I decided to delete this thread because I doubt that it will be helpful. I have found other satisfactory parts vendors based on suggestions received. No sense being critical when it is no longer relevant. Thanks for the replies.

 

I've never had any experience with that particular vendor as I'm uk based, so have my own sources. I have no doubt you may have opened a can of worms, and I wouldn't be surprised to see this thread deleted.
In my own experience I tend to buy my parts from eith Jaguar themselves or a few other sources I have which specialise in parts for JLR products. There are a lot of items I can get from the local motorfactors without too much trouble, but I'm often surprised to find that Jaguar sell OEM products cheaper than the pattern parts in some cases.
Plus when it comes to having to use a mechanic, I've got a guy who's time served and disciplined on all makes, models and types of vehicles. I've just picked up my car from having the transmission serviced, cost me less than £200 including OEM parts I ordered from Jaguar.

 

I've had no problems, personally, with SNGB...but obviously experiences with any vendor will vary from time to time.

But, speaking broadly about on-line parts ordering (assuming yours was an on-line order) , it IS annoying when items listed for sale are not actually in stock and ready to ship. On the bright side, I've had vendors call me to give me a heads-up if an order can't be 100% filled. That's a nice touch which gives me the option to wait for the parts backorder to be filled or to shop elsewhere.

Anyhow, there are many Jag vendors out there. I've generally had good luck with all of them over the last 20 years. Terry's Jaguar, FCP Euro, Paul's Jaguar, Coventry West, Motorcars LTD, XKs Unlimited. There are many to choose from. Often you can also find what you need at Rock Auto or other non-Jag-specific vendors.

Cheers
DD

 

I hope that will not happen, as OP's post is polite and to the point.
SNGB is reading these forums, so I am pretty sure they will reply, and take the remarks serious.

By the way, I order most general stuff from a US based site (not Jaguar specific), and they very clearly mention if the parts are not in stock.
It is impossible to order if they don't have them.

Even better, you can request for an update, and they will send an auto reply once they are re-stocked, very convenient, just happened for my rear shocks yesterday.

 

My parts come primarily from:
1) Terry's Jaguar
2) FCP Euro
3) Amazon
4) Rockauto
5) Local Jaguar dealer
6) occasionally EBay

The only place I ordered from only to find out later (after my credit card was charged) was out of stock was AutoPartsWay. The refund was promised in 24 to 48 hours and took 6 or 7 days.

I usually check EVERY vendor before placing an order, so they all get a fair shot. If it is a trusted vendor I am willing to pay a little more verses an unknown.

 

Interesting that the Head Office is in UK, but is not used by a UK Veteran Member.

I purposely used initials, not to be coy, but to keep someone not a member from stumbling across my post in the event of a Google search for the company or for parts. I don't want to trash any well-meaning business, and I thought it best to try to keep this "in the family" so to speak. I mean no offense. I just wanted to see if this is a common experience, and if so, I think the management/owners of the business would appreciate knowing that.

In the long run, it is no big deal (at least not to me anyway). It just means that I need to broaden my sources of parts, which is always a good idea anyway.

Thanks so far.

 

I like Terry's Jaguar; they're relatively local to me (about an hour away), and they go by jaguarpartsplace on ebay.

Fast shipping, the right parts, no complaints.

I was trying to find a discontinued part and they actually called around for me and found one in North Carolina and had it drop shipped to me. They wanted $9 for each of these little fuel injector clips (for sced 4.0 cars) and NOONE had them; so I was thrilled and considering they spent maybe 20 minutes at least tracking these down, it's not like they made a killing. They did make my day and I regularly see if they have a listing on ebay or a good price on the dot com for the part I want. Usually they're so competitive on price, the fact I get the part a day or two earlier makes it when they are a few dollars more, I actually spend less all considered.

When you put effort into a $20 sale you get a customer for the $1k sale. I am not dissing other vendors, just saying that I respect Terry's for this.

 

I usually shop the sponsors and a few of the other parts suppliers already listed. I have made numerous purchases from SNGB and I am happy to say they have always been efficient, timely and very professional in my transactions with them. I have experienced some out of stock problems but they have always outlined options and let me decide how I wanted to proceed.
I have overall had good experiences with them and the other sponsors for our great site.

 

SNGB have been good in the past for earlier Jag's I own, particularly E Type. Having a trade account, dealing in large orders hasn't been a problem for these guys. A telephone call before ordering to see what stock they have and don't in the order can make it clear what to expect. It can also depend on who you talk to, if a knowledgeable guy who knows how to check inventory, parts compatibility etc answers, it helps!
There are hundreds of independent Jag parts specialists in the UK, the ones who deal in new parts compete with each other, Manners, Robey, SNG etc all shake out around the same pricing structure which smacks of a closed shop, the other online vendor I'd recommend is https://www.britishparts.co.uk/

 

I'd agree with harvest14 on that order of suppliers. Always been very pleased with Terry's, fast processing and all.

The only thing I've ordered from the distributor in question was a pair of lca bushings, which seemed to be in stock then but they only had 1 and the other has been on order for a few weeks now. I can't necessarily blame them for that though since their supplier could be having delays, but it looks like it's worth doing what others have said and checking in with them on stock quantity available before ordering. But like I said, that was the only thing I've tried ordering from them.

the post might not get deleted, but might end up getting moved to another section, since it's not really an x308 tech topic.

 

Nearly all my parts for both XJ8 and XJ-S come from SNG NL (Dutch sub). I've had no problem with parts. If something took a while to be delivered, it was stated like that in the first place (i.e. Special Order, which is obvious to know it isn't in stock). Helpful and reliable...

But then again, everyone has to make their own experiences. I had a really bad experience with a German supplier boasting with being superior to any other in terms of price, quality and reliabality. The first order went wrong... That was for a new thermostat housing made of aluminium for my XJ8. Was delivered and most parts were missing. The next order was for a sill replacement which was supoosed to match the X300 and X308 sill shape. Arrived, just a bog standard generic part. I even asked first if it is exactly the same. Not even a fraction like what I have from factory... I wanted to return it. Yeah, we'll arrange a collection. That was 2 years ago. The sill is still in my shed now rusting away... €155 thrown away... Yay!

 

Im surprised no one mention partsgeek.com. I have used them for years and they sell aftermarket to OEM in the Jaguar box. they have WAY more Jaguar parts then Rockauto which is severely lacking imo. But be forewarned I no longer buy brake parts from either Rockauto or partsgeeks as both of them have screwed me on rotors and or pads for side work. They just cannot seem to get it right and while they will take them back does no good when I have the car on the lift at home. I then have to drive in town and get the parts for more money, more time and then on my dime for shipping back.
of course they say the parts are correct and maybe Im not getting the right part order for the car? Uhm yeah ok. I know what Im working on

 

Over the years I have had good-to-excellent service from all of the following:

Coventry West (1 - 2 day UPS delivery to my location)
SNG Barratt
Welsh Enterprises
Everyday XJ (U.S. - David)
Growler Parts (U.K. - Kevan)
Jaguar Merriam (Jaguar dealer in Merriam, KS)
Terry's Jaguar
Rock Auto
Partsgeek
FCP Euro
Thoroughbred Jaguar (our local dealer)
Local auto parts stores (O'Reilly, Advance, AutoZone, NAPA).

By far, the vendors who have most often not had items in stock were the local auto parts stores and the Jaguar dealers! The dealers almost always have to order the parts I need either from the North America warehouse in New Jersey, or from Jaguar U.K. I guess it doesn't make sense for them to stock parts for older models for which they have infrequent demand.

Cheers,

Don

 

Mina Gallery's online support has really fallen off since I last used them. Been inquiring about some accessories where they have erroneously depicted the same part for 2 different pieces on their website. Several attempts, still no rebuttal, it's a shame too as I can't find those accessories anywhere else.

 

I've used SNGB once with recommendation from forum members here. All the parts said "in stock" online so I ordered with confidence. 3 weeks later none of the parts arrived and I called them to ask on the status. I spoke to someone who said I should have them in 8 days from the day of the call. Now, I'm somewhat new to this Jag thing but not buying car parts online. Never have parts in stock meant a month before delivery. I even paid extra for faster delivery on checkout. An email or call informing me that the parts would take a month to arrive would've made me feel a lot better. I got off the phone and called jagbits to see if he had the parts in stock. I went through about 15 part numbers and he had them all. I placed the order and received everything 3 days later. I called SNGB back to cancel my order and they did. The rep didn't seem to happy about it but I had no choice. I was not rude and thanked him for the help. But, I'm not too confident in ordering from them again. Their prices are okay but communication with shipping isn't and their site could state the real status of parts availability.

I'll definitely try out Terry's as well. So far, Jagbits, Amazon, my ford dealership, and my local dealer have been great in getting me parts. Luckily I do all my work as I only know 1 independent familiar with these cars and he's busy.

 

Sounds like my experience with them. I tried Terry's and got excellent service (Buzz) and parts on the way. Cancelled with the other guys. Live and learn...