Whats up with Ecklers

LeBaron-Bonney had a strong bid by SMS Auto Fabrics during the bankruptcy auction but at the last minute, Eckler Industries swooped in with a bid that overtook the SMS bid. There ended up being problems after the closing and there was likely ongoing litigation due to that. I don't know if Eckler Industries ever took possession of what they bid for or not but my guess is that there were missing items, spoilage, and/or damage to the remaining assets that caused the further litigation but I don't know any details. Most of it is in the bankruptcy court documents and they don't tell what happened in the end. It always sort of had the appearance of a company not taking time to look at what they were bidding on before winning the bid. It's possible they ended up with a pig in a poke.

This link was from proceeding of late 2019.
https://www.dailydac.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/lebaron.pdf
 
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I haven’t bought from them since the business sale.
But it seems they are a continuing saga of complaints and poor service on this site.

Huuuummmmmm doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result…
Let’s see that’s the definition of something serious.
 
why? because the other suppliers dont have everything they might have.

I guess you are assuming all suppliers carry identical inventory
 
How about supporting local car interior shops.

You might end up with a better job.

On our last Sport Coupe, we used a local shop for interior and top. Fit, form, and function. Outstanding.

Enjoy.
 
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The Sport Coupe is a difficult job. There are a lot of things to know about it. An inexperienced trim shop will likely not know all the things that Ford did to make it fit well and last. Anyone fabricating such a top well has either done it before or they contacted the right people to learn how. The kits do help since much was prefabricated and they come with some instructions. Some kit instructions I've looked at didn't have all the information of Ford's processes included. If I had never done one before, I would use a kit to save me all the time and effort of pattern making for a job like this.

I learned from my own and other peoples mistakes about ordering from companies that were having problems staying afloat. I don't give anybody a dime till I know they have the product I need in stock. I let my sources know up front that I want them to remove any item from my order that they don't have in stock.

Paying someone full price up front for something they don't have will eventually bite a person on the backside. I don't recommend it at all. A person might pay for materials but nothing else. I would go and get my money or materials back if they defaulted from the agreed signed contract with me. A contract won't insure payback but it will give a person leverage in the bankruptcy court. It's the only legal way to show if you have been defrauded by the other party. Handshake agreements are not worth the paper they were NOT written on.
 
rotorwrench said:
..................The Sport Coupe is a difficult job...............
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I agree. One done poorly really takes away from the looks of the car. Big time.

A Sport Coupe is a neat little Model A with a GOOD top installation, otherwise they look like Flo from Progressive Insurance:p
 
Jeff/Illinois said:
I agree. One done poorly really takes away from the looks of the car. Big time.

A Sport Coupe is a neat little Model A with a GOOD top installation, otherwise they look like Flo from Progressive Insurance:p
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Like anything else, you have to do your homework. If you have a shop with known classic/antique car experience, they will most likely have pictures of past work done.

The shop we used specialized in that type of work.

I have the trophies to show for the quality of their work.

I don’t understand why a lot of things people mention here, end up having negative comments from members.

We are all, I believe, just trying to help out with experiences we have had.

Haze Gray and Underway. 😊
 
Well, not all folks have an experienced trim shop near to them. A lot of us like to DIY thing as much as we can. Folks had mixed experience with Mac's. Some liked doing business with them and some didn't. It's not uncommon for folks to disagree in discussions similar to this.

All I can speak for is my own experience and observations.
 
WHN I'm not being 'negative' all I'm saying is, if an inexperienced upholstery/top installer clown like ME installed that top I guarantee it wouldn't look right. THAT would take away from the looks of the car, a well done top is crucial to the looks of a Sport Coupe.

You are fortunate to have someone close who can do quality work. Hell I have a friend with a '62 Vette that needs a new convertible top and another with an '05 Mustang GT that needs a new top and nobody around here is capable of doing it. They'll have to travel several hundred miles to find someone.
 
They should do everyone a favor and shut down. Slow shipping, no customer service no stock. They have not cared for the consumer for a few years. You reap what you sow.
 
jack99 said:
They should do everyone a favor and shut down. Slow shipping, no customer service no stock. They have not cared for the consumer for a few years. You reap what you sow.
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While I definitely understand your frustration, I personally would have liked for them to still be around even if their service was spotty. Often times we need what they have to offer and are willing to overlook their conveniences.
 
turn 5 is local to me. like less that 10 miles away..

their name in synonymous with the number of days it takes to "turn over" employees. they are constantly recruiting for warehouse and customer service. and they offer LESS Pay than the local walmart. they are a volume business.


read their website, where they claim to be "one big family"

as a friend in business once said..
when you say to an employee "welcome to the family" its like kissing a hooker on the lips and telling her ya love her"
 
sawzall said:
turn 5 is local to me. like less that 10 miles away..

their name in synonymous with the number of days it takes to "turn over" employees. they are constantly recruiting for warehouse and customer service. and they offer LESS Pay than the local walmart. they are a volume business.


read their website, where they claim to be "one big family"

as a friend in business once said..
when you say to an employee "welcome to the family" its like kissing a hooker on the lips and telling her ya love her"
Click to expand...

My hopes are low.....real low.
 
I thought I would add my experience with Ecklers independent of all previous comments.

I have purchased quite a bit of merchandise from them over the past 20 years. They had great catalogs. Delivery was relatively prompt. I never ordered anything not in stock. Until about 5 months ago, that is.

I ordered a universal top bows kit, was told it would be 4-6 weeks before delivery, yet they took my money. When the time had passed, I called and was told it would be another 30 days or so. My reaction was to cancel the order and seek a refund. I had to wait 10 weeks for the refund to take place, but it did happen.

I will never place another order with them.
 
JOHNCL said:
I thought I would add my experience with Ecklers independent of all previous comments.

I have purchased quite a bit of merchandise from them over the past 20 years. They had great catalogs. Delivery was relatively prompt. I never ordered anything not in stock. Until about 5 months ago, that is.

I ordered a universal top bows kit, was told it would be 4-6 weeks before delivery, yet they took my money. When the time had passed, I called and was told it would be another 30 days or so. My reaction was to cancel the order and seek a refund. I had to wait 10 weeks for the refund to take place, but it did happen.

I will never place another order with them.
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I don't think you'll have to worry about that as I would be surprised if they offer any parts 1928-1953 again.
 
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