How is FFR handling POL for Canadian orders?

[narly1]

Given the current state of the world and how it has affected the amount of parts initially missing from a new kit, I'm wondering how Canadian customers are being accommodated.

Earl

[Jeff_J.]

I'd be interested to know as well.
I ordered my Kit in December - won't see it till fall this year, so far FF has been fine to deal with - I'm sure as I get closer to shipping date and have an idea what could be back ordered i'll need a little more support from them, everything I've heard is that they support their customers well. Working with Ryan Valin on the completion kit - probably have more questions from him as we get closer to summer as well.
Space is ready.
Jeff_j.
Winnipeg

[zee]

On the same boat. I have a WhatsApp group of some Canadian builders, let me know if you want to join it too to exchange Canadian specific notes :)

[narly1]

I tried a virtual "coffee and cars" a couple of Saturday mornings back in the summer. Basically ran an open Teams meeting that guys could drop in and out of between 8-9 sort of thing.

It never caught on.

Earl

[red.barchetta]

I would imagine they would send multiple items at a time or shipping would be insane. My kit is ready this week so I guess I will see in the coming months.

[narly1]

I would imagine they would send multiple items at a time or shipping would be insane. My kit is ready this week so I guess I will see in the coming months.

Thanks for chiming in, please keep us posted.

And oh, congrats on and good luck with your build!

Earl

[EK1965]

Another canuck first time builder and an Earl! I am in Toronto with a late April delivery date. Initially I was hoping for a quick build with body over the winter but I am less confident that's going to happen given FF and blueprint supply issues.

Zee, please add me to your whatsapp, Ill send a pm with my number.

Look forward to sharing the experience.

Earl

[Mad Dog]

Given the current state of the world and how it has affected the amount of parts initially missing from a new kit, I'm wondering how Canadian customers are being accommodated.

Earl

Hi everyone,

For all orders, we try to ship them out as complete as possible. If there are POL items, we try to ship them out as soon as we can, especially items that will help complete specific assemblies when they are back in stock. When a shipment is sent out to you, you will receive a FedEx shipping notification with tracking info. If you have any questions about your POL status, please email us at partsales@factoryfive.com or shipping@factoryfive.com.

[narly1]

Hi everyone, For all orders....

Hi Dave,

Thanks for responding, it's appreciated!

I was thinking that with the higher than usual number of POL status SKU's these days and the higher shipping and brokerage costs into Canada that FFR would either be consolidating shipments to individual customers, or doing a single consolidation to a 3rd party in Canada who then breaks it down and disseminates the individual orders to the customers.

This whole supply chain situation must be adding a ton of extra cost for FFR in terms of POL shipments, especially when they have to be routed outside of the US.

Earl

[ggunter]

Kind of interested in those who have ordered a kit recently. Is FFR putting the word out to you recent buyers to be incredibly patient? Kind of like a disclaimer right up front.

[Mad Dog]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for responding, it's appreciated!

I was thinking that with the higher than usual number of POL status SKU's these days and the higher shipping and brokerage costs into Canada that FFR would either be consolidating shipments to individual customers, or doing a single consolidation to a 3rd party in Canada who then breaks it down and disseminates the individual orders to the customers.

This whole supply chain situation must be adding a ton of extra cost for FFR in terms of POL shipments, especially when they have to be routed outside of the US.

Earl

It depends. For example, say Item 1 comes back in stock and we know items 2 and 3 are expected to arrive in the next few days, we'll wait to ship those items out together. So we do try to bundle as many POL items into as few shipments as possible, but we also know customers are waiting on these parts, so we try to ship them out as timely as possible.

It's also tough to project what the backorder situation will be for each kit as you may have a date in July for instance, and we won't know your specific kit situation until just before your kit ships as we'll double check your pack before we load it up for shipping. We're trying hard to ship kits out as complete as we can, but as you mention, the supply chain is causing some delays.

[Mad Dog]

Kind of interested in those who have ordered a kit recently. Is FFR putting the word out to you recent buyers to be incredibly patient? Kind of like a disclaimer right up front.

Since customers buying kits today are being given production/completion dates that are 7-9 months out, it is tough for us to know backorder situations that far out. Our purchaser is working hard with our vendors to get parts in stock, and shipments are arriving frequently. When we contact customers for their final kit review to lock in their configuration two weeks before their production date, we'll have a better idea of your parts situation, but it's when we review your pack before loading it up for shipping that we'll know what may be missing at that time.

[DBK73]

I’m in the same boat as red.barchetta - my kit is ready and will be shipping out soon…will share my experience with all of you.

[Jeff_J.]

I was going to wait to order my completion kit till closer to when the kit was to arrive but I'm thinking maybe order it sooner than later might get most of it when the kit arrives the benefit of less on the POL list. For those getting their kits sooner than later keep us posted on how things roll out.
P.S. Ever wonder why a heater isn't standard equipment on the Canadian kit, or a FF scarf..

[narly1]

P.S. Ever wonder why a heater isn't standard equipment on the Canadian kit, or a FF scarf..

LOL I know when I do mine it will be a (Canadian) fair weather flyer. No AC, heater, heated seats and a soft top w/curtains.

It's a plan that's already been put in place starting with the accessory drive set up on the engine I built....with no AC compressor.

Earl

[red.barchetta]

I ordered my completion kit through Ryan Valin at the beginning of October. Have not received anything yet and talking with Ryan yesterday he figures 2-3 months before is does show up. So order now!

narly1:

My kit will be a fair weather flyer as well but inspections here in Alberta will require a heater, wipers and a few other things i am not interested in but what can you do......

[DBK73]

I was going to wait to order my completion kit till closer to when the kit was to arrive but I'm thinking maybe order it sooner than later might get most of it when the kit arrives the benefit of less on the POL list. For those getting their kits sooner than later keep us posted on how things roll out.
P.S. Ever wonder why a heater isn't standard equipment on the Canadian kit, or a FF scarf..

Hi Jeff - You may want to rethink waiting. Many of the completion kit items (front and rear suspension parts) are required early in the build. I ordered my car in July and my completion items in August and the completion kit will likely be ready later than the car. I would order the completion kit ASAP after the FFR order.

Cheers,

Darcy

[Jeff_J.]

Thanks for the advice guys - probably wise to put the wheels in motion on the parts.
Things are pretty much nailed down on the build: it will have heater, top (for front and end of the season) and heated seats, hope it adds and extra month or so of driving. Still reviewing the list in my mind, too often, and getting new ideas from other builds, Budget - what Budget..!!

Hey what are you guys doing for Brakes and steering- I was leaning towards OEM brakes and hydroboost but may be changing to big manual Willwoods, Steering I planned on FF power steering but I see Unisteer hydraulic 3.0 is pretty well rated by other builders..
Keep us posted on your builds.
Jeff_J

[red.barchetta]

What size wheels are you looking to run? 17"

I was going with the Levy Racing Wilwood with pinion park brake setup for 15" wheels but my local preferred shops that i was looking at for inspections are telling me a pinion mounted brake will not pass.... I however cannot find anything in writing as to why.

[Jeff_J.]

Can't help you on that one, I planned to be more conventional with the park brake. Sounds like you have a local guy who knows his stuff for inspections, you might want to reach out to Ryan Valin or your kit supplier - he might be a good resource or point you in the right direction for an answer.
Jeff

[davashcow]

Is a “completion kit” something that only applies to Canadian builders?

Edit: I found the answer to this by digging a little more. Sorry you guys have to deal with this up there.

[StoneyCreekCobra]

I was going to wait to order my completion kit till closer to when the kit was to arrive but I'm thinking maybe order it sooner than later might get most of it when the kit arrives the benefit of less on the POL list. For those getting their kits sooner than later keep us posted on how things roll out.
P.S. Ever wonder why a heater isn't standard equipment on the Canadian kit, or a FF scarf..

I'd totally do a "scarf"

[OttawaFFRer]

The items you REALLY need in the completion kit are on serious backorder so I think you are better to source them elsewhere, IMO.

Front control arms and spindles are 6 months out. Gordon may have a few extra sets getting CNC's right now, I advise you to contact him for the control arms asap if you want a set, not much more expensive than FFR's.
The spindles-->I'm going to go with an SN95 pair. I would have liked the FFR ones but thousands of cars are running fox and sn95 spindles. My last 427 was built before ffr had spindles and there was negligible bump steer.

You need "stuff" to complete the car but I still have a tube of brake and fuel lines in my garage from 10 years ago I didn't use from my first completion kit. There will be stuff in it you will not use.

[FF33rod]

I was going to wait to order my completion kit till closer to when the kit was to arrive but I'm thinking maybe order it sooner than later might get most of it when the kit arrives the benefit of less on the POL list. For those getting their kits sooner than later keep us posted on how things roll out.
P.S. Ever wonder why a heater isn't standard equipment on the Canadian kit, or a FF scarf..

Your options for sourcing parts on the Canadian completion kit are a bit different depending on which model you're building BUT in general I'd suggest getting the order in to FFR ASAP so you've put a stake in the sand timewise - lead times for everything suck pretty much everywhere.

Steve

[Jeff_J.]

Just had a discussion with my Compl Kit supplier, he says 4 - 6 months, possibly longer on some stuff but FF prefers to ship Canadian kits complete to avoid additional freight. I didn't get into specifics on spindles and what could be back ordered cause it's just too far out to say, but probably a good idea to just order it now - if it arrives early it can sit for a while till the car shows up. That being said hope the shipping date for the car is accurate, a peddle box, lawn chair and steering wheel will only keep me entertained for so long. lol.

By the way Steve that is a really nice looking 33 Rod you built.
Cheers,
Jeff

[Skid]

Hi Zee, would it be possible to join the WhatsApp group for Canadain builders. I’m in Whitby and waiting on my kit thanks.