Zuffenhaus

[trueracer]

Is there anyone here with experience of buying products from Zuffenhaus?
Is it a serious business?

We receive replies as:
"ready to ship Friday 12/14/12 to Weidman's for finishing work As such,
we are Requesting the balance on the invoice, minus the shipping, at this time
to avoid delay in getting your order to Mr.. Weidman."

My mechanic ordered rims 9 +11 * 17 inch Fuchs replicas for about 4-5 months ago and had to pay everything in advance. We still haven't received any rims....

Now the question is if they are trying to fool us, or if they are very slow

I live in Sweden and shipping takes a maximum of 3 Weeks so it is not a matter long lead time due to transport

[mamut]

They are as good as it gets!

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by mamut

They are as good as it gets!

With wait times included. Ask for a firm ship date. Post said date. And watch. (A man with experience).

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by trueracer

Is there anyone here with experience of buying products from Zuffenhaus?
Is it a serious business?

We receive replies as:
"ready to ship Friday 12/14/12 to Weidman's for finishing work As such,
we are Requesting the balance on the invoice, minus the shipping, at this time
to avoid delay in getting your order to Mr.. Weidman."

My mechanic ordered rims 9 +11 * 17 inch Fuchs replicas for about 4-5 months ago and had to pay everything in advance. We still haven't received any rims....

Now the question is if they are trying to fool us, or if they are very slow

I live in Sweden and shipping takes a maximum of 3 Weeks so it is not a matter long lead time due to transport

Weidman is an outside contractor, IIRC, and there may be some policy in which up-front payment is required.

In the U.S., it is often customary to require a significant amount of money up-front for custom work. A local metal-fab place requires 50% up front for any custom fab work they do. I worked at a t-shirt shop when I was a teenager that required 100% up-front for small jobs.

I don't actually know what the arrangement is in this case, but both companies have outstanding reputations in the Porsche community. Call and ask in your most friendly Swedish-accented English. I am sure someone will be happy to explain the situation to you.

[JAR0023]

You're not waiting on Zuffenhaus. You and Zuffenhaus are waiting on Weidman to finish polishing the wheels.

FWIW I ordered an in stock small part from Zuff a couple of weeks ago Keith called me back later in the day to confirm my order. Part shipped the next day.

-J

[Noah930]

Zuffenhaus is located on the East Coast. Mr. Weidman's shop is located on the West Coast. Both are legitimate businesses. But it'll take almost a week to get these wheels shipped each/one way. And Mr. Weidman's shop is a small one, so depending on the finish you've selected, he may have enough wheels to do a run in your color(s) right away, or he might wait a bit for enough orders in that color combination to build up to make it worthwhile to do a batch. That was my experience, at least.

The wait is frustrating, but the craftsmanship of both Zuffenhaus and Harvey Weidman is worth the wait. Well, as long as your car isn't sitting on 4 jackstands in the air with no wheels in the meantime.

[m110]

I agree with Noah930.

The point at which you are at for the wheels might mean a significant wait. They are not fraudulent businesses and the wheels are exceptional. Be patient. I waited over a year for mine (the first run) and am currently waiting 6 months for a set of custom seats with 100% paid up front.

[Mr9146]

Slow, fast, or cheap ... Pick two.

You can't rush quality.

[911ish]

Had a good experience thus far. Ordered my 17" fuchs and they've been very responsive with updates.

[TT Oversteer]

Top quality custom work takes time. I have met Keith of Zuffenhaus and Harvey Weidman. You have no worries about either of them taking advantage of you or ripping you off. Harvey did some nice work for me....but it was not fast.

[TibetanT]

Originally Posted by TT Oversteer

Top quality custom work takes time. I have met Keith of Zuffenhaus and Harvey Weidman. You have no worries about either of them taking advantage of you or ripping you off. Harvey did some nice work for me....but it was not fast.

Yeah! And, you sir live near by...relatively speaking.

Harvey is the best.

[WANNA930]

I couldn't imagine having that poor of customer service and people still raving about the shop? I wonder if you are that patient with every order you place.

This appears to be one of those forum untouchable shops that are legendary for who knows what?

Call EVOD they will make any wheels you want and deliver on time. By the way in the USA it is not customary to be charged for anything unless they are being shipped. I hope you only paid a deposit.

One off billet wheels would be delivered in less time . Let's start sticking up for the shops that do the right thing. If you aren't ready for production don't use customers as a test for your business.

[911ish]

Originally Posted by WANNA930

I couldn't imagine having that poor of customer service and people still raving about the shop? I wonder if you are that patient with every order you place.

This appears to be one of those forum untouchable shops that are legendary for who knows what?

Call EVOD they will make any wheels you want and deliver on time. By the way in the USA it is not customary to be charged for anything unless they are being shipped. I hope you only paid a deposit.

One off billet wheels would be delivered in less time . Let's start sticking up for the shops that do the right thing. If you aren't ready for production don't use customers as a test for your business.

Sorry, but at least when speaking for myself - I'm not drinking the Kool-aid as you suggest. While I only spoke of my recent experiences with an order for 17x9, 17x11 placed in late December, your post seems like you are dogging Zuffenhaus only to promote EVOD. Why? Instead of discrediting those that are happy with a certain vendor, why don't you discuss your own personal experiences with said vendor.

Your statement about not being charged until shipping is complete BS. Go read the UCC, supplement it with other case law and get back to me. It's well known that Zuffenhaus is making these on a case by case / special order basis. To expect Zuffenhaus to carry a large inventory where each set of an item is $6000 is only going to drive up prices for customers.

[ivangene]

Originally Posted by Mr9146

Quality, fast, or cheap ... Pick two.

.

fixed

[trueracer]

Thanks for all the answers
In Sweden we have a saying "the one who waits for something good never waits too long" I hope it is so in this case, we'll see. 5 months of waiting is long.
Anyway, I will update the thread if I encounter any more problems.
My RS-74 clone "das Ubersport" is now complete after five years of renovation and the only thing missing is the Zuffenhaus rims.

[H-viken]

The few products I have received from them are top notch. Moreover Keith is super friendly and helpful. But, one cannot accuse them of being fast - whether it comes to responding to emails or shipping parts.

It seems to me they could use an admin person or an intern, so the rest can focus on production and development.

/Johan

[mpeastend]

How timely! I need to buy some Zuffenhaus wheels but thought that they were now filling orders through Fikse. What gives? If you order through Zuffenhaus, do they go to Harvey? If you order through Fikse, they finish them in-house for a quicker response time? Is that correct Keith (or anyone who knows)?

[porschenut]

Originally Posted by Mr9146

Slow, fast, or cheap ... Pick two.

You can't rush quality.

So, I can pick slow and fast?

[911dean]

Originally Posted by mpeastend

How timely! I need to buy some Zuffenhaus wheels but thought that they were now filling orders through Fikse. What gives? If you order through Zuffenhaus, do they go to Harvey? If you order through Fikse, they finish them in-house for a quicker response time? Is that correct Keith (or anyone who knows)?

I was under the impression that Fikse now manufactures them for Zuffenhause. I believe standard black is powder coated and RSR finish is sent off to Harvey for an additional $800.

Dean

[shbop]

Originally Posted by WANNA930

I couldn't imagine having that poor of customer service and people still raving about the shop? I wonder if you are that patient with every order you place.

This appears to be one of those forum untouchable shops that are legendary for who knows what?

Call EVOD they will make any wheels you want and deliver on time. By the way in the USA it is not customary to be charged for anything unless they are being shipped. I hope you only paid a deposit.

One off billet wheels would be delivered in less time . Let's start sticking up for the shops that do the right thing. If you aren't ready for production don't use customers as a test for your business.

+1 Can't believe what some people are willing to put up with.