Thank you PCNA...

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

...for reminding me why I don't buy parts from you.

Like hundreds of Porsche owners across the country today, I trekked down to my local (generic brand)/(generic brand)/Porsche dealer today to cash in my $100 cert. There were a couple other 911 guys already there, one guy I was talking to had a 930 he bought new in 1989, racking his brain for something to buy. I decided a set of those zoomy aero mirrors would be nice. I'd ordered a set last summer, but after 3+ weeks of "they'll be in any day now/oh wait, we didn't order them yet/the computer was down" I cancelled the order, as the car was already painted by that point.

At the time (May) I paid $285 (after PCA discount) for the manual (as opposed to electric) mirror kit. Today it was $413. I think they tacked on $100+ of vig just to offset the certificate. I should have just torn up the cert and walked away.

MotoSook · 12-31-2002, 10:05 AM

I ran in to the same thing when I wanted to use my certificate a few months back. I thought a new coil would be ncie to have and use the cert...HA! 230 some dollars for a coil! I bought it online for less then $100 w.o a cert, and no tax!

So I'll tack the cert on the garage wall to remind me of the scam. I think the dealers are more responsible then PCNA, but PCNA should have ran some control on those dealers. I notice a lot of people did use it to their advantage, so the PCNA campaign worked to some degree.

VincentVega · 12-31-2002, 10:16 AM

Sorry to hear about your bad experience. I cant say enough about Reeves Porsche in Tampa though. They accepted my $100 coupon with no issue and ship parts out quickly. Oh yeah, their parts are at least 20% off list in most cases.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

I just bought some Porsche Floor mats - $30 more than everybody else - but I had a $100 certificate! Oh yeah, and an air filter and oil filter.

FranksPlace2 · 12-31-2002, 10:47 AM

I have been very pleased with the dealer here in New Orleans. They order trival little parts that I really want and prices are quite reasonable - for Porsche.

Frank

Robert Coats · Robert Coats's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by widebody911
I should have just torn up the cert and walked away.

Naaah. Just find a better dealer (e.g., one who really WANTS your parts business).

I've just had a great experience with Sunset Imports in Beaverton, Oregon using my PCA $100 certificate. No muss, no fuss, and I'm in Atlanta (ironically, home office of PCNA and two authorized Porsche dealers).

rcwaldo · 12-31-2002, 11:04 AM

I ordered from Suncoast as well in Oregon. Syd was the guy I delt with and a super guy/dealer. Great prices and great service. No sales tax as well.

Chris

RickM · RickM's Garage

Can that certificate be used with a phone order? It would be nice to know of a dealer or two with the best parts service and prices who would appreciate our business. That is, of course, for items Wayne can't get.
Rick

Jack Olsen · 12-31-2002, 11:06 AM

Sunset is great. And the certificate is useful for the few of us who need OE 78-80 front 930 rotors.

Doug Zielke · 12-31-2002, 11:43 AM

I buy almost *nothing* from the local Stealer. We have a very good independant parts shop here in the Rainforest. And if they can't get what I need, I phone up the "Big Bird".
However, the PCNA certificate was too strong a bait for this 'ol fish to ignore.

Bought the factory-issue, top-end gasket kit. I checked out a couple of other USA Stealerships to see if my locals price was in line; it was, so I guess the saving was legit.
The gasket set was pretty good too. Most of it is already in the guts of the 'Bomber's 3.0

JackT · 12-31-2002, 12:31 PM

I was going to the Porsche dealer to buy something with my certificate today, since it was the last day. I had no idea what I was going to get. On the way I pushed in the clutch on my 82 911SC and heard a pop. Clutch stayed on the floor and would not disengage. Cable poped. I had it towed to the dealer and used my certificate for a new clutch cable and clutch rod. THe hourly rate at the dealer will end up costing me about $100. more than my local wrench so I guess its a wash.
Funny how things happen. Took the pressure off of having to make a decision.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

How much do you think they'd charge me for an OEM clutch (83 944)? Just thinking of ways to spend the cert.

Although the floor mats aren't a bad idea....

Doug Zielke · 01-03-2003, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CJFusco
.......Just thinking of ways to spend the cert.

Stop thinking. The certificate expired a few days ago.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

Nope. Mine says May 2003. I only got it for christmas, from PCNA for my PCA region winning the membership contest.