Parts from the USofA

[slofox]

Some may know that recently my bike shat itself and needs a new exhaust camshaft and one new cam follower (or tappet...or bucket...).

I am always one to support local business. I'm not normally inclined to buy from offshore. But at present I work 0.5 of a job and earn 0.5 of a wage. So I did not have the wherewithall to support Suzuki NZ...


SO. I got the parts from the USA at 20% of NZ price.

BUT. They have taken forever to arrive. Both bits are still "in transit" somewhere in the depths of the good ole USofA...one seller had my money for a month before the part even shipped.

So what happened to "instant communication" when it takes five days to turn a message around?

Fucking inept I reckon. Or apathy perhaps. If anyone on Trade Me here took so long to sort little details out for a buyer, they wouldn't last five minutes.

Oh well, back to sleep now I guess....zzz.

[jellywrestler]

Some may know that recently my bike shat itself and needs a new exhaust camshaft and one new cam follower (or tappet...or bucket...).

I am always one to support local business. I'm not normally inclined to buy from offshore. But at present I work 0.5 of a job and earn 0.5 of a wage. So I did not have the wherewithall to support Suzuki NZ...


SO. I got the parts from the USA at 20% of NZ price.

BUT. They have taken forever to arrive. Both bits are still "in transit" somewhere in the depths of the good ole USofA...one seller had my money for a month before the part even shipped.

So what happened to "instant communication" when it takes five days to turn a message around?

Fucking inept I reckon. Or apathy perhaps. If anyone on Trade Me here took so long to sort little details out for a buyer, they wouldn't last five minutes.

Oh well, back to sleep now I guess....zzz. yep and hopefully they're the right model parts. it's a prick having to send em back

[Haggis2]

Strange, I've had nothing but good experiences with purchases from overseas. Maybe just good luck I suppose. In one case I got stuff from China quicker than some bits I bought off TM. I have found tracking to be an issue though - find that it tracks ok till it leaves the states then nothing more until it arrives which is a bit wierd.

I hope your parts arrive soon :yes:

[SPman]

Yoshimura muffler and pipe from California - 6 days from order, to arrival in country town, West Aus.! The worst from the States I've had has been 2 weeks! I find stuff from NZ to be the worst - half it never arrives or disappears in transit!

[MIXONE]

How many kms has your bike done Slofox?I'm just curious to see as to why it shat itself.

[Gremlin]

Just make sure the black hole of Customs hasn't swallowed it up. I haven't had any issues with all my online purchases, the two biggest delays are either the part shipping out (maybe they didn't have stock - but it was a delay of a couple of days) or Customs held it and figured I'd find out via telepathy. :facepalm:

[paturoa]

Best place to find the good on-line shops is through forums dedicated to your model of bike. Or to put it another way, you'll quickly identify those that don't perfrom well, as they (we?) are quick to name and shame on forums.

[pete376403]

Are the parts coming via USPS? Not too long ago I bought a Honda (car) ECU which was shipped by USPS.
Tracking number shows left some place in Texas in early July. USPS admit they have no idea where it is.No compensation either, so I'm about $US200 out of pocket

[gammaguy]

anyone who buys anything from anywhere and doesnt pay with Paypal is an Idiot

as you were

[Brian d marge]

anyone who buys anything from anywhere and doesnt pay with Paypal is an Idiot

as you were

she only takes cash and I have to wear protection ... :facepalm:

Stephen

[slofox]

How many kms has your bike done Slofox?I'm just curious to see as to why it shat itself.

48,000km. The hardening on the cam follower failed and it took out the cam lobe as well.


Just make sure the black hole of Customs hasn't swallowed it up. I haven't had any issues with all my online purchases, the two biggest delays are either the part shipping out (maybe they didn't have stock - but it was a delay of a couple of days) or Customs held it and figured I'd find out via telepathy. :facepalm:

Both packages are still in the USofA.


Are the parts coming via USPS? Not too long ago I bought a Honda (car) ECU which was shipped by USPS.
Tracking number shows left some place in Texas in early July. USPS admit they have no idea where it is.No compensation either, so I'm about $US200 out of pocket

One is USPS. Other is UPS.


anyone who buys anything from anywhere and doesnt pay with Paypal is an Idiot

as you were

I did use paypal...

[Boo]

I always buy from the US west coast, shipping is half the price in most cases. USPS sucks, but you can track it, if the item has fees,I ring and leave my details. Fed EX is awesome they do all the customs work. I brought a motor, it landed the next day, I had it the third day. I don't like it when it sits to long at a depot and will ask them to ship on a monday so it at least gets out of the states, once its out its easy from there.
Fed EX and DHL are expensive, yes it is cheaper to by on e bay, I save between 35-50% on most parts, but thats only if its close to LA. I don't buy from the east, mid or top because of shipping.

[pete376403]

anyone who buys anything from anywhere and doesnt pay with Paypal is an Idiot

as you were

It was paid via PayPal.

The supplier didn't loose the item, USPS did. Paypal will indemnify against supplier failure, but I doubt if they will carry the can for USPS

[Owl]

That sucks slofox.

Got a package from the US on Tuesday, that I ordered last Friday, so 4 days in transit.:shit: Went from LA to Memphis to Honolulu to Auckland.....and that's when the awesome tracking failed:laugh:

[slofox]

In my case, I didn't have a lot of choice as to whom I bought the items from. I had to search all over for a supplier who actually had the parts in stock and ended up using Ebay for that reason.

With the benefit of the 20/20 vision provided by hindsight, I might have been better to have put supplier reliability ahead of part availability. I might have waited less time overall. But then I might not have too...oh well, one day.

EDIT: I ought to point out that neither of the suppliers I used shipped to NZ. I do have a sister living in Colorado and have had the parts sent to her for onshipping. The camshaft (on UPS) has at least reached Colorado. The follower, in the caring nerveless grasp of USPS seems to be in limbo somewhere...

[neels]

I've had car and bike parts out of the US, for the bike parts the tracking on USPS only goes as far as leaving the states which takes about 2 days, after that it's around another week to arrive at my place via god knows where.

Car parts that I bought were tracked all the way, through about 4 places in the states then hawaii, australia, aucks and eventually to chch. The longest wait of the trip was from aucks to chch.:facepalm:

[imdying]

Give me a PM and I'll put you on to somebody cheap, reputable, and reliable.

USPS and UPS are both fine (speed-wise). If the items are 'in transit' after reaching a NZ port, then customs probably have them. In my experience you might as well ring them and have it processed; delaying that in the hope they might 'slip through' is futile.

Always allow longer for non consumable OEM hard parts on old motorcycles (yes, your bike is 'old' in the USA :().

[gammaguy]

she only takes cash and I have to wear protection ... :facepalm:

Stephen

if you got her to accept paypal,you could ask for a refund under the clause of"goods significantly not as described":innocent:

[gammaguy]

It was paid via PayPal.

The supplier didn't loose the item, USPS did. Paypal will indemnify against supplier failure, but I doubt if they will carry the can for USPS

open up a case with paypal,you have 65 days from payment as far as I know

it doesnt matter whose fault it is,opening a case will suddenly make it the suppliers problem,not yours

[R6_kid]

Are the parts coming via USPS? Not too long ago I bought a Honda (car) ECU which was shipped by USPS.
Tracking number shows left some place in Texas in early July.

This. Except for me it was 'Miami'. Complained to seller, got told to wait a few more days, left it for over a week then complained again. Got home and it was on the table under some junk mail, missus had neglected to tell me that it arrived about a week before I originally complained to the seller. :facepalm:

[pete376403]

I wish. I did the same - enquire of the seller, they took it up with USPS locally came back with "it's in customs" I contacted customs NZ, they said nothing to do with them, try nz post parcels. NZ post said that no record of that tracking number entering the country. Back to USPS, found a e-mail address where I could enter a lost parcel claim. USPS came back to me with standard excuse about "it's a big country, we handle a lot of items, occasionally we loose one, so sorry"

On the other hand another item which I bought off E-bay on the 4/10 arrived here today, also by USPS.

[DEATH_INC.]

I buy lotsa shit from the US, usually here in about 2 weeks.
For parts try the guy in my sig (prospeed - he's a kiwi even), recommended by someone here and has been bloody good the times I've used him.

[slofox]

Well, the camshaft has finally departed the shores of good ole USofA in an aeroplane destined for New Zild, courtesy of dear sister in Denver.

The tappet is still floating around in US cyberspace - or a junkyard - or in the back of some stoners mail van...who knows? It ain't arrived anyway.

I shoulda got both of 'em from the camshaft dude. But then he seemed real slow at the time.

Hindsight is 20/20, innit.

[ducatilover]

That's some impressively bad service Slofox, I've never had any bad luck like that

[slofox]

That's some impressively bad service Slofox, I've never had any bad luck like that

All of my luck seems to be that colour of late. Ever noticed how, when things are tough, the shit is always hitting the fan? :ar15:

[ducatilover]

I've always wondered how poo would look hitting a fan. Could be worse mate, you could be a woman!

[slofox]

I've always wondered how poo would look hitting a fan. Could be worse mate, you could be a woman!

Last time I looked I was still a him...

[Brian d marge]

bought some electrical parts , supplied credit card , all quiet on the western front ......not good

Stephen

[vifferman]

I've had very good service with buying parts from overseas, using a variety of means - buying via user forum's group buys, using forum members for drop-off/forwarding addresses, buying stuff directly from companies that recognised there were people beyond their borders, even ordering stuff, having it shipped to a hotel in LA and picking it up from there myself. The only exceptions to this were a hugger I bought from a forum member, who was quitting VFRs. I paid him promptly, heard nothing for ages, sent him several PMs, asked other members to check him out, and after weeks he sent it off. Just bunged it in a box, no wrapping or cushioning, and he threw his empty milkshake container and straw in it when he's finished. Dick.
Years ago, I broke my throttle position sensor, which meant my bike was ferkt. I rang around NZ to see what I could get; the dealers didn't one listed, or else it was mega$$$. Secondhand was doable, but only if I bought the whole carbs+fittings+TPS, at around $1k or more. On the UK Fahrsturm forum, I posted a "help!" and a guy on their sold me a TPS, plus brand-new in packets APE manual camchain tensioners, for less than the cost of just the tensioners retail here, including postage.
Another buy was Elka rear shock, via a group buy. It was $750, compared with $1250 for an Ohlins here. However, the company would only send it as tracked with full insurance, which added $250 to the price. In hindsight, an Ohlins customised to my bike and to me would've been a much better buy, as with recent refettling, the total cost for the Elka-Ohlins was nearly $1500, plus gas and accommodation (more fun though!)
Another example was some footpeg brackets; one of mine was bent when I got the bike, and a Canadian 'friend' on the VFR forum was offering his old ones for free (apart from freight). I said I'd take them, but asked him to send them by the cheapest freight as they were a little weighty. Cost me $NZ28, but they were almost literally sent on a slow boat via China, and took over four months to arrive. No big deal, as the old ones still worked in the interim.

I'd like to buy locally, but sometimes it just doesn't add up. In the case of Honda parts, they all come through BlueWing Honda (the importers), and they're almost never in stock, and have to be ordered on indent, paid up-front. AND the prices are inflated: $85 for VFR800 cush rubbers, vs. $27 from the US dealers. The people in charge or ordering stock are eejits too: they don't bother stocking things that are virtually consumables, like brake piston seals, fairing bolts and fasteners, indicators and mirrors, etc. Then there's mark-up. I'm looking for replacement brake rotors (and NOT OEM, as no doubt they'd be $1k or more each). I found some, but they were $400 each, yet their Aussie source was only $200. Bizarre... Still, the interweb-thingie is your friend, and I found some that looked indentical for $400/pair, with a 1-year, no conditions guarantee.

[slofox]

Well, the lost package has finally turned up in Denver - only two weeks late...

So as soon as it finds its way to my sister's house, it will be on the way to me. At last.

I might get another ride on me bike before I die after all...:drool:

[ducatilover]

Well, the lost package has finally turned up in Denver - only two weeks late...

So as soon as it finds its way to my sister's house, it will be on the way to me. At last.

I might get another ride on me bike before I die after all...:drool:
You're welcome to take mine for a scoot in the mean time :2thumbsup it ain't no Gixxer, but she's pretty as hell

[slofox]

You're welcome to take mine for a scoot in the mean time :2thumbsup it ain't no Gixxer, but she's pretty as hell

That's a very kind offer dl. One which I appreciate greatly. But the withdrawal symptoms have kind of eased off a bit now anyway. And it's quite a hike to your area from Moolooland...

[ducatilover]

That's a very kind offer dl. One which I appreciate greatly. But the withdrawal symptoms have kind of eased off a bit now anyway. And it's quite a hike to your area from Moolooland...
Which makes it safer for me to offer :bleh:

I'll go finish cramming a giant motor in my GN now

[slofox]

Which makes it safer for me to offer :bleh:

There's a scurrilous rumour doing the rounds in town here that I BLEW UP the gixxer anyway. Load of lies! I Nev...HARDL...almo..onlygofastsometimes...
P.S. an'onlyonthetracktooo'course...

[slofox]

My sister has received the last parcel at long last.

I didn't realise the USPS still used Pony Express...

[slofox]

Camshaft arrived today. Now for the follower...

[BigAl]

Lets hope the follower is following....

[slofox]

The follower has followed on and arrived today. Bout fucking time.

Might have a bike again next week.

[98tls]

Love a story with a happy ending.Ive only ever had one bit go west from the States,showed up 3 months later.

[doc]

I bought some parts from CV performance recently. Nothing for a month contacted them, got a poor excuse still nothing emailed no reply, threatened to contact paypal in a week if I heard nothing, got a reply that they will resend them as they must have got lost in post. Arrived a week later. I'm happy and would deal with them again, sometimes it happens I think. I usually get stuff ex US quicker and cheaper by 50% than trademe.

[slofox]

More of the same. Chain and sprockets coming from US - sent from NC on 28th Feb. Arrived Miami 3 March. Fell into a black hole the next day...apparently.

Tried to contact USPS via email to ask what was happening and whether their tracking works outside of US. But I can't contact because to send an email, you have to nominate the US state you live in. New Zealand obviously does not exist in their tiny minds. The world ends at the US borders.

[Owl]

Tried to contact USPS via email to ask what was happening and whether their tracking works outside of US.

USPS tracking is hit and miss at best. Often falls down when package gets to NZ, but sometimes it's good.

[slofox]

Well. KB at its best! So who made it happen so fast, eh?

About two hours after I posted that last one, an update hit the USPS tracker...in NZ and processing complete...:o

[ducatilover]

I just got some heavy duty swaybar links from the US for my cage and they arrived in just over a week
A radiator took nearly three weeks

You have some proper bad luck


Sent from my dark dungeon using and HTC whips and chains leatherette edition.

[Smifffy]

At last you're not in Queenstown still waiting for your mail.....

[slofox]

At last you're not in Queenstown still waiting for your mail.....

Waiting on the doorstep when I got home last evening. Now being fitted at Boyds. Might just have to take the scenic route home tomorrow when I pick it up.

[SMOKEU]

Last parts I ordered from the USA, after 7 weeks I contacted the seller about why the parts haven't arrived, and a week later I got an email from him and a pic of the package that arrived back at his place as "not wanted". I may as well give up on ever getting that bike back on the roads.

[ducatilover]

Maybe GSX-R parts sellers are dicks? :bleh:

[Smifffy]

Maybe GSX-R parts buyers are dicks? :bleh:

Fixed that for you. Rude not to really :bleh: