vendor mini-shootout

[TheWRX]

I placed relatively small orders ($100-350) with four vendors on the same day, and while I really wanted all the stuff I ordered, I thought it would be interesting to compare their performance. Here are the rankings:[list=1][*]Cobb Tuning: Superb. Briefly after placing the order, I got a short e-mail from Josh confirming my order, and inviting me to direct questions his way. Later that day, I got a shipping notification with tracking number. The article (short shifter) was on my door steps two days later. Included were printed installation instructions, and a free license plate holder.[*]Kartboy: Excellent. The goods (endlinks, shifter bushings, exhaust hangers) arrived at the same time as the ones from Cobb. Included were the promised free T-shirt for orders over $150, and the legendary candy. The score is not quite as high as Cobb because no shipping information was sent (but who needs a tracking number if you get the stuff in two days?), and because no installation instructions were included (can easily be found on the internet, so it's just a minor convenience issue).[*]Tirerack: Very good. The biggest downside was that online product information and ordering is not available for some of the products (Prodrive). Luke was a pleasure to deal with on the phone, he even had a couple of minutes to chat, and responded to e-mails very quickly. I received the article (Prodrive exhaust) within about two weeks, which was only two days after the date stated when I placed the order.[*]Exeter Subaru (subaruwrxparts.com): Good. Got a note that the ordered article would be backordered for 2-3 weeks when I placed the order, offering me a refund if I didn't want to wait that long. A couple of e-mails sent after 3 weeks were not answered, but a tracking number was sent briefly after that. The article (MRT swaybar) arrived 4 weeks after placing the order, which I consider to be within the expected timeframe. Communication could have been better, but they delivered.[/list=1]
All in all, I tried to stick with recognized vendors that get good reviews here on i-club, and I wasn't disappointed. I wouldn't hesitate to order from any of them again.

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