3 weeks ago I bought an auto shifter "BOOT" from the Fierostore. I installed it, It "fit" fine. I drove the car ONCE, and now the boot is "cracking" and the Vinyl is "Peeling Off" the cloth backing ! Quality Stuff ! anyone know of a source that sells a boot for the automatic shifter that won't fall apart ? Thanks
Dunno about this thread here. First of all, give Matt at TFS a call. Explain this to him. They will make it right. Sometimes things don't go right with TFS products, but start by letting them know.
I installed an auto shifter boot last week as well. It fits great and the craftsmanship is good but my boot is "peeling" as well. This was my first purchase from The Fiero Store so I can't comment on any of their other products.
3 weeks ago I bought an auto shifter "BOOT" from the Fierostore. I installed it, It "fit" fine. I drove the car ONCE, and now the boot is "cracking" and the Vinyl is "Peeling Off" the cloth backing ! Quality Stuff ! anyone know of a source that sells a boot for the automatic shifter that won't fall apart ? Thanks
Lou, is there a time-frame you need this boot?? I think I have a NOS auto boot.
Give me a couple a couple of weeks. Gotta find it in storage.
Get your boots from Mr. Mikes. 2 years since it was installed and still no ripping or peeling.
Huh, I never noticed that he sold them before. Can't go wrong with anything Mr. Mike sells. Great products and great customer service.
Some of the Fierostore products aren't the greatest, but some are really nice. I can't really say anything bad about them since they are devoted to keeping our cars on the road. They are never my first choice though, if Rodney or Mr. Mike or a forum member that has great feedback on a product like Russ88TTop (I haven't got a chance to give him any business yet but I have a long wish list of his stuff that I want to buy from him) will get my sale before the fierostore usually.
Two products I've purchased from tfs have been crap. In their defense, they've replaced both with no problems, but both have failed again and i gave up. I've learned my lesson. Oil cap. Black cap separated from the white tabbed piece. Sail panels. Paint washed away After installed, leaving the clear plastic.
Tfs is a pleasure to do business with, but they should look into purchasing from better suppliers. Ron
Yes. Generation 1 plastic headlight motor gears. I lost a ton of money rebuilding and shipping at no charge, and probably some customers due to bad plastic gears I got from them. They replaced the gears at no charge, but those were defective, too. They pulled them off the market for a while. Hope the current batch is correct size and of good quality.
Fastback quarter windows that I got from another vendor came from The Fiero Store. He just boxed them and sent them to me. Very Very poor quality. They were returned. These are the only two products I've had problems with. Other things I've bought were good.
But yes, they need to have better quality control.
I bought there boot it looked great when I installed it and 30 days later it was cracked to hell and looks worse then the orignal boot I replaced it with, ashame it was such poor quality.
Every time I make a negative comment, the Fiero Store (and other members on here) step right in to say how wrong I am to say anything bad about them.
So for once, I will attack this from a different angle. As a part time manufacturer of custom Fiero parts....and I mean VERY part time, I know what it means to have quality control. I take the part that I manufacture, make a spare, and TRY to break it. I run full tests on material strength whether it be plastic, kevlar, or carbon fiber before the final product is sent out just to ensure that it meets my quality expectations. Yes it costs me more money in the end but I know that the final product is perfect. I think the Fiero Store really needs to start dropping the hammer on their plastics vendors to do a better job with the quality and even the uniformity of their parts. I have seen where a member on here gets two of the same parts and even the texture is different between the two, one is textured and the other is semi-smooth. I think their manufacturer is producing the parts and then running off multiple batches without quality checks every two or three runs. The manufacturer needs to ensure that each part is perfect before sending it out. This includes stress cracks, weak points, and texture. I assume that the Fiero Store paid an arm and a leg to have new molds made for most of the parts so I would be beating up the plastics vendor every minute of the day until the parts are perfect.
I wish that I could do plastic parts full-time and then I would become a primary vendor for the Fiero Store but I have a full time job that barely allows me the time to breathe. Maybe I should consider persuing this as a new career
Every time I make a negative comment, the Fiero Store (and other members on here) step right in to say how wrong I am to say anything bad about them.
So for once, I will attack this from a different angle. As a part time manufacturer of custom Fiero parts....and I mean VERY part time, I know what it means to have quality control. I take the part that I manufacture, make a spare, and TRY to break it. I run full tests on material strength whether it be plastic, kevlar, or carbon fiber before the final product is sent out just to ensure that it meets my quality expectations. Yes it costs me more money in the end but I know that the final product is perfect. I think the Fiero Store really needs to start dropping the hammer on their plastics vendors to do a better job with the quality and even the uniformity of their parts. I have seen where a member on here gets two of the same parts and even the texture is different between the two, one is textured and the other is semi-smooth. I think their manufacturer is producing the parts and then running off multiple batches without quality checks every two or three runs. The manufacturer needs to ensure that each part is perfect before sending it out. This includes stress cracks, weak points, and texture. I assume that the Fiero Store paid an arm and a leg to have new molds made for most of the parts so I would be beating up the plastics vendor every minute of the day until the parts are perfect.
I wish that I could do plastic parts full-time and then I would become a primary vendor for the Fiero Store but I have a full time job that barely allows me the time to breathe. Maybe I should consider persuing this as a new career
+1000!! I have thought the same things. I bought the plastic power window bezel because I wanted a newer version. Well the power window rocker was cut crooked so pushing the button up and it would stick in the on position. I also bought the headlight switch because I wanted better screen printing. Well the screen printing was done over a really rough grain and very weak imprint. I just ended up throwing it all back into spares.
I've had mixed results from The Fiero Store. I bought a trunk release switch to replace my broken one, and it worked great. It looked really tacky when the backlight was on it... but, it broke a few months later.
I think I got my shift boots from Rodney... They're 100% leather. No pealing or crackling on that baby!! :P
I had the clear parking light lenses on my car. When I pulled the front fascia off a few weeks ago, the fascia barely tapped one of them on the way off, and the clear plastic lens fell right off the lamp housing. :-/
Aside from that, pretty much everything I've bought from them has been fine, but I haven't bought any of the aforementioned products that have failed for others, and it's been several years since I've bought anything from them at all, really.
One item which might look good at first glance is the '88 paddle nut assembly. Unfortunately its not of the same high-strength hardware as the originals. Buy Rodney's instead! His match the factory strength fasteners and the nuts he sells are pinch-deformed to resist unthreading.
I have bought a few things from this vendor, and having built parts for the Fiero and other cars/trucks.. and the problems with all venders is many of the parts they sell, are not made in house , so they don't find out about problems until they are out in the market for a while, only time that's not the case is if the product doesn't fit/work when new.. Not sticking up for this vendor, but that's just the way it is.. I have the speaker pod door panels, and the rear deck speaker panel.. and don't know how well they'll fit other than the thread from a member here that has put them on, and posted a few issues, and the reasons for them.. showing that 90% of the issues are not issues. but planned design so they fit when you cover them. Vendors also have a problem it's called the American buyer, that buy on price not quality , so it is very tuff for venders to give the buyers both a good product for a cheap price.. Take the speaker plates I sold, That fierosound had plotted out the design.. I after shipping, raw materials,labor(my time), the cutting parts that wear making them, the paypal fee's(venders that have mastercard/visa/etc accounts get charged a fee, just like I had got charged by paypal. I sold them for 15.00 at first and lost money,as I had never used paypal.. after that set of 10, I made them 18.00 and broke even, Then gave cliff some "by me a beer" money for the site. putting them at a loss again., many venders have this same problem, make a wanted product, and make it at a cost so it sell and they'll make money. it's a razors edge to balance on.. some venders get a great rep.. but if their parts were used on daily driving cars, might not have that same rep.. as the parts tho good, are not great.. but because in this car market, their use is limited for the most part.. and if they had the name brand moog, people would be pissed.. but because of most don't log many miles,, they are "fine" for this application/use but would not be if used on daily drivers.. and would get the same reviews as the autoparts "house" brand part.. for not lasting,
I have had solid products from them, and very cheaply made products. I want to support TFS and other Fiero vendors because without them, we have to try and track the parts down.
On the other hand, when you get products that are poorly made it makes it hard to find support.
TFS has good intentions but I think it's the Chinese made products that kind of sink it below average for me.
Why not just make products in America?
I will say, it isn't easily to establish a business for a small market that physically doesn't grow after a certain number has been reached.
------------------ Every fiero has a story, It's our job to keep that story alive.
Has anyone actually "contacted" Fierostore to get replacements to see IF they would "make it right" ? DID you actually get a DECENT Replacement or a refund? or just more of the same ? Or did you get stuck with "Return Shipping" ? (personally, I will not "Knowingly" buy anything made on "mainland" China), seems Korea, Taiwan are ok.
I've had mixed results from The Fiero Store. I bought a trunk release switch to replace my broken one, and it worked great. It looked really tacky when the backlight was on it... but, it broke a few months later.
It was glowing through the gray, right? I painted the inside of the switch black, it looked fine after that.
after purchasing a few items from the Fiero store, I cut my losses, most parts seemed very low quality at best, the oil cap I bought, came apart in my hand, and the writing was upside down. the rubber in the fuel rail seal I had bought was, for lack of a better term pitted. upon emailing them, their response was something to the effect of "if you don't like it send it back" which I did and haven't gone back since.
------------------ "I am not what you so glibly call to be a civilized man. I have broken with society for reasons which I alone am able to appreciate. I am therefore not subject to it's stupid laws, and I ask you to never allude to them in my presence again."
I guess it really depends on what item you obtain from TFS. I've only purchased a few items from them (folding seat mechanism cover/handle, battery box kit, interior paint), and while they are a little pricy I've been content with all my items.
Has anyone actually "contacted" Fierostore to get replacements to see IF they would "make it right" ? DID you actually get a DECENT Replacement or a refund? or just more of the same ? Or did you get stuck with "Return Shipping" ? (personally, I will not "Knowingly" buy anything made on "mainland" China), seems Korea, Taiwan are ok.
Yes, and like I stated in my post, they sent out replacements without any b.s. However, the replacements are the same crap, so there's no win. T.F.S. are great to deal with, i just wish they'd buy better crap. ......and for my crap, i charge 2 cents. 😉 Ron
Originally posted by zzzhuh: TFS has good intentions but I think it's the Chinese made products that kind of sink it below average for me.
Why not just make products in America?
Are you certain about where the parts are made? How do you know they're not just made from poor molds with poor quality control, by people who just don't give a damn?
There are plenty of high quality products made in China, and plenty of really poorly made products from all over the USA (I presume you're talking about the USA, and not the rest of the two continents that make up America, here).
Are you certain about where the parts are made? How do you know they're not just made from poor molds with poor quality control, by people who just don't give a damn?
This. ^
Fiero Store is a retailer. They don't make any of things they sell. Most of what they have is just stuff they source from regular suppliers, then keep in stock for resale for use specifically as Fiero parts. You can buy most of what they offer yourself if you had access to the part numbers.
The exceptions of course are the stuff they've designed and had made for them. Having been involved in parts for air-cooled VWs for years, I know your parts are only as good as the manufacturer that makes them. Its getting harder and harder to get quality custom work at reasonable prices anymore. The VW market is probably twenty times the size of the Fiero market yet we can't get [I]quality[I] items such as interior trim anymore without paying a small fortune. The vendors themselves are great but the pieces they make are crap, regardless if they're made here or China. Oh sure there are a few good-quality sources (the Rodney Dickmans of the VW world) but they are the exception - and they are expensive. The only alternative is old-stock German.
Are you certain about where the parts are made? How do you know they're not just made from poor molds with poor quality control, by people who just don't give a damn?
There are plenty of high quality products made in China, and plenty of really poorly made products from all over the USA (I presume you're talking about the USA, and not the rest of the two continents that make up America, here).
Hard to say. I have gotten products from TFS that say "Made in China" so the vendors (at least some) are located in China. As far as quality control goes, I wouldn't disagree. I work in a warehouse that has quality control standards that insures a 15% product check.
I had the clear parking light lenses on my car. When I pulled the front fascia off a few weeks ago, the fascia barely tapped one of them on the way off, and the clear plastic lens fell right off the lamp housing. :-/
Aside from that, pretty much everything I've bought from them has been fine, but I haven't bought any of the aforementioned products that have failed for others, and it's been several years since I've bought anything from them at all, really.
I also had this problem with my lenses from them. It reminded me of my childhood; when we'd build plastic model cars, you always had to scrape the "chrome" off the engine parts or the model cement wouldn't stick. Same with my FS lenses; the glue didn't stick to the chrome, and the face of the lens fell off.
I've had mixed results from The Fiero Store. I bought a trunk release switch to replace my broken one, and it worked great. It looked really tacky when the backlight was on it... but, it broke a few months later.
I think I got my shift boots from Rodney... They're 100% leather. No peeling or cracking on that baby!! :P
I had the same issue with the trunk switch I got from them. Looked great during the day, but then when I'd put on the lights at night, the whole switch had a translucent glow. I sold the car, so I have no idea if the switch is still working.
Most stuff has been ok, but once bought a dogbone which did not fit my 85 GT. Talked to F-Store and they swore it was correct . I had to bore out the center aluminum , if memory, serves.
Most stuff has been ok, but once bought a dogbone which did not fit my 85 GT. Talked to F-Store and they swore it was correct . I had to bore out the center aluminum , if memory, serves.
I got their poly bushed dog bone for my 87 GT years ago. It fit perfectly, but it can be a pain to install, as the bolt goes through the strut tower and you must roll the engine to the rear to be able to attach it to both ends.
I have also not been impressed with TFS for quality. I'm glad there are vendors that support the Fiero community like TFS but their lack of QC is a serious problem.
I got two bad fuel rail block seals in a row from them. Within a couple months, the rubber was separating from the metal. This is a dangerous design flaw and could lead to a fuel leak.
The metal bracket for the cruise control vacuum canister was bent to the wrong shape, and broke promptly when I tried to reform it.
It's nice that they stock some hard to find plastic hardware for body panels and such that would be difficult to find in other places.
I have had mixed results. Some things I've got have been decent, others a total failure. (Arrow Head emblem near sail panel faded after 1 year, when the original had lasted 15. Also years ago I bought the FS 4 cylinder 'header'. Mega fail. The thing was constantly warping and I went thru a exhaust gasket at a rate of 1 per year. I see they have since stopped selling this)
On the flip side, we don't have many options for out of production stock parts, so I appreciate their effort and will continue to order from them. But as others have said, I wish they would tighen up their quality control.
West Coast Fiero is super expensive and doesn't have a great selection. Rodney has good prices, but not a lot selection either.