howell sheet metal in texas

I have only order one part from Howells it did not even come close to fitting. And I would have to reconfigure it so much I probably could have made it myself. Tried to get a hold of him for at least 2 months. Always answering box full or mail box full. Finely after bad mouthing the him in every way I could he called out of the blue.Sent the part back and got my money back no problem.Go figure if other have had good luck with him great. Not me no more. Richard/Ca
 
I bought a door panel from Howell's. I took a few weeks to get it. Once in my hand I saw that it was made wrong and couldn't be used. After many, many unanswered phone calls and many, many unanswered E mails I finally gave up. I am stuck with a worthless piece of crap from Howell's. I will never order from them or anyone who peddles their crap.
 
NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER order directly from them. Get it through an other vender that carries their parts if you need them.

This post was originally 2 years old and if you do a search you will find others. It is obvious to those that have looked that they want to deal in quanity to dealers and not a piece at a time to individuals. I wish they would just tell people when they call to order to use a vendor as it is unfair to those that don't know and are used to real Model A parts vendors service.
 
I just oredered lower door bottoms for my '32 pickup from them. Took a couple of phone calls but received them Friday. Pretty quick service to Canada.
 
I am stuck with a worthless piece of crap from Howell's. I will never order from them or anyone who peddles their crap.

You may be writing off ALL the available parts vendors.

But, at least if you use a responsible retailer - and there are many - you have someone on your side with some stroke to help you get your money back.

Tam I find particularly helpful. He probably still carries Howell - but when he gives it to you over his counter he'll tell you the issues as he knows them. I don't know so much his mail order modus, but I imagine a phone call will bring you similar response.

And he will make good on stuff you can't use - but like all the others he has no choice but to carry crap - if crap is all there is.

And like (probably) any dealer of your choice.

Howell will eventually see the error of their ways - and either change or get out of the business. I trust the free marketplace - what is left of it anyway.

Joe K
 
Add me to their list of complaining customers! I bought all the panels to repair a 31 truck cab , than bought the wood kits. When I got the wood it had been sent out before and the rear header piece had been broken and repaired(glued)but didn't hold up. I got all kinds of excuses about how it might have happened. OK , they said the replacement header is on the way. That was about 6 weeks ago. After many calls and emails to them I still haven't gotten the header. I think they need to work on their customer relations dept. - I will never order from them again... If they can't fallow through on anything the customer asks they shouldn't be in business. There is NO reason for not answering a buyers requests or ignoring phone and email messages. I have no problem with the metal I ordered , just a phone call or email would make a better thing of this. Getting the header would make a much happier customer of me. I sure am tired of waiting for some kind of response from them. NO way to run a business!!! Gary
 
A few months ago I was on the road from San Antonio to Houston. I spotted Howell's Sheet metal on the north side of the highway and immediately became enraged. I told my co-driver to turn around and go back so I could give them a piece of my mind. Fortunately he refused saying that in the state of mind I was in we would probably both wound up in jail. It just pisses me off that scumbags like them operate a business in such an irresponsible manner. Many phone calls and E mails and these butt-wipes never responded. NEVER EVER BUY A PRODUCT MADE BY HOWELL'S NO MATTER WHO IS SELLING IT. You will be disappointed. If you are ordering sheet metal from a vendor ask them who made it.
 
I did exactly what Chris Haynes was recommending, ask who the vendor was that manufactured the sheetmetal. My complaints with Howell's go back a long time. Anyway, the problem I encountered was with MAC's (it happened twice) is they wont disclose the vendor that made the sheetmetal. I have written about this on Fordbarn before, but it was quite sometime back. I politely ask the person on the phone at MAC's (a different person each time about a year apart) who the vendor was for the part I was inquiring about. In a condescending tone, they said "We don't disclose our suppliers". I suspect they think a customer might go directly to the supplier - in Howell's case - fat chance! I have had much better luck with other parts suppliers, especially from Bratton's and Bert's. I don't buy my parts from MAC's anymore. Maybe they have gotten better with the new owners, but I probably will never know.
Rusty Nelson
 
I called Howell's several years ago and inquired as to the construction of '28-'29 CCPU corner panels and how much they could be lengthened. Got the info I needed along with a price. I then picked up the phone and called Steve at Bert's Model A and ordered the cab corners and the upper and lower rear panels. Price was exactly the same and everything was shipped within two weeks of ordering.

You don't need to be a rocket scientist to understand that a vendor will shine an individual customer on while taking care of retailers. Bert's made a couple of bucks, I was happy and everything fit just fine thank you.
 

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We bought howells parts,no real problem but nothing bolts right on with these old cars, they might have other problems,we have been there, so trashing them is no way to go. sounds like everyone did get there parts. slow but received.(only our opinon)
 
I am looking to order a Bottom cab panel for a truck and under the seat panel for a 28 truck, If I order it from Snyders will I fit good?
John
 
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