I find it hard to believe that in this day and age anyone would run a business like this.

I own a business. Have been in business for six years with over 15 years of experience. My business is all about teaching *other* companies how to communicate with their customers. This is a classic example of how NOT to run a company. You don't blame your customers when they ask where their stuff is, especially if they paid up front.

If you promise 6-8 weeks turnaround and then take 6 months, you're a liar and should be giving people their money back without question.

We had the same experience in the Mazda community, with a guy who made lips and spoilers for the 3. It's hard to believe that people still support companies with a rep this awful.

 

I just got off the phone with my Father-in-law who is making these parts. We are going to be working around the clock over the next few weeks to get all the parts out to all of you.

I would like to make an apology for my last response. I just get so frustrated when I have to deal with threads like these. But YOU are all right in some way. As a business owner and someone that loves MINIs and the community I want to make everyone happy the best way I can.

So I'm going to buck up and make sure to keep the lines of communication open. I do need your help with that as well. There are several ways I can be contacted. Email I can only get to once, Maybe twice a week. So If I don't get back to you with in a couple days then please try one of these other options.

Calling me is the best. 602-430-3250 I try to always answer my phone BUT if I don't please leave me a message and I WILL call back with in 24 hours unless it's on the weekends.

If you are my friend on Facebook then you already know you can get me there. Same with Twitter.

You can PM on NAM but that also goes through my email so same rule applies. Call me. If you do PM me then please give me your last name so I can look you up in my records. Screen Names do not help me.

I know that a lot of you are Frustrated for one reason or another. I would really like to help you and fix what ever it is that you are Frustrated about.So please get a hold of me. Like the phone call I just got. #32 on my list just called for an update. Another Happy Customer


We deal with hundreds of customers every week and really try to make every one happy but you can't make everyone happy no matter how much you try. Still I will do my best.

Please remember to have some compassion as well. We are still a small Mom and Pop shop and can only do so much.

 

I live in the UK, so I'm afraid calling is going to be a very expensive option.

I ordered a month or so ago, I'm just wondering if my parts will be made during this round the clock catch up?

My name to check your records is James Jolly.

Many thanks.

 

Wow. What an ouch!

One thing is for sure, Mike isn't on the customer relations side of the business.

In my dealings, Mike has been personable and a pretty good guy. I think he and Hannah must simply be in over their heads right now. Tough learning curve. Hope they can get the business side figured out. Hate to see them go under.

 

Treat people/customers the way you want to be treated.

 

Right now I have you down at #49 on the list with and Gas cap. We will be doing our best to get your in the mix of completed orders as well. Just make sure to keep in touch with me to find out more.

Since I'm working hard on getting these ordered out I tent to take some time to get back to emails and Message Posts so like I said before Calling me is the best.

 

That is a picture of all your parts Well everything but the Doorhandles I'll get those back next week.

Some of these still need to go to the body shop to get glossed but all the flat black parts are going out today and next week.

 

Yep - I'm sure these folks are good people. But I was looking for a vendor to get some stripes for my new (to me) 2007 MCS. I'm so glad I found this thread. Based on reading this, I went with one of the other vendors.

 

And you just had to post that information

You have the right to choose who you want but you should at least do more research then just reading one thread. There are countless positive mentions of our company on this forum and the issue is with molded parts not stripes.

 

How can you think its a pyramid scheme hes not recruiting, or selling you insurance or water filters or a license to sell either of them. its just a slow running business that falls behind with all the orders he gets.

 

You didn't get the recruitment letter from mike? I'm going to be opening up AC2 soon, if I get 3 more people UNDER me, I could make $10.00 every 6-8 months when an order is shipped! AND for every order THEY process, I get 50% of their cut too! I"ll be rich, and at the top of the AC pyramid!

Anyways, while we're at it - can I sell you some amway products too?

(P.S. This is a joke for those of you who don't get it)

 

 

Small businesses cannot keep a warehouse full of product, it's not financially smart, it doesn't make sense to drop a bunch of cash that you don't have buying parts that you may not sell. The smaller businesses are using the on-demand manufacturing system, where the parts get made/assembled when the order is placed, or they are waiting to get enough orders placed so that they can get a large enough order with the manufacturer to meet their minimum quantity to process. When you are getting materials/parts manufactured by another company, you are at the mercy of their schedule, and many companies will process the large orders from the big clients first, and your little order sits and waits. It doesn't matter what your are having made, pulleys, plastic parts, swaybars, heads. The guy placing an order for 10k units will get his stuff done before you get your 10-20 parts done.

Everybody has been spoiled by the giant aftermarket companies, you order a part and it ships the next day, and you get it a few days later. But we all forget how long those companies have been in business, and that most likely they had these same problems in the beginning too. The MINI community isn't that old, and not all of the aftermarket suppliers were doing business on day one. There are some big ones, yes, but even they are small fish in the grand scale of the automotive aftermarket manufacturers.
Example: I ordered some suspension parts for my '72 El Camino, from Hotchkis, about a month later I call and find that they are not able to get the steel to make their parts. They are not a little company and they couldn't get the raw materials that they needed.


But what do I know I am probably just an idiot that has no idea what I'm talking about.


Also I do not have anything from Aesthetic Creations, but I have met Mike and he is a nice guy.

 

Again, my own experience with Mike and AC. I placed two orders in early October. One order is for what I know to be high demand items (door handles, gas cap and rear tail light rings) and the other for just the MINI badges on the boot and bonnet.

The mailman delivered the badges yesterday and they look awesome! When the rain stops, I'll go put them on.

We do have choices but, as I've said before, I like the quality of AC's work and if that means I have to wait a little longer for it, that's just the price of quality and supporting a small business.

For the post that mentioned stripes, why not give AC a call or email them to see if they are faster before judging? These molded parts are a new item and they are in high demand. Stripes on the other hand have been around for a while.

Good luck and I know we'll all get our orders filled and we'll be happy when the work is done.

Craig

 

Wait time is exactly the reason I did not order anything from AC. If operation ever picks up and wait time is reasonable, then I might reconsider.

 

+1

 

Love my custom stripes I got from AC, Only used them for a week before deciding to paint them on instead. But I got one off stripes made to my EXACT specifications in a under a month. For the hood, front and rear bumpers, and hatch...Great quality vinyl and printing...i've gotten some crappy stuff from other places but this stuff was awesome!

 

I just got a USPS shipment notice. I'd heard previously that everything but my rings would be shipped. It's great that this thread has got things moving and hopefully new orders will also be fulfilled faster than some have experienced.

 

I ordered door handles idk how long ago but im patiently waiting since it states there will be a long wait. Does anyone read? Relax. I got an email a couple days ago that states they were shipped! =]

And AC's products are great in my book!! There custom vinyl jobs are awesome too.

 

Hey guys Just a quick update. I sent a large batch of Headlight rings and tail light rings to the Bodyshop on Friday. They are a little busy as well so I don't expect to get them back this week but I'm hoping for Friday.

We shipped out 5 orders last week and will ship out a lot more this week. We are getting caught up

 

Got my complete order! I was #30-something on the list a couple weeks ago, so it looks like everything is getting out. Now just have to find the time to install!

 

I was #25 on the list on September 25th. Still nothing.......

 

I got an email today saying my parts have been shipped...over 3 months later, hopefully its the full order.

 

I have a number of things from Mike and the quality of his stuff is the key for me, so I'll order more, as I would rather he took his time a gets it right (which he does). The "Fast Food" mentality is sweeping this country. Everyone is looking for instant results.

Jim

 

FYI....I got an email today saying my parts have been shipped,11 weeks for emblems and handles.