SMS lead time

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Okay fellas, SMS Auto Interiors has long had a reputation of, let's say "extended" lead times for their interior products. The company changed hands a little while back and I understand they have been improving on this as of late, but by how much, I'm unsure.

My question is: Has anybody dealt with them recently and found this to be the case ? I contacted them this week about a set of seat covers and they told me 6 to 8 weeks lead time. Prior to this, everything else I've heard tells me to expect 6 to 8 months (or more) but I don't want to call bs on them if someone has information to the contrary.

Again, has anyone received products from them in a timely manner recently ?

Thanks,
Pete
 
Pete,

I ordered a complete set of seat covers to be made from NOS material on 4/26/18 and do not have them. I need to call them and find out the ETA. One would think that if they are this busy they would hire more people. I did not hear about any ownership change but know that they bought someone else out at some time in the past few years.
 
Last year, about this time, my headliner took about 8 weeks. That was 2 weeks more than promised, but I had figured on that going in.
 
John, you’ve shared your experience with headliners in another thread. When I’m ready to redo mine, I’ll follow your recommendation to hire a professional. This being said, would you recommend having SMS make and ship a unit (and have that premade headliner installed by the upholstery specialist, as I understand you elected to do for your Barracuda), or would you simply order the correct materials by the yard from SMS and have the upholsterer do the whole thing?

PS: In related matters, does the SMS unit include the insulation?
 
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I shared my experience with SMS in another thread. Though not real recent (2 years ago) looks like nothing has changed. I was going to use my car for a relative's wedding pictures prop. I thought a year would be plenty of time to get the new vinyl. The bodywork and paint was done and I was waiting over 6 months for the vinyl. I called them and for an extra $100 I could have it shipped overnight even though they told me me I would get the vinyl 4 months prior. I received the vinyl and took the box straight to my body and paint guy. Later that day he calls me back and said Bob you need to come out and look at this. I asked if he's done already. He said no, that I need to come and see it for myself. They sent me a light blue vinyl top for a 1969 Charger R/T. What really stumped me is that it wasn't even the right color for a 1969 Charger R/T. Mopar NEVER put a light blue vinyl top on a 1969 Charger R/T! Of course they F'd up the wedding pictures. My niece actually cried when I told her the car wouldn't be done in time. It took them another 3 months to get the right vinyl top to me. They didn't offer a damn thing to right the problem. Didn't refund the overnight shipping. Nothing. They didn't want the 1969 Charger light blue vinyl shipped back because they didn't want to pay to ship it back. So if anyone is looking for a one of none PLB 3 light blue vinyl top of a 1969 Charger.... I got one. LOL!
 
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I've heard lots of good and bad - my experience was decent.

I called to ask for samples of base 66 Newport seat cloth, and was told by the woman there that they didn't have it, but when I spoke to the owner he said they did and sounded frustrated at being told otherwise. I got my samples promptly. I then ordered enough yardage to do my car and received that promptly too.

From my calls there I get the idea there's some serious disorganization at the reception level, and some sort of disconnect between reception and the actual warehouse and manufacturing area, UNLESS you get to talk to the owner himself.

For raw materials I think they have just about everything, and can ship fairly quickly but you need to talk to the owner and be prepared to send samples to ensure a correct match. They have bought up a lot of stock and continue to do so according to the owner and it can get pretty hairy keeping track I guess.

For actual sewing, heat embossing, and manufacturing of complex assemblies like door panels and seat covers I think they can do it all at a concours level, but it's a small operation doing the work of a big operation. They do need your originals in some cases to properly reproduce your items as hard trim bits are not available and they need to use yours.

Add in the front desk factor above and you've got a recipe for trouble. If you need what they have and can offer, be willing to wait. A looooong time. They're one of the only games in town for a lot of it. You'll get it, it will be right but you can't rush them, even if they tell you otherwise. Be patient, do your due diligence in sample checking back and forth and in talking to the owner. That's my understanding.
 
Thanks for the replies. I would like to add that I was mistaken and SMS did not go through an owner ship change but rather bought out Original Auto Interiors.

It looks like the consensus is if you order material only, you have a fairly good shot at getting it (relatively) quickly. Door panels, seat covers etc. are going to take a year.

Timewise, that sucks, but it is manageable if planned for. What is most troubling is a story like 1978 NYB's whereby you invest the time, get the wrong item and still have to fight to get it put right.

I'd like to see more encouraging news, but I'm not holding my breath.
 
John, you’ve shared your experience with headliners in another thread. When I’m ready to redo mine, I’ll follow your recommendation to hire a professional. This being said, would you recommend having SMS make and ship a unit (and have that premade headliner installed by the upholstery specialist, as I understand you elected to do for your Barracuda), or would you simply order the correct materials by the yard from SMS and have the upholsterer do the whole thing?

PS: In related matters, does the SMS unit include the insulation?
If I were to order another headliner from SMS, I would have them make it. Mine came out great, it did take a little more time, but I was happy and the installer said it looked good to him.

From what I've been able to figure out, not many auto upholsterers will sew a headliner, preferring to order a premade headliner from someone like Acme.

IMHO, if you want the most"correct" material, go with SMS, but if you don't mind the material being slightly different, you can get it faster and cheaper if you buy it from someone else that sells Acme headliners. These guys have a good reputation. Auto Headliners for Car, Truck, Van, SUV - Stock interiors, the Automotive Headliner Experts

Always get samples first, no matter what place you chose.

Here's the guy putting my headliner in. Yes, he came to my place to do it.

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and me watching...

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My take on SMS is that they have total mass confusion and no organization in the operation at all. I think they take every single order called in and dont have clue on how long it will take to manufacture your order (unless your order is for raw material only). I have called a dozen times with my fiasco and I think that they have mostly third world people actually doing work at another location. They definitely dont do any work at the location you call your order in to. I have several theories (none of which I know to be 100% true). First, they can't keep enough of the third world folks showing up for work....maybe ICE is chasing them around. Or I think that they are having the products made overseas at some third world sub-Chinese palace like Vietnam or North Korea. I'm just trying to keep my sense of humor and sanity trying to figure out what is going on with SMS and why it takes a year to get a product they promise to get to you in 6-8 weeks!
 
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Thank you @Big_John! I got the quote from
SMS for the headliner, and have already received the sample material.

Did your headliner come with the insulation? Also, how much did you pay for installation? PM is ok if you prefer.
 
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Thank you @Big_John! I got the quote from
SMS for the headliner. Did it come with the insulation? Also, how much did you pay for installation? PM is ok if you prefer.
No insulation included. I used this stuff Car Insulation - Lightweight Thermal Sound Deadener and glued it to the roof with 3M 08090 Super Trim Adhesive. My reasoning for using this over the OE material is that I think it's a much better heat barrier and the mice (reason for headliner replacement) aren't as attracted to it.

IIRC, installation was $300. This was someone that does this work as a sideline and was probably about $100 cheaper than a shop would do it.
 
Wow, bad news about all the fallout. So is it too late to order a vinyl top for installation this upcoming summer? From the sound of it, it seems that my project is already doomed before it even starts.
 
Wow, bad news about all the fallout. So is it too late to order a vinyl top for installation this upcoming summer? From the sound of it, it seems that my project is already doomed before it even starts.

Dont be discouraged by our encounters. Maybe they have it together now. Lol
 
Its been over 3 years now that I have been waiting for 2 sets of door panels. Every time I call them to check on progress, they tell me they are in the "mounting" department and I should have them in 2 weeks or something like that. They have told me that at least 5 times over the last 2 years. Completely irresponsible. The owner is something else. Since they bought out "Original Auto Interiors" of Michigan last year, they are now the only game in town, and they act just like that. I hate having to do business with them.
 
Its been over 3 years now that I have been waiting for 2 sets of door panels. Every time I call them to check on progress, they tell me they are in the "mounting" department and I should have them in 2 weeks or something like that. They have told me that at least 5 times over the last 2 years. Completely irresponsible. The owner is something else. Since they bought out "Original Auto Interiors" of Michigan last year, they are now the only game in town, and they act just like that. I hate having to do business with them.

:wideyed:
 
Its been over 3 years now that I have been waiting for 2 sets of door panels. Every time I call them to check on progress, they tell me they are in the "mounting" department and I should have them in 2 weeks or something like that. They have told me that at least 5 times over the last 2 years. Completely irresponsible. The owner is something else. Since they bought out "Original Auto Interiors" of Michigan last year, they are now the only game in town, and they act just like that. I hate having to do business with them.

Wow! And I thought they F'd up my stuff! LOL!
 
I ordered a set of 4 interior panels for Virgil in July of 17. Still don't have them. I check via Email every 3-4 weeks and get a new promise and lie. Last was "they will ship by the end of the month, (March). I still have time before I need them, but 20 months and counting.
 
I dealt with them recently for a vinyl top

I told them up front I heard they were lame

Told them they would take my money and not deliver and that would be fraud

Told them I needed to have manager call me to discuss my order - he did

Asked manager for lead time - he promised 8 weeks

I assured him that I would post the transaction on the web if he failed to produce as promised

Received top on 55th day
:wideyed:
 
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