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In this Discussion
- barrysweet52 January 26
- charles4d January 19
- Clutch guy January 21
- dave s January 23
- DocHornet January 21
- faustmb January 21
- hoggyrubber January 23
- Huddy42 January 27
- hudsontech January 26
- Jon B January 22
- joycescheetz January 22
- Ken U-Tx January 26
- Marker345 January 20
- Nevada Hudson January 22
- oldhudsons January 19
- Pacemaker500 January 26
- Park_W January 26
- PAULARGETYPE January 22
- r2hud308 January 26
- RL Chilton January 20
- stbryson January 26
- Tallent R January 26
- terraplane8 January 27
- Uncle Josh January 26
What's the deal with K-Gap?
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First, the online store seems to be out of commission. Secondly, the email message I sent them was rejected. Any other sources for rubber components? I need motor mounts, running board covers, bumper grommets, welting and corners for the bonnet on the '37 T. ~X(
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Try Wildrick Restoration, LLC - 1459 E. 425 N. - Shelbyville, IN 46176 Shop: 317-398-4163 - Cell: 317-847-1720 - drdoug96@comcast.net
Doug has bought out Full Line Reproductions and may have much of your needs. -
I've been able to contact K-Gap by phone.
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I TOO HAVE SPOKEN WITH K GAP BUT TO NO AVAIL I GET YES WE WILL SHIP IT WHEN BLA BLA BLA I'VE GIVEN UP ITS A SHAME PRES AND JANET DID SUCH A GREAT JOB BUILDING THE BRAND AND NOW IT'S ALL BUT WORTHLESS
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It's to bad somebody that wanted to make a go of it couldn't take it over. It's my understanding that someone offered to buy it, but was refused in a less than pleasant manner.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN -
did Doug come out with a catalog yet
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'46 - yes, the Calif. Inland Chapter to which they belong & Dany's parents host the monthly meetings. The Inland Chapter is a big chapter with a lot of members but ~~~~~~~~~~~~
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2009 in Detroit I DON'T THINK THEY WERE THERE ALL WEEK THOUGH
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No they were'nt ,showed up at least half way thru the week. I thought it was odd at the time , guys were were walking around with money in hand looking for them.
RogerRetired Tech. -
Yeah, I would have liked to see them. K-Gap has ripped me off for like $400 for parts that I ordered in May of 2011. Those were paid for by pay-pal and never shipped. Those dirt-bags have their daughter answer the phone and give me the run around. No way to raise a family or run a business.
On the other hand, I can call Metro Rubber and have parts in a week. -
Here we go again..............!!
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So, back to me...where can I get the parts I'm looking for?
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Forgive me, remember I'm a newbie and am unaware of all this old-news-past-history stuff.
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Marker, does Pay-Pal work differently for K-Gap than for E-Bay? I thought they served as an escrow service, where the money wasn't paid to the seller until you'd received the goods.
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You can use PayPal like Western Union in a way by just transfering funds from one account to annother . That may be what they are doing,
RogerRetired Tech. -
Hello Park_W,
I don't know how PayPal works outside of E-bay, but when you have a PayPal transaction through an E-bay purchase, you have 45 days from the date of payment to get assistance from PayPal if you have a problem. After the 45 days, you are on your own.
I have noticed that K-GAP hasn't been listed in the "Member Products & Services" section of the WTN for the past few issues.
Take care,
Steve Bryson -
To try to steer this thread back to Joyce's original question: I think the motor mounts, fender welting, and hood corners should be available from other sources. The welting and hood corners are sort of "universal" items, so Metro Moulded and Lynn Steele (for example) might have them. The runningboard covers are (as far as I know) unique to K-Gap. As to the bumper grommets, I always got the feeling that even K-Gaps were adapted from grommets for a different make (maybe I'm wrong). But here again, you might look through the listings for the above-mentioned companies and see if there isn't a grommet for another make that would match.
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Joyce-
Keep in mind that we, as a collective, are in the midst of a change of providers, when one is referring to rubber products. The leading rubber provider of years past is, to a certain extent, being phased out and a new, leading provider is on the verge of hitting our market, although they have yet to advertise, or market as such, as they are still preparing their inventory, catalog, etc.
So, no it's not like calling up 1-800-send-me-a-ford-part. As Jon mentioned, sometimes it takes sitting the Steele Rubber Products catalog in front of you and finding a good match for that odd grommet or other part that you can't locate. Trust me, it's infinitely more rewarding when you DO find a part you can use and adapt or utilize it on your car. If it was a '37 Ford or some other non-independent, you wouldn't think twice about ordering a part and slapping it on your car . . . you'd never give it another thought.
To have a marque that is off of the beaten path often takes extra strides to maintain and restore, and that is just part of the great satisfaction of owning such a fine automobile.
That said, try Wildrick Restoration. If you call the shop, you will most likely reach my brother Dennis, and although their rubber division is not officially "open for business", I'm sure they will try to help in any way they can in the meantime. -
Thanks all, I will follow-up on the leads suggested!
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K-Gap R.I.P.
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DocHornet, I think K-Gap has gone beyond R.I.P. -more like R.I.P-off.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN -
We are still working to get a catolog out. We don't want to just throw one together. It takes alot of time to compile all of the special,correct fit rubber parts and pieces. We do have other items also. We also have alot of the Full-line parts in stock also. Dick and Rita have done a good job getting many of the more popular items out to us. Most don't have any idea how many hours it takes-BUT we are up for the challenge. Again,thanks for your patience and keep us in mind for your next rubber order as well as clutches and many,many other Hudson parts. Thanks Doug
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We'll wait Doug , it's not like K-Gap is trying to corner the market,
Roger =))Retired Tech. -
I must give Doug W credit for coming through for me and David Bergamin, by getting some windshield and other gaskets to me in time for my flight to Europe last summer. Doug is kept super busy with the repair and restoration aspects, and now Full Line.....he is getting some help from others, so things will progress.
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K-Gap's online store is closed.
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Was it ever open.??
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It was, I ordered and recieved a few items. Not fast but good quality and came with an apology , it's been 2+ years since my last order however.
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Actually, the K-Gap website is open, but the store is "CLOSED for maintenance". Guess I'm an incurable optimist...
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I dont think I've ever heard a complaint about the quality of Kgap items . Complaints are generaly of a differant nature ..........
RogerRetired Tech. -
ROGER YEA IT'S LIKE WAVING A PORKCHOP IN FRONT OF A DOG AND NEVER GIVING HIM A CHANCE TO GET AT WHATS OFFERED
DR DOUG WILL GET ALL OF MY BUSINESS A GREAT GUY WITH GOOD ITEMS AND ALWAYS A STRAIGHT ANSWER -
I just dont get why they insisted on letting what was argueably the main Hudson (new) parts supply house wither and die. In particular when you KNOW they were offered help in various forms up to and including a buy-out before it was too late.
Oh well ..........
Roger :(Retired Tech. -
They just don't care.
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Mid 30s Ford engine mounts are similar to the 37 Terraplane ones. I bought some 37T running board mats from KGAP a few years ago. Paid after delivery and was happy with Kgap on this occasion. The long rubber strips looked similar to the original, but around the edge the new mat was different to the original mat. If the repro mat was the same as the original the price would have been twice as dear, so I was happy. Next time I will find some rubber mat locally as my car will never be concourse judged. The metal running board has long grooves in it so a flat rubber mat wont look good unless you fill in the grooves or pop rivet a flat strip of metal on top. Regards, Barry
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Doug and I have corresponded back and forth via e-mail and his response has been immediate - I am certain he is going to come through with my shopping list (with the exception of the running board covers for the time being). I had my husband call him with a few specific questions and again, he was very responsive (I believe he may have spoken with Dennis as well). As I understand it, they have a lot of inventory available, but that it has not as of yet been completely cataloged, so one just has to ask and they will do their best to help you out. Looks very promising!
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i am very glad Mr. Wildrick has decided to expand, and get into this inventory.
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Doug is a very busy man, but always seems to find time to help out. We need more member/memders like him. I am sure he will do well, he just needs the time to get his new venture organized.
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It would make sense for Doug to buy out K Gap and consolidate all the products. I will not use K Gap after once again hearing of their intractability. Such a shame.
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Concerned people HAVE offered to buy out K-gap, only to be rebuffed.
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[quote="Ken U-Tx"].... only to be rebuffed....[/quote] delicately put.
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I would like to see the end of this discussion re KGAP. Everything has been said, and resaid. The Classic Car site is usually very positive and helpful. Barry
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Eat a rubber tree and extrude your own rubber,or order from K Gap with the same results..............your but ends up sore
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I wish they'd either 'git in or git out'. I'm out. I ordered a couple of clutch pads at least 2 yrs ago, paid via pay pal and never heard 'boo'.
The Metro part is listed at 'Rockauto' for 3.97 each. (Under 54 manual tranny.) I paid a lot more than that. Rockauto lists a lot of Hudson parts and they have them in your mailbox the 2nd day. Gotta check the latest year that will fit your car as their catalog is still under construction. Restoration Specialties in Wimber PA has a lot of our stuff also. Online catalog. -
"I would like to see the end of this discussion re KGAP. Everything has been said, and resaid. The Classic Car site is usually very positive and helpful. Barry"
Hello,
Normally, I might agree. But in this case, it is helpful to keep this discussion open, because it might help newcomers avoid the problems that, apparently, a lot have people have experienced with K-GAP. It would be interesting to see a list of everyone who ordered product from K-GAP and received neither the product or a refund.
It is great to support a business within the HET community, but if that businees is continually having major problems (and I would consider taking money and not sending the product or a refund a major problem), then the word needs to get out.
If I walked in to an auto parts store, and took out $350 worth of items without paying for them, I am pretty sure I would be arrested. If I did this multiple times I would likely go to jail.
Take care,
Steve Bryson -
Hello,
I checked the Better Business Bureau link posted above, and saw this most recent complaint:
"Complaint: 11/28/2012: I have been trying since March to get a hold of KGap to see where the rest of my parts are. I have faxed them letters; I have phoned them and left them messages; I have tried just calling them to see if they would answer and they haven't responded to anything. They have been paid in full ,yet I haven't received my full order. I have talked to other people who have dealt with them and some people have been waiting almost 2 years to get their parts. KGap seems to take your money and then takes their time to get you your parts. I missed a whole summer of possibly driving my 1949 Hudson because of not having the parts to finish it.
Business response: After reviewing the consumer’s account, we do owe him 4 items. These items have been on back order which he has been well aware of. He placed a $1038.00 order and out of that dollar amount we do owe him $284.00 for the items on back order and his 3 returned items. Not once has he asked for a refund, he has always said get them to him as soon as we can. When we reopen after the holidays we will send the consumer his refund for $284.00 and close his account and will not be selling to him again. This refund will include the 3 items he returned, he also returned a part that is not even ours and we will send that item back to him as well. The consumer was also aware of the issues we were having due to a prolong illness of a parent that has taken up our time for the last 5 years. She passed away this July 2012, and it has taken time to sort out her affairs and get our own company back on track."
This is very similar to my experience. I have been waiting for fully paid for parts since October 2009. I made phone calls and sent e-mails, and received similar promises and excuses. The only part I returned was a part they sent duplicates of in different shipments (and I sent it back on my dime). At first I was willing to wait for the parts, but after it got into the second year, I decided enough was enough, especially after reading on the Forum how others were ordering and receiving parts from K-GAP. When I started to not get phone messages returned, or was unable to leave a phone message because the voicemail was full, I went strictly to e-mail correspondence. That way I would at least have a record of my attempts to resolve the issue. I asked for a refund several times in e-mails, but didn't even get a reply.
I thank Rick (46HudsonPU) for posting the links above. I will make use of them this weekend.
Take care,
Steve Bryson
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Its not like this is not a valid topic for Hudson restores / owners to talk about. After all older cars need upkeep and upkeep = parts. So if the historicly favorite Hudson store is now a questionable entity . Then its worth our time to talk it over,
IMO
Roger #:-SRetired Tech. -
IMHO if I were in K-Gaps position, ie a family emergency making it difficult to run a business like this I think I would have sold out as soon as it became apparent I couldn't keep the business going. There are several extenuating circumstances here - family illness, working, trying to keep a sinking ship afloat. I certainly, myself, would not let things go on like this for this long.
I agree with stbryson - it is time to put this issue to bed. The word is out - K-gap should bite the bullet and find a buyer. Their business reputation is ruined and useless now.
Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN -
Meanwhile, we need to remember that K-Gap has quite a number of items that are not available elsewhere, so don'r expect that the soon-coming new suppliers' arrival will totally solve the rubber parts problem. Given that the Springs have chosen not to try to sell the business, let's hope they can get it back on track soon.
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If these repeated bad news customer experiences are true which surely they are, I am surprised that the relevant government authority has not closed them down by now or at least warned them.
K-Gap seems a bit spiteful against those who call them out and that is a bad sign I would say. To me that means they believe they are in the right, and/or are in denial. Of course we all have choices and the way they are operating is their chosen modus operandi. My choice is not to use them, as I daren't trust them. -
We have guys here in Australia trying to contact K-Gap, but are drawing a blank at each and every turn. Such a shame to see a good business built by Press and Janet go belly up,best wished to Dr Doug as we hope his new venture goes well as I'm sure it will with him running the show.
This discussion has been closed.
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