Why I will not buy fron Andy Bernbaum again

[Andydodge]

And as I have mentioned on this post previously, Andy Bernbaum has always been fine with me here in Australia........maybe as Rodney says if you expect him to cop a pile of questions on his toll free line without getting anoyed then maybe thats the reason, personally I have not had a problem and to be honest I think that flaming is getting a bit lame..........my 2 cents worth........Andy Douglas

[austinsailor]

I've been buying things from him for 7 or 8 years and he's always done right by me. One gearshift knob was wrong, he immediately gave me a refund. Ups destroyed a a box with all my window repair parts, the clips were lost. He sent new ones at once, no questions asked, no charge.

He's not one who wants to just chat - if you want that, call George Asche :^)

But I've never had an issue. Maybe I've just been lucky, but if he's got it, I have no problem ordering from him.

[Roadkingcoupe]

Please read the whole post before you make any assumptions or conclusions.

I recently had surgery on both knees. While researching the doctor that was to operate on my knees I came across much criticism about the doctor's "bedside" manner. Over and over again previous patients complained about the doctor's gruff personality. But the more I read it became obvious that he was an excellent surgeon and that not one complaint was regarding the outcome. In other words his patients received excellent medical attention but they took offense to not being "pampered". For me walking without pain trumped anyone's petty complaints about bedside manner. The guy was an excellent surgeon and when I need my hips done I hope he will be kind enough to be my surgeon.

Not going to defend or bash Andy B.

But....I have been to his house and to his business.

He has many hard to find items (parts) not listed in his catalog. I saw parts that I did not even know existed, and I am a parts guy! So bashing a vendor because you do not like his bedside manor is counter productive. It only prevents others from calling and possibly finding a part or information that might not be available anywhere.

I have been in the room while he answered phone calls and yes he was gruff. I was shocked, he never treated me like that. Probably because I speak "MoPaR parts language". At the same time I have witnessed the exact problem that makes him gruff or curt with a "just the facts" attitude.

Conversation went something like this....

Guy calls and starts reaming out AB for sending him the wrong part. AB tries to find out how that could have happened? So he asks the guy some questions. What year is the car? The guy says 1941 and AB says that is the right part! The guy says "my mechanic says it isn't". AB barks "get the # off the engine", the guy comes back with a # that I.D.'s the motor...... its a 1952 motor. So of course the part didn't fit. AB says "send me the part back so I can send you the right part", and hangs up. Possibly poor bedside manner but the guy got the right part the car now works and that is that.

The customer is not always right.

That's right you read it here.

As time passes there are less parts vendors with AB's experience. Discouraging anyone from certain part sources seems counter productive.

AB has never responded to criticism on this forum. I wish he would. But I am sure he has no need to. He has the parts and the knowledge.

It seems like the more knowledgeable the customer the less chance of a negative outcome.

So here are some suggestions:

1 -when calling be aware of the fact that his time is limited and he doesn't want to hear stories about last Sunday's drive.

2 -always have the pertinent information regarding your car. Year, model, serial # and please be knowledgeable about any modifications to the vehicle that might effect the correct part #.

3 -if your mechanic is working on the car, have the mechanic order the parts. If you don't get your hands dirty have the guy who does call!

4 -you have been warned! When you call have a thick skin, don't let his attitude get personal and remember that the phone ring constantly. He wants to answer as many calls as possible.

Now that you read the whole post you make the decision. Do you want to deal with someone with excellent service and few parts and little to NO knowledge. Or are you willing to put up with a gruff attitude and possibly find some rare and hard to find parts?

[old stovebolt]

I have bought parts twice from him and did not have any problems.

[Niel Hoback]

Thats all good to know. However, other vendors are also knowedgable, do have the parts, and are courteous. Just because a vendor thinks he is smarter and has less time to accomodate than the caller does not mean he has to be arrogant. We learned in kindergarten thats called common courtesy.

[Roadkingcoupe]

That's all good to know. However, other vendors are also knowledgeable, do have the parts, and are courteous. Just because a vendor thinks he is smarter and has less time to accommodate than the caller does not mean he has to be arrogant. We learned in kindergarten that's called common courtesy.

Neil,

I don't disagree with you. AB can lack common courtesy.

And yes.....common courtesy seems to be in short supply.

This forum is a perfect example of how well a forum can work when civility rules.

Thank you for reading my post.

Vote with your $$$$$$$'s

[1941Rick]

Good points made Roadkingcoupe....By profession I am a partsman....first question that was always asked was "Serial Number" from what you were working on....Phone manners are very important regardless of the tone of the conversation, you could always flip the bird after the customer has hung up. I have never done buisness with AB, but if he had what I needed I would give him a call.

[Roadkingcoupe]

....Phone manners are very important regardless of the tone of the conversation, you could always flip the bird after the customer has hung up.

Thank you......that is the funniest thing I have read this year.

I worked a parts room in the early 80's with over a million parts and the whole inventory was on a huge "Rolodex". No computer. There was always someone that thought it was O.K. to grab a part and not take it off the inventory. It would drive me nuts!

[Oldguy48]

I recently purchased outer tie rod ends from Mr. Bernbaum via telephone. No problem with the purchase, and the parts were quickly shipped. I called a few days after receiving the parts with a question, and he answered my question without any "attitude". Based on my experience, I wouldn't hesitate to place more orders with him.

[55 Fargo]

Okay, Andy Burnbomb has been discussed on here a number of times, and I suspect on other boards too.

Having looked at both sides of coin, I can see that Mr B. , has some inconsistencies, in his behavior, approach, attitude, and customer relations.

I have spoke to him briefly once on the telehone, on my "dime", he answered my questions, without any issues. I could tell He is a bit gruff, crusty, and eccentric.

I have come to the conclusion, this Guy is a 'hit and miss', one time this way, another time another way, not much you can do about that, He ain't changed yet, and don't think any of us will evoke a change in Him either.

So I have a choice, Buy parts from him, or not, if I need them, and he has them, I will, if I can buy elsewhere I will, so there is my choice.

But just because some of you have had a positve experience with AB, does not mean everyone does. Those who have had negative experiences with AB, I believe you, when an individual, is moody, the experience can vary from "day to day", minute to minute", and "person to person".

I have learned to not let anyone like AB, get under my skin too much, I have enough of that with people close to me, let alone some Guy selling parts 2000 miles away.......

[Rodney Bullock]

When someone has something that is truly worthwhile they tend to be a little escentric. The soup nazi was very moody. Hey, you want bread with your soup:mad:No soup for you! I'm just kidding I kid , I kid. You know Andy B. looks in on this forum from time to time. I bet a lot of you did not know that he did...... No soup for you. hahahah

Edited January 17, 2011 by Rodney Bullock

[dick48p15]

I am new, just bought a 1948 P15 Sedan, I'm presently installing disc brakes,

it will be much safer and with some frugal shopping and using Charlies kit

I am saving money over replacing with stock items.

The long term goal is to build into a street rod, leaving the 6cyl hopped up and adding t-5 trans, among some other items.

Regarding Mr Burnbaum, I spent 40 years in the retail business handling tires,auto parts and repair,plus Appliances and lawn&gardenequipment with parts.

" Customers arn't always right and this isn't Sears & Roebuck."

Give Mr AB the benefit of the doubt and all the correct serial #'s with concise infor mation when you call (as I will when I need more parts) I bet the service you get will be very good.

Dick Davis

[RALPHDEI]

I am new, just bought a 1948 P15 Sedan, I'm presently installing disc brakes,

it will be much safer and with some frugal shopping and using Charlies kit

I am saving money over replacing with stock items.

The long term goal is to build into a street rod, leaving the 6cyl hopped up and adding t-5 trans, among some other items.

Regarding Mr Burnbaum, I spent 40 years in the retail business handling tires,auto parts and repair,plus Appliances and lawn&gardenequipment with parts.

" Customers arn't always right and this isn't Sears & Roebuck."

Give Mr AB the benefit of the doubt and all the correct serial #'s with concise infor mation when you call (as I will when I need more parts) I bet the service you get will be very good.

Dick Davis

I beg to differ with you. I have been on this site since it's inception, and on the old Plymouth site prior to that. My first dealing with AB (15 years ago) turned out OK it was some minor part. My next outing with him I purchased $400 worth of window rubber which turned out to narrow for OE glass. I sent him a section of rubber with the oe glass to prove my point He sent me a check for $30??? I ordered from steele and it fit perfect. I currently have 2 48 p-15s, 2 dr sed stock and bus cp street rod which I would burn before ordering a part from that AH.

[Roadkingcoupe]

I would burn before ordering a part from that AH.

It has been documented over and over again that Steele Rubber is the superior choice for rubber parts for old Plymouth and Dodges.

But I really question the contribution of the above quote. It only demeans the forum and it's members and does nothing to effect the behavior of AB. Lets keep this forum a nice place to visit.

Woke up to -20 C (-4F) and by tomorrow it is supposed to be above freezing and raining???

Now that is something!

[Tim Keith]

He sounds like a one man shop who has expert knowledge on the product, but needs help, but can't afford to hire, or won't hire another person to work the phones. He should consider a simple online ordering system to cut down on the call volume. On an online system the one who clicks is always right, if its not what they thought it was they are aware of the terms of the return policy and restocking fees. With an online ordering system the hours can be extended nearly 24 hours a day. In years to come we'll miss the old grouches that actually talk to customers.

[greg g]

So how come nobody uses roberts motor parts, which carries virtually the same inventory as AB but are consistantly easier to deal with. As well as having an illustrated online catalog and ordering system??? I got most of my needed small items from them and did not have a problem.

http://www.robertsmotorparts.com/index.html

Edited January 17, 2011 by greg g

[Young Ed]

In years to come we'll miss the old grouches that actually talk to customers.

Very good point! Would you guys rather he outsource his calls overseas?

[austinsailor]

>So how come nobody uses roberts motor parts, which carries

>virtually the same inventory as AB but are consistantly easier to

>deal with. As well as having an illustrated oline catalog and orderisng

>system???

Many of the things I needed Roberts didn't have. The track to go on the bottom of the windows of my 40 Dodge, for example. He has a lot that is not on his site.

[55 Fargo]

So how come nobody uses roberts motor parts, which carries virtually the same inventory as AB but are consistantly easier to deal with. As well as having an illustrated oline catalog and orderisng system??? I got most of my needed small items from them and did not have a problem.

http://www.robertsmotorparts.com/index.html

Hi Greg, and anyone else interested. I have purchased a number of items from Roberts over the past 4 years, pleasant, easy to deal with good customer service, and not a bad product either.

Their rubber is not the same quality as Steele, but I did not expect it to be, at a much lower price for many rubber items.

I have dealt with Gary Roberts directly, he is professional, to the point, and ships very quickly. He does not have time for "chewing the rag", he is all business, but polite, courteous and professional.

TO ABs credit, have only had 1 conversation and dealing, my opinion was soley based on others experiences, and absolutely nothing personal to AB or any of his customers.

So here is the Schtick, buy where your comfortable, sometimes that is not always the Guy/Place you like the best, just don't expect much from those who have consistently displayed negative traits.

I know of a few individuals that have found either the Owner and/or staff of Steele Rubber not there liking also, I have not ever bought from Steele, but have talked with them on the phone, without any problems.......Good Luck, and buy where your most comfortable, and from where you need to, end of subject.......Fred PS I had to edit this , as when I first posted this I had just got up from night shift, so the message I was trying to convey, may have been not clear....

Edited January 17, 2011 by Rockwood

[wallytoo]

So how come nobody uses roberts motor parts, which carries virtually the same inventory as AB but are consistantly easier to deal with. As well as having an illustrated online catalog and ordering system??? I got most of my needed small items from them and did not have a problem.

http://www.robertsmotorparts.com/index.html

i've ordered from gary many times. just ordered a few things 2 weeks ago. placed the order at 5:00 pm, and the parts were on my porch before 10:00 am the next morning.

i also bought most of my engine rebuild (237, bored .060 over) parts from him, and his prices, for everything, were better than i could get anywhere else. i picked up my rebuild parts at his warehouse in massachusetts. had a nice conversation with him while he put my order together, too.

wally

Edited January 18, 2011 by wallytoo

[Booker T]

I think the "hit or miss comment" above must hit the nail on the head. I don't question the validity of the comments above...but I called twice in a week to "ask questions" (and I probably used the toll free number)...he was helpful both times. I did not order parts either time so I can't talk to the subject quality / delivery / returns...

[PatS....]

I've been able to get most parts right from my local parts store. The "older" parts guy knows his stuff and where to get it but most of it is at the warehouse, next day delivery.

[55 Fargo]

I've been able to get most parts right from my local parts store. The "older" parts guy knows his stuff and where to get it but most of it is at the warehouse, next day delivery.

This is true of Mechanical parts Pat, and has also been my experience in the Winnipeg area.

But Roberts and Bernbaums, are a lot about rubber parts, weatherstripping etc, they also sell items like spot lights, side mirrors, etc. I have not found any of these items in local parts stores in Canada that easily.