Oh the joys of internet shopping

This is the place for posts that don't fit into any other category.

Moderator: RichardW

Post Reply
User avatar
van ordinaire
(Donor 2017)
Posts: 2537
Joined: 23 Jun 2015, 14:45
Location: Live & work in London but weekend in Devon (or do I now live in Torbay & work in London?)
My Cars: Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club (quietly sleeping in a parallel universe)
'05 (yes, really) C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
'96 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the "donor"
'99 Jeep Cherokee Orvis - the green one
'97 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the red one
'99 Cadillac Seville STS
'96 Cadillac Eldorado ETC
& numerous what might be described as abandoned projects!
x 405

Oh the joys of internet shopping

Post by van ordinaire »

Needed some brake pads for the C15 in a hurry so started the inevitable trip down misery lane. First site seemed promising but, of course, won't let you just make a purchase, you have to log on/create an account (which is nothing of the sort) - except I couldn't because if I tried to register it said there was already an a/c with that e-mail address, but if I tried to log on to this a/c it told me there was no a/c with that e-mail address (not an uncommon occurrence in my experience). Tried CP4L but they list the wrong pads - unless I lie & say they're for a 205, then begins the nonsense of their website which has become curiously uninteractive (interinactive, interpassive? let's settle for - useless), so doesn't respond to clicking on icons, at least in any useful way, won't let me access "my account" (& I've been a customer for years), urges me to apply a discount code - but there's nowhere to input it, keeps replicating the order & the "review order" screen has no provision for amendment/correction. Having aborted that (shame because they offered the best delivery time) I can expect an e-mail tomorrow (to the address they say they don't recognise) suggesting I might've forgotten something & offering a discount (usually 5% less than the one promised by the code I couldn't use) to complete the order. Resort to e-bay but this time can't access my account because of some nonsense about they require all customers to have Java (another blatant lie, because it only crops up every 1/2-dozen times) but it won't upload as it's supposed to. Shut that down, go direct to e-bay, log on - & go straight to American e-bay! Try again, right I'm in, & there's the pads I want in "recents" So far, so good, now despite the fact I'm where I am because I've logged in, I have to go through that all again to complete the transaction - except I can't, because up comes this "we require all customers to have Java" claptrap again. Continue as "guest" &, at last, job done, just hope they arrive Thursday but suspect I'll be fitting them Friday evening before driving down to Devon. On reflection, I should've bitten the bullet - & gone to Halfrauds: so much easier, certainly a lot quicker & at least I'd have them tomorrow. Oh well, it's done now AND I've got off my chest - another great facility of this forum ;)
Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club :cry:
'05 C15 :!:
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate [-o<
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3 :?
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS :|
& the numerous "abandoned projects" #-o
Gibbo2286
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 7171
Joined: 08 Jun 2011, 18:04
Location: GL15***
My Cars: 2006 C5 2.0 Litre HDI VTR Automatic Estate.(now sold on)
Currently Renault Zoe 2014 ZE
x 2500

Re: Oh the joys of internet shopping

Post by Gibbo2286 »

Do you not have a motor factor member of The Parts Alliance near by Van?

https://www.thepartsalliance.com/

It's a trade supplier but they serve anyone over the counter in their stores.
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
andy5
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 438
Joined: 05 Nov 2010, 13:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 104

Re: Oh the joys of internet shopping

Post by andy5 »

Gibbo2286 wrote: 18 Sep 2019, 09:52 Do you not have a motor factor member of The Parts Alliance near by Van?

https://www.thepartsalliance.com/

It's a trade supplier but they serve anyone over the counter in their stores.
Interesting. I knew there had been some consolidation in the sector, but apparently quite a lot.

That covers 10 or 12 brand names, which I discovered after clicking out to its online brand partsforallcars, and noticing it looks like a white label version of GSF.

But the partsforallcars branch search doesn't cover all the PartsAlliance brands. It says the nearest 3 branches to me are 27 to 40 miles away, when there are 5 GSF branches within 20 miles of here.

Also, an oil filter for my car has a different choice of brands, and is more expensive - Bosch £11.66 less 50% = £5.33 vs Purflux £8.60 less 60% = £3.48

And they don't have many oil filters actually in stock at those branches. Only Mann of the first 5 listed brands, so that's half £13.78 = £6.89

I'll stick with GSF, slightly bemused about the strategy of the overall owners.

Back to the OP: you missed out bits about password reminder/reset, and the email never comes, or if it does the new password is also not valid. Or a new innovation, now you need to receive a code in a text message to log in. That doesn't come, so request another, and another. After 10 to 90 minutes a bunch come at once, not necessarily in the same order as the requests, so most or all are no longer valid.
User avatar
myglaren
Forum Admin Team
Posts: 25366
Joined: 02 Mar 2008, 13:30
Location: Washington
My Cars: Mazda 6
Ooops.
Previously:
2009 Honda Civic :(
C5, C5, Xantia, BX, GS, Visa.
R4, R11TXE, R14, R30TX
x 4888

Re: Oh the joys of internet shopping

Post by myglaren »

andy5 wrote: 18 Sep 2019, 12:19 Back to the OP: you missed out bits about password reminder/reset, and the email never comes, or if it does the new password is also not valid. Or a new innovation, now you need to receive a code in a text message to log in. That doesn't come, so request another, and another. After 10 to 90 minutes a bunch come at once, not necessarily in the same order as the requests, so most or all are no longer valid.
That's rather odd - I haven't had that problem* - I have bought some bits from ECP and other online sellers problem free.
I usually buy oil, filters etc. from a local car bits shop. It is a few miles away but conveniently en rout to my daughter's so I pass by frequently.


* Only with a change of doctor recently - I set up online access and the following day had an email from the doctor saying I had changed my address (hadn't) and now can't log in and it won't send a password update to me (I recorded the password).
May need to fix that one day.
andy5
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 438
Joined: 05 Nov 2010, 13:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 104

Re: Oh the joys of internet shopping

Post by andy5 »

No, I haven't either on those sites. Sorry for the misunderstanding, I was wandering off-topic and trying to extend a semi-comic rant to websites in general.

In fact for the GSF website you can reserve at the local branch without opening an account

Talking of doctors, you've just reminded me. The local surgery has something in common with a certain entertainment venue in London. Purplewifi.

To use their wifi, you get temporary access to fill in a provider registration page and send it. Then a page says they're sending an email and you have to click a link in it. But you can't receive this email as the temporary wifi has just cut off.
User avatar
NewcastleFalcon
Posts: 24563
Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 10:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 6866

Re: Oh the joys of internet shopping

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

Gibbo2286 wrote: 18 Sep 2019, 09:52 Do you not have a motor factor member of The Parts Alliance near by Van?

https://www.thepartsalliance.com/

It's a trade supplier but they serve anyone over the counter in their stores.
TMS motor Spares and CTS Motor Factors are all part of that organisation round here. As a "member of the public" prices in general are not competitive with Eurocarparts when you use the ECP offers and discount codes. A recent crop of parts....brake discs and pads and a couple of flexible brake hoses TMS couldnt get within £45 of the ECP price with the discount codes and ECP offer free delivery too if you are prepared to wait a couple of days.

Local garages tend to use TMS as even out in the sticks they deliver 3 times a day to the "trade". and no doubt the "trade" get a decent discount too.

Regards Neil
Only One AA Box left
687 Trinity, Jersey
User avatar
van ordinaire
(Donor 2017)
Posts: 2537
Joined: 23 Jun 2015, 14:45
Location: Live & work in London but weekend in Devon (or do I now live in Torbay & work in London?)
My Cars: Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club (quietly sleeping in a parallel universe)
'05 (yes, really) C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
'96 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the "donor"
'99 Jeep Cherokee Orvis - the green one
'97 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the red one
'99 Cadillac Seville STS
'96 Cadillac Eldorado ETC
& numerous what might be described as abandoned projects!
x 405

Re: Oh the joys of internet shopping

Post by van ordinaire »

I'd quite forgotten about the new password that didn't work but it's some time since I was reduced to lying that I'd forgotten mine.

I do have a factors within walking distance at a pinch at weekends but they're not cheap, even trade (in fact the last thing I bought there was a length of washer hose which was so expensive the man said he couldn't charge me that much - I think it was about 3 times what HE was expecting it to be). SC Factors which I know of seem to have a branch 2.8 miles from my London address (according to the partsalliance site) but round here that's an hour's round trip but the reason I'm at Halford's mercy is everywhere else is closed before I leave work most days.
I've dealt with CP4L for years, generally with no issues at all, but their website's flaky now - & then there's their extremely dubious enticement of a discount code you can't use (as opposed to one that doesn't work). ECP's reputation is such I wouldn't go near them & GSF (who I quite liked when they were simply German & Swedish) have proved to be even worse with a website that's not fit for purpose that they get all defensive about when you complain & counter staff who can be rude, unpleasant & argumentative.
Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club :cry:
'05 C15 :!:
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate [-o<
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3 :?
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS :|
& the numerous "abandoned projects" #-o
Peter.N.
Moderating Team
Posts: 11563
Joined: 02 Apr 2005, 16:11
Location: Charmouth,Dorset
My Cars: Currently:

C5 X7 VTR + Satnav Hdi estate Silver
C5 X7 VTR + Hdi Estate 2008 Red

In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars.
x 1199

Re: Oh the joys of internet shopping

Post by Peter.N. »

I'm always trying to register with someone only to have my email address rejected - because I am already registered with them :oops: cant remember my password of course.

I tend to head on line as we have no parts suppliers within 30 miles of here, there is a GSF in Exeter but I don't know of a nearer one, and they are expensive compared to tinternet. I ordered a couple of 406 front brake hoses from ebay a couple of weeks ago, wrong ones of course but they did give me a prompt refund, my fault as much as theirs as I didn't know there were at least three different types.

Next ones came in two days but very often the will come next day, you can pay a bit extra for next day delivery with some firms but a lot do it anyway.

Do be careful that the firm isn't in China though or you are talking about a week - which doesn't always matter of course.

Peter
andy5
(Donor 2022)
Posts: 438
Joined: 05 Nov 2010, 13:40
Location:
My Cars:
x 104

Re: Oh the joys of internet shopping

Post by andy5 »

So many of these firms have this strange policy of publishing prices and then discount codes which vary with time. 40, 45, 50, 60%, or 20% away from prices which start cheaper. Thus ECP is slightly cheaper than its partner CP4L at the moment, or was yesterday anyway

Presumably trade customers might get 70% or so, which probably helps compared to the bill they show the customer. On another forum I read someone suspecting she'd been ripped off on mark-up, whereas a place she used to go would phone the supplier on speakerphone, and she could hear the price. I thought, but didn't reply, sure, but you don't see their account when it comes with a discount to that.
doctle
Posts: 947
Joined: 16 Oct 2014, 12:17
Location: Meath Ireland
My Cars: 2008 Laguna 1.5 DCi
x 235

Re: Oh the joys of internet shopping

Post by doctle »

I buy stuff off mister auto, the Bolk stuff they sell seems to be their own brand but they do sell branded parts as well and prices aren't that bad. I ordered a set of wipers off eBay they were to be delivered to my sisters house on Tuesday she's visiting this weekend. They are still in Rugby sorting hub, unlikely they will be in Northern Ireland before she leaves tomorrow. (I hate Hermes)
Oh buggle
User avatar
van ordinaire
(Donor 2017)
Posts: 2537
Joined: 23 Jun 2015, 14:45
Location: Live & work in London but weekend in Devon (or do I now live in Torbay & work in London?)
My Cars: Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club (quietly sleeping in a parallel universe)
'05 (yes, really) C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
'96 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the "donor"
'99 Jeep Cherokee Orvis - the green one
'97 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the red one
'99 Cadillac Seville STS
'96 Cadillac Eldorado ETC
& numerous what might be described as abandoned projects!
x 405

Re: Oh the joys of internet shopping

Post by van ordinaire »

I've used Mr Auto & been lucky - because they have a terrible reputation, not for products but for handling matters when things go wrong. Bolk is a Peugeot subsidiary/budget brand name, so their stuff SHOULD be fine.

I get my wipers from Trago Mills, where regular Wipacs work out at about 10p an 1" BUT they've only got 3 branches: Devon, Cornwall & Merthyr(?) however CP4L have started doing Vyper wipers at give away prices; I tacked one onto an order a while back, so didn't really notice the cost, & it seems OK but whether it'll last as long as the one that was on the C15 when I got it is another matter.

Those pads tuned up today (next day delivery at no extra cost) from "Parts2Clear" - who claim to be "eBay's No. 1 Car Parts Specialist" - they're DriveTec (nope never heard of them, but they are Made in England, so no Chinese cheese friction material) which, it turns out, is The Parts Alliance's house brand!
Peter.N. wrote: 19 Sep 2019, 09:38 I'm always trying to register with someone only to have my email address rejected - because I am already registered with them :oops: cant remember my password of course.
Yup, bin there except, as I think I've already mentioned, it's not a password problem - but that my e-mail address isn't recognised.
Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club :cry:
'05 C15 :!:
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate [-o<
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3 :?
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS :|
& the numerous "abandoned projects" #-o
Peter.N.
Moderating Team
Posts: 11563
Joined: 02 Apr 2005, 16:11
Location: Charmouth,Dorset
My Cars: Currently:

C5 X7 VTR + Satnav Hdi estate Silver
C5 X7 VTR + Hdi Estate 2008 Red

In the past: 3, CX td Safaris and about 7, XM td estates. Lovely cars.
x 1199

Re: Oh the joys of internet shopping

Post by Peter.N. »

Ah! Trago Mills. Practically everything in our house either comes from there or Ebay. Their Wipac wipers are pretty cheap, I used to buy my engine oil there for many years but its a lot cheaper on Ebay now.

They do still have some very good value stuff but not much motor related. They have a steam railway at Newton Abbot and their eating places are very good too.

Peter
Gibbo2286
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 7171
Joined: 08 Jun 2011, 18:04
Location: GL15***
My Cars: 2006 C5 2.0 Litre HDI VTR Automatic Estate.(now sold on)
Currently Renault Zoe 2014 ZE
x 2500

Re: Oh the joys of internet shopping

Post by Gibbo2286 »

The Parts Alliance group market the DriveTec range, seem to be affiliated in some way, I use a lot of their stuff.

https://www.drivetecautoparts.com/
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
User avatar
van ordinaire
(Donor 2017)
Posts: 2537
Joined: 23 Jun 2015, 14:45
Location: Live & work in London but weekend in Devon (or do I now live in Torbay & work in London?)
My Cars: Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club (quietly sleeping in a parallel universe)
'05 (yes, really) C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
'96 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the "donor"
'99 Jeep Cherokee Orvis - the green one
'97 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the red one
'99 Cadillac Seville STS
'96 Cadillac Eldorado ETC
& numerous what might be described as abandoned projects!
x 405

Re: Oh the joys of internet shopping

Post by van ordinaire »

I still buy oil at Trago's, but only over Christmas/New Year - when it's 20% off.

Since a major refit at Newton the car section seems to have shrunk BUT they do still have have a separate shop as well AND a seriously cheap petrol station!

So those pads might not be the rubbish the price suggested, we'll see [fitted the n/s ones today - & refitted the o/s ones (in daylight) with better cleaning + copper grease] but not expecting a revelation on the road to London tomorrow.
Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club :cry:
'05 C15 :!:
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate [-o<
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3 :?
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS :|
& the numerous "abandoned projects" #-o
Post Reply