I ordered a seal last week and got a confirmation order email but never got any kind of notice saying the part had shipped or anything. Just curious if anyone has done business with them and if this is normal. I don't even think they have charged my card yet. Just curious.
Yeh I noticed alot of the stuff in their catalog is high priced compared to other places,when it is parts available elsewhere.
Melvins is a small mom and pop operation, therefore they do not buy the same quantity (bulk) as a larger company can. However, as with ANY company selling parts, some items will be overpriced and some very affordable. I for one have never opened a catalog and seen an overpriced item and based a determination that EVERYTHING they sell is overpriced. Comparative shopping has always been a good thing for the free enterprise system of this great country to work, which is why some of us helped Melvin to assemble a Maverick parts specific catalog to compete with another Maverick specific parts supplier. I can assure you that none of us in Georgia have any sort of a vested interest in Melvins. What we do have is a wonderful, friendly, and honest parts supplier in our hometown.
All my experiences with Melvin's have been great. The communication and willingness to help stands leaps and bounds above others out there. You do have to understand they are very much a small operations in comparison to their competition. Like anything you buy, you as a consumer need to be aware of what you are but and the cost. It is not out of the norm for me to place an order with Summit and Jeg's in the same way do to pricing and availability.
I'm grateful there is a PARTS " source " for my Comets and Mavericks !! Glad they're in business.. Never had a problem with anything I've ordered from them. Just my take on it ! Cometized (Chip)
To say that the Georgia boys had a vested interest in it is true to a point just not monetary wise, they worked for years to help create the catalog of the most parts that fit Mavericks and Comets all at one place and just want the word to get out, and even if they get a good discount on parts they deserve it for their effort.
To give an update on the original topic, I contacted them this morning to inquire about the status of my order. They were extremely polite and when I informed them that I did not get a shipping confirmation they stated that they usually only do that when it is specified in the special instructions on the order. Should be there today or tomorrow. I think the majority of people shop around for the best price. But if I am in urgent need of a part I'll pay a little more to have it immediately. Just me though and I am rarely in that type of situation.
When someone says "overpriced", I have to ask compared to what? You can't always expect an O.E.M. part that is not widely available to be cheap like aftermarket parts, or widely available parts that your local parts house has (or can order for you). And as stated previously, the small "mom & pop" businesses are not going to be able to offer prices like the big companies such as Summit, Jegs, Speedway, etc.
I use Melvins whenever I can. They usually do not send me a shipping notification, the parts just arrive, and quickly I might add. I have ordered incorrect parts and have had no trouble exchanging them. They are a great company to do business with and I prefer them over AK.
I say the question has no answer, because if the parts are not available anywhere else, then they can't logically be called "over-priced".
