I wonder who you talked to. Last week I called about a fuel tank for the Spica injected cars. I knew IAP stocked them but Centerline doesn't. I talked to Ian and he put it on backorder for me. So if IAP had some in stock he will call me when the parts are unloaded and put in inventory.Just called Centerline to ask about a back ordered IAP part - brake light switch. To make a long story short, the rep was a goofball, didn't seem interested in my concerns, and just a jackass. I do not like the merger and think it will result in poor service and increased prices. Is there a IAP/Centerline rant forum?
Vince
While anyone has the right to comment on our policies or performance, making a personal attack like this is completely unnecessary IMHO.To make a long story short, the rep was a goofball, didn't seem interested in my concerns, and just a jackass. I do not like the merger and think it will result in poor service and increased prices. Is there a IAP/Centerline rant forum?
Vince
If you make all of your Alfa buying decisions based upon price alone then you are doomed to some poor quality parts. There is more than one manufacturer of many parts and in my experience cheap parts can cost you more in the long run.I did say that I had never purchased from Centerline.... why.... I have been able to source the same item closer and at a more advantageous price.
Rather petulant point of view.Yeah, it was Ian that I talked to. I asked if they would continue things such as the online tutorials and videos that IAP did for things such as the fuel line replacements and in-tank fuel pump replacement. Those vids were a great resource. He just about made a joke about it. He didn't seem interested. Just because a part is on backorder for a year, is no reason to brush a person off, much less try to get delivery time, or another resource to find the part.
This merger is in the interest of the companies involved, not the customers.
Vince
I agree!I've dealt with Ian for years and he is a good guy.
That might be true, but not as helpful as my experience with IAP. Furthur, the Centerline folks should be jumping all over the transition and helping out "new" folks who have not purchased much from them. Case in point, IAP's catalog was way easier to order from when it came to replacing control arm bushings, and I was a newbie to Alfa ownership. IAP went far to make sure I had the right part, number, etc.I agree!
I have shifted my business, and a few other people who I have interacted with, to Centerline over the years due to their superior (IMHO) knowledge and understanding of the vehicles I drive over other venders. It is my belief that if someone thinks there is a better vendor for your parts, please go purchase from them instead.See.... my point is made. You are taking it personally and inwardly. You are more concerned about your company than you are customers. If you were concerned about me as a customer, you would have asked me questions, investigated further, or reached out to me.
I translate "goofball" to mean unprofessional.While anyone has the right to comment on our policies or performance, making a personal attack like this is completely unnecessary IMHO.
For cripes sakes Vince, it's been what, about two weeks? You've got absolutely no call to go on a rant like this. Because nobody's gonna make videos showing you how to replace fuel hoses?That might be true, but not as helpful as my experience with IAP. Furthur, the Centerline folks should be jumping all over the transition and helping out "new" folks who have not purchased much from them...
Come on, now, Vince. When you dump all over someone's company wouldn't you think it's just a bit of a stretch to then expect him to "reach out" to you? I sure as hell wouldn't but, then, that's why I'm not in the Alfa parts business.See.... my point is made. You are taking it personally and inwardly. You are more concerned about your company than you are customers. If you were concerned about me as a customer, you would have asked me questions, investigated further, or reached out to me.
I have shifted my business, and a few other people who I have interacted with, to Centerline over the years due to their superior (IMHO) knowledge and understanding of the vehicles I drive over other venders. It is my belief that if someone thinks there is a better vendor for your parts, please go purchase from them instead.
Vince,
it is my opinion that people who fly glass ****pit general aviation aircraft are weak, soft, and just followers of the magenta line who cant think for themselves...
Don't take it personally and inwardly....
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Exactly. So they cancelled your back order---big deal. Unless you had money on deposit that you're owed, you had very little skin in the game and Centerline was perfectly correct to draw the line at filling orders for parts that may or may not arrive for IAP customers who very well may have already bought from another of the dozen or so Alfa parts vendors domestic and worldwide who'll happily ship to the 'States. Good grief, just order the doggone part from somebody else!So you are telling me I should not be a little peeved that my backordered part was cancelled? So you are judging me - from the way I interpret your comments - because I think Centerline could have handled things a little differently?
Yes its fair.For all of you folks who are judging me, let me ask you this... Is it fair to have a part on backorder at IAP, and hear Ian tell me over the phone that all backorders from IAP were cancelled?
Correct, you don't have a valid reason to be upset at Centerline in my opinion. Get over it and don't blame the staff at Centerline. I'd blame IAP for closing.I actually think this is a poo-poo deal from IAP. So you are telling me I should not be a little peeved that my backordered part was cancelled?
Correct, your expectations of the business world are self centered in my opinion. Their job isn't to make you smile at all costs.So you are judging me - from the way I interpret your comments - because I think Centerline could have handled things a little differently?
Nope. The company you order from doesn't exist anymore, thus your backorder doesn't exist anymore. They didn't get married and adopt each other's kids, one ate the other.My point is - if Centerline is scrambling like mad to keep up with all the chaos of this merger, perhaps the deal was hasty and could have been organized a little better.. perhaps they could have taken more time to merge?
Personally? I wouldn't give you the time of day after what you said about my company; however, Joe and the entire crew there has been patient and fantastic with all of my problems (Albeit I was respectful in my dealings) so I assume they will treat you wonderful. I consider those men Alfa friends, and the labor of love they do for the Alfa Romeo owners in the past, present, and future has enabled our cars to keep on driving, so you calling one a jackass might have rubbed me the wrong way.I liked IAP and they treated me great. Am I going to get that from Centerline?
To make a long story short, the rep was a goofball, didn't seem interested in my concerns, and just a jackass. I do not like the merger and think it will result in poor service and increased prices. Is there a IAP/Centerline rant forum?
Vince