ECS Tuning experiences?

[zhifchik]

My Thoughts on Shipping

Shipping is always the single thing that irks me more than anything else. I've travelled throughout the world and know what real shipping costs are. While ECS may have higher costs, those costs are not as rediculous as some other companies. Another company wants $900 to ship a pair of 2 piece rotors. Bend over!

When companies put these costs up it's like saying "fusk you, it's too much effort to treat you as normal coz I have to go to all the trouble of putting a CN22 customs sticker on the parcel". We are a small market and it doesn't hurt them too much so they get away with it.

I notice this with MTB parts as well, although the Irish experience with Chain Reaction Cycles and free shipping with orders over $450 has made everyone in the US and Europe stand up because they have captured 10% of he WORLD market. The sooner some Chinese have great VAG performance parts the better. Their domestic market is sucking up everything at the moment, but soon it will explode. Just wish I read/spoke Chinese to get in early.

I've used ECS for an intercooler and was ripped a new arse with almost $450 shipping . Never again. I now use USP Motorsports in Florida among several other US companies, Unibrace was also good with realistic shipping. BKS in Germany are good along with some UK companies (although some of them also have the same "fusk you shipping costs" policies). Based on the recommendation here I will dip my toes with TM Tuning for some smaller items, but their web site is atrocious (ECS website is awesome and intuitive).

I have relos in the states but shipping to them for on-forwarding is a PITA to do it too often. Can be handy when there is free shipping in the US.

Rant Over.

[AusScare]

It's not that big a deal guys. I think the member from ECS has explained himself quite well.

Remember that ECS have a fantastic site and email marketing setup that would not be cheap to maintain. In a competitive online market it would be difficult to compete, so it's necessary to put some prices up where required.

The simple fact is, if the team at ECS find they are losing significant business through this, they will change. Until then, there are so many other choices to buy online, it is not the end of the world

[VWindahouse]

Sorry mate I think you may have missed the point a little and no disrespect intended. The issue is they are profiting wildly on shipping costs. We don't have a problem with their pricing of products.

The reason he has given so far is they offer a tracking system and insurance which the other US companies do as they use exactly the same shipping methods and companies etc. We are comparing apples with apples being US postage from the US, not the other reason they gave which was UK v's US shipping.

[vwthunder]

I have made a few orders with them over the years

Has been a positive experence. Looking at doing another order soon. I noticed some small items are expensive to ship, that is why i am going to add a few more things this time. For example, it was $50 to ship a forge 008 dv, I added in about 3 other items and shipping came to $70-80 total

[dylan8]

I have made a few orders with them over the years

Has been a positive experence. Looking at doing another order soon. I noticed some small items are expensive to ship, that is why i am going to add a few more things this time. For example, it was $50 to ship a forge 008 dv, I added in about 3 other items and shipping came to $70-80 total

This^^^^. Was silly expensive to post a single chrome trim on my car (but still cheaper then buying in AUS id like to point out even with the shipping), I just waited until I have a list of things to buy, postage is now up to ~$300 but when im ordering things that are 3 times the price in AUS, how could I complain.

I also find other sites to be a pain to navigate, while I find ECS really easy to browse, you don't have to contact them separately to see shipping costs etc

[Greg Roles]

To be fair, shipping is the biggest headache I face in attempting to be price competitive, and I am sure other competitive Aussie based companies such as TPR and Dubaddiction face similar woes. It costs nothing to get a quote off the local guys too, and between the three of us we can access a fair bit of stuff, personally that is set to expand a lot this year for me.

[theOctopus]

To be fair, shipping is the biggest headache I face in attempting to be price competitive, and I am sure other competitive Aussie based companies such as TPR and Dubaddiction face similar woes. It costs nothing to get a quote off the local guys too, and between the three of us we can access a fair bit of stuff, personally that is set to expand a lot this year for me.

Yeah I think it's important to try and get the products you want through Australian distributors the more people who do the better it is for everyone, bigger range better prices etc etc, buying from overseas should really be a last resort.

[mikinoz]

Ok. So I am a reasonable person, I think that everyone is worth another chance to prove themselves.

I have decided to put ECS to the test on a purchase of a rear disc conversion from them.

The part is here: Volkswagen Golf III 2.0 > Braking > OEM > ES#1928186 Rear Drum To Disc Brake Conversion Kit - 4 Lug - EBK698226A2A34R

They want $474.70 for the kit which is actually very reasonable. Freight to me direct is $209.00 which is in my view a little high but hey I know these are heavy items.

I am about to PM ECS to see if they are able to do a better price on shipping. If I can get a price break and end up proceeding I will also be posting up the actual cost that is charged as affixed to the box on arrival.

Please don't get me wrong, this is not about being a prick here and expecting everything for free, but I think it is best to give a really honest and fair account of how this vendor is interacting with us as users and if they are genuine in our feedback and wanting our ongoing business.

[frozze]

Keep us posted. I've tried asking for some shipping discount but they ignored it.

[scoobyrex]

I was interested in getting a carbon fibre frille for $199.95 but shipping cost $218.32! No thanks!

ECS Tuning - Cart

[Greg Roles]

To also be fair, my Magento site is linked in to Australia Post for postage calculation, yet is is often wrong. I usually just cop the charge when it is against me, but if it's less that a dollar or so overcharged, it's not worth the effort or PayPal fee to return the difference. Certainly if it's sizable, I will refund it, but in my experience postage calculators, even directly linked into the Aussie post server like mine is, are quite inaccurate! Obviously of anyone asks, I'll refund a single cent overcharged postage!

[frozze]

To also be fair, my Magento site is linked in to Australia Post for postage calculation, yet is is often wrong. I usually just cop the charge when it is against me, but if it's less that a dollar or so overcharged, it's not worth the effort or PayPal fee to return the difference. Certainly if it's sizable, I will refund it, but in my experience postage calculators, even directly linked into the Aussie post server like mine is, are quite inaccurate! Obviously of anyone asks, I'll refund a single cent overcharged postage!

That's good to hear, Greg. Do you order stuff from ECS? Could be a great service to the local community if you ever do, IMO.

[parso_rex]

I buy a lot of my stuff from the UK or Europe and the prices and speed of delivery are much better than most in the US sadly. The last dealing we had with the above cost us $120 delivery approximately for 4 litres of DSG oil and the DSG dingus suffice to say Ben the owner banned me from ordering from them ever again LOL, they were great to deal with however. To be fair I'm not sure if its the US freight companies that deliberately exploit us here by giving the companies there no other remotely realistic option or if its a deliberate shafting or maybe its just everyone wants to get their snout in the trough a bit.... I should add its not just the car parts industry either, people know what particular countries populations can normally afford for common products and they can price things accordingly, if any of you frequent Asia you'd be well aware of that in fact much of our market here is structured in this way too, its all about what the customer will pay.
Recent stuff from Europe $200 worth of flash ram chips and other components for modifying the pre2000 cars ECU's postage $30 and here in 5 days, BDM programmer second hand as a spare ~ $900 and here in 7 days $25 postage from the UK. A 2000 model ECU $12 postage from the UK and here in a week. $5K of programming gear ~$140 freight, $15K programming gear + software < $200freight you get the picture
I used to have problem with UK vendors thinking that we were all a bunch of dummies down here but in the last couple of years I think they now see us a serious perhaps emerging market so things at the moment are good especially when you consider the distance and carriers involved.
Anyway at the end of the day we are all allowed to choose who who we purchase things from and we're not forced into anything

M

[mikinoz]

Yeah it is swings and roundabouts.

I got a price for a pair of rubstrips for the chrome MK1 bumpers last night. £69 for the pair and £70 to ship. I simply don't understand. I had a pair of T5 headlights come in a massive box for $60 a few months back from DE.

---------- Post added 12-01-2012 at 09:19 AM ---------- Previous post was 11-01-2012 at 10:22 PM ----------

Ok. So I am a reasonable person, I think that everyone is worth another chance to prove themselves.

I have decided to put ECS to the test on a purchase of a rear disc conversion from them.

The part is here: Volkswagen Golf III 2.0 > Braking > OEM > ES#1928186 Rear Drum To Disc Brake Conversion Kit - 4 Lug - EBK698226A2A34R

They want $474.70 for the kit which is actually very reasonable. Freight to me direct is $209.00 which is in my view a little high but hey I know these are heavy items.

I am about to PM ECS to see if they are able to do a better price on shipping. If I can get a price break and end up proceeding I will also be posting up the actual cost that is charged as affixed to the box on arrival.

Please don't get me wrong, this is not about being a prick here and expecting everything for free, but I think it is best to give a really honest and fair account of how this vendor is interacting with us as users and if they are genuine in our feedback and wanting our ongoing business.

So overnight no response to my PM via here about the shipping.

I know they logged on as they have bumped a thread in their section selling arm rests.

I think that is a real disappointment considering.

If they are really that sort of sponsor, I am going to speak with the admin about what values we hold sponsors to. I expect more.

[ECS tuning]

So overnight no response to my PM via here about the shipping.

I know they logged on as they have bumped a thread in their section selling arm rests.

I think that is a real disappointment considering.

If they are really that sort of sponsor, I am going to speak with the admin about what values we hold sponsors to. I expect more.

Working with our warehouse manager right now about other shipping quotes/options, it is a heavy order but we will look into this for you!


Thanks Andy