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Is it me? (Ordering from the UK)
Tralfaz - 23/10/09 at 12:01 PM

Hello All,

I have a question, borne largely from frustration.

I am here in the states, and for a few weeks (month) now have been trying to source a Sierra diff from the UK. Ideally, a refurbished one as parts aren't readily available.

I have now tried 4 different vendors. To each I stated that I was in the US, I knew that Postage would be well over 100 pounds, that I would be willing to pay any taxes,fees,etc etc.

2 told me it was just too heavy to ship. Umm...Ok...

...and 2 said, oh sure no problem, will get you a quote.

Yeah, no quote...

I have now tried a fifth place, (a Well known builder of Sevens) they replied immediately and positively. I sent my address for the quote Monday Morning, on Wednesday I sent a polite followup, figuring that ascertaining an approximate quote entailed a phone call or a quick web calculation. Now it's Friday and still no response.


So is it me, or is the country on strike?

I know that fraud is a problem and some suppliers won't ship to the US ( I have had to have my items from Rally Design shipped to my Mothers in Switzerland) but still..

I am at my wits end.

Best,

Brian


turbodisplay - 23/10/09 at 12:06 PM

I thought the Ford Meuker is the same as our sierra. Surely they used the same diff?
Either 7 or 7.5"?
Darren


zilspeed - 23/10/09 at 12:07 PM

Hi

If it helps at all, I am more than willing to help you out with this.
i.e. packing it up and shipping it.


eznfrank - 23/10/09 at 12:09 PM

Maybe worth dropping skydivepaul a message on here or contacting him direct via the MK USA based website. he runs the USA rights to the MK design and I believe he may have some parts. I wa under the impression that they previously had containers of Sierra bits shipped over before converting to the MX5 design.


JAG - 23/10/09 at 12:09 PM

Hi mate,

Maybe something to do with the current Royal Mail strike. The suppliers may want to wait a while and see what's going to happen.

They been on strike for Thurs & Fri this week and are promising to do it again next week if no resolution in the meantime.

HOWEVER; All the people you have dealt with should have kept you informed.

Sorry about that


Richard Quinn - 23/10/09 at 12:11 PM

I don't know how we can answer that really? Customer service in the UK can be a bit cr*p and despite the current economic climate when you would think that people would be falling over themselves to try to get your business, they still come across as not being *rsed!
We are moving stuff daily but mainly shipping containers and mainly to mainland Europe but I would be happy to sort out a price for shipping if getting the diff to me and then forwarding it on was an option.
Cheers
Richard


Charlie_Zetec - 23/10/09 at 12:13 PM

Don't think it's just you.... I've been waiting for deliveries from 4 different companies, ranging from a fortnight to 8+ weeks!

I won't name names, as I'm sure they've all got good explanations, and before anyone looks at my profile, I'm NOT talking about GTS. Although I've no doubt someone will pipe up about them very very soon........


Hammerhead - 23/10/09 at 12:17 PM

maybe you could organise a courier to deliver to you. That way all they need to do is collect the part from the vendor and you have sorted all the 'complicated' bit out yourself.
DHL, Fedex, etc etc.
I have done that before when companies have been difficult when it comes to shipping.

Steve.


Tralfaz - 23/10/09 at 12:31 PM

Cheers all for the responses and offers. Will give this last vendor a few more days than look at other options.

Best Regards and Thank you again

Brian


liam.mccaffrey - 23/10/09 at 02:05 PM

I used interparcel to ship a mk2 escort rack from the uk to the US. No problem.

Merkur xr4ti is a 7" diff iirc. Have a look in chrisf photos I know for sure he used a merkur diff. Failing that I'll ask him when im over there (Dallas) next week.

[Edited on 23/10/09 by liam.mccaffrey]


David Jenkins - 23/10/09 at 02:57 PM

Brian,

I hate to bearer of bad news - but it IS you.

Sorry.





designer - 23/10/09 at 04:39 PM

To ship a thing like this to the states it needs boxing and then a freight forwarder will take it.


Tralfaz - 23/10/09 at 05:14 PM

quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
Brian,

I hate to bearer of bad news - but it IS you.

Sorry.







It takes a good friend to be honest with you sometimes.

Thank you David.



BTW - You are an Arse


antonio - 23/10/09 at 05:19 PM

if you want to buy my reverse and prop, i will happy to ship it to you


RK - 23/10/09 at 07:08 PM

I hate to say this, but welcome to the club. It's as if nobody has any interest in selling to us over here. How hard is it to box something up and call Parcelforce or whatever?


David Jenkins - 23/10/09 at 07:17 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Tralfaz

BTW - You are an Arse


A profound statement, boldly said - I salute you, sir!


Werner Van Loock - 23/10/09 at 07:41 PM

go find a Merkur XR4Ti or a Merkur Scorpio, both should have the same sierra diff, much easier and cheaper then sourcing it over here.

And there has to be a lot as according to wiki, the XR4Ti sales outnumbered all the XR4*** models together all over the world


just did a search on ebay:

full rear axle
diff alone

[Edited on 23/10/09 by Werner Van Loock]

[Edited on 23/10/09 by Werner Van Loock]


irvined - 23/10/09 at 08:58 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Tralfaz
Hello All,

I know that fraud is a problem and some suppliers won't ship to the US ( I have had to have my items from Rally Design shipped to my Mothers in Switzerland) but still..



I feel your pain, i find getting stuff shipped to holland a PITFA, if its any help I'll be heading to portland in a few weeks, don't mind bringing some stuff over for you if you sort out the shipping etc - although not sure I'll be able to fit a diff in my baggage.

Good luck

David


Tralfaz - 23/10/09 at 09:08 PM

Cheers Mates,

I am very familiar with the XR4Ti. I actually owned 2 in the early nineties, you could get them for a song as nobody knew what they were.

I really would prefer a serviced 7" if I can, but if it becomes impossible I may get the Xr4ti unit and rebuild.

[Edited on 23/10/09 by Tralfaz]