Hello Everyone,
I have just returned from a quick trip to SMS Upholstery here in Oregon.
Here is what I learned:
Very nice people there, they took the time to answer ALL my questions.
They had 6 people (that I could see) on the phones, and the phones never stopped ringing the whole time I was there.
I talked to the owner and he took the time to look up the orders from Philippe's friend M. Mendez (France) and Elisabeth (Sweden).
Regarding M. Mendez' order, He told me that their mill supplier (in New Jersey) had sent some vinyl back to Portland, but the "Pewter" color did not match, so they had to re-order the vinyl to match the original samples from M. Mendez (which I saw). They also had a problem with the embossing of one of the vinyls. They are very meticulious and will only send the order out if it is perfect and correct.
Regarding Elisabeth's order, he showed me the order and said there were 6 different cars that she was buying material for. He said that some of the fabrics had to be specially made at the mill in New Jersey and might take 2 weeks, 2 months, or 6 months.
One thing he kept saying was that people don't realize that some of these orders may take 6 months or longer, he said the best thing to do is to plan ahead and allow at least 6 months for any fabrics, or panels, or vinyl, that might have to be dyed, or embossed, or made from scratch.
He was very concerned about his customers, his office was well organized and it only took him seconds to find M. Mendez' order and also Elisabeths order.
This was significant as they are also in the middle of a major move, moving the whole business from Portland to Canby (a small suburb of Portland) and into a larger warehouse.
I have no involvement with this company, I went there in person to help the people on the IML list, and to see what they have available for my Imperials.
I hope this helps..............
Michael Howlett
Boring Oregon
Title:
- From: Philippe Courant <accf-club@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2004 22:44:41 +0200
Hi Michael,
It's very kind of you to try to help my friend... Here are the facts:
My friend (M. François MENDEZ who lives in IBOS, zip 65420, France and who is indeed a very friend of mine) is restoring since 1 1/2 year a DODGE Kingsway 1959 = PLYMOUTH BELVEDERE 1959 for US market (and also for SMS, when we ordered in USA, we say always Belvedere because Kingsway are unknown..). It's a sedan with posts.
He has removed the body from the frame, has redone all the mechanic , finished the body and so he's doing the upholstery.
- So he ordered 9/28/2003 (as he did some years ago for his other Dodge, a '59 Coronet and a '58 CR convertible) some stuff from SMS: 5 yards of vinyl (he sent previously a sample and SMS says "okay we'have this vinyl"), some with die-electrically "lines" and other plain (he joined some other infos about size of lines, etc..)
- SMS charged his Visa CC and took 265 $ some days later.
- As we have no infos 2 months later, i sent a fax in november; no reply.
- M. Mendez called by phone SMS in december and someone told him that the vinyl will be sent in 3 weeks.
- 01/14/2004, M. Mendez called again and talked to a man called Charly who says: "give me some days for an investigation and i'll fax back (..) yes, i've your fax number (which is mine, M. Mendez has no fax and i order for him)". As you expect, no fax reply !!
- I sent another fax 02/07/2004 to Charly; he replied "we had a delay in getting enough vinyl to finish your order, we now have that under control and will be shipping your order shortly" ..
- As M. Mendez didn't received anything, i sent another fax in the first days of april which said : if you can't send the stuff before 3 weeks, please cancel and refund the money. I join the new Visa CC number for refund . I sent also some days after an email with the same text. No replies ....
So M. Mendez has his restauration stopped for a 5 yards vinyl ... As you know we 're vary far from Portland and M . Mendez thinks now that he has lost the money and that he must go to Original auto interiors or another supplier.
But if you can do something for him , i 'm sure he'll be very glad (and me too..)
Thanks in advance.
--
Philippe COURANT Philippe COURANT (Pau, France)- Webmaster des sites ACCF et C-I-F
Imperial 1957 Crown convertible
Buick 1996 Roadmaster wagon
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