Cheap Garbage Rear View replacement Mirror

[bill3rail]

So I bought a replacement mirror and mirror mount from Classic Parts.

I go to install it and the Philips screw head holding the ball arm to the mount was stripped. No big deal, it has both Philip and Hex head.

Next, I go to mount the mirror to the arm and the mirror is so loose you can not tighten it enough to hold it still. Mirror sinks with the slightest vibration.

Call Classic Parts and the "tech" says if you think it is defective, ship it back and I will compare it to the others in stock. If it is not defective, I will ship it back to you without exchanging it. EFF them! He would never see anything wrong with it and ship the old one back because they are all manufactured SH**TY!

I then figured it just needed a little space taken up on the mirror arm so I installed a thin wavy washer (Not too sure of the actual name) and she worked great.

EFF Classic Parts Mirrors

I hope the attachments work...

Picture #1 shows factory stripped screw.

Picture #2 through #4 show how to repair their SH**TY manufacturing!

Bill

[leddzepp]

I bought one of those setups for my 68 as well. Total garbage and a waste of money.

[TheRocket]

Classic Chevrolet Parts in Oklahoma City?

These guys lost my business years ago. Apparently they haven't gotten any better.

[bill3rail]

Originally Posted by nightrider388

Well a lot of aftermarket parts are sub-par. However, I don't think its fair to bash the vender if they said send it back without giving them a chance to make it right. Also, they don't make the part, they just sell it. And don't take what i said wrong in any way. I just think there is a better way to review a part without assuming what the vender would have done to correct it.

I spoke to the tech, and asked details and bottom line, I would be out shipping costs so it was easier to just fix their crap and be done with it.

I was in manufacturing and we sold parts that we did NOT machine ourselves we would always make good if a product was sub-par. Then we would discontinue selling it as our name was attached to any quality issues not the company who made the part.

I remember physically inspecting 20-30 boxes with 10,000 pieces in each box to send them back to the vendor. We gave them the opportunity to get it right but did not ship one piece out unless it was measured and test fit first. These items were shipped a thousand at a time so we needed to take our labor cost and eat it.

As a manufacturer have the ability to fix the issue before you ship the item.

I take no offense to your opinions and thanks for sharing it.

Bill

[bill3rail]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

I bought one of those setups for my 68 as well. Total garbage and a waste of money.

Maybe if I saw a review on the part on 67-72 I would have ordered it somewhere else.

Sorry to hear someone else had problems...
Who knows how many others...

Bill

[B. W.]

I'm with you on this one Bill, a vendor should not "pass the buck". If it is not a quality part then don't sell it. GMC Paul's has my respect, he will not sell items he believes are inferior.

I also see nightrider388's point, we should give the vendor (or manufacturer) the chance to make it right, we're all human. But, it seems like we're flooded with inferior parts, after a while it wears on you.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by TheRocket

Classic Chevrolet Parts in Oklahoma City?

These guys lost my business years ago. Apparently they haven't gotten any better.

Bought mine off amazon. The manufacturer is the same, just a different vendor.

[kwmech]

It's across the board with just about everything now. Quality and pride were thrown out the window years ago for the almighty dollar. AND nobody seems to demand quality because it costs too much. I was in the auto parts store this morning (NAPA) ....all I wanted was a reseal kit for the Power Steering pump on my GMC . They did not even show a listing anymore, either in the book or on their computer...... but they could sell me a re-man pump. Screw that. I ended up at O'Reillys.

[bill3rail]

It has mostly turned into the almighty dollar.
Most if us are guilty at some time or another with price shopping, which is fine if you are looking at identical items.

Bill
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[mike16]

I bought rear view door mirrors for my 72. The screws that came with that set up were junk. They were essentially dry wall screws that were stainless. rest of mirror set up was pretty good. I'm glad I kept the old screws. Like others have stated above. Its like that across the board with all these vendors.

If I can help it at all I buy from vendors who advertise in the National Corvette Restorers Society.

There ought to be a specific section of this forum where we can critique vendors parts as a warning to other potential buyers to steer them clear of the junk that is out there. The real fail is the shoddy customer service where you get stuck with junk or have to foot the bill for return shipping.

[bill3rail]

Originally Posted by mike16

I bought rear view door mirrors for my 72. The screws that came with that set up were junk. They were essentially dry wall screws that were stainless. rest of mirror set up was pretty good. I'm glad I kept the old screws. Like others have stated above. Its like that across the board with all these vendors.

If I can help it at all I buy from vendors who advertise in the National Corvette Restorers Society.

There ought to be a specific section of this forum where we can critique vendors parts as a warning to other potential buyers to steer them clear of the junk that is out there. The real fail is the shoddy customer service where you get stuck with junk or have to foot the bill for return shipping.

I can't afford NCRS magazine...

Good point on a section devoted to vendors and product reviews. It may be here, I have not looked for it.

Bill

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by mike16

There ought to be a specific section of this forum where we can critique vendors parts as a warning to other potential buyers to steer them clear of the junk that is out there.

Like this? http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...splay.php?f=26

[tdangle]

Unfortunately, you can only take reviews so far. It has been my experience that the number of people who have problems with a product or service outnumber the people who have a good experience (that post there reviews). Seems like people are much louder complaining than complementing.

[saxart]

Thanks for this post. I almost bought one of those, but certainly won't now.

[mike16]

Originally Posted by Stocker

Like this? http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...splay.php?f=26

yea but like others have said sometimes bad stuff does not get reviewed and sometimes its stuff other than repro parts.

and sometimes its the vendor who gets critiqued rather than the parts.

[midniteblues]

Jfyi, I do believe the wavy washer is called a Bellville washer or something like that.

I've bought a few parts that were junk too. floppy mirrors were one of them.
Stripped screws rite off the bat really make your day.

[bill3rail]

Originally Posted by midniteblues

Jfyi, I do believe the wavy washer is called a Bellville washer or something like that.

I've bought a few parts that were junk too. floppy mirrors were one of them.
Stripped screws rite off the bat really make your day.

I believe a bellville Washer is a cupped washer. The only thing I could find online is wave washer or spring washer.
My original post said Wavy washer, which is incorrect.

Thank you!

[bill3rail]

Originally Posted by saxart

Thanks for this post. I almost bought one of those, but certainly won't now.

Review Board is a great idea, but there is almost zero activity. Only one thread!

Bill

[Katrina/10]

I have a factory 71 mirror that is loose in the same way. It doesn't fall down on it's own, but if you just touch it, it moves. I'll try the wave washer in it.

[bill3rail]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

I have a factory 71 mirror that is loose in the same way. It doesn't fall down on it's own, but if you just touch it, it moves. I'll try the wave washer in it.

I would guess if you hit a hard bump it would move also. The wave washer should take up enough space to prevent easy movement.

If wave washer is not available you may be able to use a nylon washer.
An O-ring may also work but it could be like trying to put a wet noodle into a wild cat's rear end with one hand tied behind your back!

Bill

[Katrina/10]

Next, I have to find a wavy washer!

[CG]

Originally Posted by bill3rail

Review Board is a great idea, but there is almost zero activity. Only one thread!

Bill

Did you look at the top of this page?

Member dealings

Vendor reviews

Product reviews

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...splay.php?f=26

[saxart]

So rather than buying a repop mirror, has anyone found someone who can replace the actual face of the mirror? The "silver" is coming off mine, so the mirror looks very dirty when you look through it. Thought about buying a repro, but after this thread I'd rather have someone replace/repair the silver on the mirror itself.

[bill3rail]

Originally Posted by CG

Did you look at the top of this page?

Member dealings

Vendor reviews

Product reviews

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...splay.php?f=26

It was offered up earlier in the thread, and I went there. Only one thread there. I guess it is an unknown area of the site.

Bill

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by saxart

So rather than buying a repop mirror, has anyone found someone who can replace the actual face of the mirror? The "silver" is coming off mine, so the mirror looks very dirty when you look through it. Thought about buying a repro, but after this thread I'd rather have someone replace/repair the silver on the mirror itself.

How about this? She apparently does a lot of Vette mirrors. I'm thinking about sending one to her.


http://www.mirrorladypa.com/