> What was the last company you dealt with
> that knocked your socks off?

Hey Mike,

The last company I dealt with that really impressed me was a lil company called Jeg's. They are a mail order performance auto parts company for anyone who doesn't know.

I've ordered quite a bundle of goodies from them. Seems like almost everything but an engine block.

One pleasant thing with dealing with them is that they send products out via UPS in Ohio and I get them in Indiana the next day before 5:00 (Usually before 3:00). True, this is somewhat of a pat on the back to UPS's reliability and speed (at least on that route).

But it doesn't fail. And I forgot to mention, this is not overnight shipping. This is free ground shipping. They have an $8-$9 charge for handling with each order and the whole load goes out well packaged via UPS.

And to my delight, I open it the next day.... only to then be disappointed by the sight of a v6 factory roller timing chain. Not an error of theirs, but mine. Of course, returning it is a no questions asked breeeeeeze.

The shipping catalog they include with each order is a huge back end money maker. I find myself looking through it searching for something to buy when I don't NEED anything. When I do, I quick put it down and shake it off, but sometimes I've already ordered via their super easy online ordering system.

In contrast, my recent experiences with Jeg's largest competitor in the mail order market, Summit Racing, has been dismal. They started dividing their inventory between their original Ohio facilities and seom new warehouse in Nevada. Now that may be convenient for those on the west coast, but when they divide my order up into different parts and ship some of it from nevada, I don't see that stuff for around 5-6 days.

And online ordering is impossible at summitracing.com for me because their address verification software can't recognize my little tucked away small town address. So I have to order via phone. Angrily.

Those are some recent experiences of mine.

-Erik

P.S. For anyone curious, it's headed towards drag car and away from inexpensive, good gas mileage, and quiet. What the heck was I thinking?

Chevy 383, big cam, aluminum heads, higher stall converter, and of course electric cutouts (it's just a youngster thing I think/ I'll grow out of it, right?) - due out by the end of September (fingers crossed)