Whats up with US Vendors?
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This is an important point, 32 years ago when the 164 was introduced Alfa had 3 models in the market, the 164, Milano, and Spider, 2 years later only 2, and neither one was a big seller here. Certain parts of the country you couldn't even get them, and the last 2 years of the 164 they sold very few, and the Spider was gone.
I was passing a beautiful mint 80-something GTV once in my 2020 Giulia QV and I waved to the guy, he looked at me like I had 2 heads and took off lol.When I'm out on the road in my GTV or my duetto,
I see a new Alfa go by and the driver rarely, if ever, acknowledges a heritage car.
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5,186 Posts
This is the other reason why I asked for Alfa Romeo related T shirts and pullovers for Christmas! Not only were many of my old Alfa shirts getting raggedy, but I also wanted to show our beloved brand and logo to the public. I've already had a couple of comments on them out there. I spoke with a young fellow yesterday from Venezuela, a friend of ours, who asked to tour my garage and the Spider and GTV 6. As I gave him some background on our cars and the marque, he began to relate to me the story of Ing. Jano joining Alfa, Ferrari's management of the factory team, and other historical details. And this gent is in his thirties! But he is an educated professional, also.
There is hope, where there are sales, my friends. We have several new AROC members in our local chapter, also, who are 50 YO or under.
As to vendors, I support both Centerline and Vick as much as possible (when things are in stock), because I want them to continue to succeed in the marketplace. It's good for them, and good for our Alfas. For items I need that aren't to be found here on our shores, I go to Classic Alfa, EB Spares, OKP and Bertelsbeck. I want everybody to sell and make money.
There is hope, where there are sales, my friends. We have several new AROC members in our local chapter, also, who are 50 YO or under.
As to vendors, I support both Centerline and Vick as much as possible (when things are in stock), because I want them to continue to succeed in the marketplace. It's good for them, and good for our Alfas. For items I need that aren't to be found here on our shores, I go to Classic Alfa, EB Spares, OKP and Bertelsbeck. I want everybody to sell and make money.
I usually buy from Classic Alfa or Centerline but it's often hard for me to swallow the exorbitant shipping prices Centerline charges.
It's literally a couple of states from me (10-hour drive) but the shipping costs make them prohibitive to use sometimes. Especially for smaller parts.
I've found the transit times not much different between the 2 companies which is crazy considering one is overseas.
Centerline is a little faster but some parts are quite a bit more expensive than Classic and like I said; shipping costs are too high.
It's literally a couple of states from me (10-hour drive) but the shipping costs make them prohibitive to use sometimes. Especially for smaller parts.
I've found the transit times not much different between the 2 companies which is crazy considering one is overseas.
Centerline is a little faster but some parts are quite a bit more expensive than Classic and like I said; shipping costs are too high.
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2,639 Posts
1750 GTV "Tribute" Car, S2 Alfa Spider & Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio
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619 Posts
I hear ya! Also their premium track rod ends are cheaper than Euro equivalent and in stock……still get dinged on shipping tho’ which really really bugs me!!!
Last count we had 14 Alfa's ranging from 1959 to 1990. Also a couple of maserati's, Jags and Fiat's
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191 Posts
I buy some stuff from Spruell, particular some performance parts. Unfortunately very little from Centerline mostly large stuff that is expensive to ship like gas tanks and exhaust. Most of my stuff comes from overseas. Part of the reason is that it is so easy to order from them because their websites are so easy to navigate. My main suppliers are Classic Alfa, EB Spares, & Alfaholics in the UK Classic Alfa parts in the Netherlands and OKP in Germany. Part is they really good quality stuff. And part is that for the odd ball stuff they are really good at procuring it. OKP is good but Tony at Alfa Stop is the best guy I have for 750/101 stuff, and I use Richard Melvin at CSR for the 116 performance stuff
The other thing is shipping, it gets here stupidly quick and the cost is just not bad.
I do get some stuff out of Italy. I just ordered from a company called Robustelli S.r.l. which makes rubber parts. I hooked up with them for Lancia parts but they also make parts for Alfa's and vintage BMW's. The difference is that they are the manufacturer and only make rubber parts so I am limited. I would order more from Italy and I even go to Padua to make connections, unfortunately the language barrier with Italy is tougher to deal with then either the Germans or the Netherlands.
From talking to the guys in europe, they ship a lot of stuff to the USA and we are an important market for them, so perhaps it is that they are just meeting the customer needs better than some of the US suppliers.
The other thing is shipping, it gets here stupidly quick and the cost is just not bad.
I do get some stuff out of Italy. I just ordered from a company called Robustelli S.r.l. which makes rubber parts. I hooked up with them for Lancia parts but they also make parts for Alfa's and vintage BMW's. The difference is that they are the manufacturer and only make rubber parts so I am limited. I would order more from Italy and I even go to Padua to make connections, unfortunately the language barrier with Italy is tougher to deal with then either the Germans or the Netherlands.
From talking to the guys in europe, they ship a lot of stuff to the USA and we are an important market for them, so perhaps it is that they are just meeting the customer needs better than some of the US suppliers.
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10,987 Posts
"Exorbitant shipping costs" seems to be the common denominator for not choosing CL first.. If Joe is watching this thread.. a word to the wise. Customers will pay a fair price for goods but they will take you down when they feel violated by even a smidgen on shipping charges. Salt is rubbed into the wounds when a $10+ flat rate box shows up with a $20+ shipping charge, or a plain brown carton could have been shipped flat-rate. for example. The USPS has pick-up just like UPS ..Once burned.. is long remembered and a drip drip drip on the business model. Handling and shipping seems to be a profit center in it's own with CL. .
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2,639 Posts
Agree on crazy shipping expenses.
I waited until they had everything in stock, then ordered it all at once.
My order was $1200.
Shipping $129.
"10% off orders over $500." was noted in the invoice. - $121.00.
Their discount basically amounted to free shipping.
I waited until they had everything in stock, then ordered it all at once.
My order was $1200.
Shipping $129.
"10% off orders over $500." was noted in the invoice. - $121.00.
Their discount basically amounted to free shipping.
Agree completely with this.
I ship stuff everywhere all the time so I think I have a pretty good feel for fair shipping prices.
When I order a small lightweight item that can basically be shipped in a heavy envelope - and said item is less than $10 - and shipping costs $9 it’s kinda insulting.
1750 GTV "Tribute" Car, S2 Alfa Spider & Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio
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619 Posts
Just did a price comparison for exactly the same products.
Classic Alfa vs Alfaholics
Both use DHL for delivery although Classic Alfa is cheaper ( no mark up is my guess)
Alfaholics asks for a separate payment to be made for custom duties Classic Alfa does not
Classic Alfa bills in dollars immediately on check out. Alfaholics bills in £sterling then converts once the order is verified so introduces at least a day ordering delay.
For a variety of exactly the same std replacement parts (not specialised or modified) Classic Alfa is significantly cheaper. When you add the shipping and import taxes then the overall savings become 30% cheaper!!!
I then challenged Mr Fiat on the same list and they were over 50% more than Classic Alfa! ***!
It’s the Wild West out there!!
Classic Alfa vs Alfaholics
Both use DHL for delivery although Classic Alfa is cheaper ( no mark up is my guess)
Alfaholics asks for a separate payment to be made for custom duties Classic Alfa does not
Classic Alfa bills in dollars immediately on check out. Alfaholics bills in £sterling then converts once the order is verified so introduces at least a day ordering delay.
For a variety of exactly the same std replacement parts (not specialised or modified) Classic Alfa is significantly cheaper. When you add the shipping and import taxes then the overall savings become 30% cheaper!!!
I then challenged Mr Fiat on the same list and they were over 50% more than Classic Alfa! ***!
It’s the Wild West out there!!
1971 Alfa Romeo 1750 Spider Veloce, 2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Q4
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258 Posts
I've also seen Classic Alfa source certain parts from OKP and My Alfa Group (both great suppliers), at cheaper than the OKP and MAG websites ... a little weird, sure, but I feel like I generally have received quality goods from CA, quickly, and with lower shipping to boot. I don't think I've yet ordered from an American supplier because they just aren't matching the Europeans' prices.
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1,328 Posts
Just to have a comparison... I bought Britax seat belts in the UK. Apart from the long time and the bureaucratic difficulties (I live in Italy) in the end I spent 330 euros for belts and 110 euros for import! **** governments! Never again!
I need material from AlfaStop but I have to find a different way...
I need material from AlfaStop but I have to find a different way...
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10,987 Posts
The EU and Brit guys are basing their profit margins in pounds and Euros .. with the exchange rate in our favor now, we get the benefit of a stronger dollar.. The US suppliers also benefit as their posts have improved but the freight in bound to them has escalated.
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As a full time Alfa shop for 30 years now, in the early years, I used International and Centerline exclusively. After they merged, I also used Alfa Parts and Vick.I do get stuff from Mr Fiat sometimes, but when I found EB Spares , I switched to them as I am a GTV6 specialist and they are growing a large inventory of needed stuff, and it is high quality. For the earlier cars I do, I use EB Spares and Classic Alfa. Prices and availability are great, AND, it comes to me in Maine in 4 days average!! It takes a week from Centerline.
As I consider Joe from Centerline a friend, I tried to stay loyal, but necessity dictated otherwise.
As I consider Joe from Centerline a friend, I tried to stay loyal, but necessity dictated otherwise.
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