JAE for Parts???????
Discussion
Is there a problem with JAE in the US for getting parts? I called them and asked for some basic parts and they said they would have to call me back in 1 hour, That was 2 days ago and still never heard anything, i guess they don't need my business. i even tried today and just got a ansewering machine. called dave bean and parts are now on there way. has anyone else had a problem with JAE
Chris
Chris
I have run into this 1 time from JAE but I did not let it bother me. They are always good to go to for parts, but, also I have called several times with tech questions and for ideas. J and Jeff both have never been anything but good! Even the time I ran into this type of situation I called back in a day or so and they were very upset with the fact that this happened to me... and made things right.
Remeber JAE is really only 3 guys, 2 full time all the time. I still recomend them to anyone... Not to say that anyone else is no good. everyone has good and bad times.
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
Remeber JAE is really only 3 guys, 2 full time all the time. I still recomend them to anyone... Not to say that anyone else is no good. everyone has good and bad times.
Drive topless!!!
Cameron
Well first of all JAE has many many parts (bushings, electrical, etc) that they have sourced on their own and can probably find you things no other parts supplier can.. only problem is that if they dont have it in stock they have this habit of keeping you lingering forever. I also had a problem with wrong parts being shipped to me (3 out of 10 orders) which i guess is an honest mistake but really hurt me in terms of time. All that said jeff and jay are nice guys u just have to stay on top of them when it seems like they have forgotten about u. In keeping with the whole nice guy theme I am saying all this even after they told me to take my future business elsewhere (email me a list of other lotus places to help lol). Also.. just because 1 parts place tells u something is on 6 week backorder doesnt mean the next guy wont have 10 of them sitting on a shelf, especially when it comes to lotus parts most of which are on 6 week backorder anyway.
JAE is just Jeff and Jay with an occassional helper. It's not a super-correographed dance of thousands sailing boxes out the door.
This time of year all the amature racers are coming out of hibernation and suddenly it's critical that the fixes they didn't do to their race cars during the off-season get done before the first race. It's SCCA-Panic season and typically JAE gets swamped with orders about now.
Also, don't call JAE around mid-afternoon. The UPS truck comes around 3:00 or 4:00 (?) and all the day's orders have to be picked, boxed, labeled and invoiced before the little brown truck shows up.
Call early in the day. It's hard to call too early since they work insane hours in order to cover all time zones... the world. Put the call off until late in the day and you're just leaning into the punch. You know (now) that they're busier than one-armed paper hangers later in the day, so why call then? If you insist upon doing something that you know isn't going to work, you're part of the problem... right? (general statement... now pointed at anyone).
You also know (now) that if you call when Jeff is up to his huh-huh in aligators, place a verbal order, and he says, "... Uhhh, I'll get that out tomorrow...?"... that means tomorrow he won't even remember that you called, much less what you wanted. Just say, "No, don't worry about it, I'll call you back earlier tomorrow".
You gotta manage your resources. Is it worth the effort? Yes. JAE is a great independent Lotus parts source, they're very knowledgeable and helpful, and they make an honest effort. Sometimes they just get overwhelmed.
For the most part, that applies to all the independent Lotus parts suppliers. They all tend to be small companies with limited resources as opposed to "Mr. Goodwrench" (GM/ Chevrolet in the USA). We need their support as much as they need our business. Do your part and help them out by being a little thoughtful about working your side of the relationship.
Regards,
Tim Engel
Lotus Owners Oftha North
This time of year all the amature racers are coming out of hibernation and suddenly it's critical that the fixes they didn't do to their race cars during the off-season get done before the first race. It's SCCA-Panic season and typically JAE gets swamped with orders about now.
Also, don't call JAE around mid-afternoon. The UPS truck comes around 3:00 or 4:00 (?) and all the day's orders have to be picked, boxed, labeled and invoiced before the little brown truck shows up.
Call early in the day. It's hard to call too early since they work insane hours in order to cover all time zones... the world. Put the call off until late in the day and you're just leaning into the punch. You know (now) that they're busier than one-armed paper hangers later in the day, so why call then? If you insist upon doing something that you know isn't going to work, you're part of the problem... right? (general statement... now pointed at anyone).
You also know (now) that if you call when Jeff is up to his huh-huh in aligators, place a verbal order, and he says, "... Uhhh, I'll get that out tomorrow...?"... that means tomorrow he won't even remember that you called, much less what you wanted. Just say, "No, don't worry about it, I'll call you back earlier tomorrow".
You gotta manage your resources. Is it worth the effort? Yes. JAE is a great independent Lotus parts source, they're very knowledgeable and helpful, and they make an honest effort. Sometimes they just get overwhelmed.
For the most part, that applies to all the independent Lotus parts suppliers. They all tend to be small companies with limited resources as opposed to "Mr. Goodwrench" (GM/ Chevrolet in the USA). We need their support as much as they need our business. Do your part and help them out by being a little thoughtful about working your side of the relationship.
Regards,
Tim Engel
Lotus Owners Oftha North
They have been hit and miss with me.. I am still waiting a year later to get a part they left out of my last order.
Although they have in the past admitted they forgot it, now they dont seem to reply at all.
They do have parts, that is clear(with decent prices), and they are nice to talk to. But they dont listen to how I want parts shipped and they are not capable to handle an address change. That has been frustrating for me. I suppose small shops cant be perfect but I dont understand how you can ingore an email forever.
Do you think they just delete it and hope it never comes back?
Although they have in the past admitted they forgot it, now they dont seem to reply at all.
They do have parts, that is clear(with decent prices), and they are nice to talk to. But they dont listen to how I want parts shipped and they are not capable to handle an address change. That has been frustrating for me. I suppose small shops cant be perfect but I dont understand how you can ingore an email forever.
Do you think they just delete it and hope it never comes back?
i get wrong parts all the time, and it pains me to pay the return and reshipping every time. it isn't JAE at fault though. most manufacturers have exploded view drawings featuring every part and fastener on the car, which minimizes communication errors. lotus just never saw fit to thoroughly document their product. i haven't been to the lotus headquarters, but i imagine the place is managed by plastic garden gnomes.
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