When to stop waiting for product?

[Frank Murch]

What is reasonable?

I have a question for the group. I ordered new door panels for my series 62 1963 convertible 532 days ago from Doug at SMS Auto-fabrics

I know that COVID is here

I did receive 2 visors and a convertible tonneau cover (boot)

Doug tells me these will be shipped at the end of Oct. (he has told me similar things for over a year)

Question: At what point do I just ask for my money back and walk away?

[3ft7bqmb7dryo]

Get your money back, order the fabrics from them and be done with them. They dont finish the top part correctly anyways. They said they do, until I got a call from them stating they cant do it in the original fashion. i waited close to a year to find the info out. 

Just dashes will do your top panel correctly, and find a good upholstery shop near you top do the rest of the door panel. 

[Jason Edge]

The only recent experience I have had with SMS was ordering trunk material. I knew their reputation of being super slow so I asked if they had it in stock. They said yes, and they would ship in 2 to 3 weeks. Knowing their reputation I was still surprised, since as a parts seller if I have an item it will generally be packed and shipped within one day.  For items like door panels I am told they provide really nice stuff .... so I guess I would hang in there and keep bugging them. I know personally I would be on the phone or email with them on Nov 1 asking for a tracking #, and assuming it has not been shipped ask about their refund process? Just as asside this is one reason I like email or better yet invoiced in advance with a specific date. That way you can better hold them to it. And finally I think their reputation would be much better if they would just be honest up front for custom made stuff and give them an actual estimate regardless if it is 12 months, 18 months 24 months or more. At least, that way you know where you stand in terms of getting your car back together. 

[Frank Murch]

I have been pushing and "Doug" and I am not on the same page, but he is telling me that the panels are done, but missing a few parts.  I think this may be true, but I am hearing about this nearly 2 years after I sent them in.  I likely have the parts or could have found them, but at this point I just want to end it and get the panels back. 

[Matti Roth]

Hi

my timeline with SMS is:

- got samples in May. They said material is available.

- made order for fabric July 27, got invoice and paid right away.

- big silence, so I asked tracking number August 26. No reply.

- asking tracking number again September 25. No reply.

- Kim/SMS informed October 1st that they are currently making a new roll of this cloth. Promised to be back, nothing happened.

- November 1st I got email from USPS that shipment from SMS is to be shipped to me.

- November 11th shipment arrived Finland.

- I made customs clearance and got the shipment November 15.

Fabric looks very good!