| 37coop | -- 05-31-2013 @ 10:18 AM |
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h*llo gents , I need a few parts for my truck and I will be at Tahoe in 2 weeks , I phoned bob drake to order over the phone and pick up at the event ,first I was cut off as soon as I told them my request ,I phoned back and was told they wont be selling or taking any stock to Tahoe,i asked what was the point in them going and he told me it was just to let them be seen and distribute catalogues,i told him I understood the system was to order up to 2 weeks in advance and collect at the event and he repeated what he told me previously ....is he having a laugh? frankly I have always avoided using drakes and was doing so to avoid the shipping etc to the u.k,the salesmans attitude was bad and I realy cant believe what he told me ...quite frankly I,m steaming out of my ears , anybody had the same or was it he just doesn't like brits , thanks ,jim.
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| supereal | -- 05-31-2013 @ 2:58 PM |
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It isn't you. Their problems began with excessive backorders with no expectation of delivery in the forseeable future. The order takers can't answer questions, and more often than not, the delivered order is not correct. For many years, Bob Drake was the "gold standard" of old Ford parts. He has been a constant supporter of Ford events I don't know why this is happening. For us "old timers", it is very sad. We switched suppliers a long time ago out of necessity.
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| Stroker | -- 05-31-2013 @ 4:23 PM |
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Supereal summed it up, but I'd add that in the past, I have found Bob Drake's stuff to be exceptional. I don't know what happened, but I know that Dennis Carpenter has expanded his line of reproduction parts using original factory tooling. Every business goes through cycles, and I suspect that Drake is suffering from leadership as the company has aged, and the mission has become more diffuse. The biggest up-front gamble that any supplier of parts experiences is tooling cost. In terms of numbers, we provide a very small market of potential customers, and accordingly, Drake has expanded into the "Street-Rod" community in an effort to increase those numbers. Attempts to contain costs has driven many to source finished products from Asia. When a new supplier starts out, it is often a "mom and pop" operation with no outside labor. Bob Drake started out that way making cardboard glove compartment liners. Check the advertisers in our V8 Times, as many of those are too small to have extensive catalogs or websites, but are truly dedicated to helping preserve our hobby.
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| supereal | -- 05-31-2013 @ 5:04 PM |
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My friend Dan (Stroker) has well expanded my opinion. Under it all is the evident fact that the old car hobby is in a death spiral. I yield to no one regarding the fun and satisfaction the hobby has given me. That said, as I knock on the door of 80, I know that this passion isn't shared by even my kids who are all in their mid to late 50's. When I entered the hobby, there were many sources, and we learned by trial and error who could deliver quaity and reasonable price. Sadly, the best have obviously encountered the headwinds of changing times. Drake, Carpenter, and others who have been the flagship old car suppliers are struggling to maintain a market adequate to sustain theirs and pay their bills. I salute them for their tenacity and extend thanks for the service they have given us over the years. This message was edited by supereal on 5-31-13 @ 5:05 PM
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| woodiewagon46 | -- 05-31-2013 @ 5:26 PM |
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Drakes quality has gone way down. I purchase a pair of rear fender gravel guards for my '46 woodie and the three of the mounting studs were in the wrong location. After a couple of months I noticed that two of the welds broke and the guard had pulled away from the fender. I also purchased an "8" for the hood ornament and it lasted about a month before it fell off. When I talked to Bob he said I should have glued it on with silicone!!! He did not offer to replace it though.
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| 37coop | -- 06-01-2013 @ 1:33 AM |
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thanks guys ,I understand the problems of being competitive but their plight is not helped by employing sales staff with attitude .I,m 66 and been playing with old cars and bikes for 40 years ,first of all coachbuilt English , Daimler ,alvis then got into American ,here in the good old u.k we have a window of about 4 months (if we are lucky) before rubbish weather hits us, i still don't know and cant believe they are going to Tahoe without stock to sell and not taking orders to collect there ,has anybody done this or am I being paranoid, cheers jim.
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| woodiewagon46 | -- 06-01-2013 @ 6:50 AM |
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I am not one to defend Bob Drake but you have to remember that Drake is dealing with a fairly limited market at Tahoe. The prediction is about 600 cars and that's great, but for Drake to bring his entire "road show" to Tahoe is very expensive for him, it's just not worth it . His display at the NSRA Louisville show is huge but there are over 10,000 cars and many thousands of people buying parts!
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| TomO | -- 06-01-2013 @ 7:19 AM |
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Jim, I know what you mean about English weather. I just returned from 10 days in Southern England and was cold all 10 days. I would try C&G or call Drake back and tell the salesman that the web site says that they will bring orders to Lake Tahoe and if he will not guarantee the order, ask to talk to Bob Drake. Tom
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| JM | -- 06-01-2013 @ 9:14 AM |
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Bob Drake was at St George, Utah in 2010 with his parts trailer and new '40 ford body that is now in Carpenters hands. If he wanted to bring orders for pickup at Tahoe he could bring that in a small trailer, in the back of a van, or PU with cap. He could also take orders while there. When I say he it could be one of his employees doing this and not Bob himself. John This message was edited by JM on 6-2-13 @ 5:16 AM
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| nelsb01 | -- 06-01-2013 @ 2:35 PM |
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I think the answer to all this is the one that was over on the other site. Mr. Drake may have to take out a sales tax permit to sell in CA or NV. That could be costly! I know for a fact that selling at Hershey is not cheap and they do come around and check to make sure that you are 'paying them' what they are due. Although, if I was Bob, I think I would call this a vacation and enjoy myself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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| FrankM-RG5 | -- 06-02-2013 @ 7:58 PM |
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Maybe you could get a local member to let you have a shipment sent to their place and they could meet you in Tahoe. Just put out a request and see what happens. I have oredered some stuff from Carpenter recently and the shipping was quite reasonable. Of course we are both on the east coast but see what happens.
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