Seat Cover Quality

[SeventyOne]

I ordered parchment rear panels.

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by Blazerowner

I’m still waiting on my highlander covers and rear panels. Hopefully they come soon.

Originally Posted by SeventyOne

I ordered rear panels on 2/23 from brothers and have yet to receive them.

Originally Posted by UGAK5

Based on Pete's feedback, I ordered rear panels from Brothers today. Hopefully, they come in soon....ish.

It would be interesting to know who gets what when...

[Blazerowner]

I ordered my covers and rear panels in August. According to a text from Tim they are working on mine. From what he tells me the guy is a perfectionist. Needless to say I will wait since there really isn’t another choice for highlander covers and if it means they are nice quality covers it’s worth my wait. Larry actually called me and apologized for the wait earlier last month. I think he stands by his work and from what tim tells me it’s just him and his wife. Every assistant he’s hired didn’t make the cut.

[DeadheadNM]

Yeah I heard a lot of stories while he was supplying others with panels who ordered months after I ordered mine. He certainly didn't hustle to send me replacements for the misaligned front bucket cover either. I bet he sold the misaligned set to someone else.

They are good quality I will agree.

[tristan]

I waited a year for mine. Can't fault the quality, but poor communications (at least until I started raising he** about it) and unacceptable turnaround time on a $2,000, paid upfront order, made it a "never again" experience.

[maldo]

I ordered the pui off white and the avocado plaid from sms and put them together, I like the way they look except the fact there is no scrolling on rear seat. but for now it looks 100 time better then it did and pui quality seem good so far.

[69Tom]

Cars Inc. makes nice stuff. I believe they use material from SMS.

http://carsinc.com/1955-1994-truck-suv.html

[UGAK5]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

It would be interesting to know who gets what when...

My clock is started with Brothers. I'll post when/if I get my panels!

[Blazerowner]

Larry called me today and asked if I wanted the ribbing on the back of the rear seat. He said this was how the original was but it normally is an upcharge to do it. Said he would do it for free if I was willing to wait a little longer because of how long it’s taken. I said sure. It’s been 9 months and I have other seats in the Blazer so I’m not in a hurry. I do agree though it’s been way too long considering what I paid for them.

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by Blazerowner

Larry called me today and asked if I wanted the ribbing on the back of the rear seat. He said this was how the original was but it normally is an upcharge to do it. Said he would do it for free if I was willing to wait a little longer because of how long it’s taken. I said sure. It’s been 9 months and I have other seats in the Blazer so I’m not in a hurry. I do agree though it’s been way too long considering what I paid for them.

Larry screwed me out of the ribbing. That's why he's asking you. That should be standard and discussed upfront (Tim's role). Everything is an up charge w Larry: better quality vinyl, more fabric to replicate the OEM front seat pattern, blah blah blah.

Coincidentally I got my reupholstered seat back today. The local upholstery place does good work. He thought the seats could have turned out better because the new foam (USA made from Classic Heartbeat) wasn't a perfect match for the covers that were copied from original examples. Still look nice.

[DeadheadNM]

....

[tristan]

Here's mine.

[UGAK5]

Originally Posted by tristan

Here's mine.

Who made yours? They look great!

[tristan]

Larry via Tim.

[Blazerowner]

A year? Wow. I’m just blown away that people are dealing with this. Did you get your covers or are you still waiting?

[SeventyOne]

Update on my rear panels:

Brothers Trucks actually called me to tell me they spoke to the supplier (Larry) and I am told a "week and a half" they'll ship.

So I'll post in 10 days and let you all know.

[UGAK5]

Originally Posted by SeventyOne

Brothers Trucks actually called me to tell me they spoke to the supplier (Larry) and I am told a "week and a half" they'll ship.

Right at 90 days from order - I sure hope they do!

[SeventyOne]

90 days is cool with me. But I have a feeling based on other's experiences this will be one of many "it's coming in 10 days" updates

[UGAK5]

So, back to the original point of this thread - I am SUPER unhappy with PUI. Pics below to show why.

In a surprising turn of events for my Blazer build, I did something smart - I only took 1 seat - the rear - to my upholstery guy to work on versus all 3. So now, I can return the front seat covers and start the process with PUI to see if I can get a refund or something on the one I installed. Either way, I will run it this summer, then replace it in the 'off season' this winter with custom seat upholstery. I am no longer willing to sacrifice looks and quality for OEM style.

So disappointed. Out the one seat cover and the installation costs. Errrrrr

Pic 1 - looks pretty good from the from at 6 feet away
Pic 2 - the rib pattern on the seat is slightly tilted left. No way to adjust
Pics 3 and 4 - there are shiny, unembossed spots on the seat back where they just didn't properly stamp the vinyl. Sloppy and poor quality.
Pic 5 - super thin material - i am certain it will tear.

[lks dcvn]

Wow - that's not good at all...thanks for posting this. Makes me wonder what I am going to do about my interior now.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by UGAK5

So, back to the original point of this thread - I am SUPER unhappy with PUI. Pics below to show why.

I guess it's a crap shoot with PUI......I've never done upholstery in my life before I attempted to do mine......the ones I got fit very well and had no blemishes or imperfections in the material at all.....
It's a shame that they cannot produce a consistent quality product....

[tristan]

This sounds like an entrepreneurial opportunity for someone. Produce a quality product in a reasonable turnaround time for a fair price. The market, which appears to be a large one, doesn't have any of those things right now.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by tristan

This sounds like an entrepreneurial opportunity for someone. Produce a quality product in a reasonable turnaround time for a fair price. The market, which appears to be a large one, doesn't have any of those things right now.

Cheap, fast, good.

Pick two...you will NEVER get all three

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

I guess it's a crap shoot with PUI......I've never done upholstery in my life before I attempted to do mine......the ones I got fit very well and had no blemishes or imperfections in the material at all.....
It's a shame that they cannot produce a consistent quality product....

Same here. Mine fit great, so much that I’m looking forward to the next one. It did take patience and time, most importantly was the heat to stretch the covers, they are a tight fit, as they are supposed to be. If not, they look like a wrinkled pair of jeans. I think the above pictures reflect a defective product along with an impatient installer.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Same here. Mine fit great, so much that I’m looking forward to the next one. It did take patience and time, most importantly was the heat to stretch the covers, they are a tight fit, as they are supposed to be. If not, they look like a wrinkled pair of jeans. I think the above pictures reflect a defective product along with an impatient installer.

Could be...?

My neighbor worked at a large truck seating company for many years...he gave me a hand and some advice on the install.....and....

the heat....is very important to getting the wrinkles out and a good tight install....

The end of my barn where the overhead door is.... gets direct sunlight in the afternoon.....with the black covers....they got plenty hot....almost too hot to handle....but I have no wrinkles anywhere on the covers