Back one or two lifetimes ago (in the Early 70s) When I was first getting into this wonderful hobby I lived in Lancaster Ohio and got to know Frank Mitchell who at that time was parts manager for Byers and Sons in Columbus Ohio. I had many pleasant times with him and bought many NOS parts from him for my 50 Royal Wagon. the parts were always great and at reasonable prices. Frank was a very personable and enjoyable person who really knew his cars.
My first bad experience was in the mid 80s when buying parts which he told me he had back at the shop for my 48 Desoto Suburban. Well around 1 1/2 years later after much hassle I got some of the parts and later got a refund for the others.
Been very reluctant to do business since-last time I stopped in shop to look at parts and found one cracked lens for 55 NY which they insisted on huge money for with another good one in southern warehouse. walked away empty again but didn't waste any money and spent a while talking to local who had just driven in 79 LRE. I would need to be reasonably desperate to order by mail from them now I'm sad to say.
Ok now there is a good word out there about Mitchell's but a sad ending!
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From: Dave Stragand[SMTP:dave.stragand@KETCHUM.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 1998 8:58 AM
To: tehoema@MEGAVISION.COM; L-FORWARDLOOK@LISTS.PSU.EDU
Subject: [FORWARDLOOK] Where sometimes is heard, a discouraging word...
A list member wrote to me:
> I am getting bombarded with people wanting to hear about my bad
> experience with Mitchells' Auto. Almost everyone knew which vendor it
> was before I told them! ha! Yet many didn't and expressed interest that this
> type of forum be addressed openly. I didn't mention names in the forum as you
> may have noticed. I didn't want to break any rules. Any ruling on this?
Well, here's my view on "bad mouthing". If you have an honest complaint or
horror
story to relate to the list, by all means, you should air your views. We've all
been burned by bad vendors at one time or another, and sharing that story will
help everyone make a more informed decision about purchasing from them.
Bear in mind though, that time goes on, and things change. I still avoid Midas
because they screwed me on a brake job 12 years ago, and it's not right to judge
a
whole chain on what one person, at one store, did that long ago. I'm sure that
the people who worked there then, are long gone now. (In fact, the Midas is
actually long gone and there's a Wendy's there now - for about 9 years.)
Nonetheless the bad taste in my mouth has persisted, and I still avoid Midas.
Here's my point: If you have something bad to say about a company, say it.
Tell
your side of the story as fairly and accurately as you can, and tell the facts.
If you have an opinion, cleary state that it's your opinion, and try to keep
personal issues and insults out of the way. A quick example:
GOOD: Mitchell's sold me a used part claiming it was N.O.S., and they wouldn't
refund my money.
BAD: That fat, filthy pig from Mitchell's is a d*mn a**hole, and he screwed me
with used parts.
If you disagree with someone's opinion, or have a GOOD story to tell, then you
should also air your views. Just don't attack people PERSONALLY for their views
on such-and-such a matter. Argue the ISSUE, not the ISSUER.
-Dave Stragand
1958 Plymouth Belvedere 2door hardtop
PS> I have no experience with Mitchell's, but I have NEVER heard a single good
thing about them, either from buyers or other vendors. I'm keeping an open mind,
but I probably would not deal with them.
application/ms-tnef
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