www.manestruckparts.com....another opinion

[Slammed67]

I personally will never do business with Manes again. I purchased a short bed from him (at a premium price) that he clained was a "super nice bed". He told me a buddy of his did all the body work on it and that it wouldn't take much to get it ready for paint as it was already blocked out and coated in primer. Upon inspection at his shop, the bed looked very straight and rust free as he claimed. While I was there he did point out a couple small spots where he said there was filler. I had done business with him before so had no reason not to trust him. I brought the bed home, disassembled it and stored it in my garage because I wasn't quite ready to work on it. About 8 months later I stripped one of the bed sides just to make sure it was as he claimed. Well, it wasn't. It had many small dings and dents and some surface rust under the primer. I went back up to Manes and told him about the bed. He got very defensive about it saying he didn't remember that bed being in that bad of condition. He told me that since it was a used part it was sold as-is and he couldn't take it back. He did offer to sell me a new repro bed side at a small discount. What a guy! After seeing the first one, I couldn't wait to strip the other one. It was about 10 times worse! The whole side was covered in filler and had two large creases like the truck had been driven through the woods. I then stripped the front bed panel and it had rot in the top edge that was filled with filler. Needless to say, I have not been back since and try to flame him every time his name comes up on this forum. I figure I need to get my money's in one way or another. I also know of a another guy who ordered a repro seat cover through Manes and after he received it decided he didn't want it. He took it back to Manes and was given a hard time for trying to return it.

So be warned if you plan to order a used part from him. His shop is about 5 minutes from my house but I'd rather order from GMC Paul in Indiana than buy from Manes.

Here are some shots of the one of the "bondo bed" sides.....