CAVEY 130 Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Im about halfway through my 2nd Defender project...a strip down to chassis then nut and bolt rebuild of a rare Foley built 2002 130 5 door. Im a complete amateur...basic mechanical and fabrication skills...but what I have found in the last 8 weeks is that without any doubt whatsoever the hardest part of rebuilding one of tgese cars is finding a decent reliable professional parts supplier. The internet....the mags and ebay are littered with hundreds upon hundreds of them. I am an intelligent man...I have built and sold 2 fairly succesful business'. I do my research....my due dilligence... Im careful who I deal with...so far I have spent in excess of 8 grand with some of the most reputable well known companies around....not one of them has provided even the most basic level of competent customer service....its shocking!!! Not really onto public "naming and shaming"....not one for using publ8c forums to myddy the waters...all Im looking for is a professional "one stop shop"... Im a very loyal customer...both my business' were built on the most basic of principles... if we dont look after our customers ...someone else will. I still have some major purchases to make...a full set of 5 doors..a couple of panels...a full interior ..a roof rack and some other cosmetic bits n bobs Please help!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 Where are you based? Someone may be able to recommend someone local that you can actually go and speak to - this can be so much better than mail order! For mail order parts, I have found lrdirect and britcar to be really quite good. They offer a range from cheap aftermarket to genuine and are clear about what you are ordering, where it came from and lrdirect will often tell you the manufacturer as well as the supplier. Postage is generally free if the order is over £50. And the best thing is they are quick to get in contact and react if there is a problem or you have a question. That's my experience of them anyway. Some of the others struggle to even pick up the phone! For body parts, yrm have always given me good service. For doors, splandrovers seem to get reasonable reviews and it's where I will go soon when I need to order all four doors for mine - I haven't used sp yet though, so that's not necessarily a recommendation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotts90 Posted September 15, 2015 Share Posted September 15, 2015 I got a lot from my local 4x4 specialist, been friends with the owners for years so I trust them. I can also vouch for Britcar, bought a lot from YRM and I have also purchased panels from SPLandrovers. I haven't experienced bad service from any real suppliers to be fair, although getting most parts locally means any issues are dealt with face to face and its "their" problem. The only issues have been with some private eBay sellers....but that's the gamble you take. If you have a local LR specialist then it's worth asking them for stuff, they may stick a small amount on for their time/efforts but it can pay dividends in the long run Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
need4speed Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 Firstly welcome to the forum! Secondly if this is your 2nd defender rebuild you should know who the good suppliers are. It's a quick learning curve building one of these things. Trust me I know.. Can't go far wrong with Britcar (NOT Britpart!!!) and LR Series for general parts. As has been said above YRM are very good for hard to find body items. Lastly, pics, pics and more pics please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazza Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 Another vote for Britcar, they've been brilliant with everything over ordered for my rebuild Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 I've bought a fair bit from lrs via eBay no complaints so far. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Souster Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 Britcar or totalparts. Can't fault either! Totalparts are incredibly helpful, pretty much bend over backwards for the customer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffR Posted September 16, 2015 Share Posted September 16, 2015 Please avoid anything that comes in a Britpart box.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discomikey Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I regard John Richard Surplus in Hinstock, Market Drayton way as the best for customer service. Its a small, family run affair, but prices are competetive too, and they have a massive selection of decent quality genuine New Old Stock parts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Where are you based? I'm lucky that I've got a decent local specialist. If you're anywhere near wantage, Oxfordshire, they'd be perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete3000 Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 through trial and error over last 15 years good suppliers in my book........., LRdirect, Rimmer Bros, Island 4x4, and mm4x4 (local specialist). Mainly because they will send you the correct parts (well the ones you ask for) and not in a blue box is an option they understand, if that's your choice (almost a given for moving or critical parts) Not however, xxxdocks or LR dealers as they seem to take the proverbial on several levels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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