Is MAC's still in business?

The Badger

The Badger

Junior Member
I ordered 11 different parts from them and got the answer that all of them, except one were B.O. Since I live on the other side of the Atlantic it is difficult to understand what is happening in the US? Is there anyone who knows whats going on in MAC's?
 
Mac,s has sold out to a co. called ECKLER'S I believe the co. is in England. But they still go by Mac,s I just go a new mag a few day ago. I just called them a few day ago for a few small parts, they had in stock, got them in a couple of days. There no. to order 877-230-9680 Walt
 
They are probably going to be. I bought and paid for a V8 flathead truck radiator back in the
middle of Feb. May is this week?. emailed them no avail- called both Mac's and
Ecklers no avail. Either the phone is busy or you go on hold for an hour until your
arm gets tired holding the phone. whats up???? sam
 
That's a very misleading title for a thread.
Obviously they are still in business because when you called them they answered the phone.

Being on the on the other side of the Atlantic should not be any different for understanding what is happening in the US as all of those who may place an order would be in the same position as you, in that it would be either a phone order or an internet order. We are not just walking across the street to place place an order in person.

I understand they have had some growing pains with the transition to Ekler's as the new owners. Even before the switch I had issues with some parts I didn't like and some items that got backordered. Other times I was happy with parts and got fast in-stock shipping. I rarely order from them anymore as I have tried to find better service and better quality parts either using original Ford parts or better quality reproductions when I can find them. For example, listening to the advice on this forum I decided I did not want an aftermarket ignition lock and key and was able to locate an original Hurd at a fair price at my local locksmith.

If you need help with the other 10 parts they didn't have in stock maybe you could post a list and rely on all the knowledge and experience here on the FordBarn to help you locate good quality versions in stock at other venders.
 
They are very much in business. Just this month I spent about $1500.00 with them and have received all of it except one small part which is on back order. There are some on here that sort of pooh pooh them, but I have found them to be very responsive and a good company to do business with. As for Eckler's, the company that bought out Mac's, they have been in the old car parts business for a long time. I believe they started out doing Corvette parts. Seems I remember them from back in the sixties as a sponsor of a drag racing team and they might have been out of Tampa, Fl.

I would say it is very unusual that you're experiencing so many items on back order. I also found their tech and customer service folks to be very helpful; give them a call.
 
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if possible, i stay away from Macs. I spent the last 5yrs dealing with them on a montly basis spending over 8k and they couldnt even spare a hat,t-shirt,key chain or a sticker!!!!!! Last thing i ordered was (5) new tires back in late Jan, and i finally got them last week! after 2 months of waiting for fedex to deliver the tires, i called macs to see if they were out for delivery? The answer i got was, im sorry the tires you oredered are no longer in stock, you will have to choose a different set. WOW:eek: and nobody called me to let me know what was going on! So i went ahead and ordered another set. 3 weeks go by and figure i call Macs to know my statis. And you know, i get the answer, " im sorry, but our distributer must have lost the paperwork" at this time,im about ready to sell my project with all the lost time! I ended up calling macs the same day and telling them i found the same tires for $50 cheaper each and if i dont have my tires in 3 days,i want a full refund. Guess what, i got the tires in 3 days! I CAN SAY TO FORD MEMBERS, STAY AWAY FROM ORDERING TIRES FROM MACS. Go right to COKER. there were so many times i had to wait for items from macs in the past 5 yrs. i know now,i could have restored my truck for 1/2 the money i spent by using Ebay and the FordBarn classifieds.
 
I wouldn't call it growing pains. They (Eklers) upset the apple cart, I have a trans mount and door handles on back order about 5 weeks now. I have a heater hose and clamp on order for a Falcon as well.

Mac's has been my primary vendor since the 80's, used to spend almost $2-3K a year. The back order issue started about 5 years ago, before Eklers. Seems there is an issue with inventory management and their JIT delivery. It's frustrating to say the least. I don't mind the back order so much but they have no idea of when the part will be available. When you call, they are reading off que cards and have no idea.

The biggest problem with the buyout was the inflated shipping, tax and general lack of knowledge by the clerks when you call. You would think a company the size of Eklers would have a shipping deal with one of the big carriers.

Best bet with Macs is to call and to see availability before ordering. I still like their selection and catalog, but they Are no longer my first choice.
 
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My experience says Mac's is good as long as the part is in stock. If not in stock no telling when you will get it. Jon L.
 
Mac's usually is ok for the stuff I order.
I think if any company puts you on back order, cancel and find someone who has the part.
 
I've received in-stock items from MACS in a few days and one back ordered item, 14-months after I ordered it !! I've also had similar experiences, both bad & good, from Bob Drakes.

The problem, as I see it, is that the Vendors order a quantity from their Suppliers and try to figure out how many they will need for the year. If they run out early, they have to order more parts. The foreign Suppliers may make them wait their production turn for 6-months or more, so everybody down the line has to wait. That's the price we pay for available, affordable parts for a relatively small market. They might sell a hundred set of mirrors, for example, a year, which is small potatoes to the manufacturer.

Another problem is the tax laws in many states that penalize companies from holding inventory.

Bottom line, thank heavens we have these Suppliers for 50, 60, 80-year old cars and be patient in waiting for the parts they make available for us or make them yourself, if you can.

Or take up stamp collecting....................
 
I have had very little trouble with Mac's on ordering anything. When I have been told by Bob Drake that the item is on back order Mac's seems to have it in stock. They are fair priced and I usually receive it within 5 to 7 days in Northern California.
My only complaint is their shipping policy. If you order a small item that cost $400 the shipping would be $39.95. it may only weigh 5 lbs. so this should not cost that amount.
I end up holding back until they advertize free shipping days once in awhile! Other then that they have always been there for me.
 
MAC's shipping charges are based on the cost of the item not the size or weight of it. I ordered a set of Flathead Ted's brake floaters that cost about $200 but would have easily fit in a Post Office's smallest flat rate box that would have cost about seven or eight dollars to ship. They charged me $30 based on the $200 price. I sent them a note telling them that was the last order they would get from me.
 
Just a note about shipping charges. In my former life I owned a computer company that specialized in software for small and mid-size distribution companies. ALL of them were acutely aware of shipping costs and the volume deals available, as I am sure Ecklers is. Most of these companies treat shipping as just another profit center and used all kinds of tricks to up-charge shipping costs to the customer. Our software would supply detailed reports of how much profit was made with shipping by carrier. Another module was designed to calculate new profitable customer rates when the carriers announce their new rates in advance. Many, Many orders that went through our systems had more profit in shipping that on the actual product purchased. The only thing you can do is pick your vendors carefully for both product selection, quality, and shipping costs.
 
Nothing to do w/ Flatheads, BUT I buy a lot of Mustang parts from CJ Pony Parts the shipping is FREE plus they are always running specials. Cost of parts even with the other Mustang suppliers. I've saved a ton of $$ dealing with them, plus they are always friendly on the phone if you call them. Don't even bother w/ the others anymore.

Too bad they didn't sell Flathead stuff!!
 
The Badger said:
I ordered 11 different parts from them and got the answer that all of them, except one were B.O. Since I live on the other side of the Atlantic it is difficult to understand what is happening in the US? Is there anyone who knows whats going on in MAC's?
Click to expand...

Badger,
Hello this is Scott from Mac's. If you'd like to PM your order/customer number i'd be more that happy to see what's going on with your Back ordered parts. Just let me know if i can help.
 
I have ordered many parts from MAC's, before and after the different owners. I have NEVER had a problem.

Just got some parts last week. Shipped to me in 3 days from the order.
 
Just got an email from Mac's. 15% off your order for the next 48 hours - no minimum order. Sorry Badger, does not apply to current back orders.

Lee
 
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