Beware of dealing Internationally

[sawmkw]

Alas, after waiting a year for my re-upholstered interior from Cabriole.de, I have had to request intervention.

In July of 2007, almost a year ago, I paid a $500 downpayment on re-upholstering services for my car. I had exchanged several emails with him stating what I wanted and that I needed them by Spring of 2008 for FFO. I was assured that it was no problem. I shipped my exchange interior components to his contact in California who I did have a phone number for.

During this time, I had sent numerous emails looking for a status. At one point this Spring, his contact in CA told me that HW was not returning his calls either and that my parts were still at his house in CA. Toward the end of May, I did finally get an email with a picture of a door panel that he was sending but it was the wrong color and he had already sent it. I responded that it was incorrect and got no response for four weeks when he wanted to send me the correct color so that I could put it together myself. Sort of defeats the purpose. As it was now too late for me to be able to enter my car at FFO, I responded that 1. I wanted my interior parts back. I had spoke with his contact in CA who stated that he would send them back to me. I have not recieved them. I want my $500 downpayment returned. I will send the incorrect door panels to his contact in CA once I receive my money and interior parts.

Since then, I have received nothing. His contact in CA will not answer or return my calls nor will either return my emails. I have been more than patient (a year now) but have been basically screwed. I have only the incorrect panels ($200 value) which are still in the original box, unopened.

Why do I share this? So that you don't get burned. If Cabriole were domestic, I would have additional options. Now I can only hope that PayPal will help me get my money back... Be very careful out there....

[Jazgeek]

very sorry to hear of your difficulties. Paypal does have pretty good protection, you may be able to work something out there.

So far I've been pretty lucky with international buying but I have been burnt once a long while back which makes me double and triple check the vendor's credentials.

Maybe you can sell the door panels they sent you to recoup some of your money?

[Darsella1]

Thanks for the tip, I considered sending my stuff to him. I got screwed when I purchased a car on ebay so there is only limited buyer protection there as well.

Perhaps someone you know from CA can go and pick them up for you?

I just used an upholster in LA, CA (http://tonyimportcar.com/upholstery.html) that did my door panels & leather/german vinyl combo seats at a great price. They only took about 10 days and the communication was superb. I am so satisfied with the end product and the services that I am recommending them to everyone. The upholsters here wanted 3 times more and a "kit" so I'm not sure we have a lot a choices other than to ship them out.



Good luck!

[sawmkw]

Darsella1, I sent you a PM.

[Darsella1]

Since I got a few PM's...

I paid $140 per side panel (upholstered, new board & using my original metal parts) and $400 per seat. He said they wanted it reasonable in order to drum up some new business. It cost me around $200 (w/ insurance) to ship it and that part was my responsibility. I have heard that vinyl has already sky rocked in price so it may cost you a bit more now. IAP said they are no longer carrying German vinyl due to the import cost/price.

I got the Leather & German vinyl combo (top & headrest are leather). Not the Mercedes quality leather (soft) but the stiffer, more durable kind that looks very stock. They even cleaned the rusty bottom and added a layer of durable fabric. Perfectly custom stitched & very tight. The price quotes here locally were $2-$3K for just the seats.

He was very nice, send me pictures & updates and even emailed me to see if I was happy with his work. I have NO complaints! I would like to spread the word that this is a great Fiat vendor for me because I spent a lot of time being totally frustrated trying to find someone on-line or local. I went to everyone locally and they would not even touch my seats without paying a fortune or they wanted a pre-stitched kit, which nobody sells in the combo.

My door panels were moldy & nasty, my seats were rusty and he said "that's okay- I've seen worse- just send it all ... don't worry".

Here's pictures:

[So Cal Mark]

2-3k just for seats? geez, do they think everyone in Seattle is related to Bill Gates?

[Leesfer]

Jeez! For 3k I can get my entire interior done in leather down here

[sawmkw]

Latest Update: Paypay requires that a dispute be generated within days of the transaction. Therefore when you have a vendor that takes weeks, months or in my case never delivers, they you are out of luck. You should keep this in mind when "ordering" something and using PayPal.

Before I sent Cabriole any money, I had checked with another forum member that he had made an interior for. That individual stated that the work was good but took way too long to get it. In my case, I wasn't in any hurry and didn't forsee that he wouldn't deliver at all.

So, rule of thumb... If it takes more than 45 days to get what you order, have it sent COD instead of paying by PayPal. Also make sure it's domestic.