Dennis Carpenter and the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville Aug 1-4

[KYBlueOval]

I called Dennis Carpenter today, to inquire as to the cut off date for placing an order and picking it up at the Street Rod Nationals, as I've done for years in the past. I have ,what I think is a sizeable order, but was told they will gladly accept the order, won't bring the order to Louisville.
I thought anyone attending and planning on placing an order to pick up in Louisville needs to know this.
John

[Ford Blue blood]

I have done the same thing in the past.  Have not been to the Nats in years as "life happens" and those events were in direct interference.  I am surprised to hear this, Carpenters has always been responsive, supportive, and a great source of technical info.  I have been a loyal customer for years and used them for the seven builds I have completed in the last twenty years.  When the door seals for the Ranchero turned out to be 4 dr. seals in a 2 dr. bag the new ones (correct) got to the house the same day the incorrect seals went out in the mail. 

New bean counter?

[RICH MUISE]

It could be simply that the trucks do not return to headquarters between shows to be able to load up. ?? or a new bean counter, lol

[KYBlueOval]

Regardless of the reason, it is not good customer service.This very service, of bringing the prepaid orders to Louisville, is what helped him attain the success he enjoys today. He had my business........in fact I would say I was a "captive customer", since they would bring the order to Louisville I looked nowhere else. When I think about it, Carpenter would have the same labor expense to pull and package the order, regardless of how it was shipped/delivered. That Free Freight to Louisville made him my Parts Vendor Go To Guy. Since I have to pay the freight, I'll now shop other vendors. Life goes on.

[lalessi1]

Carpenter actually makes a lot of the parts that other vendors sell. I have bought Carpenter stuff from Mac's, Concours Parts, even Steele Rubber among others. They may have out grown the need to service customers directly. The only vendor that sells Carpenter stuff cheaper than Carpenter that I have found is Vintage Ford parts, an eBay vendor. I do feel your pain and share your frustration with the way service seems to be falling by the wayside across the spectrum.

[KYBlueOval]

Here is an UPDATE.
I called Carpenter again today to inquire about other shows where they are vendors. I was told they will no longer deliver parts orders to the shows they attend.
Turns out the lady, on my first call, that said they would not deliver goods to the Street Rod Nationals, failed to tell me they would not even be attending the Street Rod Nationals. Nothing else to say after learning that.

[RICH MUISE]

I've stopped many times at their space at the Pate swap meet. 1/2 dozen tables with catalogs and boxes of seconds. All that stuff could probably fit in the back of a van. Could never figure out why the big rig other than a rolling billboard. I have no idea why they don't set up like almost all the other manufacturers with a variety of samples of their products to look at.

[Ford Blue blood]

Many vendors are now opting out of many NSRA and Good Guys events because of the vendor space cost.  They have to sell a bunch of stuff to just make the cost of the space never mind employee, transportation, lodging, and food cost to attend the show.  Ask your state rep about the cost of a booth at any of the NSRA events, it will knock your socks off!

[Jeff Norwell]

Many vendors are now opting out of many NSRA and Good Guys events because of the vendor space cost.  They have to sell a bunch of stuff to just make the cost of the space never mind employee, transportation, lodging, and food cost to attend the show.  Ask your state rep about the cost of a booth at any of the NSRA events, it will knock your socks off!

Have to agree with Bill.. the costs of these big shows to vend..... is ridiculous.anywhere from $2500(small) to $10k(Large)...... and then add accommodation, fuel,etc,etc..... I stopped going to them... to big....
John,.. sorry  about the pain in the butt..It was a common policy to bring the parts to these shows.Maybe another big vendor will do it in the future for you.