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Good News From a Good Supplier

Moss Motors
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Dadandson Tim Hovan
Gilbert or Yarnell, AZ, USA   USA
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1977 MG MGB
I will keep this brief. It seems you only hear of the bad part/service suppliers for our LBC's so I am posting this for a contrast. I bought the coil-over front suspension kit from Moss back in November of 2013 and I love it but out of warranty. I was changing the oil last weekend and noticed the bottom bushing of the shock, front left, was cracking and distorted. I called Moss last Tuesday and spoke to JD at Moss in Virginia about replacement bushings. He explained that he would have to look into a replacement and call me back. I did not hear from him so I called him on Wednesday and he said he would have to wait until today to speak with the engineer about a replacement. JD called me today and explained that he is sending upper and lower bushings for both shocks to me at no cost. I am thrilled as I was ready to "Go to the Mat" over this. Just thought I would pass along some good news for a change.

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miatadon Avatar
miatadon Silver Member Don Scott
Calistoga, CA, USA   USA
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I got a set of door seals from MacGregor, and they are an excellent product. They fit right, look right, and were easy to install.

I have to say, I wish Moss would get it right on more parts. I appreciate that they seem to accept customers' explanations of parts problems, and do try to remedy issues.

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RAY 67 TOURER Ray Marloff
Fort Bragg, CA, USA   USA
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1967 MG MGB "My Girl"
Tim, glad you posted this. I've been dealing with Moss since before the beginning of time, and they have always been more than happy to assist me with any problems that I encounter with the items that they sell. When my supercharger was making some unusual noises, back in '02, they simply said to send it back. They replaced the bearings, no charge. RAY

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kwinzee Avatar
kwinzee Ron Weber
The Hammer, ON, Canada   CAN
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I used to like Moss.

I'm still waiting (around a year now) about what they were going to do with the bushings for my front coil-overs (you could see daylight through them, and that was without an engine in the car). Also been waiting for over half a year about what they were going to do about the broken shock. Luckily I was able to buy a set of shocks from a gentleman on the east coast with better bushings, so that I was at least able to drive the car.

Nope, not happy with Moss anymore. Looking elsewhere for parts.

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sws615 Stephen Struck
Grand Haven, MI, USA   USA
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1967 MG MGB GT
1975 MG MGB "Commission # G23N124120"
2015 BMW 535xi
2018 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic Wagon    & more
Moss is better than most companies in responding to problems, certainly better than some other large LBC parts suppliers. It also helps if you are, in turn, helpful to the vendor when seeking replacements. Document problems carefully. Properly done measurements of repop vs. OEM parts when applicable, or well illustrated photos of an issue go a long way. I've also made it a point to provide feedback on marginal parts from time to time even when I'm not looking for replacement. It gives you some credibility when there is a significant problem later, and sometimes a little extra effort to correct a problem is easier than seeking a replacement.

Not to let vendors off the hook, but the reality is that Moss and others sometimes have to choose between offering less than optimum parts or offering nothing. It's easy to suppose that they order exactly what they want from their sources, but often they are just buying what's available. The root problem is manufacturers that haven't don't their homework on specs or have dubious quality control, but sometimes that is the only game in town. I try to remember we're fortunate to be able to buy almost any part at a reasonable price. Yeah, I'd pay more for some things if the quality was better, but you only have to look at how many Walmarts there are to remember most people are completely price driven.

Steve

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miatadon Avatar
miatadon Silver Member Don Scott
Calistoga, CA, USA   USA
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Here's a little Moss story for you guys. This was about the year 1980 (I could be off on the date). Moss had brand new bare heads on sale, and I bought one for my '67 B GT. I had new valves, and springs and other pieces, and took the head and the smaller parts to a local machine shop. They put it all together for me, then I put the rocker assembly on, painted the head, and installed it on my car. As you all know, this is a lot of work!
To test the cooling system I always use tap water initially. So, I have a garden hose and am filling the radiator. The car just seems to have insatiable thirst, and is taking on more water than I could ever imagine it being able to hold. Finally, I turned off the tap, and I noticed water all over the ground at the back of the car. Water was running out the tailpipe! Turns out there was a casting "error" which caused this issue. Moss sent me another head for free.
I tell this story because it illustrates the company's way of doing business, even 35 years ago. The prices are fair, the parts are sketchy quality, and they do replace faulty parts. I have had old American and Japanese cars, and have not had such problems with replacement parts. Nonetheless, I am glad that Moss is there for us even with its faults.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-02-12 11:50 AM by miatadon.

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kwinzee Avatar
kwinzee Ron Weber
The Hammer, ON, Canada   CAN
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Stephen, proper documentation was presented to Moss (see pictures) through my local supplier, who said that Moss would get in touch with me.....I'm still waiting.

At this point, I don't even care about replacement, just acknowledgement of the situation. I'm not a hard ass, I'm usually pretty easy going and helpful, and can put up with a lot of crap. But, there comes a time when you just have to say "Enough already". I'm sorry to say, I'm at that point.

Edit: Incidentally, I forgot to mention, the car had 0 (zero) miles on those bushings.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-02-12 11:40 AM by kwinzee.


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applebj8 Jon Appleby
Lake Wylie, SC, USA   USA
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1971 MG MGB
Here's my Moss story. Last fall I ordered a replacement temperature sensor. And then another one, as they won't work. The resistance out of the box is not correct: one of them measures 10K ohms and the other is 590 ohms at room temp.

Per Rick Astley's oft-lauded electrical systems book (page 148), these negative temperature coefficient thermistors should check between 800-880 ohms at 68 degrees F. So the two I have aren't even close. Called Gordy at the B-Hive in Clemson SC and had him check his stock as well and none were in spec either.

The result of this is that my temp gauge either comes up about 1/4 scale and stops there with one of them installed; and with the other sensor the gauge is pegged all the way over.

Spoke with a Moss tech guy in California and he went to his supply of 760-180's (red ring) and sure enough, none of the ones he had on the shelf checked within spec either. So, he tells me he'll be talking with their European supplier and try to get a resolution.

I haven't gotten around to checking back with Moss, but expectations are low to be honest.

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Be Coming Avatar
Be Coming Kelvin Dodd
So. Calif., USA   USA
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Ron.

If you could give me the name of the supplier, the approximate date of purchase and your shipping address I can send you a set of upgraded replacement bushings.


Kelvin.

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kwinzee Avatar
kwinzee Ron Weber
The Hammer, ON, Canada   CAN
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Kelvin, thanks. I've already been contacted by Shawn. I've given him the particulars and he said he'd look into it.

Besides, I don't really need the upgraded bushings anymore, with one shock broken, they're not much use.

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chris Avatar
chris Chris Roop (RIP)
Pendleton, OR, USA   USA
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In reply to # 3192995 by kwinzee Stephen, proper documentation was presented to Moss (see pictures) through my local supplier, who said that Moss would get in touch with me.....I'm still waiting.

At this point, I don't even care about replacement, just acknowledgement of the situation. I'm not a hard ass, I'm usually pretty easy going and helpful, and can put up with a lot of crap. But, there comes a time when you just have to say "Enough already". I'm sorry to say, I'm at that point.

Edit: Incidentally, I forgot to mention, the car had 0 (zero) miles on those bushings.

If you have a vendor between you and Moss, I'd be concerned with the vendor, not Moss. Remember, they are not the same business. The vendor is the one who should have taken care of you then worked it out with Moss.

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kwinzee Avatar
kwinzee Ron Weber
The Hammer, ON, Canada   CAN
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Chris, my vendor contacted Moss and then told me that Moss would get in touch with me. A vendor can only go so far. My vendor is very, very good at looking after his customers, not only with product issues, but with general questions of the automotive variety.

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ltcouchphd Thom C
Boise, ID, USA   USA
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Kudos to Moss and Kelvin for reaching out to help solve the problem.

T



As my momma used to say to me "if you are so smart why aint you rich?".

Semper ubi sub ubi

1980 MGB-LE Daily Driver (a work in progress)
ZS Carb
Pertronix ignition
Vintage Air electric heater valve
Mgccars 110 amp alternator
Non-OD Transmission
really really really bad paint job

1971 MGB Bedouin
Newly rebuilt motor w/ Weber DGV carb
New Clutch
New Brakes
New Clutch hydraulics

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Steve S Avatar
Abingdon, So Cal, USA   USA
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Perhaps, but note that everyone in the thread who contacted Moss directly had an immediate resolution. Your third party guy may be good, but having a middle man could have caused unforeseen issues in communication or protocol. Now that Moss (Kelvin) has been made directly aware of the issue, they are offering to make it right. Kudos.

I've always dealt with Moss directly and had only a single issue... about 20 years ago.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-02-14 12:35 AM by Steve S.

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kwinzee Avatar
kwinzee Ron Weber
The Hammer, ON, Canada   CAN
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I've had numerous small situations in the past where I thought I'd work around issues until I mentioned them to my supplier, who immediately got in touch with his Moss contact. I've never had any issues with my supplier before and had things straightened out right away. I trust my supplier inexplicably because I know that he is right on top of any issue brought to him by me or anyone else. I have never heard a bad word from anyone in our club that uses him (and most do). So, I'm ruling out any issues with my supplier. Having said that, I guess you can never say never, so I'm keeping a open mind.

Yes, I have been contacted by two Moss reps, and yes, they are looking into the matter. I do give them kudos for that.

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