Who has the best world market OEM FJ60 carb that answers their phone?
- Thread starter pirateslair
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When I bought my first car...a new FJ40 , off the lot in '78, I used to spend my time off work searching the adds in the backs of magazines and ordering catalogs. I had Man-a-Fre, Downey and Con Ferr catalogs. There were no big showroom 4x4 shops like 4Wheel parts.
Buying something you couldn't get in a local mom and pop 4 wheel drive shop meant sending a check by mail. Two to five days later they receive the check. They wait a week for it to clear then they ship your stuff. Three weeks later you're ready to roll. Of course back then there
was only like ten things you could buy for a 40....I miss the old days
Buying something you couldn't get in a local mom and pop 4 wheel drive shop meant sending a check by mail. Two to five days later they receive the check. They wait a week for it to clear then they ship your stuff. Three weeks later you're ready to roll. Of course back then there
was only like ten things you could buy for a 40....I miss the old days
Followed closely by arthritis loss of memory, concentration, hearing, vision, continence, stamina, the ability to walk a beach shirtless without scaring people and couple hundred other things that keep the big pharmaceuticals rolling in dough....It's worth it though for that senior discount at Denny's
When I bought my first car...a new FJ40 , off the lot in '78, I used to spend my time off work searching the adds in the backs of magazines and ordering catalogs. I had Man-a-Fre, Downey and Con Ferr catalogs. There were no big showroom 4x4 shops like 4Wheel parts.
Buying something you couldn't get in a local mom and pop 4 wheel drive shop meant sending a check by mail. Two to five days later they receive the check. They wait a week for it to clear then they ship your stuff. Three weeks later you're ready to roll. Of course back then there
was only like ten things you could buy for a 40....I miss the old days
Wow! You just described all of my medical conditions! I'm sure you're an excellent LC Wizard but are you a doc too?
Anyway, I refuse to go to the beach and embarrass myself like that by scaring off young kids and adults alike without a shirt or bra.
Unfortunately there's not a Denny's near-by where I live, does the Golden Coral count?
I too terribly miss the '70s, life was so much simpler then and didn't have to worry about political correctness either.
Like most everyone else here, I've played phone tag with many of these guys. I appreciate that they're busy and if my rig was in their shop I'd want them spending time on it and not chatting all day. On different occasions I've caught Marshall, Jim C and Mark on the phone and each has taken time to answer questions and offer good info. I've done business with Kurt, Jim C and Racer as well and been completely satisfied with everything I've received from them.
In fact, the only parts I've had problems with are things I've gotten from the big-name aftermarket shops that have glorious websites and charge exorbitant prices and then cornhole you with shipping charges sufficient that the items should have been hand delivered on a satin pillow by a cadre of Geishas. With margaritas.
Ironically, as I write this I'm on hold with the fourth "customer service agent" I've been transferred to and have so far lost 45 mins of my life navigating "press 1 for customer service, press 2 for..." choices while trying to get my satellite radio unbuggered, and I think my blood pressure is currently at levels that would rupture the upper radiator hose of my Cruiser - so I get the frustration and irritation involved when we want to go fast and can't. But then again, I'm driving a 33 year old, 2F powered bread box that lopes along at highway speeds barely faster than a tired donkey walks - soooooo it's all a matter of perspective I guess.
I just appreciate being able to talk to, and deal with real people in this pursuit, even if they don't answer on the first ring.
In fact, the only parts I've had problems with are things I've gotten from the big-name aftermarket shops that have glorious websites and charge exorbitant prices and then cornhole you with shipping charges sufficient that the items should have been hand delivered on a satin pillow by a cadre of Geishas. With margaritas.
Ironically, as I write this I'm on hold with the fourth "customer service agent" I've been transferred to and have so far lost 45 mins of my life navigating "press 1 for customer service, press 2 for..." choices while trying to get my satellite radio unbuggered, and I think my blood pressure is currently at levels that would rupture the upper radiator hose of my Cruiser - so I get the frustration and irritation involved when we want to go fast and can't. But then again, I'm driving a 33 year old, 2F powered bread box that lopes along at highway speeds barely faster than a tired donkey walks - soooooo it's all a matter of perspective I guess.
I just appreciate being able to talk to, and deal with real people in this pursuit, even if they don't answer on the first ring.
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A close friend and my machinist for years, operated, with his family, a mom and pop auto parts store. It was started by his dad in the 60 's.
Up into the late 80's margins on parts remained above 65%. With that they hired people with mechanic and parts backgrounds. Smart people with lots of knowledge. The brands were separate companies that had individual salespersons that visited each store weekly, every other
week or what ever was required according to volume. They would take care of returns and warranty issues. Sometime in the 80's companies started buying companies and competition started disappearing. With the competition the customer service started to go. Then the outsourcing and influx of imported cheap goods. The margins moved from the store to the corporate offices. As the individual store margins dropped so did the labor budgets. Now your typical parts salesman is a young man or woman in his or her first position. Even if you can get someone on the phone, the chances they have the knowledge to help you is slim.
You could buy a rebuilt Chevy alternator for 35.00 in the 80's. Today it's still the same price. Most businesses have to pull a 20~30% bottom line, net operating profit, to survive. A parts seller need to consistently hold a 50~55% margin to pull that off. With the "lifetime" warranty nonsense that today's companies model, that's hard to pull off. It either comes with a lot of volume or a very good markup. When margins drop the first place they loo is labor. The rent holders, insurance companies, IRS and utility companies aren't going to shuffle their rates to accommodate your shrinking margins. Small market businesses like those that focus on cruisers will always have it more difficult than someone
who focuses on Jeeps. There are many times more Jeeps on the road than cruisers and they break more often. It would be great to go back to where I was 15 years ago, building over 100 different Cruiser parts but the reality is the parts sales wouldn't cover the labor and overhead.
Any vendor in the Cruiser business is in it because they love or at least really like Cruisers. None are looking at ever owning a vacation
home in Aspen and having a private plane waiting to get them there.
Up into the late 80's margins on parts remained above 65%. With that they hired people with mechanic and parts backgrounds. Smart people with lots of knowledge. The brands were separate companies that had individual salespersons that visited each store weekly, every other
week or what ever was required according to volume. They would take care of returns and warranty issues. Sometime in the 80's companies started buying companies and competition started disappearing. With the competition the customer service started to go. Then the outsourcing and influx of imported cheap goods. The margins moved from the store to the corporate offices. As the individual store margins dropped so did the labor budgets. Now your typical parts salesman is a young man or woman in his or her first position. Even if you can get someone on the phone, the chances they have the knowledge to help you is slim.
You could buy a rebuilt Chevy alternator for 35.00 in the 80's. Today it's still the same price. Most businesses have to pull a 20~30% bottom line, net operating profit, to survive. A parts seller need to consistently hold a 50~55% margin to pull that off. With the "lifetime" warranty nonsense that today's companies model, that's hard to pull off. It either comes with a lot of volume or a very good markup. When margins drop the first place they loo is labor. The rent holders, insurance companies, IRS and utility companies aren't going to shuffle their rates to accommodate your shrinking margins. Small market businesses like those that focus on cruisers will always have it more difficult than someone
who focuses on Jeeps. There are many times more Jeeps on the road than cruisers and they break more often. It would be great to go back to where I was 15 years ago, building over 100 different Cruiser parts but the reality is the parts sales wouldn't cover the labor and overhead.
Any vendor in the Cruiser business is in it because they love or at least really like Cruisers. None are looking at ever owning a vacation
home in Aspen and having a private plane waiting to get them there.
My like of the post above does not mean I like how the world has changed, but I agree and understand the results of those changes and how it affect small businesses. I know this well as a small business owner for over 32 years...
Wow had no idea this was going on. I'm on mud for a few min a week. I wish I could do more but just cant. And as far as my phone and email. I'm swamped. I spend much of my day trying to run the shop. I currently have 40 trucks in the wings waiting on service. In fact as of last week I quite taking trucks all together till I can substantially get that number down. It may be months before that happens. My sales have slowed because of me not because of need. I get dozens of calls a day and at least as many emails if not more. I simply cannot handle it all. Until I can hire another person to run the office and order parts and do the 100 other things I do in a day it won't get any better. I'm not a cheat, I'm not a liar I'm simply doing the best I can and try to grow the business while still making my family number one. You might not know it but I tried to die twice last year suffering 2 heart attacks in a two week span. I'm 100% back physically but mentally I learned from that experience that life is too short to stress as much as I did and that my family comes first. So the long nights on the phone are over. The long days of coming home at 8 and the kids are already asleep are gone. I decided to already hand over the soft top sales to my manufacturer. I've quit selling distributors. Lastly is the carbs. They usually sell out before I get them in. Most people that want one order it well in advance knowing it may be a while before it comes in. In the end I'm trying. I just cant answer all the phone calls. I am trying my best. My priority right now is getting the 10 restorations and the 30 other trucks back in my customers hands.
Troll hole, I appreciate the perspective and the context you've shared. I don't know what is like to own and run my own business. I tend to believe and can be very satisfying to be your own boss; and it sounds like there is a price to be paid, but I do envy the small business owner because of their independence. I want to thank all the vendors who keep my/our hobby alive.
@Trollhole I understand your situation perfectly. Every (successful) small business comes to a point when their business has outgrown the "one man band" business model. What most folks (like the OP) don't understand, is that you wear at least 10 different hats. Yes... That means you're the owner, the CEO, the CFO, head of marketing, customer service rep, IT Manager, master Mechanic, receptionist, inventory specialist, logistics manager, janitor, etc... I don't need to go on. I know you understand. But most people only wear one hat in their professional life, and it's hard for them to understand why service is slow, or an email goes unanswered. Business owners don't want their reputation to be sullied by this, but unfortunately, there is a trade off. A one person shop can't grow past a certain level of revenue, without hiring help. unless a business is extremely well capitalized, or a decision is made to go into debt, it is impossible to hire help without raising prices drastically. Then it becomes a struggle (or even a gamble) on how to remain relevant in a competitive and very limited marketplace... A modest sized one man shop or even a startup can undercut your prices and maybe offer better service, until they themselves reach the same revenue plateau.
In summary, congrats to you @Trollhole (and the others) for starting a successful small business. Very few people have the confidence, skill and determination to achieve that. You really are, what makes America GREAT!
To everyone else, try and appreciate the expertise and craftsmanship that go into the service or product these businesses perform or provide. Be patient, quality doesn't come cheap or quick. Your Land Cruisers are over 30 years old, a few weeks or months of persistence will be well rewarded in the end. I know it's a microwave world, but I still want my steak cooked over the grill! I do understand the OP's frustration though. If you absolutely cannot wait, then grab an FSM and a wrench.
PS. Anyone want to rebuild my carb?
In summary, congrats to you @Trollhole (and the others) for starting a successful small business. Very few people have the confidence, skill and determination to achieve that. You really are, what makes America GREAT!
To everyone else, try and appreciate the expertise and craftsmanship that go into the service or product these businesses perform or provide. Be patient, quality doesn't come cheap or quick. Your Land Cruisers are over 30 years old, a few weeks or months of persistence will be well rewarded in the end. I know it's a microwave world, but I still want my steak cooked over the grill! I do understand the OP's frustration though. If you absolutely cannot wait, then grab an FSM and a wrench.
PS. Anyone want to rebuild my carb?
As mentioned above, let your customers know expected delivery times and everyone will be better off. We then can determine if we want to move ahead with a purchase, how to plan truck down time.
Taking someone's order and then not responding is never okay no matter who does it!
Taking someone's order and then not responding is never okay no matter who does it!
If you have read, dealt with, or looked at any of @Trollhole's threads you will see that he is incredibly communicative and has a huge list of customers waiting on a list for his product. Like he said above, most of the time he has a batch that is sold long before he PHYSICALLY gets the carbs and those times were there have been delays he puts the information up on his sale thread. I don't think that the OP was saying that he took his money and ran, rather he was trying to get information on getting one of his carbs and was unable to get information regarding a delivery time regardless of phone calls or emails. Then to make matters worse, a shop that is truly a one man band had a crippling set of incidents (Marshall having a couple heart attacks, by the way incredibly happy to see that you are doing well) that set the shop back some.
How does the old adage go.... oh yeah.... YOUR LACK OF PLANNING IS NOT MY EMERGENCY. Being a small business owner currently and having had a couple in the past there is no truer statement. When you want it to become an emergency then my price TRIPLES. Mind you I have had people that are willing to pay the price but don't expect me to coddle you for your own stupidity and ignorance.
Life is like a box of chocolates........
Rabbit hole thread
I guess it's expected that the original poster NOW has an Avatar of an FJ Cruiser (not a Land Cruiser!) and hasn't logged on in over a year ...
Typical.
Gripe 'n run
Must be a Democrat.
Typical.
Gripe 'n run
Must be a Democrat.
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Damn these Threads...... There so entertaining.
city racer for the win.
/thread
/thread
Well, I'd say the City Racer carb is the best Value, but I'd be hard-pressed to say there's anything better than the still-available, world-spec OE 61012 Carb