from SOR and that was in the early 2000s. Big parts I have sourced elsewhere that I could either pickup or from vendors with reasonable shipping for the size of the part.

 

[POPO AGIE]

You defiantly have to pick wisely on the shipping options.