Is IFHS sphere shop open at the moment?

[elma]

I think you'll find that Citroen don't sell them any more.
They couldn't get me any a few years ago when I bought a pair of hydractive strut tops from them.
I had to scour the internet to find some at a ridiculous price of about £4 each.
Alarmingly they now cost even more.
http://shop.citroenclassics.co.uk/o-rin ... -205-p.asp

[sonoramicommando]

I've bought replacement seals from a Citroen dealer at eyewatering NZD20 a piece (that's around GBP12) - at least I won't lose sleep worrying about them leaking...
Return (for refund or exchange) is pretty much not an option as I'd lose a lot of money in return shipping, so I made the call to fit them as the threads are ok and there are no cracks. Also I wasn't prepared to wait until the end of July to discuss with them, let alone getting replacements sorted (which I didn't know that they are on a month long break).
Thanks guys - I really appreciate your input.

[CitroJim]

I've bought replacement seals from a Citroen dealer at eyewatering NZD20 a piece (that's around GBP12) - at least I won't lose sleep worrying about them leaking...

Ouch!

Next time you need one, ask on here and I'm sure one of us can pop a couple in the post. Like many I expect, I have stacks of good second-hand ones here...

[sonoramicommando]

I've bought replacement seals from a Citroen dealer at eyewatering NZD20 a piece (that's around GBP12) - at least I won't lose sleep worrying about them leaking...

Ouch!

Yeah we get ripped off pretty bad down here - at least double the UK price, sometimes more.
It's definitely worthwhile buying from the UK (dealers or the likes of GSF and Eurocarparts). I vaguely remember a dealer here wanting megabucks for C5 front swaybar drop links, which I got from GSF (or was it Eurocarparts?) for peanuts...

[sonoramicommando]

Thanks Jim!

[CitroJim]

They must be still going as I just spotted this on Facebook..

They don't come much fresher than this!

Facebook - BX Club UK Group

Image borrowed from the Facebook BX Club UK Group.

[white exec]

Citroen still have our O-rings available:
5272 15 SQUARE SEAL 37.4 x 42 x 2.6mm
Not sure about pack qty or price.
Listed as for BX, Xan, XM, C5 (all), C6

As a possible alternative, if stuck, Polymax UK offer Viton (chemical resistant) round-section seals in various very close sizes, including 37.7x42.94x2.62mm.
http://www.polymax.co.uk/o-rings/rubber-viton-oring/
They do not offer square-section o-rings.

[sonoramicommando]

They must be still going as I just spotted this on Facebook..

They don't come much fresher than this!

freshspheres.jpg

Image borrowed from the Facebook BX Club UK Group.

Ok I'm still confused regarding IFHS's relationship with the Sphere Shop - is the shop an exclusive sales source for IFHS or just the usual retailer/manufacturer relationship?
Oh look:

Factory closed from Friday 7 July to Thursday 27 July.
Orders placed during holidays will be processed upon return.

I tried to order something (just to see if I can buy something, as opposed to after sales customer service as I need), the above message pops up.
My initial email was on 24th June, then followed up on 29th June and 8th July - unless something went wrong with the email (although I have corresponded with them from the same address before without any issue).
I'll come back on 28th and give you an update.

[sonoramicommando]

LATEST UPDATE:
They just got back to me saying they found all my mails in their spam folder - strange the mails got through with no issue before.
Now they have given me FULL refund for all seven spheres and shipping! Which is good but I can't possibly accept full refund in good conscience as not all of them were dodgy.
I'll have to send them another email for a fair settlement.

[white exec]

Persistence has paid off. Well done.

[sonoramicommando]

More update:
I've offered to repay for the good parts and it "seems" like they want me to keep the full refund - I had to confirm a couple of times as I don't speak French and their English is only passable for discussions like this. They said their system does not allow them to facilitate a partial refund and only full refund is possible but I was unsure if they would accept the partial repayment offer.
In conclusion, I'm happy with the customer service side of it (notwithstanding the emails going to spam folder) although the defective parts are a bit worrying given their good reputation. Hopefully it's not a widespread problem.
Thanks all for your help.

[white exec]

Maybe they know they have a reputation to maintain in a small but dedicated market, and that customers will have done their homework. Better to keep one customer happy than let 'word' go round!

Often worth letting a club/forum's name creep into correspondence when difficulties arise (without claiming to represent the organisation, obviously).

[sonoramicommando]

Maybe they know they have a reputation to maintain in a small but dedicated market, and that customers will have done their homework. Better to keep one customer happy than let 'word' go round!

Often worth letting a club/forum's name creep into correspondence when difficulties arise (without claiming to represent the organisation, obviously).

Regardless of their motive, credit where credit is due. Their response in my opinion was more than adequate - maybe I've had too many dealings like this before, where some pretty much don't care and others grudgingly admit responsibility giving the least possible compensation they can get away with.

I was going to mention some of the forums if they were going to be difficult but wasn't necessary after all.

[white exec]

It's good to be met with good customer service. Can come as a welcome surprise.