Thread: PAW Gone

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Another 'bastion' of the performance world has disappeared I did a lot of business in the distant past - that is until they got slower then cold molasses with shipping parts orders. Then off to others like Summit. Too bad they couldn't keep up/catch up with the others.

Years ago I got stuff from them with good results. Sometimes I'd have stuff shipped to me & sometimes I drive down to get stuff {about 1 1/4 hours away, WITHOUT traffic}.... THEN, the last time I dealt with them I called ahead to see if they had a part. The guy {& I got his name} told me they had it in stock & that he put the part in his desk drawer to save for me. Well, you guessed it! I drove all the way down to get the part AND he didn't put it in his desk, in fact they didn't even have the part in stock [not sure if it had sold since I called or they never had it} AND of course, it was his day off!!! Anyway, that was my last experience with them. 2 1/2 hour drive plus an hour there dealing with them... Since then I've just dealt with Jegs..... I think { or rather know} that there employee's attitudes changed....

During that last conversation I had with them it was like I was imposing on the guy and keeping him awake, or something. All I got were very short NO answers, and it was apparent he wasn't too interested in checking further for me.

Shame really, because my experiences dating back probably 20 years with them were just the opposite. I bought their private label cams (Crane Cams in a plain box......but still had the Crane timing card inside ) cam and lifters were about $ 89 a set. Also bought timing chain sets, which I returned because they were sloppy, but got a credit immediately. Pistons, and lots of other stuff that was fine and priced very low.

There are certain signs that start showing up before a company folds, and they exhibited some of those..........no stock, bad attitude, etc.

Don

Based on the comments here sounds like a lethal combination: declining customer care/service, and the perils of trying to operate a competitive business in the generally hostile business environment of California. A business that only has to compete, economically, with similar businesses within a constained market (such as a local community) is on somewhat equal footing expense wise and resultant pricing. But once they have to pass on the extra costs of doing business in a Cali location, and compete with those in "friendlier" environs (the Summit/Jegs example) then the marketplace isn't willing (nor compelled) to pay that premium. I would note that Summit (don't know about Jegs) serves it's western customers from a NV. based warehouse where the business cost environment is much friendlier.

LOL, I like what Don said; "it was like I was keeping him awake"!!! I bought a sm. block Chev engine 'package' from them in the early 90's. Plus all the accessories to go with it. Something was wrong with the block & they replaced it no problem. I asked for the same guy every time I called/went down & every time I got a call from them it was from this same guy. Treated me like gold! Personal service!
Yes, Jegs has a warehouse out west here somewhere, think it's Nevada but not sure.... I always deal with Jegs unless there out of stock {which isn't often}. I seem to get stuff a little quicker from them... Also had good luck with Summit, Wescott's, Speedway.....

I'm not sure if its still the case but PAW was started by a guy called Keith Harvie from England, Anyone know if he is/was still the owner ???