my experience buying from Howells Sheet Metal

Bought 2 inner door sills from Howells- off of ebay.


got them from Tx to NJ in 5 days. price was right.


Im happier then a pig in slop!
 
The usual response is : "If they have what you want on eBay, go for it; if not forget about it".
 
just got them yesterday, BTW


have bought through ebay before and never a problem.


Very easy to cancel an order with ebay, if there is an issue in recving.
 
“I would be aware of Tom Bay also. I have experienced bad things from him. Do not pay anything up front.”

My problem with Bay wasn’t financial but quality. Got the 34 parts but not usable. Flat junk, poor shaped beads.
 
My experience was that if you just take the amount of money Howell parts would cost, made a pile of the cash, poured gas on it and burned it, you will find out quicker that you got nothing usable for your money. Pure junk.
 
Ok admittedly the parts werent a perfect fit. I only paid 40. for 2 sills.


were fine by me. I would equate them to JC Whitney parts. They got the job done and Im glad for them. Were they show winning parts? no.


You guys need to machine and make your own parts. expectations are high on low priced parts. My opinion.
 
There is a guy that shows up here who is restoring a pickup. I think it's a '36. He is a genius at making reproduction sheet metal parts for his project and then, with some coaxing from the peanut gallery he makes ten more for sale. When he hears of a part that is needed he will say, "that would be too difficult to make profittably," then turns around a few days later with the part masterfully reproduced and offered up. Our hobby needs more straight talking, master craftsmen like him.
 
ronn, Many of us have had to do just that. Look at my MISC album of the 34 sedan delivery I resurrected in the late 1970s, nobody was making repro sheetmetal parts for this at that time, don't know if anyone does now. Working with knowledgeable friends who had degrees in autobody repair and attending multiple Ron Covell classes I learned how to make parts when needed. I had to hand make the body sills for my avatar roadster that fit the frame. Not trivial work but also not available. One of my best friends who just retired and sold his machine shop had tools available to me like lathes and mills also. There are some very good parts available for SOME years/bodies but not in the past, and not all years and bodies. Not all about being super picky, when you spend more time "adjusting" a poorly made part to fit then it would take to make it yourself that is what you do.
 
ok guys- as a final thought- Howells ebay rating after selling over 20,000 parts is a 97.7.


In the grand scheme of things- pretty good.


I would have to say most on the Barn are pretty picky, when you add in the low pricing. Nobody said any of their stuff is perfect, but most are happy with what they bought.


Now if my pair of 40. sills were say 189. maybe Ild have another opinion on the matter........


and no, I am in no way related to or a cheer leader for Howells. Just a content customer.
 
ronn said:
ok guys- as a final thought- Howells ebay rating after selling over 20,000 parts is a 97.7.


In the grand scheme of things- pretty good.
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Here's a few of my thoughts on that:

1. They actually have in stock and ship products to maintain a high feedback rating.
2. People generally leave feedback after they receive and do a quick visual inspection of the part, not after they install it.
3. There is no accountability for parts ordered directly from them is why the majority of the complaints about poor service or quality is from people ordering directly from them.
4. Ebay buyers have second opinions after installing the parts and already giving them positive feedback on eBay when receiving the parts.
 
well said.


dont buy from them. How you spend your money dictates the success of a business.
Apparently they are doing just fine.


That is how capitalism works folks. Barners should step up and start selling their parts here. oh right, it isnt profitable.......... lol


nobody is ever happy.
 
GB SISSON said:
There is a guy that shows up here who is restoring a pickup. I think it's a '36. He is a genius at making reproduction sheet metal parts for his project and then, with some coaxing from the peanut gallery he makes ten more for sale. When he hears of a part that is needed he will say, "that would be too difficult to make profittably," then turns around a few days later with the part masterfully reproduced and offered up. Our hobby needs more straight talking, master craftsmen like him.
Click to expand...

I think I know him...
 
Howells just got me too on e bay, they sent the wrong part, I returned it after a return mail printed label and didn't get squat back, Hope they enjoy their gains from such bad business .
 
I bought direct from Howells, a door skin for a 1937 Ford pickup passenger door. It worked, but they don't include the rib detail at the hinge or at the door handle. I had to combine those elements from an original door to make it work. PITA
 
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