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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Abingdon Spares ???

Well I needed new bolts and washers to bolt up the right fenders. As suggested, I ordered them from Abingdon Spares. I distinctively stated two times I wanted so many 5/16 bolts and fender washers. Also 1/4 inch bolts in different lengths and 1/4 inch fender washers. Well the order came today. All the washers were 5/16ths, no 1/4 inch, plus they were 1&1/2 inch wide, instead of 1 inch wide and half as thick as the proper washers. No joke, I can buy these washers at my local hardware store! The 5/16 nuts and bolts were correct, the 1/4 inch bolts had different size heads! Some were 3/16 W and some were 11 MM heads. They did have the proper threads, for what it's worth. That was my first buy from them, sorry but it'll be my last. When I order nuts, bolts and washers from B&G the washers are exactly like the originals in thickness and diameter. Now I used the AS washers temporarily until I can order a set from B&G. Need I say more! PJ
Paul S Jennings

Try Doug Pelton at http://www.fromtheframeup.com/

He sells the same stuff as Moss and AS but also adds a few unusual items. And here is the best part:

He sniff tests everything he sells to make sure its proper.
Christopher Couper

I've had some good parts from Abingdon Spares for my 1951 TD but twice I've been told a part was "original style" when I made specific inquiries before ordering -- and twice this was not true: 1. replacement choke and cable had a completely different chrome cable surround behind the pull knob -- and 2. a pair of tie rod ends did not have lube points (as original). I paid a lot more for both than if I'd ordered them from, say, LBCC -- but got the same generic product. I've only ordered a few parts from FTFU -- but they were just as specified. I hope Doug keeps on adding to the TD list! -- Peter
Peter Pope

I just set an email to *The Frame Up* checking on the correctness of their hardware for the T series. Hopefully they have the proper hardware. PJ
Paul S Jennings

We have been in the MG parts business for 50 years and customer service has always been a top priority. I believe we have always been willing to go the extra mile for our customers to make sure that they are satisfied. We are not without mistakes and if an error was made on an order we make every effort to correct it. We appreciate hearing from all of our customer with comments either positive or negative. If there is a problem with a part we would like to know, so that we can contact our suppliers and make corrections where needed.





Abingdon Spares

Re: Paul's post, It's "From the frame up".

http://www.fromtheframeup.com/

..
MAndrus

This board unfortunately seems to be going to typical public flaming of companies and individuals, rather than calling them first and trying to resolve issues privately. Having been dealing with Abingdon and Moss since the early 70s, I have to say my rare problems (maybe 2 or 3?)have been promptly and quickly resolved with a phone call. We can still actually speak to live humans that care, unlike most other companies in the world. If not for ASL/Moss etc. none of our cars would be on the road. Just my thoughts. George
George Butz

Ditto for me, George. Bobby and Cathy were my main contacts over the decades and I not only received the correct parts and service but also enjoyed their very friendly manner. Hard to beat that combination.
Jim Merz

I also second what George said. Abingdon Spares was a crucial resource for me in the rebuilding and mantenance of several t-types. My almost daily calls to Bobby, fast shipping and friendly (free) advise were invaluable.
If I call them by noon, I have the parts the next day, with regular ground shipping. The quality, customer service and inventory are second to none.
Keep up the good service!
David
D. Sander

i agree with david and the others, abingdon has been bullet proof for me over the last 15 years. don't let one person's single experience offset a decade and a half of mine and more from others. great people who go the extra mile. regards, tom
tm peterson

Well, Just one more comment. Facts are facts, I have a bunch of useless hardware store type washers on my bench and two 1/4 inch BSF bolts with 11MM metric heads instead of 3/16 Whitworth heads. Comments ended. PJ
Paul S Jennings

PJ - send them back and tell them why. I'm sure they'll make good.
Gene Gillam

Paul,

I am sorry I recommended you use AS but they helped me build 3 T series cars. You have the option to send the bolts back for refund and shop elsewhere, I won't be offended...
R Brown

I do recognize that Abingdon will stand behind what they sell... I mean I could have asked for a refund on the parts that disappointed me. They made that offer when I phoned to complain. But I live far from any parts source and on the parts in question I'd already bought them and the return freight would have been at my expense... plus freight on a replacement from elsewhere. I'm not calling Abingdon into question as a resource... but they are selling some replacement parts that are only very approximately the claimed "original style". -- Peter
Peter Pope

I have purchased parts from Moss, B&G, FTFU, Cambridge Parts, Hetitage, Sportsparts & AS & except for Cambridge, who I only used once to purchase the necessary parts for the 4.3 diff conversion, none of these organizations have a perfect track record in their dealings with me. All of the others, with the notable exception of one, provided terrific after sales service & were more than happy to replace items at no further cost to me. A case in point. I recently purchased decals for the ignition switch from FTFU & was surprised to see that some of the lettering rubbed off during assembly. Not only are they replacing the decal but are contacting their supplier to ensure that the problem is rectified by the manufacturer. The reality is that we live in a less than perfect world, which probably has something to do with the fact that it's peopled with humans... Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Thank you for all the nice comments-they mean a lot
to us !!
Abingdon Spares

A number of years ago my MGA windsheild was cracked on the way to a meet in N/H . I called CECILIA at Abington Spares and she advised me that she would be attending the same meet and would bring it down for me. SHE DID AND NO SHIPPING CHARGE
Bill Mason

I've been doing business with Abingdon Spares for many years with great success . The ladies that manage this business on a day to day bases are indeed experienced and will make every effort to support your needs well beyond (as they would say) the call duty. Keep up the good work ladies you have my full support. In my humble opinion your thread Mr Jenning's should be removed and appropriately advised to use better judgement in the future. John
J .R.C Cavey

When your dealing with aftermarket/ reproduction parts there is always the chance that they may not be correct I am sure most companies would gladly exchange the incorrect/ faulty/ bad fitting goods or refund the money if parts are returned, but t isn't that easy from down here where costly shipping costs are concerned, I purchased rubber goods from B & G they were a bad fit and could not be used, I advised B & G and was told to read the conditions regarding the returning of incorrect or faulty goods, they acknowledged the problem they had with the goods but would not replace them until I returned the faulty ones, consequently they ended up in the bin as shipping was more than they were worth.

Regards
George
G Mills

Well, MR. Cavey, Your expertise in analyzing my caricature is overwhelming, seeing how you know me so well. So I'll bid you good day. If you just happen to see my name on a post, just ignore it, I sure as he!! don't need this. Damn shame when someone can't voice an opinion when receiving useless items not specifically ordered. No comments will be made again on this subject by me and possibly no other! Paul Jennings
Paul S Jennings

Okay guys lets all step back and go to DEF-CON 5. This is getting ugly now and needs to stop!

I'm sure we all have or will have a bad experience with a supplier(s) over the course of our restorations. The parts are only as good as the quality control of the manufacturers and many times the cost and frustrations come to a boil dealing with bad parts and poorly worded comments. Comments that rub people the wrong way and often get offended

Someone step up, be the better man and apologize. This forum is not for the purpose of a private pissing match WE are adults not children in the schoolyard.

Paul and everyone else, thank you for your comments and opinions, Now can we please put this to rest and move on?


Regards

Bill Chasser Jr
TD4834
W. A. Chasser Jr

I agree with all comments on this. I'm sorry that Paul Jennings had such an unfortunate experience. I would like to think it as a rare exception.

I have been dealing with Abingdon ever since it was opened in 1963 by the late Gerry Goguen, then the Lead Trumpeter for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Jerry was an absolute straight guy. His legacy has persisted and now that Bob Seymour is holding the reins, I believe that the straight forward philosophy will continue.

Abingdon has always sourced from quality suppliers, and has resisted the temptation to go to inferior Asian products. So you will always pay a bit more for your parts from Abingdon.

Although I have never met Bob Seymour, he seems to be a supportive member of the MG community. He owns several unique vintage cars including a very rare MG model 18/80.

I hope Paul, you will reconsider your unfortunate experience an isolated incident. I believe if you approach Abongdon, they will square with you and make you a happy client.

You be the judge.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

It's really hard for me to read all of this and remain silent, so I'm jumping in.
For the record I am new to this forum and anything British. However, I have been fooling around with cars since I was 14 (68 now), so I do have some experience with this subject. Having spent many years in business for myself also gives me a little room to speak to this subject.
Dumping, slamming, calling out or whatever you want to call it is something we were unable to do up until Al Gore invented the internet. Thanks Al! With this new found medium we have forced vendors of all products to do a better job. For the most part we the consumer are the beneficiaries. EBAY's Feedback forum as done a pretty good job of weeding out the bad guys.
So with that said calling out our suppliers on this forum is not necessarily a bad thing. When they read these forums, and you can be assured they do, it makes them aware and work harder at keeping the negative comments to a minimum. IMO
As the consumer we look to them for their knowledge and expertise. We pay them good money for this. When they make an error of the nature Paul is sighting it falls into the category of not knowing what they are selling. I realize they have a lot of inventory to inspect before it goes onto the shelf, but that is their obligation. IMO there is little excuse for this kind of mistake.
I have never in my life time EVER had a vendor offer to stand good for the freight cost even if was their mistake. That is simply unacceptable and we should not let them get away with it. This is a very good medium to force that change. Your mistake, your responsibility. Not enough room here to complete my thoughts and I hear my bottle of Crown calling my name anyway.

Cheers to you all.
Dan Nordstrom

Since we are hearing on this thread from AS, It would be nice to hear that they have worked with Paul and corrected not only the issue of the parts, but the shipping also. I believe Paul has a right to voice a complaint about parts that are not correct to the group. It is the only way we will know if this is an issue.
Bruce Cunha

Well said Dan couldn't have said it better myself.
Agree Bruce

WE pay good money we expect to get good gear.
G Mills

Paul got improper parts, which is obviously disappointing and annoying, no beef with that. A few time over the years, I have done some work in my profession, and weeks or month later it gets back to me that the person was unhappy with it. This is infuriating- if the person had bothered to call and state their concern, I would have promptly addressed the concern however needed. Public criticism and/or negative gossip is horrible when you had no idea there was a problem. Whether a professional service or car part, this is just simply manners to deal with the vendor first IMHO. BTW, I have a major beef with non-delivery of a long promised MG related item, but not going public on this yet....have to give them (another )chance. I still think the best way to get true original parts is eBay, and this great forum, tons of great stuff out there. Unless a true NOS BMC boxed part, it is a repro, and there will be differences. We do need to keep the suppliers on the straight and narrow, but appreciate the great stuff they do as well. This thread is like the dysfunctional family cruise I was on at Christmas. While were all annoyed with and ready to strangle each other, in the end it was all good. Does anyone have any original washers or bolts to offer Paul? I may have a few.. George
George Butz

Well Paul S, I hope all this has put you behind with the restoration of your TF, I then might be able to catch up with you (grin). On a previous post someone asked if we were competing to see who could finish their TF fist! My tub is almost on, not looking quite as good as yours, but progression is going ahead.(is that an oxymoron?)
Regards, Don W TF 4887
D J Walker

MrJenning's I fully support your right to voice your opinion without question. However, when opinions are a direct assault on a business and discrimination against those who worked for this business, which is clearly the case here then expect to be challenged . There were many other alternatives you could have chosen to resolve this unfortunate incident other than the route you choose. In-other-words Mr Jenning's let's strive strengthen our industry rather than pulling it apart at the seems . John
J .R.C Cavey

Mr Jenning's Error in spelling should read "seams"
J .R.C Cavey

This thread was discussed between 09/02/2015 and 14/02/2015

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