Had to modify my post and remove any details so as to protect the forum from defamation threats.

Now we all heard many stories of a certain major British retailer of mini spare parts (not gonna mention any names here) shipping items to Oz without your approval of the shipping quote and really without providing you with a quote half the time (despite a specific guarantee to do so on their website) its also known that they do not reply to emails and in general provide autrocious customer service. What I didnt know was the extent of the cheating and lying they'll go to to deny a customer's complaint.

I've ordered 2 MK2 Cooper S front bonnet badges. On their site the badge was described as "MORRIS COOPER S BONNET BADGE MK2" the item number is ALA6515 and the details said: "FRONT,MORRIS COOPER "S",MK2" and a photo was given of a badge with a nice chrome surround. I didnt know that the badge and bezel are separate and so based on the photo and no description to the contrary thought I'm getting the whole thing. When I only got the inserts I asked certain ML. that some might have dealt with before, for explanations. When he didnt reply to 3 emails I complained in a more threatening tone and sent them a copy of the page from their site with no mention of a bezel being required. Finaly I get a reply today that says "you have to order the bezel separately. Please note the it does state this in the description for the badge" and a link to the page which has miraculously sprouted the extra line that says "Mk2 Morris Cooper S bonnet badge plastic insert. For outer bezel see ALA6519. (not included)", I complained saying that the Identical Austion version still has the old description and what do you know several hours later it too sports the extra line (they forgot to put the the final phrase "not included" in the Austin version though).

Now I wont even bother to discuss the fact that with all other product descriptions where they refer to other products (saying something like "for item x see ALAXXX") they never add the line "not included" at the end (it was obviously intended for me to deny me any chance of a case). I dont really care about the badges and the bezels, I do care though when people I deal with openly behave like scumbags and liers. But I guess if thats the way they choose to conduct their business than good luck to them. I'll be dealing with Mini Sport and Aussie businesses from now on.

I have purchased items from OS but since both English and American post/freight charges sky-rocketed about 2 years ago the advantage is no longer there. The only items I've purchased lately have been on special/clearance where the savings have more than covered the post costs. I was "stung" once by freight when my instructions for surface mail were ignored and it came air at cosiderable cost. Since then if I am conserned frieght will be an issue I email Simon at Minispares and ask for a quote and I always get a reply- usually the next day.

I find Karcraft to be the best of the Australia suppliers and very competative with OS prices + freight

My 2C

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

This is a particularly good reason why we need to support the local importers (even though it may cost us a little more, but, hey, they've got a right to make some money too!) since you basically have no recourse if the OS seller stiffs you, or you merely need to return something.

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72 Clubman and a 75 Van.

Well I ordered grille buttons and seat adjusters from a certain OS company, gave me CC details etc. That was in September and I have since had absolutely no reply and thankfully no charge on my CC either... Go figure...

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

I Ordered an Braided OIl Pressure Hose from the "same supplier" as i believe you are all talking about. . .
It was charged to my CC, invoice sent, then the unit arrived.
It was then charged again, invoice sent again and another unit arrived. . .
CUt the story short, i was sent and paid for twice, they refunded me the purchase price and the shipping and to cover my International Currency Conversion costs, they let me keep the second hose !

They need a serious look at their sales team methinks. . .

J

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If that is the same company that I think it is they doesn't even bother to reply to my emails. I just ask for total costs including shipping.
They must think that I'm a time waster? I dunno but I do know that I deal with another O/S company who is happy to take my money.

Rupert (out and out Arsehole)

I've had bad dealings from OS suppliers and have been turned off the whole thing.

Sorry to hear about your issues......it really sux, but take heart in the fact that you are not alone.

One of my wholesalers told me once that it cost them $15 an item in overheads to recieve a credit and return it to stock. If the item cost less than that it was cheaper to write it off

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

crap Mike you got Stung again
I always ask for a shipping cost first, If I don't get a replyI try somewhere else

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

Well this is just the culmination of a whole saga where I put an order through as per their instructions, specificaly requested for it to be sent by airmail only and to get a shiping quote before they charge me and mail the stuff. Nothing happens for a week so I email matt again asking what's happening to my inquiry. the next day I get a quote with some of the items listed out of stock. IU was unsure if I should proceed or wait for all of them to become available so I send him an email asking when the rest of the stuff will be available.

The next day a knock on my door - a parcel has arrived with only some of the items. Check my credit card balance and they've charged me for the whole order plus like 100 pounds in shipping. The next day another parcel sent by UPS express delivery (like the most expensive service UPS have) with the heaviest of the items in it (thats where the 100 quid in shiping come from). I'm still missing several items on my order and all this without even approving any shipping cost - especialy not UPS express.

I get pissed off and email them again asking what the hell;'s going on. I get a reply that they used what they see as the best shipping methods as the items became available and implying that I'm being unreasonable and petty. i got really pissed off so I contacted the local consumer protection agency in the UK and they threatened the retailer with action. I got a shipping refund for all the shipping costs.

After a few days another parcel arrives with some more items and thats where the story with the badges starts. Everything else can be seen as an honest mistake but lying and changing the page to deny my complaints is pretty low. If they were in Oz id sue the crap out of them but since they're in the UK.. I can only recomend - beware.

If we all deny them our business then they'll be forced to reconsider their customer service policies.

If having the original page would help try the "way back Machine" - they archive the web and you may be lucky and they have archived earlier pages off the site. Haven't got the URL but you should be able to find it in Google

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Oh I've got the original page - I emailed it to them 1 day before they changed it (thats why they changed it) PM me if you wanna see it. Its just that here I'm cant be appealing for them to do the right thing as they obviously have changed the page after my complaint so that they could deny it.

Mike, good luck with Mini Sport. I used them once for a whole lot of rubbers, it took them 10 weeks! Some wally put them on a boat not a plane.....

ps. MK1 UK door rubbers do NOT fit an Oz Mini properly. Too narrow..

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.