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Another Heartbeat City story

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Niblet

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Perhaps some of you have had dealings with Jimmy at heartbeat City?
I have read some good and some bad,,but here is an "ugly".
I ordered 2 original tilt columns from Jimmy back in Jan of 2019.
one was an original column from a low mileage car, unmessed with, he hosed me for 1500 on that and at the same time I

bought a rebuilt auto column shifter tilt column for 700 or so.


The original vintage column arrived and was as advertised, however the other column never showed up,
a simple explanation was givin and that it was being overhauled and would ship out when finished.
6 months later I sent Jimmy an email inquiring where my column was? I had to send it multiple times before he answered.
he actually called me and was really pissed off, and said he was going to refund me and that our business was finished and that he especially didnt take this guff from someone from the West Coast! ( I had to laugh at that one seeing as how I was born and raised in Minnesota, which is near Michigan where he is based out of)


So I guess My dealings with 'Ole Jimmy are over,,too bad, since I have not one, but two '67 camaros, and I have purchased thousands of $$ worth of vintage parts from him in the past, oh well i will just have to find another source,,,
Anyone ordering from "ole Jimmy beware he dont like us "Left Coasters":surprise:
 
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#4 ·
I order 90% of my parts from him. or I should say I used to. Only really had one issue with a part that was so called mislabeled. I went the Pro-Touring route and order from a number of vendors now. I wouldn't worry about it. Try Camaro Specialties in East Aurora NY. They are the equivalent of HeartBeat City. Camaro Specialites Home - Camaro Specialites
 
#5 ·
I believe your CC company will credit back the $ if merchant has not shipped in a timely manner.... 6 months....not right.

If merchant got all pissy just for you inquiring wtf is the merchandise you have been charged, after waiting 6 MONTHS!, for he is not worth doing any further business with. He is doing you better service refunding your $...assuming he follows up with refund for items he has not shipped

While I have looked for stuff at Heartbeat, never bought anything and won't now. Thanks for the tip

West Coast Camaro owner....
 
#6 ·
Looks like jimmy bought the book “how to do buisness the prodigy customs way” by frank serafine
 
#7 ·
I had a run in with him in person, as I live 20 miles from him. I brought in a handful of pulleys for a small block, told me they were for a firebird and were worth next to nothing.

He has some of the hard to find parts, but you will pay for it. The 2 people in this hobby I would stay away from is heartbreak city for original parts and 427 King for anything. At least I can go and look at the stuff at heartbreak.
 
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#9 ·
6 months is way too long, if there was no update provided along the way, and agreement reached on timeframe. I'd always call before sending emails multiple times though.
While this discussion may well be justified, threads that target individuals make me wary, unless you fully disclose all the correspondence between involved parties.
 
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#11 ·
I've purchased several things from HBC over the years mainly because I only live a couple miles away. I have found that unless you're interested in a high priced restoration item Jim won't give you the time of day . I prefer to drive to NPD 40 miles away for better customer service and better prices.
 
#12 ·
I live a few miles from HBC also. So far I have not had any problems. Years ago he let me take home $1500 worth of front end parts in good faith that I would return the next day to pay him. Most of his parts cost more than online, but the convenience of being able to handle the parts and pick them up on the way home are usually worth it. Lucky for us in this part of Michigan, we have a NPD, and C.A.R.S Inc within an hour drive. I rarely see Jim, its usually one of his counter guys.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
yes its a shame he has to act like that, all that anger cost him my business,,and I have spend nearly 5k with him the first couple of months
after I bought my cars,,,oh well,,,such is life,,,thanks for all the replys, I guess I'm not alone then
 
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#15 ·
I always scratch my head at this more than often critique of Heartbeat City. Ive bought a ton of parts from HBC with no issue over the years, and even had to return a major expensive part that I had bought for a buddy to finish his car while he was deployed that arrived damaged. I shelled serious cash of my own money for it so I was thinking I was SOL when I called to report the damage, but in a day or two I received an email asking me to document the condition when arrived and opened. I sent photos. A couple days later told to box it up and ship it out and I would either receive a credit or if they could find another in their parts stash or have it repaired. Got numerous emails and phone calls on the progress and in the end another unit was found and shipped and I was never so happy to open the box and find that fedex hadn't stomped on a second one.

So not sure what the issue is here with so many folks disappointed or feeling ripped off. The customer service guy assigned to my issue was thoughtful, attentive and kept me in the loop even if there wasn't anything really to report.

I know some times the prices seem wicked stupid high, but then again did you find the exact part you were looking for anyplace else? Didn't you toss every parts box at swap meets three years before paying what you did at HBC?

So as everything one size does not fit all, even if the tag say it does. I'm in no way discounting how some of you feel after the purchase you made. Just saying for me it has never happened and I did have a great customer service return/exchange experience when I expected to not have one.

Brian
 
#16 ·
high priced items a company almost has to work with u or refund in fear of getting sued

small items wont make it to small claims court
 
#17 ·
The description of the part I bought “was taken off a 69 302 engine” not saying it was not dated 1969. Very deceptive in his descriptions. Yes, I should have asked for more information. I was told after complaining about the purchase he would make me look like a fool if I printed a post on it, sleezey.
 
#18 ·
HBC sucks. Period. He's a dishonest prick. Personal experience, face to face. First time shame on him, second time shame on me. Never a third time.
 
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#20 ·
I bought the hood insert for a crossram. Putting it under a original cowl hood for the air cleaner. Think it was around $3K. Was a good part, fast shipping, and frankly they were the only place that had it. I did not deal directly with him. I had a pleasant transaction. Sorry you guys feel or did not get treated to your satisfaction.
 
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HawkX66
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