Scathing Article on ECS- New Owner of PP

[Tobra]

80 days in a Winnebago with 3 kids, and is not in a padded cell, priceless

[RANDY P]

Well, one thing is certain:

They either get it right or they lose it all. That article is pretty damning, and internet shoppers are fickle- just takes one or two vocal bad experiences and it's all downhill from there.

rjp

[Aufenbahn]

Just want to say that I have purchased a lot of stuff over the years from ECS and have had very good service from them. Being relatively close I use the cheapest shipping and usually still get things in a fee days. Happy customer.

[Aufenbahn]

(Few days)

[stealthn]

Just please let us know (Pelican employees) if things change internally that will make this worse for us; the customers and enthusiasts. You can use the code word - “pineapple” to let us know if we should take our business elsewhere

[RANDY P]

Frankly, I never warmed up to ECS- pricing, meh, too far away so slower shipping+ no real incentives, hated navigating the website as well. I used Pelican and other local sources largely do to selection and quick availability.

I'm one of those who is impatient and if it's a hassle, suck service or takes forever I don't go back - pricing (within reason, of course) is secondary.

rjp

[URY914]

Wayne,

What are ECS's plans for the forum????

Thanks

[Jims5543]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

So, any pelican parts buyer complaints? Sure haven't read any here. All my Pelican dealing were before Wayne left the helm.

I stopped buying from here years ago. Wayne is a genius he sold at tje perfect time. Parts shops are going to collapse.

Why? One word. Amazon.

I purchased some small fittings for my E30 from here years ago, parts total $35 overnight shipping $40. I paid $40 extra on $35 parts to get them the next day or in 2 days at worst since Inwas in a bind.

7 days later they shipped overnight.

Same parts failed 4 years later, I had the part #s searched them on Amazon, same parts $30 with free 2 days shipping. I bought 2x the parts so I have spares now and got them in.... 2 days.

Wayne got out at the perfect time.

I just bought a E21 BMW alrernator on Amazon cheaper than local parts houses and gpt it in... wait for it... 2 days.. free shipping.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by Tobra

80 days in a Winnebago with 3 kids, and is not in a padded cell, priceless

Clark Griswald. The quest. Marty Moose.

[fintstone]

I have recently purchased from ECS and Pelican. No problems at all.

I do agree with Jim above. Ebay and Amazon prices are often so much better (especially on parts that are not exclusively Porsche) that it is often impossible to buy them here as i once did. I buy here unless there is a huge difference.

[Wayne 962]

Originally Posted by URY914

Wayne,

What are ECS's plans for the forum????

Thanks

There are no plans to make any forums changes at this time that I am aware of. If I were to hazard a guess, eventually the forums software may be updated to a later version, primarily for security and integration issues. But that seems to be very, very far down on the list of things to do, as I hear it.

-Wayne

[Rtrorkt]

Interesting story about a big firm buying a smaller one that built its reputation on customer service, loyalty, etc. Had a chance to meet Bob Pass some years ago, he of Passport Transport. Seems FedEx needed a player in the auto transport market and picked him. Gave him something around a 9 figure payday. Fast forward 3 years and FedEx sends an accountant type functionary (to hear Mr. Pass tell it) who tells him that he is not running the company the FedEx way.

Seems Bob was the kind of guy who would take anyone's phone call and prided himself on personal service. FedEx thought the personal service thing overrated and ended up kicking him out of his office and the company. Guess who is out of the auto shipping business and who is back in.

Moral is, if you buy a company because they provide great service or something, leave them alone. Maybe ECS will do that with PP

[sugarwood]

Wow, that was a sad read about Turner
and it would be sad to see PP similarly gutted by a VC firm,
and turned into AutoZone (but with a nicer website)
Let's hope for the best.

Getting parts delayed or broken is a major major PITA for a car hobbyist.
I've been very lucky about that, with no negative experience from any vendor.

ECS/Turner is the typical story of finance types who don't know why their target boutique companies thrived in the first place.
They were founded by car nerds, for car nerds. Not MBA/finance types.
Once the latter is in charge, you see the dismantling of the very essence of the company they have hijacked.

VC buyout seems to be the beginning of the end b/c the goal is not to simply maintain the business (what would be the point?)
but to increase valuation (fastest way is to cut costs/services) and flip the more "profitable" carcass in a few years.
When they say, "Nothing is going to change", one immediately thinks, "Then why did you buy it?"

Never bought a single item from Turner. High prices.
I occasionally buy parts from ECS, due to a broad inventory of parts no one else stocks.
Most 911 owners I know usually order from PP, Amazon, and FCP (for fast East Coast delivery).

[sammyg2]

How long before some 914 guys claim this forum actually belongs to them?

[reachme]

Been very impressed with ECS so far. Several transactions, one very simple return, shopped quick enough. Usually buy for Cayenne here which is newer

On 80’s 911 Pelican several times I found no prices on special parts, higher prices than elsewhere and phone team tells me how to bypass website to get actual price. In past things shipped from separate warehouses. May not be fair comparison but thats my experience.

I really hope Pelican people stay but am glad to hear about ECS.

[pitargue]

Tried to buy some cheap suspension parts here. As with most of us here, car is not stock. So sent a question on which bushing to get based on what is on the car, not what was shipped from the factory. The only response I get is "what's your vin number?" I tried to explain that the car is not stock. But same robot response every time. Not exactly an enthusiasts oriented sales technique.

[DaveE]

I’ve bought a lot of Audi parts from ECS, never a problem and being one state over I get things quickly with only standard shipping.

[Mike Andrew]

So far, no problems with any of the orders that I have placed since the acquisition by ECS. Lived thru the changes in a company when the MBA's got involved and am keeping an eye open for any such changes here; price increases, shipping delays, crappy customer service, etc.
If I see them, it is time to utilize some of the many other organizations that handle Porsche parts and there are many of them to choose from. Just look at Panorama, Excellence or use the web. I have used several in the past when Pelican could not immediately service my needs and will not hesitate to use them again if necessary. While my loyalty is here, I will not tolerate gouging or poor service.

[TimT]

Schwaben Tuner WTF

I just got the schwaben scan tool from Pelican Parts with the primary purpose of resetting the oil/service lights on my 07-08 Cayman and 997's. What a monumental disappointment this thing is. Maybe even worse is that Pelican's policy on it is a no return one. Seriously?? You advertise a product claiming it will do things and when it does't you won't take it back. After getting run around from Pelican Parts I was referred to ECS Tuning who actually own Pelican Parts. They were no help, only referred me to Foxwell which is worthless. I tried to register the device to get any updates which was suggested by ECS. They THINK that may make it work. THINK???? THEY SHOULD KNOW!!! After numerous attempts and mass frustration trying to register with foxwell with no success I'm left with the idea that this thing is being fraudulently marketed by Pelican Parts. Has anybody else had any luck with this tool? I am spitting mad and feel ought right ripped off.

[sammyg2]

Many of us have known Wayne personally for a long time, and knew many of the employees of PP.
We grew up with PP so to speak.
PP was personal, friendly, familiar. Part of the gang. I remember seeing Wayne at the Pomona swap meet, at dunkles, or the festival of speed and saying Hey Wayne, how you doing? He'd say hey turbo dude, how are you? Are you still selling those targa seals?

We considered him our friend and he treated us that way. And we generally returned the favor.

Where there was a problem, PP tried hard to fix it fast.
And as a result of all that, people beotching and complaining about PP was discouraged, not cool.
and in most cases not justified.

Why do I bring this up? Because the new owners could learn from that. Becoming a faceless corporation will kill that relationship. Chris and Eric do a pretty good job on this forum but pelican needs to be part of the car scene, have something in common with it's customers and make sure that is obvious. SELL THAT FACT!
Solve customer service problems and SELL THAT!

Have your customers praising you and protecting you, not throwing you to the wolves. If it gets bad enough to become critical mass and tip the scales, there will be a dog-pile. I've seen em do it.
But that's just my opinion and worth everything you paid for it.
It's your biddness, do what you want.