McGee ends reseller agreement with AutoGeek and Autopia

Well here it is just like everyone else said it would be.

I also cannot believe they dont have some tracking software to tell customers when there is nothing left in stock. Even if it is just a pending order against your stock on hand it shouldnt let you order. Im just about done with AG and ACC myself. How can they go from the BEST in the business to average in 3 years? REALLY SAD

Date: 1/13/2020
Online Order #: 235245
Internal Order #: 2360345

Dear Don,

We are sorry to inform you that we are no longer carrying some of the merchandise on your recent order. The discontinued item has been removed from your invoice. If applicable, a refund will be issued.

Discontinued item: 16 oz. McKee`s 37 Foaming Wheel Cleaner Gel

We thank you for shopping with us. If you should have any further questions, feel free to contact us.

Regards,
Customer Service
Autopia Car Care
customerservice@autopia-carcare.com
1-877-855-3125
 
Successful people generally don`t have *egos*, they have self esteem. There`s a reason why people in the Psych field derisively call big egos "selfish steam" ;)

Being "meek" or not is a completely different topic that has nothing to do with this. Getting a lawyer to pursue something...anything... in the Courts only takes a phone call or an email, but be careful what you wish for. The meekest guy in the world can drag something through the courts forever, or at least until he runs out of money (and maybe time) since lawyers are doing his fighting for him until his checks don`t clear. The boldest guy in the world may well have better things to expend his resources on, and the self-confidence to allocate those resources rationally regardless of what others think about it.

Back to the topic at hand...

[Accumulator climbs down off his soapbox..]
 
dcjredline said:
Well here it is just like everyone else said it would be.

I also cannot believe they don`t have some tracking software to tell customers when there is nothing left in stock. Even if it is just a pending order against your stock on hand it shouldn`t let you order. I`m just about done with AG and ACC myself. How can they go from the BEST in the business to average in 3 years? REALLY SAD
Click to expand...

These order issues about being able to order things that aren`t really in stock, and either them just getting cancelled later, or the order being held up without notification, have been going on FOREVER at PBMG. I think I`ve had this problem going back to probably the first time I ordered in 2004 or 2005, I`ve posted about it over time, we had a big go-round with it almost 5 years ago in a thread, where I was PM`ing Ray with suggestions.

On the plus side, I seem to have succeeded with the foaming wheel cleaner where you didn`t :D The only thing that got canceled AFTER I ordered was the glass coating...there were 3 items I had in my cart that they told me weren`t really there only after I put my CC info in and pressed the button. I really don`t understand how that didn`t happen when I went from "cart" to "checkout", but it didn`t and then it wouldn`t accept my CC after it removed the items, and I had to use a different payment method (unless it asked for the expiration or CVV again and I missed it).

A few days into this they DID remove a number of items from the store that posters in this thread had noted were gone, but like you, hard to imagine a system where they have to do that manually instead of it dynamically tracking inventory, even if it`s not quite right since the count can get screwed up lots of ways.
 
Accumulator said:
Hey, that`s good thinking! As the Self-Help gal says, "just store stuff at the store by not buying it until you need it".

I`m trying to be better about that too, including not telling myself that I "have to buy [whatever] while I still can". Lots of "it can`t get better than this!" stuff I`ve..accumulated...isn`t All That after all (anybody want tons of M16? :o ).
Click to expand...

Yeah, I do that all the time... I love XYZ so much that I need to keep some around in case it gets discontinued. There is only 1 thing I would truly miss if it was NLA, and that is Klasse AIO. There is nothing with similar functionality. The other stuff always has similar replacements.
 
Dan- I *don`t* regret stocking up on certain unique 1Z Pro-Line Polishes, but that`s about it. I`m probably forgetting something I`d hate to be without, but I guess *that`s* a clue :o Well...3M PI-III Machine Glaze is the *perfect* polish for exterior Audi black plastics..but I bet something else would work fine too.

I agree with you on the KAIO, although the Poorboy`s Polish with Sealant that JustJesus sent me seems very similar. Nice that the KAIO never goes bad, stuff I bought in the `90s looks awful but still works just like new.
 
dcjredline said:
I also cannot believe they dont have some tracking software to tell customers when there is nothing left in stock. Even if it is just a pending order against your stock on hand it shouldnt let you order. Im just about done with AG and ACC myself. How can they go from the BEST in the business to average in 3 years? REALLY SAD

Date: 1/13/2020
Online Order #: 235245
Internal Order #: 2360345
Click to expand...

I think that is just it, AG and AU web stores do not have visibility to their inventory systems. The best evidence of that is that you were issued an order number AND an internal order number. That means the web store likely e-mails order details to some internal system which cuts a purchase order for the warehouse system. Sigh.

Think about it-- the AU forum cannot even deal with apostrophes.
 
bofh said:
I think that is just it, AG and AU web stores do not have visibility to their inventory systems. The best evidence of that is that you were issued an order number AND an internal order number. That means the web store likely e-mails order details to some internal system which cuts a purchase order for the warehouse system. Sigh.

Think about it-- the AU forum cannot even deal with apostrophes.
Click to expand...
I would agree

I ordered this through Autogeek

https://www.autogeek.net/boyd-coddington-interior-detailer.html

I got an email saying it is discontinued and it was cancelled from my order, but it still shows on the cyber busters page.

Really disappointed because it looked like a good I terior detailer to use between cleanings

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk
 
It’s funny but two orders, one from AG and one from Autopia and all my gallons got cancelled. Good way to get rid of the 16oz bottles people probably weren’t buying.

“Hey get this gallon of stuff you want at a great price!”

Sure.... oops need to spend a little more to get free shipping or just try new stuff.

“Oh hey sorry but the great deal on the gallons you wanted are gone but were still gonna ship you the things were trying to get rid off....cool?”

I kid.... sort of... what i dont like is how they notify you with a form letter and don’t ask how you’d like to proceed with rest of orders, I cancelled both.... and seriously though... did anyone actually get the gallons they ordered?

Try not to usually focus on the negative but left a sour taste in my mouth....




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Coatings=crack said:
I kid.... sort of... what i dont like is how they notify you with a form letter and don’t ask how you’d like to proceed with rest of orders, I cancelled both.... and seriously though... did anyone actually get the gallons they ordered?

Try not to usually focus on the negative but left a sour taste in my mouth....




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Yesterday I received 4 out of the 6 gallons I ordered. I pulled the box in the house and caught a whiff of citrus. I thought it was the Sumo Orange sitting on the counter. Once I opened the box I discovered it was actually half a gallon of Tar Max. I emailed autopia this morning to see what they will do. I know it was 50% off but I didn`t think it meant I received 50% less of the product. ;)
The last time I placed a large order I had products that arrived leaking all over due to poor packaging. This time it was packaged relatively well but apparently I cannot place orders for anything heavy from them anymore.

I ordered Thursday 1/9 at 8:18am. I tried to order 3 gallons of iron remover and 3 gallons of other items. The order went through like everyone else. I received a shipping notification at 1:01pm showing only 1 gallon of tar max but the other 3 items were listed, so I promptly emailed them saying I think there was a mistake. The reply said sorry we don`t have enough product (tar max) and a refund will be coming. I received the refund notification shortly there after. It`s annoying and I`m surprised there isn`t better item tracking but what can ya do? I like to buy from autopia to support the forum but after repeat issues it makes it hard to keep coming back. We will see how they handle this, generally customer service is good from them.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Gallons always seem to be a crapshoot.
Click to expand...

In the past I`ve ordered large amounts and large quantities and not had an issue.
As I expected, customer service stepped up and is shipping me the leaked amount in 16oz bottle equivalents. That`s exactly the service that keeps me here.

I sure wish I was able to get 3 gallons of iron remover though, verses the 1 gallon I received.
 
The whole `inventory issue is not that BIG of a deal to me. I`m going way back. With David, there would be no Autopia. Then the spawn off of the multiple forums, which fast foward to today, exisited PBMG/ACC/AG - and the 2 forums of autopia/ago. The -talk- / content has changed, but that`s just the nature of the beast. They are still running the stores on yahoo ecommerce (which is old, outdate). Every retailer struggles with inventory managment/count in one way shape or another.....It must cost $$$ to convert to a new pos, and maybe part of the challange is also keeping the historical data of past orders, so hence they stick with yahoo ecommerce. I dunno.....not that it matters.

As long as this free forum exist so we can YAK on the products and as long as the prices are still good over at ACC/AG, then I live with all the good and the bad....
 
audicoupej said:
Yesterday I received 4 out of the 6 gallons I ordered. I pulled the box in the house and caught a whiff of citrus. I thought it was the Sumo Orange sitting on the counter. Once I opened the box I discovered it was actually half a gallon of Tar Max. I emailed autopia this morning to see what they will do. I know it was 50% off but I didn`t think it meant I received 50% less of the product. ;)
The last time I placed a large order I had products that arrived leaking all over due to poor packaging. This time it was packaged relatively well but apparently I cannot place orders for anything heavy from them anymore.

I ordered Thursday 1/9 at 8:18am. I tried to order 3 gallons of iron remover and 3 gallons of other items. The order went through like everyone else. I received a shipping notification at 1:01pm showing only 1 gallon of tar max but the other 3 items were listed, so I promptly emailed them saying I think there was a mistake. The reply said sorry we don`t have enough product (tar max) and a refund will be coming. I received the refund notification shortly there after. It`s annoying and I`m surprised there isn`t better item tracking but what can ya do? I like to buy from autopia to support the forum but after repeat issues it makes it hard to keep coming back. We will see how they handle this, generally customer service is good from them.
Click to expand...

Theyll take care of you on leaked gallons, great customer service but i get it, its annoying. Im just hoping its a one time thing and not changes from new owners. Ive worked for several small companies purchased by larger ones and sometimes its logistics that were fixed and sometimes it was new owners making decisions.

Anyways for me customer service is key and if your unhappy with a company.... your dollars really inly way to speak up.


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I hate to play the devil`s advocate (You already are, Captain Obvious!) but I do wonder how much business and, hence, profits, the Autopia Store will lose because of this change by a car-care manufacturer. I do not know what percentage of sales McKee`s-37 represented for PBMG, but if you are like me, I tend to buy my car-care detailing supplies from ONE source so I only have to fill out ONE order form and deal with ONE company, not to mention the free shipping that generally goes along with a larger dollar amount in a single order. Not that I have not ordered from multiple supplies, but having to order a few items from a different supplier because my main supplier may not carry a product I really like and use usually means I will do without it because the shipping cost are just too much. But that is the frugal me.
And if someone here says, "I`d rather order from Amazon on ONE order for ALL my detailing supplies AND it is free shipping" well, PBMG is loosing far more sales revenue, and hence profits, than just not having McKee`s-37 anymore.
And, as stated in previous posts, many of you Autopians , both hobbyists and professional, really like using McKee`s-37 products and will continue to do so and buy them from other places.
 
Lonnie said:
I hate to play the devil`s advocate (You already are, Captain Obvious!) but I do wonder how much business and, hence, profits, the Autopia Store will lose because of this change by a car-care manufacturer. I do not know what percentage of sales McKee`s-37 represented for PBMG, but if you are like me, I tend to buy my car-care detailing supplies from ONE source so I only have to fill out ONE order form and deal with ONE company, not to mention the free shipping that generally goes along with a larger dollar amount in a single order. Not that I have not ordered from multiple supplies, but having to order a few items from a different supplier because my main supplier may not carry a product I really like and use usually means I will do without it because the shipping cost are just too much. But that is the frugal me.
And if someone here says, "I`d rather order from Amazon on ONE order for ALL my detailing supplies AND it is free shipping" well, PBMG is loosing far more sales revenue, and hence profits, than just not having McKee`s-37 anymore.
And, as stated in previous posts, many of you Autopians , both hobbyists and professional, really like using McKee`s-37 products and will continue to do so and buy them from other places.
Click to expand...

The only drawback I`ve seen from buying from Autopia is the slow shipping times. Almost every competitor offers same day shipping but I`ve often had orders shipped the following day or even the end of the following day or effectively shipped on the day after that. As slow as UPS is, it adds 1 to 2 days to the time I receive the order. This makes the quick shipping of Amazon very attractive, especially if you need something quickly.
 
Lonnie said:
I hate to play the devil`s advocate, but I do wonder how much business and, hence, profits, the Autopia Store will lose because of this change by a car-care manufacturer.
Click to expand...

I think you are right that the impact on PBMG will be fairly small, after all, how many brands have come and gone from the store over the years?

I think this was more of a jolt to the community because of the people involved, that it seemed like some sort of personal break or snub, but now that I`m thinking about it there were some pretty nasty personnel problems shortly before the...divestiture...and maybe that was the main reason for the whole thing. I`m trying to remember the drama but perhaps it`s better that I don`t because it`s probably better not to rehash it.
 
RZJZA80 said:
The only drawback I`ve seen from buying from Autopia is the slow shipping times. Almost every competitor offers same day shipping but I`ve often had orders shipped the following day or even the end of the following day or effectively shipped on the day after that. As slow as UPS is, it adds 1 to 2 days to the time I receive the order. This makes the quick shipping of Amazon very attractive, especially if you need something quickly.
Click to expand...

AGREE! I ordered Sunday 1/12 @just before 7pm eastern time. I live in upstate NY near Rochester (not way up upstate lol) and the tracking info says it wont be here till Friday. It didnt ship out till Tuesday just before 10am Eastern time. By the time it even left ACC, Amazons order would have been at the distribution center here in NY. It may be worth another $4 for that order (price of items may be more on Amazon) to have it in a couple days instead of 5!!!
 
Amazon Prime has all us consumers spoiled. 2 Day, Next Day, SAME Day.

This forum, in which we are using it`s free resources to talk and share about the hobby as such.
I`d rather at last -pay it back- by shopping under the same umbrella given the options.
 
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