Experiences ordering parts from the UK

[Max W]

Anyone willing to share their experiences, good or bad, ordering parts from any of the UK suppliers.
I have a SeriesII, and I think I have a big enough order to make it worth while to pay the shipping.
The problem is I'm not having much success getting any of these UK dealers to answer simple emails about estimating shipping, that and the prices seem to be all over the map, and it seems like a crap shoot when you order a bearing or something else that requires a certain level of quality.

Who is the best UK dealer for Series parts? Stock, Quality, Service?
What can I expect for shipping costs to Canada?

Thanks

[LandyAndy]

Hi,

Prob John Craddocks, LRSeries or Paddocks for series stuff, with regards to quality you have to understand that unless your buying parts for a 4/5yr old vehicle getting OEM is very unlikely. For a S2 you need to be talking to a specialist series supplier (LRSeries) that may have NOS parts on the shelf still, if not you'll be into Britpart.

Shipping will be all over the place as there are many companies available with all different rates, I'd suggest that you find the all parts that you want from a single supplier & the shipping is, what it is.... otherwise you'll end up paying more for multiple shipments.

[ANDYD]

I would run your list of parts past Jeremy at Rocky Mountain parts first 604.913.7910. He is in North Vancouver.

He keeps a lot of Land Rover Series parts in stock and you can pick them all up in one go ...

[pquin]

I'm a regular customer of both John Craddock and Paddock Spares.

Craddock has the more comprehensive catalogue, although it gets smaller every week. Paddocks is the cheaper of the two, including freight charges. I've been happy with both.

it is difficult for either of them to give you a freight quote as they are volume parts houses with the parts in a large warehouse. They can't take the time to assemble and order and weight / measure just to get an accurate freight quote.

From my experience, small items that fit in a Royal Mail envelope can be shipped for about 10 pounds and get her in about 10 days. That said, I ordered a full set of brake drums and various other parts a few years ago and the freight bill was in the $150 range. At $20 per brake drum cost at the time, I more than made up the savings.

I do try to shop locally when I can but sometimes the saved dollar will rule and I'll spend it overseas.

Paul.

[LandyAndy]

Just remembered... TRS Auto in Calgary bought up all the stock from Rover Park Boys, give them a call too.

[Dave_F]

Try to avoid companies that use UPS....Fedex is far cheaper and Royal Post is the best for smaller items.

Also remember to have the supplier state that the contents are for a antique automobile, that way you should not have to pay duties as these items are exempt.

[Max W]

Thanks for the comments.
I've tried ordering locally before and don't have any complaints, I just want to see if the UK option will be any cheaper with the high cost of shipping. I think if I have enough items on the list it will compensate for the shipping costs.

I am going to try Paddock's and see how that goes.
I must say that using their web site has been rather frustrating, missing pictures, parts not listed , hangs, very slow searchs by part number, timeouts with the cart, never seems to get the quantity correct. But after several hours cursing it I managed to get an order into it.
I think some of these companies use their cousins twelve year old nephew to design and update their web sites. They should take a look at how the electronic parts suppliers build their web sites, Digikey is amazing compared to these automotive sites. Just my opinion.

I'm also not pleased that I can't order brand name wheel bearings, NTN, Timken, etc. It looks like you can on the Cradocks site and others. I also don't understand the 4X premium for name brand bearings, that seems to be something unique to land rover suppliers.

I still don't know what shipping will be, but I expect it to be steep, hopefully the saving on the parts will offset the shipping. Will see.

[mepham55]

I'd second what Andy said above, try Jeremy first especially for anything heavy.
If you want to order from across the pond I've ordered from everyone and I would say lrseries is the best (this is the same owners as PA Blanchards) their website is clear and they give you a choice or OEM or aftermarket. Just tell them when you checkout you want your parts shipped by royal mail and you'll save the headache of dealing with r off couriers.

Matt