SL Classic?

[Jazn]

I have sent an extensive email to SL classics which had enclosed an extensive list of parts they had advertized.  I was just asking for the price on each part.  I have not received any reply.  Is their email more for show than actual utility?  It's been almost two weeks now, just wondering if anyone has has similar experiences and if they had a better recommendation.

[mdsalemi]

Jazn,

Ray Paul of SL Classics has a great reputation.  However, my experience with him via Fax and Email mirrored yours--but that was several years ago when he was at Star.  When I called him last year, he was prompt and courteous, and the part arrived quickly.  So some methods of dealing with some people are better then others.

What I found is that many people don't like getting long lists of parts, for which they need to do some research, check their price and availability, then get back to you.  I would imagine that some could spend all day doing this, and not sell anything!  Just ask Dr. Benz.  Better yet, email him the list and see how quickly he responds!  

That being said, I preferred the fax and email because it allows ME to ignore time zones and do what I want, when I want; it allows the recipient to take some time and go through the list.

If you'd like a word of advice, sometimes it is better to use a fax then an email; at least in most cases they get a piece of paper.  It is always best to follow up with a phone call--tell them you are sending (or have sent) a parts list and want to discuss it with them.  If you sent an email 2 weeks ago and have not called them, IF they got the email, they probably don't think you are too serious else you'd at least have called them, right??

I made a post some months back on this.  Those that treated my inquiries seriously were the ones that got the business.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[J. Huber]

Hey Jazn. I concur that Ray is a fabulous parts guy. He may have missed your email -- I have never had a problem this way. However, many of my orders to him are via the phone. This way he can talk you through any questions you might have.

James
63 230SL

[Benz Dr.]

Interesting.
 I was talking to a guy at a high end restoration place north of Toronto, Canada today and he told me something quite interesting. Aparently they charge $30.00 per hour for '' research '' I didn't ask what the regular rate was but I'm sure it would be more than twice this amount.

As these cars ( and other old ones ) get older the parts for them will take more time to get and the people familiar with all the little things about them will be fewer each year. Finding the righ part can take some research as well as locating certain people with special skills to do all kinds of jobs.

One could argue that a competent resoration shop should already know all these things but that's not how it works. People leave the business, supliers move on and machine shops close down. All this means finding new people and educating them to your needs. Some of them are not willing to help you out for any price.

Half of my days are filled with phone calls and half of my nights are spent on paper work and looking for parts or pricing them. This is part of the job. I'm more apt to pay attention to an email and now flag everything that hasn't been taken care of. My desk is covered with notes, books and all kinds of papers. One more would only fall on the floor.

Call me or anyone you like, but please do call who ever you deal with. I can cover a lot of ground very quickly on the phone and get a sense of what a person is looking for. I still view this as a people business - the cars are just cars after all.

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org

[tdun824259]

Jazn,

I've said this before in these forums and I'll say it again.  There are many FINE knowledgeable 113 parts people and many frequent these forums. (the good dr.)  I would put Ray Paul in that category.  He has helped me immensely in restoring my SL.  Giving him a call would be your best bet.
tdun824259
1971 280 SL

[JOS]

Ray Paul,is the best, do not give up on him, it is best to deal with Ray on the phone. You will not find a must honest person in the parts business.

John O. Salazar
1965,1966 and 1967 230SL

[Raymond]

Dr. Benz is the best.  He resoponded to my e-mail request with pricing and availability and made a couple of other suggestions.  After a few e-mail exchanges, I called him.  He not only was gracious and handled my order effeciently, he gave me some extremely valuable tips.  I can tell you from trying to keep up taking notes, that he can cover a lot of ground in a short phone conversation and your questions get an instant response.  

Dan and Ray Paul run small businesses and phones are just more efficient than e-mail.  



Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[Benz Dr.]

The reason why I ask people to call and then email their list of parts is really quite simple - I also do work on the cars and so I'm often in the shop which is near my phone but not my computor. My office is in the house not far from the shop so I usually can't pull prices out of my head - there's already limited space in there with competing interests.

If you look closely at what time I post here you will see that most are done at night - sometimes very late at night. It's the only time when It's quiet enough for me to relax. I actually enjoy this forum quite a bit and the phone calls I get.



Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org

[domingo_santo]

Paul Ray has given me a very good service even that I dont speak english fluently. His deliveries are usually faster than what he promised.


Juan Tomas Santos
Dominican Republic.