CJ Pony Parts shipping rates

Granted I am new to this process, but is it just me or are the shipping rates from anything on CJ's completely outrageous? Regardless of what I plan on ordering, the rates are usually double the price of the item. Case in point, looking for a new NACA hood for the coupe. CJ has one for $319.00. The only option of truck freight is an additional $349.00. Total of $719 and some odd change. Dash pad...$137. With shipping $ 248. Seems pretty excessive.

NPD in Ocala is an hour drive away. Their NACA hood is $419 with onsite pickup. Pretty sure that's going to be my go-to at this point. I get the weight/transport costs, but the shipping for CJPP seems to greatly outweigh the desire to even shop with them. Think I'll just start making punch lists and taking a Saturday drive for shopping sprees.

Just curious if this is a common gripe amongst the group. Most likely this has been posted or commented on plenty in the past.

- PBR

NPD is my first option, with WCCC second. You are lucky to be close to NPD.

I stopped buying from CJ several years ago due to poor service and increasing back orders. NPD, Kentucky Mustang, and Rock Auto are my preferred sources now since they have inventory and can deliver quickly. I've never experienced a back order from these. Another to consider is Virginia Classic Mustang, though I seldom buy from them they have come through when I have.

Shipping is and always has been a problem with sheetmetal parts. With NPD being so close, I'd be hard pressed to shop anywhere else. Mustangs Unlimited was 45 minutes from me, and I miss being able to order online or over the phone, and go there to pick up my parts. It was a huge advantage to be able to inspect any sheetmetal before taking it home.

CJPP has a reputation that, IMO, is well deserved. They are known for less than stellar customer service, substituting parts without contacting the customer, and "sales" that aren't sales at all. Right now they have an "up to" 20% sale +8% Halloween deal on regular priced items. The issue is that most of their parts are "on sale" all the time from some made up list or MSRP price, and that "sale" price is about the same as everyone else's "regular" price.

Their newest money grab is to automatically op you in for Extend shipping protection.

A fuel line kit is $71.99 at CJ Pony, and $98.84 at NPD

I'm wondering if it balances out at shipping, but I'm noticing NPD prices are higher

I’ve noticed that price differance as well. But for me, and I can only speak to my experiences, so far, I haven’t bought a part from NPD or WCCC that I regretted buying. Absolutely cannot say that about CJ. I also live 97 miles from the Ventura Ca NPD warehouse.

And, for what it’s worth, most of us know more about the process and shortcomings coming from the repop market because @Rick@NPD has been gracious in telling us how the process works. Maybe I missed it, but I haven’t received that kind of help from anyone at CJ’s.

GERMYS_72 said:

A fuel line kit is $71.99 at CJ Pony, and $98.84 at NPD

I'm wondering if it balances out at shipping, but I'm noticing NPD prices are higher

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They are higher, but once you get CJPP's shipping rates, they come in below what your final price ends up being. I'm sure CJPP has its "sweet spot" for some... but for major items (to Sheriffs point, sheet metal) or large components, other options seem to be better, not only with the shipping costs, but to many of the comments above...the service aspect.

As mentioned, I'm lucky to only be an hour away from NPD, and to Steve's point above, I have never had bad service with their team. I've had guys from NPD personally call me back on my cell phone with suggestions on things that I spoke about during a purchase, just because they genuinely wanted to help.

Plus it gives me a reason to take the coupe out for a two hour shopping ride!

- PBR

GERMYS_72 said:

A fuel line kit is $71.99 at CJ Pony, and $98.84 at NPD

I'm wondering if it balances out at shipping, but I'm noticing NPD prices are higher

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I'd have to see the specific SKU at CJ's, and go through the motions of checking-out with it, to see where they land in the "delivered" column... I'll elaborate more on my next post to everyone following this thread...

Rick
NPD

Rick@NPD said:

I'd have to see the specific SKU at CJ's, and go through the motions of checking-out with it, to see where they land in the "delivered" column... I'll elaborate more on my next post to everyone following this thread...

Rick
NPD

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Just as an example on this NACA hood. Here was the screen cap from the CJPP cart prior to me deciding to head to your Ocala location. This is to me here in Orlando.

Paul Schmidt said:

They are higher, but once you get CJPP's shipping rates, they come in below what your final price ends up being. I'm sure CJPP has its "sweet spot" for some... but for major items (to Sherrifs point, sheet metal) or large components, other options seem to be better, not only with the shipping costs, but to many of the comments above...the service aspect.

As mentioned, I'm lucky to only be an hour away from NPD, and to Steve's point above, I have never had bad service with their team. I've had guys from NPD personally call me back on my cell phone with suggestions on things that I spoke about during a purchase, just because they genuinely wanted to help.

Plus it gives me a reason to take the coupe out for a two hour shopping ride!

- PBR

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Hey, this is good news! If you come up on a weekday, email me first, and I'll make sure you get a chance to stroll through our collection. It'll definitely make your trip worthwhile. My email is [email protected]

And you have definitely put a spotlight on a major point that I'll elaborate on below... The total delivered cost, including whatever "fees" are involved, is what counts. There are plenty of old-school (and slimy) business tactics that are still widespread on the internet, not just in restoration parts, but in everything you might buy...

This is to everyone/anyone reading this thread, random thoughts/points, likely in random order LOL!!!

* As has already been pointed out, price and price alone does not paint the full picture. We have plenty of competitors who make it a practice of setting low-ball prices for products, only to bend you over at the checkout counter. The total cost, delivered, is what matters. Truck freight items is a common one, where the advertised price lures you in, but the shipping fee gobbles-up all of your perceived savings.

* Handling fees, Insurance fees, exorbitant shipping fees, these are all manners in which companies clamor to have the lowest prices when prospective buyers are comparison shopping and doing spreadsheets, only to get all of that money back (and then some) at checkout. We just don't do it. Never have, never will, regardless of the consequences. We give hobbyists the benefit of the doubt, and the respect, that they'll figure things out for themselves in the long-run. We've never felt that it's good business sense to treat customers like suckers.

* Insurance - What a joke, what a money-grab that is. Is everyone aware that UPS automatically places $100 insurance on every standard ground shipment? It's free. And if something more valuable than that is damaged, you can still claim with UPS, and assuming the items were packed to UPS standard specs, they compensate. If NOT, i.e. if an NPD shipment is damaged, and the UPS claim is denied due to inadequate packing, then NPD shoulders the responsibility to replace the merchandise. We self-insure, we don't place the onus and expense on YOU to ensure that your stuff arrives complete and undamaged. Why should you have to pay a fee to ensure that we do our job correctly?? Insurance fees, and insurance up-sells, absolutely blow my mind. I don't know how these folks sleep at night.

* Sometimes we're more expensive. That happens. We can't be cheapest on everything. But also, please understand that in many cases the product that we are selling is not the same manufacturer/quality/correctness that our competitor might be selling at a lower price. The notion that "all reproduction parts are the same, made by a handful of actual manufacturers" is pure bunk, absolute B.S.. Especially with the Mustang market, which is huge. NPD alone sources to over 1,100 active manufacturers and distributors, and in more cases than not, there are choices on a product-by-product basis. We have been laser-focused for almost 50 years now to ensure that everything we're carrying is the best version of that item we can possibly get our hands on. It's our matrix of sourcing, and our constant attention to it, that (I believe firmly) sets us apart. And in cases where the various choices also vary considerably in price, we'll usually offer BOTH (sometimes 3 choices), so that you have the ability to choose based upon your budget and priorities. We also read every single product review that comes through, acting on those where/when we can.

This industry is so competitive, that there's almost always a ying to the yang, a robbing of Peter to pay Paul, a give and take, when it comes to the overall levels of quality, service and speed you'll receive. You're not just buying parts, you're buying the research that went into identifying/sourcing the best. You're buying the pay-rate of the phone salesperson who's been with the company for 10-20 years solid and knows what they're talking about. You're buying the service-after-the-sale, should something be defective or go wrong in any way.

All of those things come at an expense. And the companies that tend to be the cheapest on the parts, tend to not have enough money left-over from the transaction to fund the product/sourcing-research, or to retain good sales personnel, or to be able to afford to self-insure and make-good if stuff goes bad down the road.

So it's a matrix, and our matrix is what it is.

Sorry so long folks!!! I get going, and I can't shut up!!

Rick
NPD

Rick@NPD said:

Hey, this is good news! If you come up on a weekday, email me first, and I'll make sure you get a chance to stroll through our collection. It'll definitely make your trip worthwhile. My email is [email protected]

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and this speaks to the service mentioned. Thanks Rick. Sent ya an email. Looking forward to taking a drive out to see you all.

- PBR

I'm ten years into my restoration. My first large purchase many years ago was from CJPP, floor pans. A couple months after receiving-I move slow, I found out they were wrong. They sent pans from 69-70 Mustang instead of the 71-73 that I had ordered. Because of high shipping return cost, I made them work. I then discovered NPD, only 15 minutes from my house. I've purchased everything from them since. Great customer service. They ask the right questions when you buy to make sure you're getting what you need. They open up boxes in front of you to make sure there isn't any hidden damage. They'll help or take large parts out to your vehicle. They handle any returns with grace. Have always been treated with respect. Their prices are usually a little higher than other internet prices but you get what you pay for. I am happy to support a business that does things right and don't resent them making a reasonable profit, so they can continue to be there for me. My last two major purchases were a hood and deck lid. Both fit like the originals, or damn close. My 2 cents.

fd7 said:

I'm ten years into my restoration. My first large purchase many years ago was from CJPP, floor pans. A couple months after receiving-I move slow, I found out they were wrong. They sent pans from 69-70 Mustang instead of the 71-73 that I had ordered. Because of high shipping return cost, I made them work. I then discovered NPD, only 15 minutes from my house. I've purchased everything from them since. Great customer service. They ask the right questions when you buy to make sure you're getting what you need. They open up boxes in front of you to make sure there isn't any hidden damage. They'll help or take large parts out to your vehicle. They handle any returns with grace. Have always been treated with respect. Their prices are usually a little higher than other internet prices but you get what you pay for. I am happy to support a business that does things right and don't resent them making a reasonable profit, so they can continue to be there for me. My last two major purchases were a hood and deck lid. Both fit like the originals, or damn close. My 2 cents.

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Wow, you just made my Friday, my whole weekend... Everything that you just said precisely lays-out our goals and deliverables. Extremely gratifying to read. THANK YOU, for that post, and for your past and hopefully future business! We appreciate it. Which NPD are you close to?

Rick
NPD

Canton, MI. I also forgot to mention the excellent print catalog. I know that must cost a lot to produce. There's times I don't know what a part is called and I can search the catalog and find out. There's also reference to related or hardware necessary to install a part, very helpful. I hope you guys never give up on the catalog like so many other retailers have. The only critique I really have is your website. Can be slow sometimes and the search could be improved.

fd7 said:

Canton, MI. I also forgot to mention the excellent print catalog. I know that must cost a lot to produce. There's times I don't know what a part is called and I can search the catalog and find out. There's also reference to related or hardware necessary to install a part, very helpful. I hope you guys never give up on the catalog like so many other retailers have. The only critique I really have is your website. Can be slow sometimes and the search could be improved.

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Keep this up, and everyone will think that I've set up a second ghost profile, and I'm orchestrating this discourse all by myself LOL...

Yes, thank you for your remarks on the catalog. No matter how much effort and push we put behind further-developing our website, there's just no replacing a good print catalog as being an important tool in your toolbox. There is no way to lay product out online in the same manner as a catalog, where related components and fastener kits are all logically placed within the vicinity of the primary piece you're shopping for. People who are addicted (and I use that word intentionally) to search windows, will only see items that match-up with the terms entered into the window, in an order and sort that is computer-generated, not human-logic generated. The point being, you only see what you see, and you never know or realize what you're not seeing. In the catalog, there's no way to miss it, section-by-section we splay-out the entire product-line for you.

The slowness is often a function of high-traffic, and/or occasional external hackery.. The latter, is an ongoing battle. I think if you've been on CJ's lately, you'll see that they check to see if you're "human" the moment you enter the site. We might have to resort to something similar, if we cannot find better ways to keep the spammers and hackers from screwing with us.

The search window is far more difficult. We're NPD, not Google.. We do not have billions in resources, along with our own AI, to help translate what you "think" a part is named in our system into what we ACTUALLY describe a part as. If you say pad and we say pedal, you're not going to find it with that term. We're constantly trying to fortify optional terms and even misspellings, but it's an enormous mountain. 160,000 different products! And if someone thinks that we can just magically "stitch it all together" in a manner such that when you search for a brake booster, you'll get everything else that you might possibly need/want displayed along with it, you're not understanding the complexity of that. Because stitching those results together accurately is year/model/driveline/option dependent. Two different cars that use the same booster might require completely different supporting materials. You just CANNOT stitch that all together into one quilt.

Bottom-line, my best advice for anyone struggling with our search is... Keep it simple. Less is more. Don't dirty-up your search with too many terms, don't include the year (that's what the filter beside the window is for), and when what you're looking for isn't popping up, don't think that ADDING details and terms is going to help you. It's the opposite, you're murdering your search. Pare-back to just one or two primary terms that you KNOW must be in our title or description. And always keep in the back of your mind that you might be using a term that we are not, and try another term. Such as rag joint versus coupler.

And if all else fails, Click on a product-category and drill-down. I had a guy recently complaining that he couldn't find a headlight harness for a '70 Mach 1 on our site. His problem was he was searching "head light" instead of headlight. The computer can't know to put two words together. But I also explained to him that if he'd just clicked Electrical, Wire Harness, Headlight Harness, without even needing to touch his keyboard, bing-bam-boom, he would've had his harness right there on the screen. The drill-downs are your friend, because they're laid-out the most like the print catalog.

Sorry so long again!!!

Rick
NPD

Yea, if we’re being honest, I sometimes use Google to search inside the NPD.com website to find a part. And, if you’re asking, it would be a nice feature to have a spreadsheet appearance in the wish list, with part name, number, quantity, price, etc. with a total at the bottom so we can inform the wife!

Steve McMahan said:

so we can inform the wife!

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lol...this is gold.

Steve McMahan said:

Yea, if we’re being honest, I sometimes use Google to search inside the NPD.com website to find a part. And, if you’re asking, it would be a nice feature to have a spreadsheet appearance in the wish list, with part name, number, quantity, price, etc. with a total at the bottom so we can inform the wife!

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I will submit that idea to our IT Department. Thanks!!

This has been a very information packed and helpful thread. It is great to get feedback directly from the source (Rick) on the inner workings of the business and how they have established their guiding principles. All of these years of acquiring parts from Ocala and Charlotte have been well invested. I might add it is also great to see the in stock status on the website. This really helps me understand if it is going to actually ship rather than wait 3 weeks to find out it was out of stock to begin with. In most cases these cars are our hobby and often times not a daily driver. I would rather know that it is not available now and wait to order the part when it shows in stock. Thank you for everyone in sharing in this exchange and further reinforcing my faith in NPD of keeping the customer front and center in the business.