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Regular
Posts: 81
Location: Akron, Ohio | I am curious about forward look member's experiences with SMS. I am very frustrated with the company. I send samples and I get material back that is the wrong pattern and color. I send the actual vinyl I need embossed and I get a different color vinyl back that is not even the original vinyl sample.
And the wait. My one order for my 1957 Desoto Fireflite has taken over a year to get it back and I still don't have the seat material and after sending the pattern, I got the wrong pattern and a red color instead of sahara tan. I've tried Original Auto but they do not have the selection and patterns.
Any suggestions to move Doug or his crew in the right direction for getting the order done fast AND accurate? They have an attitude and getting service is near impossible. If I heard it once I heard it a million times how the material is at the mill being made but it takes near forever. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1060
Location: Building incorrect cars since 2000!! | I feel your pain -but I bet they billed you already huh!!
I sent them my old stuff to duplicate and now I am getting worried |
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Regular
Posts: 81
Location: Akron, Ohio | They bill you immediately. Do you know aAny other vendors out there that do what they do? Doug and SMS knows they are about the only game in town and while I don't mind paying the buck, I hate the mistakes and the wait and the wrong colors and the promises of having the material milled.
Edited by darbydun 2008-01-22 10:43 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | They sent me a PERFECT sample of Adventurer cloth. When I ordered and subsequently received the actual material, it was the correct cloth but dramatically faded and obviously not from the same (or even a good) "run". |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13054
 
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | I have positive experience of SMS and Doug. I started to ask them if they had the correct fabric and vinyl for my trim code and they answered immediately - got the letter after 4 days, with the correct samples. Then I asked about the needed lengths and got a prompt answer. When getting ready to order, I asked Doug for a 10/90 deal (10 on order and 90 upon deliverance to my address) - that was not accepted, but Dough suggested 50% on order and the other 50% upon departure from SMS - claiming that SMS could not be responsible for post delays and such. That was fine for me, so I accepted. I paid 50% with my order the 8th of August 2007 and paid the other 50% on the 30th of August 2207, when Doug informed me that they where ready to ship. I was given the tracing numbers for the shipment and the package arrived the 9th of September. All the material was of good quality and corresponding to the samples, there was a weaving error in the fabric, but that was compensated with an extra yard of fabric. So I was pleased both with the communication and the delivery as well as with the quality of the material. I have heard rumors that some other Swedish guys never receive the paid materials - but that is and remains rumors until proven. |
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| Ask Mike McKenna (my57Saratoga) .
Got his stuff from them... but waited FOREVER after numerous promises and broken deadlines.
-NM |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 963
Location: San Antonio, TX | I found them to be very slow, not overly concerned about customer service and relatively expensive when it came to my 57 Roadmaster interior. I've now started my 57 Fireflite project. Based on my previous experience with SMS it was my intention NOT to use them again. However... Original Auto does not have what I need. So unless I can find another source for Westminster Tweed it looks like I'm stuck with SMS. |
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Expert
Posts: 2244
Location: Yorba Linda, Ca | I have had a very positive experience with SMS. First they sent me sample for my 59 Dodge Vert, I took them over and compared to a friend of mine, Börje's 59 Vert. It was a perfect match. in about 5 months they sent me the material , and it like the samples were an exact match. They are slightly behind schedule on my door panels, (about a month), but they have not charged my credit card for that.
I did call them today, and I suggested that they take a look at some of the postings on this site. (as far as I know), everything about them had been positive , until recently, (Unless I missed something).
Anyway, good luck with your project and hopefully my fone call to them, will do you some good!!!
Gary |
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Expert
Posts: 1497
Location: Fairfax, Minnesota | 1959Dodge - 2008-01-23 4:57 PM
I did call them today, and I suggested that they take a look at some of the postings on this site. (as far as I know), everything about them had been positive , until recently, (Unless I missed something).
Gary
If you look at past posts, I think you will find numerous stories that are very negative.
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Expert
Posts: 4533
Location: Ripon, WI | Yeah...90% negative, 10% positive... they suck at customer service... can't get deadlines right and treat customers poorly. |
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Expert
Posts: 1443
Location: Oconomowoc Wi | Hmmmm... well the only response Ive had to my request for help with door panels and interrior came from Doug. http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=18452&... This is a bit disheartening. |
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Expert
Posts: 2244
Location: Yorba Linda, Ca | I am waiting for my door panels from SMS, I will be happy to send you my old ones , once the new ones arrive, You have a picture of my old door panels, I suspect they are from a Coronet (Maybe Custom Coronet), I suspects Neil will know. |
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Veteran
Posts: 129
Location: Rochester Hills, MI | Mine was a positive experience. My order came in and was off by a shade or two. But they took it back and returned the exact right color within a month. I sent in a second order for a different fabric and also got that back within a month or two.
I would not hesitate to buy from them again. |
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Expert
Posts: 2596
Location: Upplands Väsby, Sweden | I must have lucky when I order from SMS. First time I order new door panel to my Edsel Pacer conv it took two month incl shipping to Sweden. And last time was to my Windsor but it was only fabric and vinyl cloth It took only 3 weeks. |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13054
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Windsor59 - 2008-01-24 2:15 AM
I must have lucky when I order from SMS. First time I order new door panel to my Edsel Pacer conv it took two month incl shipping to Sweden. And last time was to my Windsor but it was only fabric and vinyl cloth It took only 3 weeks.
It could very much be the fact that it's a long distance to Sweden and very costly to correct mistakes that makes SMS to deliver in decent time to us?
What do you think Joakim? |
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Regular
Posts: 97
Location: Sioux Center, IA | I received a prompt quote from SMS regarding a headliner (red) for my '61 Newport. $225 plus $19 shipping. Doug understood what I wanted and suggested they would have it for me in 2-3 days.
The other online source I have found is Automotive Interiors. They recently send me material samples for seat covers, but they did not respond to my email as to whether they had patterns for the front seat of my car, which is a bench seat that is higher behind the driver than the rest of the seat (anybody know what that style is called?).
If I follow the links correctly, Automotive Interiors will custom make a headliner out of red vinyl for $112 dollars, including extra material for the visors. Is this too good to be true? Here's the link:
http://www.automotiveinteriors.com/ReadyMade_Headliners.htm
Please advise! Do you get what you pay for (SMS--$225) or get a good deal (Automotive Interiors).
Bob
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Veteran
Posts: 129
Location: Rochester Hills, MI | NewportBob - 2008-01-25 11:24 AM
bench seat that is higher behind the driver than the rest of the seat (anybody know what that style is called?).
I believe that is called Command Seating, or something like that. |
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Expert
Posts: 3889
Location: Northen Virginia | This an old story with Fl vendors, if the have what you want they are pretty much ok, if not they make you pay with false promises and you wait forever, it happened with the lenses in Australia and SMS, etc etc.
Sms responded fast to my request, samples sent? not even close to the original. End of the story.
Edited by hemidenis 2008-01-26 1:37 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455
Location: seattle, Wa. | It's generally called a 60-40 seat. I struggled with SMS too, back in '98 or thereabouts. Took two tries to get a good color match, but then he couldn't do the graining, so I went to OAI and got more durable vinyl, correct color and correct graining, FIRST TRY. |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13054
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | rogerh - 2008-01-27 1:53 PM
It's generally called a 60-40 seat. I struggled with SMS too, back in '98 or thereabouts. Took two tries to get a good color match, but then he couldn't do the graining, so I went to OAI and got more durable vinyl, correct color and correct graining, FIRST TRY.
Please rogerh, could you inform "us" Scandinavians about the web site for OAI and/or phone numbers and contact persons. |
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Expert
Posts: 1918
Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona | Anyone care to venture a guess on what it'll take - both price-wise and search-wise - to get this? Turquoise cloth/white leather for the seats and turquoise cloth for the door panels for the '55 Fireflite Coronado I'm scrimping to buy from John - at a second look, I don't know what to call the material on the back of the front seat, but the pic shows a clear pattern:
 ('55 Coronado interior 2.jpg)
 ('55 Coronado interior 3.jpg)
 ('55 Coronado interior 4.jpg)
 ('55 Coronado interior 5.jpg)
Attachments
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 '55 Coronado interior 2.jpg (27KB - 321 downloads)
'55 Coronado interior 3.jpg (17KB - 308 downloads)
'55 Coronado interior 4.jpg (28KB - 305 downloads)
'55 Coronado interior 5.jpg (44KB - 320 downloads)
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13054
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | NewportBob - 2008-01-25 5:24 AM
(anybody know what that style is called?).
Bob
Those seats are named "High-Tower" seats as for Chrysler 60 that is - wild guess thats the common name |
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | Wizard, I'm not Roger, but here's your answer: http://www.originalauto.com/
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13054
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Thanks 57desoto! Link checked, it's good to have a other resource, considering the overall negative feedback of SMS. |
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Expert
Posts: 1497
Location: Fairfax, Minnesota | Wizard,
Original Auto Interiors has been a great resource for me.
I have voiced my opinion on this subject several times in the past, but I wanted to make sure the good guys get as much press as the bad guys. |
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Walter passed away on Jul 29, 2014. We will miss you, Walt!
Posts: 5358
Location: Heaven Above (Formerly Oklahoma City,OK) | Hey Duncan, I've got SMS's reply to my i-net query laying on my desk now. It's been there for several years. I asked about cloth for my '38 Dodge seats, panels, etc. They were out of sight. Local auto upholstrey supplier had exactly what I wanted on his "get rid of it board". Modern cloth, same texture and style, ONE FOURTH the SMS price. Where do you reckon I went? Check your local yellow pages. A Dollar-to-a-donut hole that there is such a dealer in your neck of the woods in Akron. I had a local upholsterer sew 'em up and installed 'em my self. Great result. |
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Expert
Posts: 2338
Location: central oklahoma! | you can't beat a good okie!  |
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Veteran
Posts: 193
Location: Los Lunas, NM | I've got to chime in about Original Auto Interiors as well. I emailed pics and descriptions of my 58 Royal interior, and they came up with the EXACT NOS seat covers for $600 (front and rear). It took a little while for them to locate them in their vast inventory, but from first contact to me receiving them was about 4 weeks. I would encourage anyone to give them a shot, especially if you're wanting true original fabrics. |
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Regular
Posts: 81
Location: Akron, Ohio | Thanks for the advice. You are right about Original Auto Interiors. Unfortunately, they do not have what I need. I am amazed that SMS can stay in business but when you have a monopoly, what do you expect. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 481
Location: near St Augustine, FL | 2-3 years ago there was a LONG thread on SMS on this forum. Search for it to see that there is definitely a history of crummy customer service. I did two things. I posted my entire sorrid tale on here and then emailed the link of the thread to the owner of SMS (Doug maybe?). They posted on here with grandiose promises and it still took another four months to get the WRONG cloth for my seats. Never again...
Edited by 60 Finatic 2008-03-20 11:32 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1060
Location: Building incorrect cars since 2000!! | I finally got my stuff from sms it looks awesome but for the price it better had. I would like to visit the lady who answers the phone out there and give here a piece of my mind. Very rude at times. Wish I had called the other company listed here to see what there price was. Live and Learn |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13054
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Aaron, I would really like to see aphoto of the fabric and vinyl, could you please post some? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 406
Location: Voss,Norway | Never had any problem with SMS.
Just got the vinyl in for the seats of my -70 Sport Fury and that was a 100% match.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1060
Location: Building incorrect cars since 2000!! | i can post pics of the door panels but the vinyl is in a roll taped up and going to the person doing the seats. i can get pics when the seats are done. |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Who has 56 La Femme fabric available ? |
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Inactive by Request
Posts: 1292
Location: Lovely place | Anyone got experience on 57 Dodge & SMS fabrics? I've been looking for original gold vinyl & black fabric material. They sent me the samples, but I've heard the samples are not always correct compared to actual products. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455
Location: seattle, Wa. | my apologies for not reponding sooner. I have taken myself off the daily notifications list, for personal reasons.
Thank you to whomever for wending in Original Auto Interiors (OAI) address. The company is run professionally by a great guy. OAI has a great inventory of pre-sewn seat covers and raw vinyl. They do NOT, however, have a computerized loom to make new Fabric for the FL cars. This is where SMS has the monopoly. I do not have the secret to getting good service from SMS. In my dealings with them years ago, I tried to be as polite and non-combative as possible, and I knew when to "give up". They had the fabric I needed, so I bought that, but after two failed attempts to match my vinyl sample, I contacted OAI and got great, fast treatment, and a superior product. I would recommend you contact OAI first, and get as much from them as you can.
It is also a good idea to try local upholstery shops, as they may have your exact stuff, or know where to find it.
I don't know what the problem is with SMS...maybe he pays minimum wage and can't keep good help, maybe there a deeper problem. Phone operators are not monitored, so they can treat you any way they want. Andy Bernbaum has a "difficult" order-taker..but if you are straight-forward and polite with him, the order goes thru smoothly. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322
Location: Finland | Finally got my samples from SMS. I ordered some samples few days after my Soto arrived¨(end of Jan) and samples just arrived last thursday. Fabric, vinyl, windlace... Everything was full match. Now I have to decide what to do with my low euro project. |
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Inactive by Request
Posts: 1292
Location: Lovely place | Funny, I ordered my samples when I was at Finland, and within a week I got them from USA. After you got the samples and later the actual material it may be hard to find a good interior man from Finland to make the work for a fair price. Good ones are getting expensive... One good friend is the best interior man in the whole Finland (Eugen), and he's not taking any American cars anymore - he gets better price from Mercedes and BMW owners. The bad point is, after having him redo interior for about 4-5 cars I had, I won't accept anything less. He tought the difference between good and bad work, and now I can tell which is what. |
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Expert
Posts: 1316
Location: Belgium, 40 miles south of Brussels | SMS said to me that they were going to send me their samples about 3 weeks ago.
I'm still waiting.
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Expert ,, George Passed away July 28th 2021, He will be Missed
Posts: 1295
Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | I got beautiful samples very quickly. However, when I ordered the materials they sent me a substitute and never told me they were going to do that.... I send it all back and finally got a refund. I found a much better substitute from Original Auto Interiors in MI. I wouldn't deal with SMS even if they were the last material dealer in the world! |
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Expert
Posts: 1497
Location: Fairfax, Minnesota | If we don't support the Good Guys with our business whenever possible, SMS could be the only choice left in the future. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 693
Location: Kangasala, Finland | I ordered tan and white vinyl for my '57 Fury on the April 16th and was told they had these in stock. The vinyls arrived yesterday (July 24th). 
The color is just right but the texture on the white is not. I believe I can live with that - unless my upholster can come up with a closer match.
Strangely the delivered material did not match the samples they provided earlier.  The tan sample was very close, but just a tad too tan and did not have the right pinkish hue. The sample was also considerably thicker material.
Edited by FinFury57 2008-07-26 3:11 AM
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | I've noticed that the OEM "Pellon-reinforced" (nylon-mesh-backed) vinyl material is a LOT heavier/sturdier than the exact-same
color-texture vinyl that SMS sells.
I tell people, who are able to do this, with still-useable remnants of their OEM vinyl material, to INSERT the OEM remnants on
the sides of the front seat, where the vinyl gets compression-cycled every time a person sits on the seat.
That OEM stuff can also be stitched into the horizontal bolster(s) of the front seat, depending on the amount of 'wastage' that
is available.
The wastage-stuff can be obtained from the seat backs, which usually are still in good condition.
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | SMS is KNOWN for sending samples out that are exact matches, but supplying material that is "close" but different than the sample. Shame on them. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 693
Location: Kangasala, Finland | 57desoto - 2008-07-26 2:54 AM
SMS is KNOWN for sending samples out that are exact matches, but supplying material that is "close" but different than the sample. Shame on them.
I have haeard that too. But just to make it clear that in this case the actual delivered tan material was perfect match - the 'sample' for some reason was not.
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 8947
Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA | this may be the discussion about SMS you're lookin for------i have to say i'd use them again---------------------------------------later
http://forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=2299&start... |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | The 'solution', with SMS (altho I have had excellent experience with them, over the years) may be for someone in the
Portland area to open a side-business, where he would receive 'your' samples, and would make personal contact with SMS,
over-the-counter, to ensure that what they are selling is good-quality material.
That person could also advise you as to how much material to buy from SMS.
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Location: Parts Unknown | How about we "hire" Roger Van Hoy? He is close enough to be a presence, but far enough away they won't likely harass him back ! |
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Expert
Posts: 1316
Location: Belgium, 40 miles south of Brussels | Just to share my experience with them so far : I have ordered on June 26th a pre-made headliner, a pre-made door panel and quarter area set, several yards of blue Belvedere cloth, and several yards of whit textured vinyl.
I have received the pre-made headliner about 3 weeks later, but have absolutely no information about what's to come next. Of course having read the experience I am prepared to wait several months.
I was asking a lot of question to be sure of certain things before confirming my order, and at some point I strongly felt that they were fed up with me. They wrote to me : "Let's proceed with the order, OK ?" ...
Before ordering with them, I tried Original Auto Interiors, but they did not have everything I was searching for. I pushed them, and they told me that they could order some of the material somewhere else. I immediately assumed they were talking about SMS, so I said it would be easier to order everything straight from SMS. |
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SMS frustration
