My experience with Bavarian Auto

[Jay Stock E30]

Just a friendly note for those shopping with Bavarian Auto sport.

2 weeks ago I ordered a flex disk, transmission output shaft seal, fuel filter, and steering wheel cover over the phone with Bavarian Auto sport for my '94 525i 5 speed.

Received the parts the following Thursday. On Saturday August 30th I went to work on the car (my daily driver) with the expectation of being done in a few hours.

Started with the steering wheel cover...which didn't fit and was of poor quality.

Moved on to the driveshaft and tranny. Only to find once the car was apart, and the old seal removed from the transmission, that both parts were the wrong size. Flex disk too big, and transmission seal too small.

I called Bavarian Auto sport, and talked to an operator who told me they would send me over to the customer service department. After holding the operator came back on the line and said that they were off for the holiday weekend, but I should leave a message and they would get back to me ASAP. I still haven't heard back from them...2 weeks later

After giving them a few days, just to see if they would call me back, I decided that they were not going to, so I called, and explained my situation again. I was routed to the customer service department where I was told I could send the parts back on my own dime, and they would reimburse me, meanwhile they would transfer me over to sales to get the proper parts ordered. After holding I was transferred to the VM of the rep. who initially sold me the wrong parts. Left a message...still haven't heard back. Just under 1.5 weeks of waiting now.

I have purchased the parts locally, and the car is running again.

I have been shocked at the lack of professionalism, loyal customer support, or even the drive to sell parts, by the people at Bavarian Auto sport.

I chose to shop with them, because I expect them to have the proper knowledge of BMW’s and would easily be able to supply me with the proper parts, and I wanted to support a business who apparently shares my passion for BMW.

If I ran my business with that complete lack of regard or respect for my clients, I would be out of business.

[Jon325i]

I feel your pain - I had a bad experience with BavAuto as well a few years back. Just an FYI: there's a "Transaction Feedback" page on this forum to post this sort of thing.

[Van Westervelt]

I USED to shop with them for select items. I will now willingly pay more elsewhere.

Sorry about your luck.

[Car Addict]

i will buy from them every once in a while mainly because i get the parts next day with shipping ground. but i have only had one bad experience with them with control arms they sent me one with a torn ball joint.

[AndrewBird]

www.bmwparts.com

/thread

[Seph]

I've enjoyed pelicanparts so far!

[Money$hit]

Someone email them a link to this thread. Maybe they'll pull their head out of their ass and realize that this sort of shit stinks, and all it does is spreaddddsss arrrounnnddd.....

[Erick]

I will now willingly pay more elsewhere.

Sorry about your luck.

That is the best (note: best) way to go. And by best, I say that from BOTH sides of the table... as someone who did sales for 1 year and as a customer for 7 years.

I am planning on starting my own company to pick up from where I left at KO as I get constant e-mails and calls from people who would still be interested in purchasing from me. If I can take that on, I would not bother with lowest price guarantee.

It's bad for the customers, because at the first slip up, they change their vendors.

It's bad for the vendors, because if a mistake is made, they don't have any profit margin to cover for their mistakes and pay with the profit from other sales. Trust me when I say that when they don't respond, they are more than likely embarassed to admit the mistake and man up by reaching for their wallets to make it right.

I've seen cases with many companies I worked with where that happens.

- Erick

[gazellebeigem3]

I had a similar experience with them a few years ago. I bought a set of pads & rotors and went to fit them on my car only to find that the pads were wrong. When i called them, they insisted that they were correct p/n and that i was installing them incorrectly. I threw them away and ordered from autohaus.

I could pull up my invoices from autohaus and find out how many thousands of dollars bavauto missed out on, but i dont care anymore. I just don't order from them and advise customers at work to do the same.

[Jay Stock E30]

That is the best (note: best) way to go. And by best, I say that from BOTH sides of the table... as someone who did sales for 1 year and as a customer for 7 years.

I am planning on starting my own company to pick up from where I left at KO as I get constant e-mails and calls from people who would still be interested in purchasing from me. If I can take that on, I would not bother with lowest price guarantee.

It's bad for the customers, because at the first slip up, they change their vendors.

It's bad for the vendors, because if a mistake is made, they don't have any profit margin to cover for their mistakes and pay with the profit from other sales. Trust me when I say that when they don't respond, they are more than likely embarassed to admit the mistake and man up by reaching for their wallets to make it right.

I've seen cases with many companies I worked with where that happens.

- Erick

I have spent thousands with them over the years, and had several minor mishaps, but moved past them. I haven't even asked them to pay the shipping to return the parts back to them, but it would be nice. It's just not hard to return a phone call of a loyal customer. Maybe I am judging them too harshly....

There are always those who want the lowest price, and those who will pay a bit more, for quality customer service, and knowledgeable sales staff. I thought I was dealing with one of the latter companies.

[Julien]

I had some problems including e46 window regulators with that... Bought a window regulator, it failed, paid for a new one, and when I returned the old one they refunded the credit card I had used months ago not the recent one. That was fun. I've had alot of trouble with the quality of some of their parts too.

Julien

[brandondan1]

I haven't had a bad experience yet, and my family and I have been shopping with them since the 90s. They have a very fast response time to emails, and also offer free technical assistance if you do have a problem with installation etc.

I'm sorry that you had a bad experience with them, but I guess no company can be perfect 100% of the time.

[Aptyp]

never shop with them. I actually go to Carr Industries locally and pick up parts at the same price as Bav-Auto sells.

bav-auto pulls so much dough, I don't think they really care about small e30 parts guys.

[aworthybrother]

I only had couple of transactions with them and no issues so far. But after reading this, I might stay away from them.

[StereoInstaller1]

I enjoy reading their catalog