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MG MGB Technical - Moss and British Vic

I would like your feedback, maybe I am off base.

I have purchased thousands of dollars of parts from Moss. I like Moss, they answer the phone, the people seem to know about the parts and the cars, the ship fast. I have never returned anything, but I hear its easy to do.

Moss did not have a fuel tank sending unit so I bought from Victoria. I had a problem getting the information from the people and had to call back the next day. My expedited shipping was late, the sensor has a dead spot and the gasket leaks. It was just difficult and I did not get quality stuff. Am I having a bad day, or do other people have these problems with this company?

Also, where can I get a fuel gage that has a resistance reading over the full scale? The one I have is too cheaply built to be of interest.

Sorry if this is too dark.
F Murch

Other people do have some quality control and communication problems with Victoria British. I have never talked to anyone there that knew anything about the cars the parts are supposed to fit. I know the B Hive is on the opposite side of the country from you but Gordon has worked on and understands MG's and when you call him you are talking to the owner, he wants you to be pleased with your purchase. He ships on the same day he receives the order unless you order after the UPS run. FWIW, Clifton
http://www.thebhive.com/index.html
Clifton Gordon

I've dealt with vicky brit in the past, and....

They have NO technical people available to answer any type of question. If it's not clear in the catalog, the operators can't help you out. A division of Long Motors, who also sell restoration parts for pickups.

I've had to return stuff, and it was very little hassle, much like Moss.

Never used expedited shipping with them, but make sure it's them and not the shipper. I can NEVER get FedEx to deliver to the California house in less than three days, regardless of how much I pay (and it's in a suburb in Orange County.)

Understand that most suppliers are getting stuff from the same location- just how many manufacturers are there of 30 year old gas gauge senders? so you may have a continuing issue there.
greg fast

I'm saddened to hear that. I just bought one of VB's fuel tank kits (tank, webbing, sender, seals, etc...)

Although I've not finished painting the tank yet, I hoped to get it all installed this weekend. I can let you know how I get on.

I liked VB's customer service, at least on my web order. They had everything in stock, it shipped fast, and there were no ommisions or errors.
Mike Walsh

I've bought from both, and have never had a real problem with quality from Moss or VB. Having said that, I have never had to get info over the phone, or request expeditied shipping from either supplier. On the other hand, I have had trouble getting tank sending units to properly seal, and they were not aftermarket units. I traced my problem to the mating surface. I also make my own gastkets so I can't speak for the gasket provided. I have heard that some of the rubber ones were substandard.

VB's return policy is spelled out in some detail in their catalog, Moss refers you to their packing slip. It's always in your best interest to read the fine print before ordering something and to test before installing. The only problem I had was in ordering a part from Briggs and Stratton, and if I'd thought about it I'd have known: next day shipping doesn't include weekends or holidays--it's really next BUSINESS day.
R. L Carleen

I usually buy from Moss as they are closer. Most the time I order from the web site. The items I have bought from VB have been good and have had no problem with their service. I order from their web site. However, you need a catalog to order from VB web site. Makes finding part numbers easier. Unlike some people on this board I have had no problem with either parts house and all of my orders have been correct and the items have worked.
Jim Lema

Oh, I thought of one thing I didn't like about VB...they don't have a chrome trim screw set, only Black. I shall be ordering that from Moss.
Mike Walsh

And I just found the "Thank You" card VB (or rather Long Motor) sent me for my order, signed by all the lovely ladies who must work in their order department - Kristain, Sarah, Debbie, Ashley, and Antoinette. Must be a quality place with so many lovely young ladies (I hope!) working for them.
Mike Walsh

I've noticed that the shipping and "handling" fees are rather high from VB --- makes price comparisons impossible.
Dan Robinson

I really hate the supplier bashing threads and that's not my intention here. Just the facts here as I know them. As I am on the east coast and most items I've ordered from Moss come from the NJ site, its virtually assured of overnight delivery if I order before 3pm. And the shipping costs are nominal. Vicky takes at least a week and the postage is very, very high. If you need a particular part from Vicky overnighted it will cost you an additional 20 to 25 dollars minimum. So postage on twenty bucks worth of parts could cost 35 to 40 dollars!!Ouch. Vick is also a big fan of peanut packing material which may not be a big deal for some but drives me nuts. Moss, on the other hand, always packs in paper and cardboard which I can recycle. Vicky is great for all the little nuts and bolts that Moss doesn't have.

Mike in LA--The black screws from Vicky may in fact be correct as "Florentine Bronze" screws replaced the chrome ones Moss sells. The chrome screws are correct for 1962 and 1963 models only. If you care about such things. Me, with my 64, like the original design of the chrome and went with those because they look nicer in my opinion.

Mr Murch from California--you didn't say what year your car was. If you have an early model, John Twist from University Motors, Ltd.,rebuilds them. Much better quality then you're ever going to find in the aftermarket.

jm2c

Paul
Paul Hanley

Ah, I didn't know that. My car is a '75 RB but is fitted with chrome screws and backing rings (or whatever they're supposed to be called). A previous owners preference perhaps? I do know that the upholstery had a previous go through.

The one way around VB's postage costs is to order at least $500 worth. That's what I did the last time.

Ordering direct from Moss is a minor turn off because of the sales tax, since I'm also in CA.
Mike Walsh

Hi
I've ordered from The Litte British Car Company
http://www.lbcarco.com/ with no problems. Quality
parts and service/shipping no problems. I'd recommend
them for anyone looking for another place. Excellent.

Larry
LarryBrenda Distler

It sounds like maybe I just got unlucky with them. Thanks for the feedback.

Paul H asked what kind of car - 1965 MGB.

Moss also seems to be fast from the East coast. They have a west coast distribution center, so they are fast in California too.

thanks all

It helps to hear what you have to say. Its more balanced than I could see on my own
F Murch

While I lived in Florida, I used Moss and the Roadster Factory for most of my parts. I bought from Gordon of the BeeHive at british car shows, then ordered from him via phone - always great service.

I have had to return parts to both the Roadster Factory and to Moss - Both were easy to do!

I ordered some parts from Victoria British & they were "back-ordered" - my car was apart (& still is!) & I was not in any hurry for the parts - Anyways, they canceled my standing back-order and sent me a postcard telling me that. And this happened within days of me approving the wait for the back-order. There was another time that they did not have the parts I wanted in stock - so I ordered from someone else.

Now, I live within 25 miles of Victoria British - I can save on shipping with a counter pick-up. I also get a discount because I'm MG Club member. So, I have given them another chance. Each time I go, they have had the parts in stock.

But, you are right - their order takers DO NOT HAVE A CLUE! They sit behind a counter covered with Lucas decals, glass cabinets full of MG, Triumph, and Healey parts - with a full race MG motor and a couple of nicely restored british sports cars on display - and the order takers are probably 20 years old!

Give all vendors a try -
drew helgeson

Hmmm!!! 20 year old hot chicks (hopes he)?

Does everyone who joins the MG club get that discount? I know I got similar when I joined the national MBZ club (in fact, it was the only reason I joined - I had a full resto going on at the time!).
Mike Walsh

Some general comments that might help. I have two cars and have ordered from Moss, Vickey Brit, The Roadster Factory and Proper MG. I agree with all the comments about V. B. and their lack of technical ability. They are just a pick it off the shelf by number organization. Have had no problem with quality, but shipping is a tad slow. Moss is expert at the technical aspect, but a bit spendy compared to the others.
Have had good results from both Roadster Factory and Proper MG in terms of quality and delivery speed, given that they are both in the East. E Mail inquiry to Proper MG has brought quick responses, good pricing on the product and a quality product. although the parts have been basic such as fuel tanks or springs etc.

Have a recent catalog from Brit-Tek on the East coast that has some good prices of what appears to be quality stuff. E Mail communication here as to a particular part or ovhl assy. brings a quick response. I have not ordered from this firm yet so don't know if what is proffered is in fact good stuff or quickly delivered.

Good luck.

Jim
Jim Hanks

well I guess I'm just lucky to live in the vancouver area, as we have Octagon Motors here, and they're just wonderful! I haven't thought up a part yet that they couldn't get for me, they have most things in stock, and they know EVERYTHING about those wonderful little MGs!

-kate

P.S - there's nothing wrong with 20 year old's, i'm only 19 and i love these cars! :)
K Lawrence

I've had a couple of bad experences with VB and a couple of good ones. I ordered an midget exhaust header on sale (no returns) and found it was for a right hand drive car. I ordered some new motor mounts and found they were 1/4" too thick so the webber carb wouldn't fit properly under the bonnet. And finally, some head/valve train studs stripped out at less than rated torq. Most of us enjoy working/playing with these cars and don't mind paying extra for good/correct parts. Something you guys won't believe, how about $87 for a 2" diameter 4" long coolant hose on a Ferrari Testarossa!

Safety Fast!
Jeff Pintler
Jeff Pintler

This thread was discussed between 29/07/2004 and 06/08/2004

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