Still in need for 57 Ford fabric and we have been discussing SMS in Oregon several times before. I ordered their samples a few years ago and they are a great match.
My question is: What is anybody's experience with the current situation at SMS? I just want to order the fabric by yards (enough for 2 cars) without them having to do any further sewing or upholstery work. Should I just go on and send them an email with the order without further price inquiry? How about shipping? Do they charge shipping once they have it all packed and add to the invoice?
Would be nice to hear about recent experience best and quickest way to approach them.
Hello Don't know what you mean about current situation at SMS. I stopped by their store a while back to get samples. Looks like they are still doing business.
I received new seat covers from SMS last fall (order took over a year, but I expected that) and they were a perfect match for my red interior. As far as I know they are still doing business even though they have a very long wait time for finished products. If you are order material only, I would think the order would be fairly short lead time but the best way would be to call them directly (503-263-3535).
Good luck,
Dave
There still going, He is one of the sponsors at one of the largest one-day car shows in August, they did my door panels and re-upholstered my seat for my Ranchero, I actually talked to him at last summer's show, he knows his 57s.
Thanx guys ! sorry I may have used some wrong wording, maybe implying any company trouble, which wasn't what I meant at all!
My question is, since they are known to have long waiting times (for sewn upholstery, panels or kits), and it appears they are much quicker sending out seat material by the yard, so was wondering if some of you have made good (and quick) experience with ordering cloth material directly.
I am really in no hurry for doing my seats, but with all the recent increase in postage cost, and exchange rate, I would hate to order stuff worth several hundred dollars and not knowing at which point in future I will get invoiced or goods shipped, customs, tax and such.
Just gonna stick my nose in here for a minute.
It would seem to me that if you ordered the material by the yard, and then took it to an upholsterer of your choosing the advantages would be faster delivery, cheaper cost of the material, and most likely faster delivery of your seats, (crossing international oceans and such) especially if the upholsterer is someone you have a prior working relationship with.
Just my thoughts. Back to my roost to watch now.
Exactly what I was thinking Hugh. Would be nice if somebody on here could confirm from their own experience.
I have an industrial Pfaff sewing machine from the 1950s so I'll do the upholstery by myself. The CS will be pretty straight forward because basically all the original vinyl and cloth pattern is still there and I just have to imitate the old patterns. Del Rio is basically the same, except for the split front seat backrest (2dr).
If you know the amount of material you need/want, and let me know, I would be happy to call them for you and ask all the questions. Including shipping time to you from them, or...whether it would be faster even to ship it to me and then have me pass it on to you person to person instead of going through business customs and hassles.
Just thinking out loud here...(and the thinking? Amazingly didn't hurt! WOW! :003: )
Quote from: djfordmanjack on 2024-03-12 16:22Exactly what I was thinking Hugh. Would be nice if somebody on here could confirm from their own experience.
I have an industrial Pfaff sewing machine from the 1950s so I'll do the upholstery by myself. The CS will be pretty straight forward because basically all the original vinyl and cloth pattern is still there and I just have to imitate the old patterns. Del Rio is basically the same, except for the split front seat backrest (2dr).
G-Hugh-
That is precisely what I did.... ordered the materials and had my upholstery guy stick all together.... bench seat and door panels..... I think it's the best way to go.
(https://i.imgur.com/mjPfK0D.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/U9Qsl6X.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/h1tAURq.jpg)
Those look SWEET! Nicely done Jeff!
Jeff, how long did it take for your SMS door panels to show up? I was going to order some for my 59 from SMS, but they quoted a 1 1/2 year wait, and I had heard from others, that may be optimistic. So I had a local upholstery shop make up some new panels from scratch, that closely follow my tattered old originals. I do have a new headliner and windlacing that I bought from SMS, but I have yet to have it installed.
Thanks Hugh.
Rory.I only ordered material.... I had patterns for the door skins.
It took 3 weeks to get the materials to my door.I believe if you have SMS make them its takes a lot longer.
The material and fit and finish my Stitch man did was awesome.
G-Man,
I have ordered yard goods from SMS for my Mercury with no issues.
I sent them an email this morning and they replying they were busy and would respond in 2-3 days.
They called me back this afternoon and said they were shipping in 2-3 weeks from order date, regardless if it was to the lower 48, Canada or Europe.
Weather is breaking here with 22C forecast for Saturday, will get the tire pressures checked and put a fresh tank on 92 Octane in Rowdy and go wake up the neighbours.
Good Luck,
T/F
:canada:
I ordered seat covers in the OE material for my 1956 F100. It took almost 3 years for them to arrive. I was still happy as I could have been out the money since you pay up front. I am not sure my credit card company would honor a claim about goods not delivered in that time frame. I needed just enough of the vinyl material from the seat covers to match the seat covers to do the arm rests. A 6" X 20" piece would have done both. Their minimum was 3/4 of a yard, 54" wide. Since I had to have it, I ordered it over a month ago. Crickets. Called, left message no return call. I think I will get it, but my advice to you is not to be impatient as they seem to take care of business on their schedule.
Yes, SMS seems to be lacking in customer service, although it appears that there products are top notch. Still, kinda disturbing when they bill your credit card as soon as you place the order, and then you hear nothing afterwards from them. If I would have realized how long my projet 59 was going to take, I would have ordered door panels from SMS years ago, but when I was getting close to having the car ready to, and I called SMS, and they said 1 1/2 years, I had to look elsewhere. That said, I may still order a set of panels, to install down the road, although the panels that I had custom made, do look pretty nice.
Most companies charge your credit card upon shipping...not on ordering. Once and awhile, a hotel will charge at the time of booking. I can see charging for custom orders but not while you're on the wait list. I recently had a well known company charge my card on order only to inform me that due to Covid the order would not be filled for two months. Four months later, my order was canceled, refunded and informed that my order could not be filled and would never be filled. Whenever my card is charged on order, I always loose confidence and consider the company a little shaky if not shady. Companies have the option to have the credit card company put a lock on the order amount without completing the purchase and the card holder is not paying interest. Recently, it has become common for restaurants to add nearly four percent to the bill for paying with a credit card. In the run toward a cashless society, I'm tapping the brakes and going back to cash.
A friend ordered door panels from SMS, it took about 6 months last year. They looked great and he was pleased.
I ordered mine about 5 years ago. At the time they said it would be 6 months, but it ended up taking two years to get them. I get it, things happen, so the delay didn't bother me too much but when I would call to get a status update they would always say "they'll ship next month". Very nice products but terrible customer service.
My sewing machine is for sale.
To add to the question of our service industry. I would say there is very little out there. I worked/owned a very successful Auto parts business. And our whole business model was fair price and excellent service, we all have access to the same parts but it's the service that makes them return. We would never process cards on orders or add 2-4% for fees. And this automatic tipping in the food industry is crazy 18,20,25% not to mention the rising costs. Sorry for the rant but... Back to the topic I used Jerrys Classic Fords for my interior pieces not sure where he gets them but sure are nice. Price wasn't outrageous either.
"And this automatic tipping in the food industry is crazy 18,20,25% not to mention the rising costs." Perhaps you have never heard of this "Add On".
I visited a local restaurant and when the check was presented, I looked it over, as I always do, and noticed a charge of 2% for a charitable gift. I inquired as to what, why etc. and was informed by the server that it is added to all checks and the restaurant owner makes a donation to a charity/cause of his choosing.
I asked if I had a say in the amount, or where it was being donated, and was told NO.
I've been there twice........First and Last time.
Remember......You get what you INSPECT, not what you EXPECT.
John
To continue with the recent increase in tipping demands, that 2% charity charge is out of hand, so the restaurant owner is demanding that their customers give him money, so that they can make a charitable donation (likely with a tax deduction for the owner, IF he actually makes the donation, rather that=n just put the money in his pocket. Unbelievable. And recently, it seems like even take out/delivery orders automatically pop up on the payment machine when it is time to pay. If I place the order, drive to the restaurant, in my personal vehicle, and walk to the counter to pick up my food, what exactly am I being expected to be tipping 20-25% or more for?!?This entire tipping culture is getting out of hand. Now, back to our regularly schedule program.
John...being a J/H I would have reduced the amount I paid by 2%, and then never gone back. I may have to start carrying a checkbook everywhere I go again, jjust so I can write that check instead of using the debit card.
As for SMS...all the comments here aboujt slow times for things to be delivered...I think I am pretty much convinced to not go through them. I do not have 6-1-2-18-24 months to sit around and wait for the purchases to arrive. At 71, I have put things off long enough.
Guys... thx everybody for sharing their experience. especially Hugh, and Terry for even calling them. it seems a 3 week shipping delay with cloth by the yard sounds pretty reasonable, compared to the long waiting time for full sets. I really just need the specific silver thread cloth. It is really unique with 57 Fords. My 57CS still has most all of the og white vinyl intact, which can be reused. and I can find off white vinyl for the Del Rio over here.
On another note. I absolutely hear what all of you guys say, what's happening today, same over here. Cost increase, insane food price, immoral and stupid (fee) pricing, wherever you look. home improvement store is down to 5 ft boards, @ same price as 8ft board before it all started. I recently inquired shipping a set of (4) wheel adapters from the US. which was around $40 postage 5 years ago. now $88. THE SHIPPING ALONE!!!!! set of 4 adapters is like $60, so add 88 is 148 + 25% tax /custom..... welllllllll.....insane....
I needed a 4" x 12" piece of vinyl to cover the arm rest of my truck (the factory only put on arm rest on the truck and then only on the custom cab option) I had to buy a 54" wide by 6' long piece of fabric for close to $100 with shipping. I called a week ago and got the answering machine. left a message, no call back, of course. I called today and was told they were busy and it would ship out this week. 6 weeks just go get the fabric. Will I buy from them again, unfortunately, yes. you can't get this stuff any place else!
Is there anyplace besides SMS that offers original, or at least original-looking fabrics? Apparently they don't have stock of the green "flying dart" seat fabric, which is what I've been hoping to use.
That's what I am hearing. Takes probably a long time even to process a very basic order. Obviously it's great that they are a family business and that they even offer that obsolete stuff. It seems we have no other choice than accept their terms (and time) of sale.
We've been so spoiled for years and years of being able to drive a modest distance, pay a agreed price and wait a little extra time to get outstanding custom work from a master who usually becomes a lifelong friend. I was so fortunate to meet and become friends with Ragman Ray, the upholstery shop owner with credit for several Ridler Award winners and many AMT models. Ray said he could make my headliner from scratch but it would be cheaper to find one of the big vendors with '57 patterns like Le Baron Bonney (LBB). LBB was the east coast version of SMS. I contacted LBB and they assured me that they would do exactly what I needed. I went to a supplier in Toledo, selected a sample, ordered part of the materials delivered to me and the perforated material shipped to LBB. LBB made the headliner and shipped the remaining headliner and remaining materials to Ray's shop surprisingly prompt and fair priced. The Custom was in his shop for more than three years. Sadly, he passed before completion. Ray taught me sewing and a little upholstery. With the help of Ray's apprentice, I finished the interior. The interior is gorgeous! But, I would rather visit with Ray than look at the completed interior. Unfortunately like Ray, LBB is no longer with us. Now the east coast customers are scrambling to become SMS customers.
" The interior is gorgeous".......I'll second that. It is gorgeous!
John