Interesting story on ECS

[bagekko]

https://jalopnik.com/spying-on-emplo...g-a-1827474482

[crowtrobot]

Was just reading this on my lunch break. I've had reasonable luck with them, but I did notice a decline in Turner's service once ECS took over, so I've been wary of them for a while.

I usually order from getbmwparts, those guys are incredibly helpful and the prices are very good for OE stuff; this is just more motivation to keep supporting them instead.

[low135]

ECS has been pretty terrible for a long time. That FB group has some crazy examples. I've been burned by them a couple times as well

[jkoral]

Sad. I haven't been to Turner since well before the ECS acquisition. I first went there in 1996 to get a tech inspection prior to a NHIS (as it was called at the time) HPDE. Their Amesbury location was their 3rd (and largest) location that I recall.

[varoadking]

Wonder if this in any way explains how I got 2 separate batches of faulty DISA valves?

[tock172]

I frequently visit the ECS website, but only to view their hi-res part photos and and compare genuine, OE and aftermarket part options for something I might need. I have spent quite a bit of money with ECS over the years, but my last few orders placed over the previous 2-3 years have been riddled with problems. I had to go through at least 3 M Mobility kits before they sent one out that wasn’t worn out or 10+ years old.

Moreover, when it was time to order my BMW Performance Exhaust, I went with Turner because they didn’t charge sales tax, even though all of the logistics between the companies are now integrated.

Lately, I’ve been using Amazon more than any other website. Most of the parts I need can be had from BMW dealers who sell via Amazon, and it’s tough to beat competitive pricing with Prime shipping.

[Thunderguts]

Originally Posted by tock172

Moreover, when it was time to order my BMW Performance Exhaust, I went with Turner because they didn’t charge sales tax, even though all of the logistics between the companies are now integrated.

I can top that! I just ordered the ECS carbon Performance Spoiler. ECS has a 6 week wait. Turner had it in stock with same-day shipping for $52 less!

I've ordered 5 or 6 packages between them in the last month and not had any issues. All my genuine BMW parts came factory sealed and the boxes were well packed. I'm a bit nervous ordering a cooling kit or intake manifold upgrade from them now after reading those complaints.

[rowsdower]

I read this too, and wasn't aware it was such a shitty company. I've had reasonably good luck over the years with ECS. I did have to RMA a shock I bought from ECS recently because it was packaged extremely poorly. The bottom of it broke through the box and messed up the threads.

FCP Euro has been good, and their prices are consistently lower than ECS.

[Yeineken]

Haven't ordered from ECS in a long time. Really great for the pictures when looking at parts however.

[zx10guy]

I've made some orders in the past few months with them. While some things were backordered, they indicated it as such and I got them by the date indicated on their website.

I was sent a wrong item. ECS immediately corrected this by sending me the correct one and told me just to keep the wrong item.

[PA135ii]

Ordered new OEM floor mats and OEM black gloss grill from them recently. They also had the best price I found. No complaints here on ECS

[iminhell1]

Dunno,

I have zero problems with ECS. I've spent maybe $1,000 through them over the last couple years. Not a single bad part or unexpected wait/shipping time.


FCP though, I have yet to get a correct order from them. Made 4 orders and all arrived wrong.

[Mageshkk]

I never had problems with ECS. Once though, in my E39 M5 thermostat kit, they included a gasket which didn't need to be replaced. Being the dummy I'm, I attempted to replace that gasket too since it's on the kit. Long story short, one hour job took 6 hours with lots of cussings.

[Tuxedo]

This spring I ordered twice from ECS first package wasn't shipped when delivery was expected and I wasn't in a hurry and living in Chicago items get here faster then expected all the time. Shipped same day I called for update here 2days later. 2 items missing and 2 items defective, I was frustrated with online chat customer service. Called no problem credit and used that credit for a set of shocks and struts. These shipped as expected and arrived with as mentioned poor shipping condition, of note half of the parts appeared to have been returns pre-opened boxes and mechanics dirty fingers on items but no worse for the wear. overall satisfied-ish

Looking elsewhere went with Turner not knowing ECS owned them but shopping could clearly see a joint venture relationship. I reached out to Ian with Turner and have only positive and completely satisfied things to say. Both orders with Turner have been ontime and 0 issue.

As for Pelican I've not ordered from for 8years but have been on the email list, just this week I said to myself Pelican must have hired the same marketing co to do emails. Now that I've read this article I see the sign.

It's a shame to hear that mind games and poor treatment of employees is common practice, hope they fix it.

[Southjersey128]

Just placed a small order last night. After reading this, I hope it shows up!

[Esteban]

Ordered several things from ECS over the years. All were packaged nicely and received quickly. No complaints so far.

[champignon]

The internet has broken up the old sales model, and you can't really assume that any supplier of a commodity item is going to stay like it was, over any reasonable period of time.

I buy a lot of stuff on the internet, and often a year or two or even 5 will pass between the last time I bought a particular sort of item until the next time. I tend to go back through my financial records to find who it was I ordered this or that from the last time. Then, I have another look and most of the time conclude that the market has changed and I need to re-evaluate the marketplace in order to decide where to buy the thing or things.

The internet is the great disrupter, for better or worse. It's probably a good idea to re-evaluate your sources for BMW parts and for other things also, on a regular basis. This isn't grandma's trip to the general store, anymore.

[drunkenup]

Never had a truly awful experience with ECS but they often leave a lot to be desired. Almost every time I order from them they take a full 2+ business days to ship it out, I recall another time when the 'ship by' date kept getting pushed over and over again for two weeks on a item I ordered. Used online customer service chat once and they stopped responding to me.. know plenty of actual friends who have had bad experiences with them. When the Facebook page went up I wasn't really surprised. FCP has my business now and they always deliver

[Gangplank]

Interesting thread & story.

I've ordered a few things from ECS. I think it was before they bought Turner. Order & parts arrived as requested. Since however their prices & site haven't been as good.

I recently ordered from FCP Euro which had the best price on the water pump kit with BMW fluid. Delivered quickly.

I think I'll drop ECS/Turner off my list. Same for Mod-Bargains

[chris_flies]

No particularly horrid stories on ECS. Had to cancel an order for mirror glass, and one order was a week late. But, they always come through in the end (it's a headache, I know, but I just want my parts). No issues with my very expensive differential order, which is great.

[pablom2c]

I order a lot from ECS, it is my go to store, sometimes I also order from FCP and Turner depending on price and availability. To be honest I've had 0 issues from them, and I even ship internationally.

[gjm120]

I've ordered a good bit from ECS over the last couple of years and have had no real problems. Sometimes a bit slow to ship out the orders but not a big deal.