What is up with Whitby????!!!! No return call for a month now.

[Shady302]

UPDATE: I HEARD FROM JEFF AT WHITBYS.
SEE POST #17 and #19 FOR MORE DETAIL.

I have not been able to get in touch with, nor get a call back from Whitby motorcars AKA Jeff for nearly a month now.

I can appreciate it being a small company but to completely ognore customers is really not acceptable. I would have gone elsewhere if I didn't need his assistance specifically, from the AC unit that he exclusively sells.

My first call to him, I actually spoke to him on a Friday, December 5th about my setup. I was looking for assistance and to purchase the extra items I needed.
He asked me to send him an email with pics (since there were different versions) and that he would get back to me on Monday. I sent him very detailed pics and detailed email. I have received no response.
I called and spoke to a nice woman a week later and was told he would return my call that day......nothing.
I have called about 5 times since then and no one has ever picked up
I left a follow up message. Nothing.
I've recently left a pleading message to please call me back. Nothing.

I am so frustrating and disappointed in their service.
Jeff Collins' seems like a really nice guy when you speak to him, but if you alienate your customers you won't have a business left to run.

[GoDadGo]

My friend's car was at Jeff's shop for over a year.
He nearly had to litigate to get the car completed.
The work was top notch; however, the aggravation factor was insane.
Good Luck!

[TMartinLVNV]

I ordered the aluminum panels for the lower dash to center console filler and it was shipped right away and was a nice product. However, I have read quite a few horror stories about their customer communication and taking forever to paint a car.

[Shady302]

Yeah, the items he has are nice and good quality, and I'm sure they get shipped out soon. The issue is he told me he doesn't know which switch I need unless I send him photos and then he could figure it out.
So I'm at the mercy of him figuring out which piece I need and I can't do anything until he actually addresses it.
It's a vintage air part and I would order directly from them, but they don't know which piece it is either without his information. It's just very frustrating that I've been at a standstill for a month because he won't return my call.

[CraigS]

Unfortunately this seems to be a recurring problem w/ them. Good luck.

[BradCraig]

I visited their shop and was impressed by them and the work they do but looked like they had a HUGE backlog of work.

[Jkviper]

Yeah, the items he has are nice and good quality, and I'm sure they get shipped out soon. The issue is he told me he doesn't know which switch I need unless I send him photos and then he could figure it out.
So I'm at the mercy of him figuring out which piece I need and I can't do anything until he actually addresses it.
It's a vintage air part and I would order directly from them, but they don't know which piece it is either without his information. It's just very frustrating that I've been at a standstill for a month because he won't return my call.

Try posting all the details on the forum, maybe one of the members can help figure it out.

[jrcuz]

I ordered and paid for their stainless steel windshield frame pieces after not hearing from them for nearly a month I called and just happened to get some who was just leaving for the day and he went to the (shipping area) and my unprocessed order was sitting on top of several other orders he said. He processed my order and I had it in a few days. A friend with a Mk3 had his painted there a few years ago and I believe he said it took 8 months plus but he loves it and has had them do minor paint repairs since then. I think I am closer to them but I ppan to have Jeff Kleiner do my body and paint.
JR

[Hotyacht]

I just gave up waiting........

[KDubU]

There is no excuse for poor communication or none at all. Small or big business does not matter.

[Walt]

I ordered the power brake kit, i was told 2 weeks to ship, after 3.5 months i just canceled.

[Shady302]

Thanks guys, for the support.
I really hated posting this, as I just wanted to make this all work out with them, and support a small business. I am still really hoping he would see this (or someone who knows him would) and finally get a response back.

So here is my main issue.
I bought a used AC unit he sells, (from a forum member) but it was missing one part. The heater valve.
When I spoke to Jeff (the only time) on december 5th, he said there was a couple revisions over the years, and that one was a manual valve and the other is electrically activated.
It seems like I had the old switch for a manual valve, but he said he still has some of the newer switches and valves, but he needed me to send him some pics to confirm what he needed to send to me.

Unfortunately vintage air doesn't make the one piece anymore, or else I would be be dealing directly with them, which I did for the new drier, for the system.

I already cut the hole for the main unit in my powder coated firewall, so I'm kinda locked in to this unless I want to re do my whole firewall and start over with some one else. So frustrating.

[Shady302]

I ordered the power brake kit, i was told 2 weeks to ship, after 3.5 months i just canceled.

It's kind of ironic you say that, because I was ready and willing to buy his New AC UNIT, that was in the final stages of testing in 2 cars. He told me more than 2 years ago it should be ready in a month or so. I have called every 4 to 6 months since then, and have always been told in a couple weeks. I even told him I'm happy to be a 3rd test car and would promote it. Just send me it.

So since the new one was never ready, I got the opportunity to buy an older unit from someone who totaled their mk4 but the AC unit was not damaged at all. I only now need this one part and getting it is ridiculous.

Sidenote: The only reason I wanted to go with this unit over others out there, was because it actually has a diverter built into it that can adjust the output from the defrost vents to the floor/dash vents. and it was made for Whitby by vintage air, which I have in my classic Camaro and am impressed.
The issue is, Whitby has the rights to the parts and even if vintage air has the parts, only he can order them exclusively and distribute them.

[first time builder]

Do you have the valve to post photo is is the part missing? Do you have a photo of the part from somebody elses car ?

[michael everson]

If its the heater valve, you can use pretty much anything. Vintage makes a Vacuum operated one that will requite a solenoid and possibly a new fan switch to operate. I purchase all 3 parts from Summit to replace the switch the FFR supplies with there heater. really don't like the push-pull knob that comes with the heater.
Mike

[ronsdream]

I've had my roadster at Whitby's since October 25 2018 and was hoping to get it back by early summer 2019. As of today it is still in primer and hoping to get it completed soon. The best way I have gotten to Jeff is by sending an email through the website "contact us".

Jeff usually will respond within a couple of days.

From what I know they have 15 or so roadsters in the backlog. I'm glad that I'm finally number 1.

Ron

[Shady302]

UPDATE: I received a message and call from Jeff at whitbys! Don't know if this post got back to him or not, but I'll take it.

Unfortunately I sat and waited a month only to have him tell me he was mistaken about having extra parts and that he has no more to sell me.
What's worse is he didn't acknowledged any of my other general questions, so I only got half an answer. Sigh..

On a sidenote: this is what he did write back also.
”My mom is doing chemo and my wife has had two surgeries this month. It looks like all is going to work out for them but I have definitely fallen behind on my paper work."
I am very sympethic of his personal problems and I wish and pray for quick recoveries to all his loved ones, but from the posts above this is not just a recent one time thing.

Well, I guess I have to figure something out myself hopefully.

[BradCraig]

I've had my roadster at Whitby's since October 25 2018 and was hoping to get it back by early summer 2019. As of today it is still in primer and hoping to get it completed soon. The best way I have gotten to Jeff is by sending an email through the website "contact us".

Jeff usually will respond within a couple of days.

From what I know they have 15 or so roadsters in the backlog. I'm glad that I'm finally number 1.

Ron

Holy hell, no way I would wait a year and a half to have a car painted. Having visited Whitby's last month its easy to see why they have a huge backlog. Along with high demand for their services, VERY little of their large space is used for production work. Most of it is inactive projects and customer cars waiting for work. Maybe they just want to stay small? I was considering them for paint but just cannot get my head around waiting that long.

[Shady302]

So, I personally just spoke with Jeff at Whitby, and once again he is a wonderfully pleasant, and genuine man. He was very helpful and informative too.

For all you interested in an update on his new AC unit. Here's what I found out.
Basically, (not exactly all in his words) Vintage Air felt he wasn't big enough so they stopped making the evaporator which was specifically for him. That totally halted his air conditioner sales.
He spent a lot of time trying to find a new company that would make one as good as vintage.
He found one and ordered 20 units, but only 4 arrived initially but they were producing the other 16.
Whitby made all new molds for the evaporator from the 4 units they sent him initially. He was ready to release it and finalize it.......until he received the next 16 evaporators.
The next 16 sent were slightlya different size than before.
The good news, they would be even more effective than the first 4.
The bad news, all of Jeff's new molds were useless and had to re-do them all. He said it is 7 individual molds that were needed.
He has 5 completed and his guys are working on the last 2 as we speak.

He said he really feels terrible about how long people were waiting and that most of it was out of his control. I do believe him, because he really did sound frustrated, from the whole ordeal.

Overall, As I said before, I really like Jeff and feel he means well with all his intentions. I think his issue might be that he has a great reputation for his work, but maybe just doesn't have the manpower to keep up with the demand.

[Scott Zackowski]

If you live close enough, driving to his shop has always worked out for me. Someone always there or at his machine shop next door during normal working hours. If he has the parts you can purchase them right then.

[rich grsc]

Pure BS. There is NO reason that anyone should leave their car set there over a year, or even 6 month's untouched. If he has a lot of cars to paint, he puts you on a list. You start at the bottom and work your way up has he finishes one. A couple month's out he calls and says I'll bet ready for you in a month or so, then you take your car in. Thats how Jeff Kleiner handles his work load, and everyone is happy. 18 months and it's still in primer, that f-cking stupid. You could have been driving and enjoying your car for a year or more.
So tell, what happens if something happens in his shop, a fire, tornado or vandalism? Is he going to make everyone whole for the loss of 15 cars, compensate everyone for all the hard work and time you spent building your car?

[gkp200]

You only leave the body with Whitby's. Not only does it free up space in your garage, it holds your place in line. When they are ready to paint, you bring the go cart to them. So it is only an issue if you feel you can complete the car to go cart stage in under 1 year.

[jrcuz]

I've wondered if you just take your body to Whitby's is there any guarantee you get the same bady back or does it matter?
JR

[BEAR-AvHistory]

I've wondered if you just take your body to Whitby's is there any guarantee you get the same bady back or does it matter?
JR

Have no reason to think I did not get the same body back but don't really think it matters considering all the work involved in body prep. No gems coming out of FFR. They are slow, but very, very good. Best plan is to deliver the body to them when you get it & build the chassis.

With a steady two hours a day, less too cold or hot days to work, plus more time on a weekend you should have the chassis done by the time they are doing the painting. They do not need the chassis to paint the car.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazine.com-vbulletin/580x435/80-paint3_1818e8338e1cbe13f3bb142bad7f39b2bdb80f8b.jp g

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazine.com-vbulletin/580x435/80-prime1_4a2ca953e13031dcc466070a6e9e01f34b6f386b.jp g

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazine.com-vbulletin/580x435/80-paint2_69c4cd1c7ff145de54da4c08f048b894543def46.jp g

https://www.ffcars.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=192 0,fit=scale-down//media/going-home7.44368/full

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazine.com-vbulletin/580x435/80-feb2_bb39b61fa986e44f233a1543fbe558f7ba1fe72c.jpg

No excuse for their lack of response, live close enough to hit the shop so on occasion was able to check progress or lack there off. That said, they will not give any less than 100% of their time & work effort on your car & will not short change it to move someone else's through the process.

My actuals were FFR delivery to me 2/14, body to shop 7/14, chassis to shop 12/14, painted body on chassis 1/15.

My overall build working by myself was FFR kit to me 2/14 & NCDMV plates on the car 3/15

[wareaglescott]

Whitby has done two cars for me. Both took longer than expected. Both are exceptional quality. I think Jeff is a great guy. The communication could certainly be better but at the end of the day we all have our strengths and weaknesses. As far as the timeline it isn't optimal but I dont think anyone is dropping their car/ body of there prior to reading the forum and knowing what to expect. If you do and are surprised I put that as much on the customer for lack of research.

On my second car I had a local option that without a doubt would have been cheaper and faster. I knew the timeline at Whitby would probably frustrate me but at the end of the day I realized I had a 100% chance at exceptional quality with Jeff and the team at Whitby and really did not know how it would end up with the local option. To me it is worth the time and expense to ensure it gets done right the first time. If you find a custom painter that has zero backlog they probably aren't worth a crap. There is a reason Jeff operates with such a backlog. I challenge anyone to find a single negative comment on Whitby quality anywhere on this forum. Ultimately quality of work is first place by a wide margin on my priority list.

Jeff Kleiner obviously does great work as well. As mentioned above he takes cars in as he is ready for them. If he tells you it will be a year before he gets to you and then takes two months with your car or your body sits at Whitby for a year before they touch it I dont really see much of a difference. I had no interest in driving in gel coat so did not care that my body was gone for 10 months in my case on car #1. At the end of the project the total timeline would have been similar either way.

Considering both my experiences with Whitby I would without a doubt send car #3 to them.

[narly1]

119868

[Boydster]

I'm with Scott. I waited a good while before Whitby's got around to working on my body, but I would have waited with anyone else, too. And I didnt have to keep moving the body around my shop and/or backyard while I was building. I know I got my original body back because of some small things I had done to it. The paint and bodywork on my car is 99.8% perfect... I found a very small sag in the clear that is in a place that doesnt get wetsanded and you'll never see it.

Yeah, Whitby's takes time. Not that much more time than everyone else's waiting list. And the product you get back is nothing short of amazing.

[ronsdream]

Just a time line for me.
This is my first experience with FFR and building a roadster. Whitby's recommendation came from a fellow member who has built several FFR cars, so I took his advice. He also helped me build the car which was a great help and experience for me.
Received kit from Stewart 02 12 18. NYS registration 08/25 18 and drove in gel coat til 10/15/18. dropped off the body 10/25/18. Dropped off the completed go cart 07 21 19. All said if I can get my completed MK4 for this driving season that will be 2 years.

Very excited about this last phase. Waiting to get wowed after I see the final product.

[ronsdream]

I will be flying down to Greensboro and meeting with Jeff to see the progress. Spoke with Jeff and as always he is very accommodating and pleasant.
Will be there next Friday January 10.

[CraigS]

I've wondered if you just take your body to Whitby's is there any guarantee you get the same bady back or does it matter?
JR

I know of one who got a body back w/ holes for one roll bar when he had dropped off a body w/ holes for two roll bars.

[toadster]

I haven't heard back in about 2 weeks after ordering the power brake setup... tried calling, but just rings...

I heard there may be family issues last time I chatted with im in December?

[GoDadGo]

I haven't heard back in about 2 weeks after ordering the power brake setup... tried calling, but just rings...

I heard there may be family issues last time I chatted with im in December?

Toadster,

Just keep calling and calling and calling and calling until he picks up the phone.
Hopefully you'll get your parts one day because I surely didn't.
That's just the way he does business.

Steve

[cv2065]

dropped off the body 10/25/18. Dropped off the completed go cart 07 21 19. All said if I can get my completed MK4 for this driving season that will be 2 years.

2 years? Wow...

[toadster]

Toadster,

Just keep calling and calling and calling and calling until he picks up the phone.
Hopefully you'll get your parts one day because I surely didn't.
That's just the way he does business.

Steve

yup, got a hold of him last week - shipping out my power brake kit this week! :)

Thx
Todd

[Joecobr]

My personal experience with Whitby...he tried to soak me for twice the price on my IRS components for a Canadian kit years ago until I pointed out the correct pricing and threatened to get FFR involved. He was the only vendor I could go to at the time and he was taking advantage. Don't care how good his paint jobs are, he's bad news, IMO.

[TXdad]

Dropped off my body 6/2018, picked up my body 2/2020. Untouched, wasted time and effort trying to communicate. Now it’s being finished elsewhere and couldn’t be happier. I am sure Whitbys work is great, but the lack of communication is not worth it.

[shmelty]

dropped off my body 6/2018, picked up my body 2/2020. Untouched, wasted time and effort trying to communicate. Now it’s being finished elsewhere and couldn’t be happier. I am sure whitbys work is great, but the lack of communication is not worth it.

wow!!!

[rich grsc]

Scammers trying to sell oddball stuff on the forum get dealt with way more harshly, yet too many think his business practices are OK. Said it before and I say it again, it's BS