Howell's Sheet metal

rgtharley

rgtharley

Senior Member
Anyone out there who has successfully use Howell's Sheet Metal for T parts?
I can't get them to return my emails or calls, after leaving at least four messages. Trying to buy the rear body panel for my 27 Touring. I'm getting very frustrated with trying to contact them.
 
I've had the same problem with Howells. I tried leaving VM and email, but never got any response to either. Not sure why... Good luck!
 
Simple Google search will tell you that they are notoriously bad. It’s across the Vintage car hobby. Ive personally had problems with some 34 Ford parts, took almost a year to get my order and quality was horrendous and not even close to fitting. I heard their EBay sales are more reliable, but I will never order anything from them ever again.
 
I ordered a trunk floor panel for my 24 coupe from them. Same deal, no communication. It did show up months later. I have not installed it, yet, but it is painted and ready to install, which I hope to do in the next month or so.

If there isn't much competition, then they can pretty much do as they please. I don't understand it, but their are either pretty contrary or they don't have the staff to follow up.
 
Thanks for all the responses regarding these idiots. I tried one last time with an email, and phone calls, but I guess they don't do business that way. I have asked my body and fender guy to try and salvage the one rear body panel that I was trying to order, and the front fender I needed, turns out that Rootleib is the company that still makes them, and this is where Howells was going to get that from. I just canceled my order with Howells, and ordered direct from Rootleib. There is no good reason that a company with a web site that claims good service, and " a representative will be in touch with you shortly", or some other ********, will resort to lying to customers and saying they are working on the order, and the guy even told me it was shipping! Of course, I never heard back with a tracking number or anything. I would not recommend this company to anyone, and I hope someone else buys the company and runs it the way it should be run.
 
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Even if you did get a hold of them, and if they didn't have it in stock, you might have to wait for them to do a run of them when enough orders had come in.
 
I have used Howell's for many years and have never had a problem until now. Same ****. No return calls or emails. Lucky for me, my credit card hasn't been charged.
Maybe they're waiting to charge it when they ship the item but then it'll be too late. I'll probably already have the needed part from another source.
I'm trying to buy the quarter and rear window wood trim for my 1927 T Coupe.
 
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I bought the same panel for my touring from Smith and Jones. I used them because I assumed they did more business with Howell’s than I ever would. I got the panel in a few days and was happy.
 
Howell's update. Last week I received an email for a UPS tracking number, and to my complete surprise, it was my parts from Howell. The panel and and front seat pan showed up a couple of days later. I still don't get why they chose to do business this way, but I also had originally ordered a front fender from them, until the guy said they buy them from Rootleib. So i canceled with Howell's, and called Rootleib and ordered it. Last week they said it was shipping this past Friday, and so I call today, and the guy says, Oh, we will be making that this week. I asked why then was I told it was shipping last week, and he had no answer. There must be something in the air at these places. Kind of reminds me of a machine shop I used to work at. We had this big bingo wheel near the phone, and it had all these different excuses written on it, and when a customer called, and asked about the status of his work, we would spin the wheel, and tell them whatever wound up under the pointer. Some of them were,,, " The guy machining your parts is out sick today, or "We're cutting your parts right now", or my favorite, Your material is on back order". It was always good for a laugh among the employees, but, on the other hand, that shop is no longer in business.
 
I got a response from Howell's today. I went to their ebay to contact them. If you're going to go this route, look for "09-40".
 
For sure, if Howell's is your only source, check their eBay listings to see if what you need is listed there. I've had good luck a couple of times this way and if there's a problem eBay has good buyer protection. Main problem is that eBay listings often won't have what you need.
 
Howell's is just a middle man, it would appear. I suspect they don't actually make anything, and if they do, it's minor. Fenders come from Rootleib, running boards come from Rootleib, splash aprons come from Rootleib. etc.

You getting the idea?
 
rgtharley said:
Anyone out there who has successfully use Howell's Sheet Metal for T parts?
I can't get them to return my emails or calls, after leaving at least four messages. Trying to buy the rear body panel for my 27 Touring. I'm getting very frustrated with trying to contact them.
Click to expand...


You're seeking help to contact Howell's Sheet Metal for purchasing a rear body panel for your 27 Touring, as they haven't responded to your emails or calls, causing frustration.
 
I ordered the panel above the deck lid for my 27 roadster on line. I got a notice that it's on it's way about five days later. I will try a deck lid next. I don't require a response just action. Jim T.
 
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