Kanter Auto Parts Member Reviews

Imperial Home Page -> Parts -> Vendors -> Reviews -> Kanter Auto Parts

Below are a few reviews of Kanter Auto Parts.  If you would like to include a review of this vendor, please fill out our form and we will add your comments as soon as possible.  Make sure to include your email address because we will not include your review without a verifiable address.  After you write your review, you will receive an automated response from us which will confirm your email address and shortly after, your comments will be added to this page.  Thank you so much for your participation!  We appreciate your comments!!

From Fred Kanter (December 19, 2005): Hi, this is from Fred Kanter. I wish to be able to investigate each and every comment personally and have the ability to respond personally to each one. Should I find we were wrong, whatever is fair will be done. One of the complaints below was sent in about 3 weeks ago [November 2005] and it will be answered after all the facts are determined. Yes, we do make mistakes; everybody does. We have served over 2 million customers in 45 years and with the # of complaints below, that's a pretty good record, however I certainly am not satisfied until all are addressed. What I would like to see here is the letter I got from a Chrysler 300G owner who bought an engine kit. He had to tear the engine down 2 more times before he found out we had supplied the wrong cam. Even though the rare 300 only cam was not listed as being different in ANY aftermarket book such as TRW, Sealed Power, etc. the error was certainly not the customer's. WE, as the supplier, while having relied on the best information available, could not deny our responsibility. WE asked for his bills which totaled over $2,000 and paid them promptly when we saw the work had been done. Between about 1998 and 2002 there was not one complaint about us sent to Hemmings. With 12,500,000 parts sent out in that time, that's pretty good. The complaint that broke the "spell" at Hemmings was decided in our favor. Please note that when I mentioned the 4 year period , it was not 4 years with no VALID complaints, it was no complaints at all. I take my business and my companies reputation very seriously. We offer a 30 day "NO QUESTIONS ASKED" return policy, and in the case of parts incorrectly supplied there is no time limit. We have exchanged parts bought over 15 years before. Please see our website http://www.kanter.com for our full policies. There often 2 sides to a story. Sincerely Fred Kanter Please post this message in the interest of fairness and for all viewers of your site to observe my response and responsiveness the moment I discovered this forum 12/19/05

The vendor review section of this website is provided as a means of keeping club members informed about practices and experiences concerning various providers of parts and services.  This section contains unedited, unsolicited opinions expressed by members of an online car club. No attempt has been made to bias the opinions, or slant the number of viewpoints on one side or another. All opinions have been included, as supplied.  If any vendors don't like the viewpoints expressed here, they are welcome to provide a rebuttal, which will be posted just as the one above.

{Please note the comments below are posted as received, with the most recent comments at the bottom of the page}

From Neal:

Over the years I have ordered many parts for my Packard from Kanter. Their service is generally slow and their attitude indifferent. This last time they took THREE WEEKS to ship an item that was in stock. No aplogy and no explanation other than "it was upstairs in the warehouse and someone had to go up and get it and that takes time" (!) I sent a written complaint to mangement but had no response.

 

From T. B. Hoeffken:

I've spent a lot of money in parts from them (over $3,000) and the service still sucks, they never answer the phone. Items took a long time to be shipped. When shipped, items were missing from the kit. Also parts are very expensive and they can be found cheaper elsewhere. When returning items, they took 4 weeks to process the credit, but when you order they want their money right away. I feel the service should be the same; when the item arrives, your credit should be the same day. They are rude sometimes, I feel the only good salesperson was A.J., but of coarse they let him go. This is why all the Packard clubs do not recomended them and they don't advertise in their formats..check it out. Max Merrit is more professonial.

From Stuart:

They will eventually ship what you need. I have discovered that anything they sell is available somewhere else, for much less money. When I inquired about a Packard part I had ordered eight weeks earlier I was told ''Buy if at K Mart if you don't want to wait".   This was several years ago--but I will never forget it. I ran into Fred Kanter at a picnic and and he had Stuart Blond (husband of Stella Blond-The noted lobbiest and Hemmings Motor news coluninist) called and apologized. At the time I was the VP of the Eastern Packard Club. It still took TWELVE WEEKS to get the part.  If you order it from them make sure they have it in stock. They advertise items they don't have all the time.

 

From Darrell:

I have done a lot of business with Fred Kantor and have found him to be very good to deal with.

 

From Robin:

I have had good luck with them on Packard parts but they are fairly expensive.

 

From Gerry:

Someone a few days ago was requesting info on Kantor Auto Parts. I started collecting parts and repair kits for my '56 Imperial about 6 years ago. The restoration finally got underway about 2 years ago. I had received a Transmission Overhaul Kit for my 2-speed tranny from Kantors about 4 years ago. My shop was unable to use any item from this kit as they said it was for a totally different vehicle, no idea what it was for. Kantor's won't take it back as it has been so long since I received it. My mistake for not checking for correctness sooner. I also sent them a clean carpet sample from under the front seat on the driveshaft hump with the idea of getting a pre-cut carpet set for the car. Their colour guide showed what seemed to be the identical colour and I ordered it. The carpet set I received was a completely different shade from my sample and totally unuseable for me. It didn't fit very well either. I however had received other small mechanical items from Kantors which were ok.

From Bob:

They are courteous when placing an order & knowledgeable about their products & have good catalogs, but when they shipped me the wrong items & stonewalled me about acknowledging they sent the incorrect items & then fought me on the return & shipping the correct parts, I vowed never to deal with them again.

 

From Dave:

Don't bother with Kanter for carpet & headliner. I bought the items a couple of years back, the carpet s colour is fading & the headliner looked more like an upside-down mushroom due to the stitching. I would go to a small trim shop one that cares what they are doing. Kanter is fine if you want brake & engine parts (at a price !). Remember Kanter do not make the trim, it is farmed out.

 

From Charles:

I bought a engine rebuild kit from them years ago for a small block Chevy, it took them a couple of months to get all the correct parts to me. I could've bought the parts locally for about the same price, but the work would have been done sooner.

 

From Rich W.:

Couple of years ago I ordered a tune kit for my '66 Crown from Kanter. When I try to change the points I notice the set they sent me was different including the condenser, cap, rotor, a plug wires. I called them asking to check the number of the kit. They didn't seem to be much help, and wasn't interested with me on a return. I haven't bought anything from Kanter, and never will. I've heard many similar problems with them from other antique car owners.

 

From Anthony:

I was going to buy a Top from them a couple of months ago, just had a couple of questions on the description. I think I bothered them, they couldn't answer my questions which was about a brief incomplete description. They were rude not one call but 2. I went elsewhere. 

From Sean:

I've done business with kanter a few times and found out the hard way that it was wasted money. I would'nt recomend using these guys unless it was the last resort.

 

From Mike:

Forget rebuilt carbs; I ordered a Rochester 4GC for my '56 Cadillac; bolted it on, started it up, and had gas spewing out the front of the carb; ends up it had the wrong fuel line connector (i.e. it wasn't a flared connection.) Sent it back, got another carb, bolted it on, engine kept stalling; opened carb up and found their "rebuilt" carb had floats with holes in them. Luckily I didn't yet send them my old core, so I installed my old floats. Mr. Kanter, I think the company has gotten so big, quality control has gone. I would not buy from you again.

 

From Pete Prosser:

I am so pissed-I called Kanter Auto Products for a qoute on a price for a wheel cylinder for my '56 olds-I live in Canada and expect to pay more so I wanted to get the price solid-no screwing around so when the guy (whos name I'm supposed to remember as if I'm expected to get screwed)gave me a price I told him the shipping seemed too low-he said no-I repeated my post code and he said he'd call me back and he did with a higher price.I made a point of saying "are you sure" and told him I was sending a money order.No problem.So last week I got a note in the mail that the price is higher and my efforts were in vain.So I just finally got thru with a guy who processed my order wanting the extra dough and was pretty rude with me saying that he wanted the name of the guy (that I was suppposed to remember in case I might get screwed) and the money would come out of his pocket or I have two choices-either you can send us more money or we can cancel the order and send your money back.Well I said "maybe you should send my money back" and I just got of the phone as I and writing this.The guy hung up on me once I said that.Maybe he could have checked the postage rates or something,I donno but it's like I had this evil plan to screw Kanter auto products out of 8 bucks and change-thats the attitude that the guy had-I just don't have time for that thanks-why would anybody bother.I will buy it from Fusick,its a little more,the shipping they quoted is lower for some reason but I can get some other items that I really wanted to get for my car.Reminds me of bait and switch and I doubt Fred Kanter reallly cares as much-I do remember the name of the rude guy if you're interested-he sent me his card with the religious stuff on the back.Did you want pictures of my family when I sent you the money order...later...pete from canada

 

From Steve:

Many people have had good experiences with Kantor. I did too for a long time until they made a mistake. I ordered some front end parts, for a 300H. It's not like I never bought parts for a 62 before. We used most of the kit up until we got the ball to the ball joints. The joints were wrong. I called and they insisted I return the complete kit. It was 33 days since I got the kit, they also shoved the policy of a 30 day return under my nose, with the kit complete. There were no exceptions. Living very near Kantor I read about Fred Kantor making himself well known by bending town ordinances and literally breaking their chops about it. He played the same attitude with me, after spending thousands at Kantor. They are 15 to 20% higher than anyone else, their service is the slowest, their return policy leaves much to be desired, and their shipping policies are even worse. They dealt with me, the same salesperson at that, (He's my neighbor for petes sake) and I can't have a part drop shipped to the resto shop? Frankly, they are the most uncooperative company I have ever dealt with. I am finding out who their sources are, and saving money with fewer hassles. Over all? Kanter get's a zero ratting from me. And I am not one to bad mouth

 

From Ed Miller:

ditto on the bad service. placed a order on 9/23/2005. told,LOOKS like we have in stock. called my boby shop to set up installation appt. called Kanter on 9/27 for shiping tracking no. told will not ship for 2-weeks. called back...no answer...left hot message.. NO REPLY.. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED BUT MAY BE THE LAST>>>

 

From Ed Miller:

over 1 month ago i ordered a spotlight 5" for my f-1..after 2 weeks i called to see if it had been shipped.(i never received any notice)and was told it was on hold because of missing brackets , and the brackets should be in with in a week.i was told this 2 more times.still no light.. i have called at least 4 other times and was told they would check and call me back..NOT 1 CALL BACK..i just do not understand this attitude.. i will be ordering parts for this truck for years to come.i will think twice before i order from kanter again..ed miller

 

From M Frank:

AFTER EADING "ALL" ABOVE COMMENTS ABOUT KANTER AUTO I HAD GOOD RESPONSE FROM Mr: STUART BOND WHEN I INQUIRE ABOUT REAR SIDE WINDOW GLASS FOR MY 1954 PACKARD LIMO.

 

From Bill Carlin:

I have ordered several parts for my 1938 Packards from Kanter. They have ALWAYS treated me like I was bothering them when I placed an order. The items were never shipped in a reasonable time...sometimes over a month later. I also called three times for a price on a wireing harness for one of my cars; the same person told me I all three times that I would get a price in a day or two, it has been over a year......no return calls. With a little research, I have found most of the parts I need from other places.

(23 June 2007) From Ernie:

Kanter has always been great for me! I have ordered a variety of parts for several cars and the sales staff has always been knowledgable, and the shipping has been fast. I just received an order placed 5 days before. Thir prices are a little higher, but I don't mind paying a bit more for good parts.

 

(29 Sep 2007) From Marty Curry:

FROM MARTY IN CALIFORNIA. I AM SORRY I DID NOT READ THIS WEB SITE PRIOR TO BUYING FROM KANTER. I PURCHASED A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FROM THEM 5 YEARS AGO, IT FROZE UP AND I RETURNED IT UNDER THEIR "LIFE TIME WARRANTY". WHAT A JOKE, THEY NEVER RETURN PHONE CALLS,THEY ARE RUDE. THEY CHARGED ME ANOTHER $50.00 TO FINALLY REBUILD THEIR FAULTY PART. THEY STILL HAVE NOT SENT ME THE MASTER CYLINDER YET AFTER THREE MONTHS OF WAITING AND CALLING THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE GUY BRANT. DON'T BUY FROM THESE GUYS ,AND PASS THE WORD AROUND YOUR CAR CLUBS.

 

(29 Sep 2007) From Frank:

I must say, I do enjoy working with Kanter's. I always receive the best of service. I have also recieved parts that I had to send back because it was the wrong part. They credited my credit card and I was even past the 30 days and told them I woudl accept store credit. I recently had dealings with John, and he was very helpful. I'm thankful for a place like Kanter's.

 

(21 Nov 2007) From Fred Kanter:

To Marty Curry,

First I want to apologize for the long delay in getting yoiur master cylinder back to you. It is not the nmorm for us and what cause the delay has been solved.

NOw to the problem. The master cylinder you purchased had rust in it which caused the piston to stick in the bore. This is caused by properties of brake fluid that make it absorb water from the atmosphere. That is why owners/service manuals instruct owners to flush and change brake fluid periodically.

The resulting rust is not a defect in the master cylinder and therefore is not covered in the warranty. YOu state the cylinder was purchased 5 years ago, however the invioce yoiu returned was from 1998, 9 years ago.

You requested we replace the cylinder for free or rebuild it for free. We do that if it is a fault of a defective part , but not if it due to owner neglect or abuse as in your case. WE gave you a choice and you chose to have rebuild it for $50. ould you have preferred us to tell yuou it was not covered under warrantee and just returned the inoperative part to you??

If yoiu still feel the part was defective, please inofrm us of hte defect and we will consider your claim.

Again I apologize for the inconvenience we caused

 

(7 Feb 2008) From Dave Mansford:

Most of these comments about Kanter having poor service are correct. Save the headache and dont buy from them. I bought some bearings from them. They repackaged them under a different name and refused to take them back.Most of these comments about Kanter having poor service are correct. Save the headache and dont buy from them. I bought some bearings from them. They repackaged them under a different name and refused to take them back.

 

(7 Mar 2008) From Docante:

I agree the sevice sucks. You just need to do a little sluething to find where they get their stuff from. For engine parts try egge machine. For carpet try chester and harrod in california. It will blow you away at how much they mark up their stuff.

 

(1 Jul 2008) From Greg:

I have purchased items in past and never really had a problem. today I called spoke to a person named Joe. Asked a couple of questions and before I was finished he hung up on me. I will shop else where for all my restoration needs. His attitude sucked. Business must be good at kanter to lose another customer.

 

(13 Aug 2008) From J Lang:

I am building a 54 chevy and ordered a front end rebuild kit. While awaiting my frame back from powder coating i decided to put in power steering and wanted to return the parts for store credit, I never even opened the box but was told by the "i dont care" sales manager it was past 30 days and he would not exhange the parts. At first I thought he was kidding but he wasnt. Ive built many cars and have never had a vendor problem like this, im stuck with parts I cant use and a sales manager who couldnt care less. If I treated my customers this way I wouldnt have any!