howell sheet metal in texas

allen

allen

Well-known member
Has anyone having trouble getting in touch with these guys left two messages two different times still no answer talk to someone yesterday who said did the same the, just a answer machine, maybe there at a show or something,
 
I bought stuff from them. They are hard to get sometimes, but they will send your parts. they have a big operation going on there.
 
I will never buy from Howells. I placed an order when I had a 27 T tudor for some parts and it everytime I got someone on the phone, they said my parts just went out. I got my parts only after opening up a claim through paypal. I got my parts in 3 1/2 months. Crappy shop if you ask me.
 
I would avoid Howells. I got an upper cowl panel for a 30-31 roadster from a reputable model A parts house that sells Howells sheet metal. The part was so far off that there was NO WAY it could be made to fit. The good people that I bought the part from was kind enough to take back the part and pay shipping both ways. Besides what I had already heard about the poor quality a fit of Howells parts, this was enough for me. I won't say who I purchased the part from because I still buy other parts from them and I don't want to hurt their business.
 
A few years ago, business owners could get away more with lax business performance. It amazes me, now with the internet how these guys stay in business.
 
As most have indicated, Howells do seem to have more than their share of problems. They also sell on eBay (I.D. is 09-40 ) where they're feedback is about 98% - about 6 negative and 600+ positive feedback in the last while - so it would seem they do manage fairly well there. If what you need happens to be listed on eBay, your recourse is probably better and easier should you have problems.
 
What do you guy's considder as a top notch supplyer of steel body parts ? Meaning for correct fit etc
 
Randy in ca said:
As most have indicated, Howells do seem to have more than their share of problems. They also sell on eBay (I.D. is 09-40 ) where they're feedback is about 98% - about 6 negative and 600+ positive feedback in the last while - so it would seem they do manage fairly well there. If what you need happens to be listed on eBay, your recourse is probably better and easier should you have problems.
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Probably the only reason that they don't have more negative feed back on eBay is that most model A guys buy parts and then it may be months or years before they get around to trying to put them on. The parts usually look ok untill you try to install them. Buyer BEWARE
 
I just bought a pair of '28-'29 cowl panels from them through ebay. 3 day delivery so no complaint there! As for fit, they look good, and appear to be die stamped but I don't have the body apart yet so who knows. Every panel I've ever used, no matter the supplier, has required some degree of tweaking so I expect to have to "adjust" these.

Bob
 
Ordered mine while still In St.Thomas,VI. (Ha) don't laugh, it took 9mos, many unanswered phone calls and a lot of frustration. Finally got in touch with a Guy on the HAMB Board from Baumont,Texas, and he personally went to there shop 3 times. Finally got them, and had no complaints, ONCE thay came. Iceman
 
I can't complain about their quality, but their customer service and lame excuses are horrible. I purchased parts from their catalog, prepaid the cost of the parts and the freight, only to have it take three months for delivery. I was told during my phone order that all items were in stock and they would ship in three days. What a scam. It took them two days to cash the money order. Never again will I go through that.
Skip
 
I have had bad luck with Howell's. Many of their sheetmetal parts just don't look right or fit right. Like their 28/29 splash aprons. No indentation on the front and rear like originals. I ask model A parts suppliers if the sheetmetal I am trying to purchase is from Howell's and if it is I won't buy it. Antique Auto Sheetmetal (Brookville Roadster) generally has better quality items, but even they still have some questionable stuff. I would much rather use original Ford sheetmetal, but sometime that is not possible.
 
Howells took my money 45 days ago and I have not received my parts I have called them. 4 times and had no response. I do not recommend them for anything!!! I will be notifying the Internet fraud division and see if they will do an investigation this is no way to run a business!
 
We we built our 31roadster ordered several pieces from Howell. They shipped all except the rear cross rail. Ordered one from Synders. 14 months latter one arrived from Howell and my credit card charged 100+ dollars. Called them (took 3 days to get in contact with them) told them we were driving the car had not waited over a year for them and had ordered one from another supplier, they seemed quite surprised I had not waited,but said the would have UPS pick it up and credit my credit card. It was picked the next day took 4 months to get my money back. Had to dispute the charge with the credit card co to get my money.

Like most repop parts they need so work to get a good fit. But their customer service is horrible.
 
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