In restoring my 69 GTO I bought parts from many places, including OPGI but found AMES to be the best even if they cost more.

Some problems I had with OPGI was a repo console that looked terrible and was sent back, a repo wood sport wheel that was also just terrible, but another issue is they show something available on their website when placing the order but then send notice it is out of stock. I cancelled several orders as I found the item in stock elsewhere and wanted to keep the resto going.

You found out about the backorder issue as you post, and while I want to support all GTO related outfits I find OPGI difficult and unpredictable to work with.

 

OPGI - Only when there is no other choice.

Ames and NPD are my primary choices.
Parts Place and InLine Tube only through Ebay. (Easier to return)

 

OPGI - Only when there is no other choice.

Ames and NPD are my primary choices.
Parts Place and InLine Tube only through Ebay. (Easier to return)

Yea,NPD is located in Charlotte NC,2 hrs away from me,and Ames Performace is a must,I've had nothing but great service from them.

 

My last episode with OPGI involved a simple rearview mirror. Ames and NPD were out and OPGI had the mirror and an offer of free shipping. I ordered the mirror and a week later when it should be arriving I was notified that it was on backorder but "would be in shortly". Four months later I was notified it was shipping and another month later I received it - along with a shipping charge. I called and asked what happened to the free shipping and their simple reply was that offer expired five months ago. I just have to keep reminding myself that I shouldn't use them.

 

I live about 2 hours from Ames so I can pick it up but recently placed a web order with shipping & they sent me an email asking me to verify if I wanted the throttle bracket that didn’t match the year of my car & other parts I was purchasing, that’s excellent service in my book.

 

They did the same thing when I ordered a 1971 air cleaner sticker for my 1970. Ames is always great to work with.

 

I had gotten a few things from OPGI a few years ago but lately everything is backorder. I avoid them now and stick with Ames. Got some good used stuff from Frank's and even ebay. Inline and NPD are really good too.

 

This is post pandemic, so unless they're cramming a frozen salami in your ass, consider yourself fortunate.

This is the new world... even Amazon is slipping. My last ten Amazon orders said they would be received in 24 hours, and then never arrived. Insurance companies are raising rates 20% across the board, kids have $1800 for Starbucks and Iphones, but I have to finance a 2x4.

Welcome to Thunderdome.

 

I use Ames and OPGI and I'm happy with both. Around this time of year OPGI has a big sale with free shipping on everything, including truck freight on large sheet metal parts. Last year i ordered a hood, core support and two inner fenders from OPGI during the sale and no shipping saved me hundreds of dollars. I did have to wait since they were backordered as deliveries from the manufacturers were still lagging from COVID. OPGI honored the prices for the parts when i ordered them despite the increase in prices during the backorder. Happy to report the hood and other parts arrived without the expected damage from the shipping process.

 

I'm an Ames loyalist. Faster shipping, higher quality parts that I know are right. Even though they're on the West Coast, I've generally had underwhelming experiences with Classic and OPG in terms of parts quality and shipping speed.

 

OPGI text me yesterday after already telling me all the stuff was in stock,and would receive parts in 6,or 7 days,now they say it will be shipped the 18,during that time ordered something from Ames,and already received it,so text OPGI and canceled order,want use them anymore,either Ames or NPD.

 

It will be interesting to see what or if the new Tariffs will bring, IRT part prices and availability

 

Some of our parts suppliers use Amazon. Edelbrock for example:

Amazon.com: Edelbrock 61599 Performer Cylinder Head for Pontiac with 72cc Combustion Chambers : Automotive

Buy Edelbrock 61599 Performer Cylinder Head for Pontiac with 72cc Combustion Chambers: Cylinder Heads - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

I ordered several things today including fan shroud among other stuff from NPD,ordered this mourning,got a message that all the stuff will be delivered tomorrow, now that's fast.

 

got a message that all the stuff will be delivered tomorrow, now that's fast.

Dont right off the goose until you see the box going into the hole!

Amazons "new thing" is to say you'll get it tomorrow... and it comes a week later, if at all.

 

NPD ships via UPS. I'm 200 miles from their Ventura location and usually receive an order in 1-2 days

 

my go-to vendors have always been Ames, In line tube, BOP engineering, NPD and Year One, Nitemare performance, SD performance, then summit/Jeggs for more common items.. Although year one seems to have slipped in some ways over the last decade or so. Also, they are as much or more expensive than Ames sometimes.. Never ordered from OPGI as I had read a few reviews that did not shine the best light on them.

 

OPGI has a nice big catalog though, full of fluff, and parts that don't belong. They and many other vendors advertise certain parts as fitting a particular generation (64-67, 68-72, 73-77) or even 64-72.
If you're not knowledgable enough of the little nuances between each model year it becomes an expensive way of finding out what fits, what doesn't fit, and what is just plain wrong.

 

I've ordered only 7 items from them and the funny one was a new dash that they had a spring sale on so cheaper than anyone, I get it and it says The Parts Place on the back. Now they are 25 minutes from me but it was still cheaper w/shipping through OPGI than going to pick it up... these two places are my last resort.

 

I found the same issues with OPGI regarding the free shipping. always out of stock with half of what I order. I have used everyone else with no real issues. Ames has been the favorite. Does anyone know if they did away with print catalogs?

 

Not that I'm aware of. I've received one every year.

 

Yep,I did receive everything the next day.

 

I just discovered this thread, and wanted to take the time to thank you for the order.. And to explain to any other members who might be understandably "cynical" about in-stock promises and shipping promises, that:

1. If an item is out-of-stock at NPD at all four locations, we don't allow you to order it online.

2. Our online inventory status is laser-accurate. Our inventories are so accurate, that we don't even use pick-tickets for pulling. Your order goes straight to invoice, and the puller uses that final invoice to pull the parts.

3. When you receive your shipping-confirmation email for an NPD order, that email is actually coming to you from UPS! Which means, they have your boxes, there is a tracking #, and the semi trailer has left the building with your order. So it's pretty damned absolute.

I see much of what many of you are reporting, shenanigans, literally on a daily basis browsing forums, enthusiast social media pages, and reading emails where new customers are sharing horror stories from other suppliers. Decorum and discretion prevents me from naming names or sharing details. But when your business model involves running almost perpetual sales and promotions, often putting items on-sale that you don't even have, such that you don't have enough cash left over to replace inventory, such that you're trying to cook meals from a virtually empty cupboard and pantry, eventually.... That vortex, that whirlpool, sucks you down. The grapevine throughout our industry is buzzing like a beehive.

Thank you to all for the positive comments, and of course, your business.

Happy Holidays,

Rick
NPD