Ok to start off. I ordered an Asuka Type 1 hood from a well known vendor. Ordered around 1 or 2pm central time on Friday, April 17th so around 11am or noon their time in California. I emphasize to the sales person that I need the hood for a photo shoot on Sunday, April 26th. He assures me that I would have it before then. He does let me know that he does not have a box for the hood. I should have been more suspicious then not sure why it didnt throw a red flag. He tells me that he will need to drop it off at VIS for them to wrap it up and ship it to me. I call the following Monday, April 20th to check on the status. He assures me that he hood is at VIS and that they will ship it asap so that I can have it by that coming Friday, April 24th. That day comes by and nothing so I have the photo shoot without the hood. Another week goes by, and no hood. I am a pretty patient guy but at this point I am starting to get upset. So I call on the April 30th to find out what the deal was on the hood. I'm finally given a tracking number and find out that the hood was shipped on the 28th of April. 11 days after I placed the order. I finally get the hood this morning, and I open the box with the delivery driver still at my residence. He helps unpack the hood, which was wonderfully done by VIS. I take a really close look at the hood and find some spider webbing around one of the vent holes. Not good but not something the shipper could have cause IMHO. Then I notice the finish isn't really shinny like other CF parts I've purchased in the past like my EVO-R interior overlay and my Mastergrade TS rear diffuser. I run my fingers along the hood and its not slick and it feels like there is build up on the clear coat. It doesnt look terrible but it doesnt look new. I look closer carefully checking the hood out at different angles. I see slight weathering on some parts of the hood. I run my fingers on the underside of the hood and I get slight dirt+grease/oil like stains on my fingers. Once again, not really bad but definitely not new. Something was going on with this hood and no way in hell am I gonna accept it. So the driver and I pack it back up and put it back into his truck.

Cliffs:

-Asuka Type 1 hood ordered on April 17th, assured it would be shipped so I can receive it for my photoshoot on the 26th.
-two weeks later no hood, finally get tracking on the 30th and find out it was shipped out on the 28th.
-get the hood on May 5th
-inspect the hood before accepting delivery and find the hood might not be new and has some slight damage around one of the vents.

Sigh, should I try this vendor again or order from someone else?

Please do not ask who the vendor is, I will not name them. This causes waaaaay too many problems. I just want to tell my story so that people are more careful and to always check the product before accepting the product when they receive large cf products. Always expect the worst!!

 

Try someone else!!

 

I think that is what I am going to do.

 

Nexx,
This seems like a no brainer here, he tried to pawn off a used hood on you.

 

I would try someone else especially since other vendors exist. I mean, they burned you twice...used goods and late.

 

thats f'd up. send it back and try another vender.

 

.

 

thats why i wrote cliffs, for lazy asses like you.

 

I will return it and order from other vendor. Sorry to hear that you got the photoshoot without that hood...

 

Undergound Graphics in Houston...Greg Lilly is the owner and a very honest...

or maybe even Overdriv/Jtran studios....they have Z's get featured all the time...so their parts are legit..

I named these two vendors because they are in Texas (so shipping wont be too long) and they have an established reputation with reputable vendors...

 

awesome, thanks for the info!

 

Nexx, if you need any help with a new hood just give us a holler.

 

tell us who the vendor is

 

Sorry to hear, Nexx.

 

You might at least let everyone know if it was MasterGrade or not since members are already pointing fingers.

btw, Good call on the inspection before accepting the package.

 

lets not worry about who did it but lets see what we can do to fix it. from what ive been told, Asuka products come in a brown box with no names. why the hood i received was originally taken out of the box, i have no idea. am i 100% sure the hood was used, no but i am 100% sure it was not in new condition. demo maybe? even so i should have been told if it was a demo.

 

Nexx- just get the the refund and get it from Jtran in TX or MG.

 

why is everyone assuming its MG? lulz, there are a many vendors that sell this hood.

 

not sure why they are assuming its MG.

in any case the vendor assured me that the hood was never used but that i did the right thing if i wasnt happy with the quality of the product. i will give them the benefit of a doubt and figure out what i should do once they get the hood back. i will update you guys in about a week.

ALWAYS CHECK YOUR PACKAGES BEFORE ACCEPTING DELIVERY!!

 

Nexx, I say get a refund and buy local... saves the headache of buying something damaged. GL