I've read, with interest, all of the recent traffic concerning Rallye.
Having owned a roadster since new in 1967, I depended upon Datsun/Nissan
for replacement parts, until I began to find many parts were no longer
available through them.
On Oahu, Hawaii in 1983, someone told me about Rallye. Bought their
catalog and many parts from them, even traveling through the snow on an
occasion to his location in Kapowsin, WA to pick up a new 1600 head to
take back with me, as carry-on baggage, to Hawaii.
I thought, for a long time, he was the *only* source for roadster parts
beyond the occasional parts obtained from the local Nissan dealer, or
even J.C. Whitney! To cut a long story short, after the car had gone to
the U.S. mainland, East Coast and back to the Big Island of Hawaii,
someone told me about Ross Mullen's Sports-Imports in 1992. I have not
ordered any parts from Rallye since.
The reasons:
(1) The very unaccommodative hours/dates that your are able to to place
an order. They originally accepted only certified checks or money
orders for payment, but later did accept credit cards.
(2) Upon my return from Maryland, I needed a chrome headlight scoop to
replace a satin one. I had two chrome ones, one perfect and the other
with a little rust. Since his catalog speaks of buying parts, I wrote
him a letter getting no reply. In the haste and process of moving back
to Hawaii, I shipped them to him with a letter of explanation, desiring
some sort of exchange, or cost reduction, of the one I needed. Later,
when I called him from Hawaii and asked about it, he said, "I don't
know, I guess I put them in 'will call'".
(3) I placed a rather large order with him in response to one of his
"sales". When an inordinately long time had elapsed with no receipt of
the order, I wrote them about it. He abruptly cancelled the order.
When I wrote to reply that I still wanted the merchandise, and not to
cancel the order, I got no response (or parts).
I had the distinct impression that he believed that he "was the 'only
show in town'", and could do anything he wanted. Not any interest in
customer relations...
Then I learned about Sports-Imports, who has given me excellent
service. Then the roadster mailing list on the internet!! The others on
the list, I haven't had occasion to try yet (except "Topless" for a
console kit).
Dann's catalog is excellent, and a real service. Perhaps his "business
sense" will improve.
Aloha Dave
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