Avoid Products from j-f-customs and Topgaiters, eBay Sellers

Discussion in 'MINI' started by maldav, Sep 28, 2016.

  1. maldav

    maldav New Member

    Sep 23, 2016
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    I have an R53 and thought a leather dash kit would be a nice upgrade to the interior. The JCW kit is now well out of production, so aftermarket is the only available option.

    I noticed on eBay a company in Britain offering leather dash kits for the R53, as well as a number of other models. The seller had a high feedback score and no negative feedback that was particularly troubling.

    I bought a kit and, some time later, took my car to my trim shop to have it installed. The trim shop technician called me later to tell me he could not install the kit because it was not cut properly: it was too small and would not fit over the dash pieces.

    By this time, I was outside the dispute window, so on my own I contacted the seller via e-mail. The seller replied saying, send pictures and a replacement kit will be shipped. I sent pictures. Neither a replacement kit nor replies to my follow-up e-mail messages was ever received.

    If you are considering an interior trim item from j-f-customs, J F Boots, Topgaiters or Macie Dekert at [email protected], I encourage you to reconsider given its product workmanship and customer service practices.
     
  2. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Well thanks for the heads up. Welcome to MA!
     
  3. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Better warning, DO NOT BUY ANY PARTS FROM eBAY.
     
  4. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Check out redlinegoods.com
     
  5. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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    So I ordered a set of gaiters (boots) from Topgaiter for the Justa. Black with Red stitching. Price was right, and fast delivery from the UK. That, however, is where the good news ends.

    I managed to get the shift knob off without smashing my sunroof, or neutering myself. Then I removed the old shift boot. When I tried to fit the new boot, the plastic inner retaining ring snapped. On closer inspection, I found that 1, the holes for the clips were incorrectly spaced, and 2, the holes are too far from the edge of the boot.

    Now I can't even refit my old boot because of the broken retaining ring. To say that I am a little pissed would be an understatement.

    Let this be a lesson to all that are thinking of buying these boots. You get what you pay for, and check and double check the fitment of the holes.

    Anyone know where I can get a new retaining ring from?


    This is an old post of mine from 7/11/2015.
     
  6. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Contact eMINIparts for a good deal on the part you need. :Thumbsup:
     
  7. GokartPilot

    GokartPilot Well-Known Member

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    Agree:Thumbsup:. I bought a shift boot, emergency brake boot and armrest covers. I had the armrests on the doors embroidered with the GP logo. There was a mix up with the color for the logo and they fixed it free of charge. Everything fit as it was suppose to with a little trimming and tucking here and there. IMO well worth the money. Just keep the communication open.
     
  8. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    Maybe their quality went down. I have their dash kit, shifter and e-brake covers all went on without an issue. I've had them on for almost 2 years now and they still look good.
     
  9. JMC40

    JMC40 Well-Known Member

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    Wait...so those eBay camber plates I bought for like $50 are probably crap?
     
  10. JMC40

    JMC40 Well-Known Member

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    eMINIparts, is awesome! When I had my '02 R53 they were the only place that was able to source the JCW suspension kit for it!
     
  11. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Yup :lol::lol::lol::lol:
     
  12. rkw

    rkw Well-Known Member

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    That's right, not eBay. Go Craigslist instead!
     
  13. 95defender90

    95defender90 New Member

    Aug 16, 2020
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    I agree - avoid JF customs.


    TLDR: JF customs sent me parts that didn’t fit and were artificial leather that ruined the dashboard on my Land Rover. They admitted to sending the wrong parts but will not resolve the situation.

    Here’s what happened:
    1. The parts they sent were fake leather, very different than what they’ll send you as a sample - see images
    2. The parts they sent were for the wrong car - RHD vs. my car which is left-hand-drive - see images
    3. They told me not to worries when I asked questions before installation began, it was only after I was done and showed pictures that they acknowledged they sent the wrong parts and I should not have installed them.
    4. They won’t refund or help with the purchase. I spent $500 to install and ruined my dashboard in the process. They will only refund if I send the parts back - the problem is I can’t, they’re permanently glued to my dashboard.
    5. There were shipping issues. I paid $75 for express shipping. They sent regular mail and I had to reschedule installation.

    I really wanted to like these guys. Unfortunately I’m out $660 for the parts, $500 for the installation and my dashboard looks much worse than it did before I started. JFCustoms will not help you if you have a problem and seems to have figured out how to manage their Ebay reviews.
     

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  14. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    As a rule I avoid all eBay parts sellers.
     
  15. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
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    #15 Crashton, Aug 16, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2020
    I sure won't be buying Land Rover parts for my wife's MINI. Curious as to why you posted this on a MINI forum.
     
  16. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Well this thread was started in 2016 by a member that had a bad experience with this company. It would appear from @95defender90 post this company is still someone to avoid.
     
  17. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I just find it odd he posted here. You get a wrong part & then try to install it at a large cost? Seems buying from this vendor was just the first of the mistakes the poster made.

    Back on topic......

    MINI MINI MINI.....
     

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