Original Fit Interiors and Door Pockets

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

I am presently trying to deal with Original Fit Interiors for some door pockets for my SC. It's been almost 2 months since I first spoke with John Hacker of OFI where I sent him a sample of my pocket material for him to color match. I managed to get a hold of him about 6 weeks ago where he told me that he had run out of the fiberglass pockets. When I last spoke with him he told me that he got the pockets and that my order would ship on the March 21. It's now the 26th and still no pockets!! Has anyone talked with this guy lately and know what his story is on why he is treating his customers the way he is? This is especially frustrating as OFI is now located in Oakland Oregon only 2 or 3 days UPS delivery to Seattle. My patients is waining!! Also does anyone know of another source of finished door pockets besides O.F.I.?

RickM · RickM's Garage

This mirrors my experience with OFI. From what've read this is pretty much par for the course. You will get them, it's just a matter of when.

steve911 · steve911's Garage

this may help explain - hope it all works out

Another recent OFI thread

Chris79SC · Chris79SC's Garage

Harlan

Door pockets are something of a commodity...They're all of the same quality from the bigger advertisers. You can try Better Bodies, B&W Motorsports, Peformance Products, Tweeks, etc... They're pretty much all the same. You can even get them unfinished and take care of the color matching yourself...

chuckw951 · 03-26-2003, 11:48 AM

I bought finished door pockets for my 78 targa from Autos International and was happy with the fit and quality.

I had my steering wheel recovered by AGLA and it took forever but I was happy with the results.

Chuck

scottb · 03-26-2003, 03:17 PM

I, too, have been awaiting door pockets for a couple of months from OFI. Fortunately, my old ones aren't too bad, but my patience is wearing thin also. I just spoke to Autos International, and they're sending me a carpet sample to confirm the color I need. They're quoting me $195 for the pair. If I get the sample before my OFI pockets come in, I'm going to cancel the OFI order and just buy them from AI. After all, they're just fiberglass covered in carpet, and I'm sure the ones from AI are at least as good as those from OFI.

Scott

Randy Webb · 03-26-2003, 04:32 PM

Harlan, I think you -- and others -- should file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Office of the Oregon Attorney General's office. They have a web site and I think accpet complaints online.

There have just been way too many of these type issues.

You may also want to cancel the charge on your credit card.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

I am not waiting on door pockets from OFI, but for a new rear
package tray. I placed my order on January 3rd, have talked to John about every two weeks and he has been "ready to ship" the rear shelf several times. I understand that moving a business is awkward at best, but if he can't deliver in a reasonable amount of time, he should tell the customer that it will be 2 months or 10 weeks or whatever. On the other hand, I gave him a card number when I ordered the part and he has not charged my account yet.
My impression is that he is honest, just not very punctual! Meanwhile ........Ahmmmmmm....Ahmmmmm....Ahmmmmm. You know, meditation can be very relaxing.

Good Luck to us all!

Fred Cook
'80 911SC coupe

Chris79SC · Chris79SC's Garage

Yeah, nothing new there...I've bought 2 sets of door panels & a rear tray from them over the years and I'll say that they always take forever but their quality is excellent. The guys no cheat, just not too concerned about timing as others here have said.

I would recommend just looking elsewhere cause the door pocket mold is a pretty easy thing to replicate...everybody's are the same.

dtw · 03-26-2003, 11:13 PM

The impression I got when I called to ask some questions was that there is no "them", it's just that one dude working out of his garage or something.

Randy Webb · 03-27-2003, 10:02 AM

What concerns me is that OFI appears to have moved back and forth across the OR and CA borders several times -- maybe 4x. That raises concerns.

I think there is a law now about timliness in shipping goods -- but if he never charges a card, it may not apply.

speeder · speeder's Garage

On a related note, does anyone know if it is possible to heat up fiberglass and bend/manipulate it? Or does that weaken it too much? My door pockets are slightly bent, (bowed), can't they just be bent back to original? TIA.

CamB · CamB's Garage

Denis

Unless they changed it on the SC, I think you might find they are some sort of reinforced card. Does that change your thinking?

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

I tried calling OFI several times and their mailbox memory is full. It appears that quite a few people are trying to get a hold of this guy. He has the entire skin from one of my original door pockets that I would want back when I cancel my order with him. Anyone live near Oakland Oregon, that can try to track this guy down?

47silver · 47silver's Garage

i just bought an interior kit from pelican, i was tempted to use another supplier and i even tried to call original fit, they did not answer so i felt that maybe they are having big time problems.., it may cost more i will never know but i get at least a couple 100 dollars of value from this post so i wil

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

I have finally heard from John Hacker of OFI this weekend!! He actually called me this time to leave me a message that he had finally received the correct color materials and that he had completed my order to be shipped tomorrow, Monday!! After sending him my original door pocket material for him to match and countless phone calls to his answering machine, I may finally be getting my door pockets. I won't hold my breathe but will post a picture of them when they arrive.

Jandrews · 04-06-2003, 05:49 PM

I had the same experience with OFI.

I would never do business with them again.

JA

scottb · 04-06-2003, 06:37 PM

I'm on the brink of cancelling my OFI door pockets and getting them from Autos International. I'll call OFI one more time....now that he's gotten material for Harlan, maybe he's got mine as well. What a hassle...

racea911 · 04-06-2003, 06:38 PM

Guys.
I have used OFI for 3 of my 911's now. I have always been very happy with the quality of the work and the timeliness of the delivery.

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

Factory door pockets are made of a press formed cardstock. Hopefully the fiberglass reproductions will be more resilient. The weakness in the originals were the plastic tabs riveted to the pocket that would crack where it is screwed to the door handle. Fiberglass is laid-up on molds and takes on the shape of the mold. If heated, it would simply melt and maybe catch fire. Unless you have a mold for the soft fiberglass to form to, I think you might end up with a pile of plastic. I hope that OFI comes through with at least a good quality product as I have waited this long. Timeliness is rather dubious...