www.manestruckparts.com
 

I have been ordering from Manes for a few months now and I must share my experience with you all. Manes is a great place to deal with they have a great website easy to navigate and they even have some used parts. If you have a question just call them up and everyone is very friendly and knowageable. But my favorite thing about them is how fast and cheap shipping is. :metal:

Ron buys alot of used parts from me. Great to deal with!!!!!!!!! :)

I've considered dealing with them in the past, but a number of board members have reported problems with his used parts (not as described, damaged, etc.). Sounds like you're experience was quite different.

I have dealt with them and had good results.

I've had good luck with them too. I think when you sell used parts, there is always a perception gap, as in what does "rust-free" mean to you? Also, you can run into the occasional "prima-donna" customer who can't be satisfied short of getting new for the price of used. So a used parts vendor will in general have more detractors than a new parts vendor, regardless of how upstanding and honest they "attempt" to be. It's part of the recycled parts business paradigm.

Having experienced enough buying and selling transactions of the years I can offer this advice:

It's best to inspect a used part in person, so in general I try to buy local. Short of that I buy from trusted sources like Teeitup or Manes. Also the level of customer service is important too. I feel that if you pay a premium price you should get the same level of customer service. That is why my expectations are high when I buy new through a board vendor and I will pay a bit more if the service is there. That is why I don't generally buy from the lowest priced outfit. Furthermore, never buy off auction sites and expect any level of customer service (whether the part is new, used, or rebuilt). If you're bidding for an item, your objective is to get cheapest price, and you're "rolling the dice" for that reason.

Bottom line, you get what you pay for.

Very True CPNE....... I have seen slight surface rust that to some would be rust free (no holes). Everyone is going to look at things in a different light. I call Manes looking for a headline thinking I was going to buy a new one. New=Around 90 bucks if I remember right. He said u know, I have some nice used ones here for 50 bucks that you can just paint. Thats what I did and saved myslef 40 bucks.

I bought used tailgate hardware from them and it was just as good as new it was painted black and in good shape.

Thanks Jeff for the kind words!!!!!!!!! ;)
I'm actually calling Ron tomorrow to see if he wants some parts, since I'm headed his way on Sunday.
Thanks Randy

I have bought many parts from Manes truck parts. Very good quality parts, priced right, and fast shipping.

Sounds like quite a different set of experiences that I recall a couple of years ago on some threads that were posted about Manes. Maybe his products have improved I remember several people reporting "freshly primered over" parts being offered as "excellent" or "like new" that had layers of body filler on them. Of course, it could have been that he didn't know about the filler issues, but the fresh primer seemed to have the indication that he had done the primering. I wish search was working :( ... those old threads are probably still around here somewhere.

BTW, most reasonable people realize that sometimes you don't get what you pay for. There actually are ne'er-to-do people out in the world who will try to short-change people. So don't fall into the ridiculous trap of thinking that cost always equals value. That's just dumb.

:but: Lets rephrase that for the hair splitters out there:

When you pay a premium you should expect, and have to right to recieve, premium service. Service should include (but not limited too ;) ) after sales support, free returns, prompt replacements, fast shipping, or just plain friendly and courteous replies to simple questions.
Service is one way a business will differentiate itself in a market segment. Price is another. The two are almost always are in in diametric contradiction.

And by the same token most reasonable people realize there are exceptions but in general the "You get what you pay for" rule applies most of the time in a free-market economy. I didn't coin the phrase and it's widely used so it must have some basis in fact. Reasonable people also are quick to figure out that if you've shopped soley for lowest price you don't deserve to ***** about service (or lack thereof).

Good point.

And the above post added to this thread how?

I have to assume you have no more points to make so you resort to another stupid picture and hijack yet another thread? Kenneth you need to go away and get a life. You spend far too much time obsessing over some sort of need to "get even" with me. For what, I don't know. :confused:

All you do is end up making yourself look foolish. Take a look at the last thread in which you attempted the same chicanery. I suggest you simply avoid your incessant "jabs and patters" at me. Its obvious to all I don't start these spats and to be honest it makes you look immature and childish.

This thread is a prime example. I posted some helpful points (this is not solely my take on it as by all accounts my comments were taken positively by other members) and you felt the need to come out and call me "dumb". No, you didn't say I was dumb, but your poorly veiled comments implied as much. I then further explain myself (though any resonable person could ascertain my point in the first place), and here we are at the same point you always bring it to. What do you have to say for yourself?

BTW, we both know you're referring to the problem Jason had with some bedsides. I don't know anything specific about his problem with Manes, but surely you do. Why be so coy? Send him an e-mail and let him know about this thread. If this vendor has a "dark side" we need to hear about it. Isn't that what the review board is about?

Wow. I do look childish with that rant I just made. Er, eh...

</insert pink cowboy cadillac threadjack pics here>

Maybe we should not bash someone if we have not dealt with the folks we are bashing.CPNE I have to tell you that you are just what this board needs.I have read some of your posts,your are honest,intelligent and thoughtful.

Thanks. It's good to hear from "reasonable" people now and then and not just the lunatic fringe.

Back on topic, Manes has always done right by me. I recommend them.

Hey, what's this smilie button do? :aw:

Funny how the "reasonable" person goes ape-shiite-rant-o-rama and gets the pucker from "his camp." I guess it's just a pucker kind of world.

Here comes another one of those "stupid pictures" that have some mysterious meaning.

Oh, and "back on topic," I contemplated purchasing some used parts from Manes but became concerned about how they were being represented based on anecdotal information found on this and other boards. Based on that I chose not to buy. But since only customers with receipt in hand are allowed to comment, I guess I'm "back OFF topic" again.

/meh

To all concerned...review products and/or vendors...but not each other. Let's keep it civil.

Upon second thought....take it up elsewhere. :rolleyes: