Hi, I once in awhile come across a post with someone questioning the quality of merchandise purchased from the Fiero store. Today being their 15% off sale im sure alot of us are looking to order, but dont want to get stung by inferior crap. Can you guys that bought from them let us in on what to avoid and also what you reccomend? I just happened to get a bonus from work and want to get some stuff for my 88gt (headliner, maybe cat back exhaust. Gt sail panels.). Thanks! PS, you guys have been a Godsend for all the help I have received fixing up my 2 cars! Thanks
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10:04 AM
PFF
System Bot
Tinkrr Member
Posts: 412 From: Whitby,ON, Canada Registered: Aug 2004
I wasn't going to reply because I've never had any bad parts from the Fiero Store, but no-one seems to be replying. I have had the wrong part shipped but it was immediately replaced NO CHARGE with one phone call.
Their customer service can't be beat IMHO.
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10:39 AM
olejoedad Member
Posts: 19793 From: Clarendon Twp., MI Registered: May 2004
I second what Tinkr said. The few problems I have had were due to wrong parts being shipped, the mistake was corrected immediately and with an apology.
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10:44 AM
bristowb Member
Posts: 745 From: douglasville,georgia,usa Registered: Oct 2009
Same here I have heard people complain on here but I have always recieved what I ordered with no problems at all. I find them great to deal with and buy things quite often from them. Dan
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11:29 AM
Larryh86GT Member
Posts: 1757 From: Near sunny Buffalo NY Registered: Jan 2008
I've gotten quite a bit from them. The only thing I thought was inferior was the front sunroof brackets. They were thinner metal and the rubber coating broke off after just putting my sunroof in once. But no big deal. At least we have them for parts and everything else has been as good or even better than OEM. (like their V-6 alt. brackets ). And yes, I have gotten a wrong part now and then but always just 1 phone call to them got the right part sent out with simple return instructions and labels for the wrong part going back. All and all they are very good to buy from. I am glad we have them for our little cars. Larry
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Without question the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza. -- Dave Barry
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11:46 AM
starlightcoupe Member
Posts: 1767 From: Third World Country, OR Registered: Oct 2009
I only recently purchased anything from them but everything I ordered was good quality. I could have gotten the same brake hoses from NAPA down the street but I decided to order them from Fiero Store and of course like everything else these days, they are made in China. My order arrived in two days via USPS--three days from the time I ordered the items. If this is any indication of their service and quality then they will get my repeat business.
I only recently purchased anything from them but everything I ordered was good quality. I could have gotten the same brake hoses from NAPA down the street but I decided to order them from Fiero Store and of course like everything else these days, they are made in China. My order arrived in two days via USPS--three days from the time I ordered the items. If this is any indication of their service and quality then they will get my repeat business.
NO WAY would I put brake hoses made in china on my car!!! The Fiero store usually has good quality parts & great service. But try to ask where a part is made no matter who you buy it from. ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver"
Headline: APATHY RUNS RAMPANT - Nobody cares.
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12:48 PM
82-T/A [At Work] Member
Posts: 25202 From: Florida USA Registered: Aug 2002
NO WAY would I put brake hoses made in china on my car!!! The Fiero store usually has good quality parts & great service. But try to ask where a part is made no matter who you buy it from. ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver"
Headline: APATHY RUNS RAMPANT - Nobody cares.
I bought the Earl's Steel Braided brake lines from them for $120 or something... they were made in the USA.
thanks, the few things I have ordered were top notch. I have heard their dew wipes are not the greatest. I was just hoping for some imput and so far everything seems good!
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01:19 PM
doublec4 Member
Posts: 8289 From: Oakville, Ontario, Canada Registered: Jun 2003
I just placed my first order with them 30 seconds ago.
The only thing I dislike is that USPS is not a shipping option. UPS is going to charge me an extra 10 bucks just because I live in Canada. My total for two upper control arm bolts with washers will come to 50 bucks after shipping! and thats with the 15% discount today! holy crap!
Bought a set of plug wires from them a few years ago (the red ones that were more pink than red) and they were'nt very good..they may be better now?....shipping rates to Canada are a joke....
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01:51 PM
hetterbr Member
Posts: 213 From: Saskatchewan,Canada Registered: Feb 2009
You have to be careful shipping things to Canada. If you choose the cheapest listed UPS rate, there is also a "brokerage fee" that is not listed in your price. That bill will show up a few weeks later and will be almost as much as what you paid for shipping in the first place.
If ordering from Canada, I have found it best to call and talk with them. Sometimes paying for more expensive shipping saves you money in the long run as you don't have to pay the brokerage fee.
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02:19 PM
rourke_87_T-Top Member
Posts: 1347 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jan 2009
I was happy with my order, but shipping costs to Canada causes me to look for alternative sources. I think the drive would be cheaper if I had the time.
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02:20 PM
css9450 Member
Posts: 5557 From: Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA Registered: Nov 2002
I ordered a set of their 1988 front upper control arm paddle nut & bolt assemblies, but wound up using Rodney's instead. Rodney's had the correct 10.9 grade fasteners like the factory originals (Fiero Store's were 8.8), and his nuts were pinch deformed, unlike the ones from the Fiero Store. On a critical alignment/suspension part, you have to get the right stuff.
EDIT: I should mention that everything else I ordered from them has been 100% satisfactory.
[This message has been edited by css9450 (edited 01-27-2010).]
I have heard their dew wipes are not the greatest.
I ordered two sets of dew wipes from them about six weeks ago, since I had had a good experience with a set I bought two years ago. I was more than a little disappointed with the quality of the two new sets though. First off, as I was installing them, the little rivets that hold the rear view mirror metal tab simply fell out while installing them. I wasn't twisting them or forcing them in any manner. So I was left with one dew wipe that had no metal tab, and the other was only holding on with one rivet. I haven't even opened the box yet for the second set. The other thing that seemd sub-par about the dew wipes was the quality of the window stabilizer pads riveted to them. The pads look more like they were cut off some cheap stuffed animal with hair loss issues. I can't see them lasting very long. The original pads were a nice tight carpet pile-like material. Time will tell, but I'm not sure I would buy the dew wipes again unless they improve the quality substantially.
Edit to add the following:
The other thing that is not worth buying is the spoiler-stand-to-trunk rubber seals. They simply don't fit. There was a change in the wing stand designs where the earlier ones had left and right hand specific shapes, and the later ones were symmetrical. I've tried TFS's seals on both types and they fit equally poorly.
I too should add that everything else I've ordered from them was good stuff... and I've ordered several thousands of dollars over the years.
[This message has been edited by Bloozberry (edited 01-27-2010).]
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06:22 PM
Myke Member
Posts: 418 From: Strafford, NH, usa Registered: Sep 2003
I just placed my first order with them 30 seconds ago.
The only thing I dislike is that USPS is not a shipping option. UPS is going to charge me an extra 10 bucks just because I live in Canada. My total for two upper control arm bolts with washers will come to 50 bucks after shipping! and thats with the 15% discount today! holy crap!
Call them next time. If you talk to them about the shipping, they might give you USPS options. When I had parts shipped, I had them come USPS. (This was also a number of years back.)
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07:58 PM
tjm4fun Member
Posts: 3781 From: Long Island, NY USA Registered: Feb 2006
all the parts I got from tfs were fine, but that was 2 years ago. you can buy the foam backed fabric for the headliner at Joan's in westbury for about 12$, they have a half dozen colors in stock. I got the tan one, looks better than the factory. either way, you will stil need to fiberglass resin the old backing panel, which is no big effort, jut the cost for a pint of resin and hardener.
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08:30 PM
lurtz Member
Posts: 270 From: Woodsville, New Hampshire Registered: Dec 2009
I have bought various parts from TFS, and was only disappointed once. I ordered a fuel sending unit. When I got it, it looked great. Quality bends, no rust, etc... I had it installed for about 6 months and my fuel pump kept failing on me at random intervals. I would be driving along and the car would just stop running. I would give it about a minute or 10, and the car would start right back up and run again for anything from 10 minutes to 1 hour. The pump fuse never blew.
I thought it was the pump, so I ordered a new pump (not from TFS). It was not the pump.
The insulation was not fuel submersible. I re-wired it with Teflon 14 AWG wire and have not had an issue since.
-Dave
[This message has been edited by IFLYR22 (edited 01-27-2010).]
Ive orderd like many here, hundreds of dollars from them...
stay away from the spoiler gaskets, ive never had a set that actually worked for me. they have had to swap a few elec. items out for me, and some of their interior trim is really easy to break, and hard to read the screen print (assc. plate, headlight switch trim). And their body molding, and emblems (nose and rear GT) don't tighten well like GM originals, the supplied self thearding nuts seems to chew the cheaper plastic up and you just have to keep pressing and turning as tight as you can to make it work. (The front rear fender molding clips were the worst!)
over all, they are easy to work with on returns, and dont BS you. i appreciate their dedication, so I tend to support the Fiero vendors like TFS and Rodney Dickman before I go somewhere else...
EDIT to say, I am placing an order now too.
[This message has been edited by Camel (edited 01-27-2010).]
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08:56 PM
PFF
System Bot
FreakyFastFiero Member
Posts: 225 From: Michigan, USA Registered: Aug 2009
I had one of their headlight rebuild gears go out after only a few months, but they gave me a replacement and said it was the first time it happened. I has ordered three of them and they all seem to work fine.
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09:04 PM
Raydar Member
Posts: 41206 From: Carrollton GA. Out in the... country. Registered: Oct 1999
The bottom coolant hose for an 88 V6 (right side pipe to water pump) is about 1/2" too short on the water pump end. Essentially useless. The only place that I've found one that is correct is NAPA. (8448 or 4884. I don't remember which.)
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09:12 PM
SlowGuitarMan Member
Posts: 316 From: Morgantown, WV, USA Registered: Jan 2010
I personally would not buy sail panels from TFS because they look like the same thing (Even the same pictures...) as the guy who sells them on his site and on ebay. I don't remember his site, but they can be had at $94 per pair at times, and they are $150 on TFS.
I've only made a few hundred dollars worth of orders, and they have been good so far.
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09:45 PM
Khw Member
Posts: 11139 From: South Weber, UT. U.S.A. Registered: Jun 2008
I've read that the replacement fuel level dealy that goes in the tank and sends the signal to the gauge for indicating the fuel level are hit and miss when they have them. Might be why I never see them on their site anymore?
[This message has been edited by Khw (edited 01-27-2010).]
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09:56 PM
Jan 28th, 2010
IMSA GT Member
Posts: 10678 From: California Registered: Aug 2007
I ordered two sets of dew wipes from them about six weeks ago, since I had had a good experience with a set I bought two years ago. I was more than a little disappointed with the quality of the two new sets though. First off, as I was installing them, the little rivets that hold the rear view mirror metal tab simply fell out while installing them. I wasn't twisting them or forcing them in any manner. So I was left with one dew wipe that had no metal tab, and the other was only holding on with one rivet. I haven't even opened the box yet for the second set. The other thing that seemd sub-par about the dew wipes was the quality of the window stabilizer pads riveted to them. The pads look more like they were cut off some cheap stuffed animal with hair loss issues. I can't see them lasting very long. The original pads were a nice tight carpet pile-like material. Time will tell, but I'm not sure I would buy the dew wipes again unless they improve the quality substantially.
Edit to add the following:
The other thing that is not worth buying is the spoiler-stand-to-trunk rubber seals. They simply don't fit. There was a change in the wing stand designs where the earlier ones had left and right hand specific shapes, and the later ones were symmetrical. I've tried TFS's seals on both types and they fit equally poorly.
I too should add that everything else I've ordered from them was good stuff... and I've ordered several thousands of dollars over the years.
Ive orderd like many here, hundreds of dollars from them...
stay away from the spoiler gaskets, ive never had a set that actually worked for me. they have had to swap a few elec. items out for me, and some of their interior trim is really easy to break, and hard to read the screen print (assc. plate, headlight switch trim). And their body molding, and emblems (nose and rear GT) don't tighten well like GM originals, the supplied self thearding nuts seems to chew the cheaper plastic up and you just have to keep pressing and turning as tight as you can to make it work. (The front rear fender molding clips were the worst!)
over all, they are easy to work with on returns, and dont BS you. i appreciate their dedication, so I tend to support the Fiero vendors like TFS and Rodney Dickman before I go somewhere else...
EDIT to say, I am placing an order now too.
^^^Ditto on the screenprint on the headlight and PW/PM replacement plates. The plastic surface is so grainy the white screenprint font is practically unreadable. On the particular headlight plate I received, the screenprint was crooked and you could tell the manufacturer made a double screen pass causing the text to be fuzzy. Same thing for the power mirror text. As for the power window switch, the screw holes are crooked causing the switch to catch against the side and stick. I readjusted several times and the rocker switch still rubs the side of the plate. I also ordered seatback handles. I compared with an OEM handle and the F.S. handle is shorter and does not align up properly for the plastic peg (closest to the hinge side), causing it to come loose and fall off.
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02:18 AM
Carcenomy Member
Posts: 1109 From: Invercargill, New Zealand Registered: Jan 2009
Used The Fiero Store for quite a few bits and pieces, mostly stuff that'd be impossible to find here. The parts arrived quickly considering, and in every case has been exactly what was required. I'll be doing business with them again once I've got some spare funds for Fiero bits.
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06:26 AM
masospaghetti Member
Posts: 2477 From: Charlotte, NC USA Registered: Dec 2009
I would agree that the dew wipes from TFS are no good.
I just installed a set last week and was appalled how bad the worksmanship was. Keep in mind I'm not even expecting a perfect part - but the fit was unreasonably bad. For one, the rivets holding the rear "felt" guide on fell out on BOTH the left and right sides, without even being rough on them. I say "felt" because the material is more like fake hair, not felt. Also, the attach holes were misdrilled on both sides bad enough I had to use a dremel and carbide bit to elongate them, just so I get a screw through - and now you can tell that the front and rear of the wipes (on both sides) are not at the same level, with the rear appearing to be pushed down into the door. On the positive side, since the backing metal was so flimsy, I was easily able to slot the two middle attach holes with tin snips so I didn't have to remove the window to install them.
For $80, I would have expected a lot better.
I did just also purchase a new clutch pedal from TFS which has solved my clutch problems. My old aluminum pedal was bent. For those wanting to check for a bent pedal ..see if your clutch has any play in it by pulling it up. If it moves a significant amount (mine had about 3/4" - 1" of play) you probably need a new pedal.
[This message has been edited by masospaghetti (edited 01-28-2010).]
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08:31 AM
IFLYR22 Member
Posts: 1775 From: Tucson, AZ. Registered: May 2007
I have used their parts for many years. The only product I found that was inferior was the front sunroof brackets. They just did not fit correctly, cleaned up the old ones and used them.
Jack
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09:37 AM
wheelman2148 Member
Posts: 203 From: Davenport, Fl. U.S.A. Registered: Nov 2009
I am a bit surprised to hear that several of you guys had bad experiences with the dew wipes from TFS. I bought a pair from them a little over a year ago and just recently installed them on my '87 GT. They fit just fine. These had been on backorder for awhile. Maybe somebody else is making these parts for TFS, like Charlie No Starch ? I can't say anything but good about TFS, I have purchased many parts from them for my 2 Fieros. I usually talk to a lady named Roseann when I call, she is very helpful and seems to know what she is doing. All in all, I give a thumbs up for TFS. Ernie
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09:38 AM
Kitskaboodle Member
Posts: 3199 From: San Jose, Ca. Registered: Nov 2004
The bottom coolant hose for an 88 V6 (right side pipe to water pump) is about 1/2" too short on the water pump end. Essentially useless. The only place that I've found one that is correct is NAPA. (8448 or 4884. I don't remember which.)
I had a major problem with the lower driver rear hose that goes from the pipe behid the engine to the coolant tube that runs under the driver's side. This hose DID NOT fit and I gave it away because it was useless. (DAYCO brand) This is the hose that has weird black nettting around most of it.
Other than that, the sunroof hardware kit didnt quite work well. Some of the black buttons ffor the sunroof glass and the latch were too long.
Oh, and I have seen a power window switch cover that a fellow club member order that had very poor "UP" / "DN" white stenciling.
Overall, I have to say that everything else was good quality and there is little to complain about. Their customer service is certainly top notch and I will always order from them.
Kit
[This message has been edited by Kitskaboodle (edited 01-28-2010).]
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11:26 AM
KaijuSenso Member
Posts: 911 From: Westland, MI Registered: Jan 2007
I had a problem with the Alternator Brackets. I could not seem to get any reman. alternator to match the bolt pattern, this was just a little off. I let them know that I thought they may have had a quality control issue with the casting and they were very supportive.
Probably the best customer service I have ever delt with.
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02:47 PM
jscott1 Member
Posts: 21676 From: Houston, TX , USA Registered: Dec 2001
I thought it was the pump, so I ordered a new pump (not from TFS). It was not the pump.
-Dave
I was going to comment on the safety wire as well... how the heck did that get on there? Never seen it on a production automobile.
I agree that the dew wipes and spoiler gaskets are less than stellar although they are better than nothing. I'm guessing that on the reproduction parts it's hard to get an exact match, but we are still lucky that they are even trying. I wish their effort to get the fastback decklid seal would come to fruition. I've got a torn seal and no way to replace it.
Of the maybe $3000ish I've spent there over the last five years, I only have a couple complaints:
First the dew wipes. I bought one of their first 50 sets. They look decent, and still do after two winters and being used on a daily driver car, but they don't really wipe so well. When I put the window down to wipe water off, the water stays on the window.
The other was a power windows/mirror switch plate. Cheap plastic, with an imperfection right in the middle, and the white printed letter for the window switches were smeared.
Everything that I have purchased from the Fiero Store thus far has been very good. Their customer service is exceptional.
I do have to agree with everyone above about the dew wipes however. Have a look at this thread, and I think it will become VERY clear on where to get perfect dew wipes for your Fiero: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/072583.html
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05:46 PM
Jan 30th, 2010
bulldog85043 Member
Posts: 403 From: Phoenix, AZ USA Registered: Jan 2009
I just bought a complete replacement exhaust for my 86 Duke Sport with the exception of the Cat Conv. which I bought locally. The only things I had to do were to fab up a connecting pipe between the cat and the head pipe and weld on a make-shift hanger for the tail pipe section (similar to their spring connection point on the head pipe - a piece of exhaust clamp base). After mocking everything up into place and marking before welding, this car has <B>NEVER</B> been this quiet since I've had it!
I've been very impressed with the items I've gotten from them and have not had any problems. It's not to say you will never have an issue with any mail order company, but they seem to really have their act together.