What would you do?

david w. · 12-23-2001, 11:46 AM

Back in early October I ordered a pair of fenders for my 73 coupe from a parts store in Chicago. They claimed that they were "new old stock", and that they were still in the boxes. I shelled out a whopping $1500. for the new fenders. I know that's a lot, but given the cost of the rust repair I was facing on the existing fenders, and the time slot I wanted to keep with my body shop, I justified the investment.

In early November after a few phone calls the fenders arrived. I opened the box and found a pair of 1967 fenders with a coat of surface rust coming through the factory primer.

Knowing by the size of the horn grill on the pre 69 fenders, I knew right away they would not fit my 73. I held them up to the car, not even close!

I called the parts store and told them of the situation, and that they were on the way back to there store. They admitted that they were the wrong fenders for my car.

After several phone messages, emails, and conversations, they keep promising to refund the 1500 to my credit card, but have not done so!

It has been two months and at this point I am totally p*ssed.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated- BEFORE I SNAP!

avi8torny · 12-23-2001, 11:54 AM

You obviously didn't get what you paid for. Use the credit card companies procedure to dispute a charge on the grounds you mentioned and you should receive a credit for that amount. Then you will put the ball in the merchants lap to make it right. You are not responsible for the charge.

RarlyL8 · RarlyL8's Garage

Let me guess........................PartWerks of Chicago, right?

Call your credit card company and have them bill back to the seller - IMMEDIATELY.

Phone the dirtbag and tell him the fenders are on your curb and if he wants them he'd better have UPS pick them up soon or someone else will. I guarantee you'll get a response.

Jim T · 12-23-2001, 12:08 PM

yep, you are totally safe.

Just call the credit card company.

They will "charge back" to the merchant's account. Which will cost them fees and is a bad thing for them generally. Too many chargebacks and they lose their merchant account.

Good thing you paid by credit card.

Early_S_Man · 12-24-2001, 06:18 AM

David,

It may make you feel better to call the credit card company, and I am sure they will help you and give you instructions for going through the disputed charge process, BUT, the notification WILL have to be in writing before the process can even start! And, you will need to supply copies of all correspomdence with the company, and most importantly ... a photocopy of proof of shipment of the parts back to the company.

I'm sure you will eventually get your money(the charges credited, anyway) back, but it will probably take another two months or so. And, you won't get back any interest charges accumulated on the amount of the purchase! I went through the whole process a while back on a defective computer that was returned for a refund ... and it was a slow, painful process waiting and wondering why charges are instantaneous in some cases, but refunds can take five months from the instant you find out there is a problem with what you ordered ...

retnug · 12-24-2001, 07:04 AM

Actually I have done this. It was a while ago so maybe things have changes. When I called VISA they took the charge off my bill while I was on the phone. Then told me what I needed to do. Which basically was to write them a letter explaining the situation. That I was sent something that didn't work and had sent it back but did not receive a credit after numberous phone calls. I think it was at least a month before I heard back from VISA. But I was never out the money or interest. Things may have changed though.

Good luck