Paul Amey Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 Rimmer's seem to get slated a little bit on here, why is that? I'm fairly new to the classic car scene. I have used Rimmer's a lot in the last year. OK they are not cheap but seem to have most of the parts I have been looking for and have dispatched them promptly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 It is partly price, and partly that they have little knowledge of what they are selling. Yes, they do have many parts, and delivery is very quick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 Paul, You have put your finger straight on it, they use Waitrose business model "Reassuringly expensive" After sales service is poor. There only saving grace is speedy delivery, Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 yes of course its easy to stock and have fast turn over of the common items but if youre also going to source and supply many other bits that sit around for ages you have to increase the price of everything to keep pricing proportional plus cover the costs. However if your buying one of the common items that extra can hurt.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 Johny, That doesn't hold water, Rimmers are NOT the supplier of last resort, things that Rimmers don't have are available elsewhere and cheaper. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted September 24, 2021 Report Share Posted September 24, 2021 yes there are smaller specialist outfits but I think you'll find Rimmers have the largest stock in terms of number of items on sale.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted September 25, 2021 Report Share Posted September 25, 2021 Just to put things to test I've just analysed a part of my 'possible' purchase list of bits. 8 items. Rimmers : All available, dearest for 3, cheapest for 2, 1 where they are the only stockist Paddock: 2 dearest, 2 cheapest, 2 not available Canley : 1 dearest, 2 cheapest, 2 not available Then there is the delivery cost which can tip the balance. So, yes Rimmers list prices are generally higher but they are a '1 stop shop', in this example. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted September 25, 2021 Report Share Posted September 25, 2021 1 hour ago, Chris A said: they are a '1 stop shop', in this example. They can be; I find them expensive but professional in that you order parts, they're in stock and delivered reasonably quickly. Quality can sometimes vary. Canleys are often slightly cheaper but no nonsense and the goods get delivered ok. I don't like the design of Rimmers website, Canley's is much easier to follow, but many times I'll identify the part number on Canleys then go to Rimmers for the actual photo. Sadly, after that I usually source the part elsewhere more cheaply. I find Paddocks much cheaper and with faster delivery, I also deal with a number of regular online sellers who have NOS items or similar quality to the bigger suppliers but are a fraction of the cost. There's something to be said for loyalty to those who stock parts for our cars, but there's a lot to be said for the same item, same quality and same manufacturer, at a cheaper price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted September 25, 2021 Report Share Posted September 25, 2021 Chris, Well that's fortunate for your list of bits, but Rimmers don't fair so well with my list of bits. Late GT6 mk3 has 7/8" dia self adjusting rear brake cylinders. I replaced mine 7 years ago, Rimmers didn't stock them, they still don't, not even a repair kit. I got mine from Paddocks and they still stock them. I won't bore on with several other late mk3 sorry don't stock its. Rimmers have a lot of stuff for popular models and they expect a high turn over of stock, but if your car's one of not many they don't want to have the stock hanging around. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted September 25, 2021 Report Share Posted September 25, 2021 and of course for many stock parts they all buy from each other so you can find the most expensive have been sourced from the cheaper its the way it all works all have to have a significant mark up but depends on the supply some more than others do your homework on all suppliers you have regard and trust based on you own experiences but always search dont stop at the first hurdle get a good leap of faith and look around if you use the market place check reviews and sales ask around there plenty of low quality junk up for the must have sales Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted September 25, 2021 Report Share Posted September 25, 2021 I've bought from all three of the biggies and had no problems with quality or delivery. My final decision is based on who has the stock. If more than one can supply everything then it comes down to total cost including delivery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Amey Posted September 26, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2021 Thanks for that. Canley's and Paddock are new to me . I will look them up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Amey Posted September 30, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2021 I have now registered an account with James Paddock, thanks for the tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted September 30, 2021 Report Share Posted September 30, 2021 52 minutes ago, Paul Amey said: I have now registered an account with James Paddock, thanks for the tip. I don't think I actually have an account with them but with the amount they've had off me over lockdown I should be a shareholder. I've another order of Herald bits to place in the morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted October 1, 2021 Report Share Posted October 1, 2021 Only used Paddock`s the once. Because my Grandson,who only lives a few mile away was coming to us for the weekend, I got him to collect my order saving Postage. Beyond that most of what I get comes via Canley`s or occasionally Rimmers, Rimmers, more usually if I have to travel to foreign parts (Lincolnshire) As I have to cross the Blunder bridge anyway it`s usually worth the detour. For those with any interest in WW2. the Bomber Comand Centre is only a mile or two from their premises. Mind with an old shipmate living nearby, it often becomes a quite expensive day, The Lunches in his local are very good. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unkel Kunkel Posted October 1, 2021 Report Share Posted October 1, 2021 I have used Rimmers for many years for Triumph and also Land-Rover bits. Their ( paper) catalogues with large line drawings are brilliant. Over more than two decades I have only ever had two minor problems with them: - A stainless exhaust system for a Discovery that was just quite impossible to fit, and a Spitfire rear spring which was nothing like the one it was supposed to replace. In fairness, in both these instances, rejecting the items was very straightforward.There were no quibbles regarding returning the goods and there was an immediate full refund.The process was very amicable. Paddocks and Canleys tend to be slightly cheaper and their websites I find easier to negotiate than Rimmers’ Their despatch times are both fast. Over a good few years, I have called in to Paddocks’ now and again, (when visiting relatives in Chester) These encounters have all been pleasant and the staff have been very helpful. Paddocks also seem to have a very rapid despatch and delivery system. I have found that my main reason to, “Shop-around” the well-known suppliers is often more to do with availability, ie who has the item in stock. The “main” suppliers will not disappoint you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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