Heartbeat City reputation

[VINCE Z28]

Has anyone ever dealt with Heartbeat City,and do they have a good reputation? Terry

[69pace]

I have bought parts several times, some NOS some reproduction and have had no issues. Customer service is good on the few occasions I had questions or issues.

[mickeystoys69RSSS]

I have ordered two times from them. Both small orders relative. The first order was missing a bolt and they sent me one free of charge, probably noting to them but did not they were fast in responding so I would say customer service ok. The second order was a 7 blade fan, clutch, and mounting hardware. I paid $139 for the clutch so that it would look original compared to the local parts store replacements. The clutch looked nothing like the original so I probably spent $100 I did not need to. I have not bought any of their higher dollar items, NOS parts or sheet metal.

[68Zproject]

Most people I think have been happy with them.  I bought a grounding strap for my speedo pod from them and they sent me one that didn't look like the picture (wire vs. strap) and they said they had the one I wanted but I would have to pay to ship the wrong one back.  Strike 1.  Then I got the radiator tag for the 68 Z28 and it was incorrect.  I sent it back and was credited, but got into long discussion about how there factory correct tag was not.  The owner said it was an exact copy of an original he got off a 68 Z28.  There are many threads about that subject.  Just because something says it's "factory correct" doesn't mean it is.  You have to check with someone who has gotten it.  NOS doesn't mean assembly line correct either.

[68camaroz28]

I've purchased a lot of parts from Heartbeat and overall have been very satisfied plus the service for returning parts I did not think were correct or had issues was always handled professionally. I do think as others they have parts that are stated as being correct that are not. Bottom line, I purchase from them and recommend them, but one has to do their homework prior to any purchase, meaning go by what you know, not what a supplier states.

[77thor]

I've ordered from them 7-8 times and I've had no problems.

[Steve Shauger]

I don't purchase everything from HBC, but they have a great selection of NOS parts and produce many correct reproduction parts. Been dealling with Jim for twenty years and have always been satisfied.

[jims69]

HBC has gotten most of my recent business ( I don't have a lot of need to buy).  The customer service is good, parts are good, and the
parts are delivered promptly.  I'm pleased with them.

[m22mike]

I've purchased a lot of parts from Heartbeat and overall have been very satisfied plus the service for returning parts I did not think were correct or had issues was always handled professionally. I do think as others they have parts that are stated as being correct that are not. Bottom line, I purchase from them and recommend them, but one has to do their homework prior to any purchase, meaning go by what you know, not what a supplier states.

X2, the last three cars I have restored they have gotten 98% of my orders on resto stuff, not NOS. They have treated me very well on returns and credits.
Mike

[restore-z28]

Good company to deal with, have used them several times and never had any issues.

[crownroyal58]

I to have purchased many parts from them and have dealt with Jim on the nos parts, every thing went well until there was an issue with seat belts that were no where near correct. Dealt with Dave on these and these seat belts have more traveling miles on them than the car will ever have. When Jim got involved he was actually VERY rude to me and used some really bad language. The fact that i had spent over $9,000.00 with him meant nothing!  Will never forget that experience, my worst enemy could not have talked to me that bad. Long story short, got money back and additional 50.00 for my troubles. If you need seat belts deal with people who know seat belts.
Will not ever purchase from them again!

[joesauer]

I've been pleased with Heartbeat's customer service and shipping, but the quality/accuracy of their parts is no better (or worse) than other venders.  What they call "same as original" many times is not.  I tend to buy most stuff from a nearby Camaro parts house (Steve's Camaros) where I can inspect the parts before purchase.  I understand not everyone has a Camaro parts dealer within 50 miles.

[Sauron327]

If a vendor is not manufacturing their own parts, the repro parts they sell may be available from other vendors. If prices  and customer service is good, it does not matter where parts are purchased. Just do research on which repro parts are the best available.

[VINCE Z28]

It sounds like HBC is OK to deal with if you know what your getting quality wise, but if you want a particular part and it's not what you expected...Rude behavior and bad language may come your way. I for one don't deal with rude people so I'll steer clear of HBC. I may disagree with you on something but, I will always respect your opinion without being rude. There are many good vender's out there and we have choices. Thanks for the input. Terry

[MyRed67]

  I have bought several items from them, have been very happy.  I've never had to deal with their Customer Service, guess I've been lucky, everything has been what I expected the first time.

[Mike S]

It's an eye opener when you browse through their feedback on eBay with customers that don't give positive feedback. Some are down right direct insults to the customer.
  Of the few dealings I have had with HBC, they have been fine. But, the replies to customers on eBay sure do give me pause at times to buy from them.

Mike

[DT]

HBC is TOP NOTCH in my book.  I have been dealing with them for sometime now. Never ever a problem.   EBay.... really ??   They have 18,495 feedbacks!!! That's a lot of people.

[DavidS]

I have bought many NOS and repop parts from HBC since I have two "repop type" Camaros and one very original car.  I believe they are excellent vendors for both NOS and repop parts.

Once I did have a problem with a NOS dash panel, see: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=9088.0

and they took it back for a refund even though I had thrown the original box they sent me in the dumpster and the box was taken to the dump.

I have no issues with HBC.

[crownroyal58]

If the owner (Jim) had not disrespected me I would continue to deal with them. I to am a small business owner and I know that you can't please everyone but you should not disrespect your customer.

[1967RS/SS]

I have been looking for a correct air filter assembly for my 67 and asked HBC how many tubes are on the underside of the base (my application requires 2 tubes) and if they could you provide the dimensions and this is his reply:

Hello Sir,
There are no tubes on the bottom as 1967 Camaro used valve covers without provisions for hoses or tubes. The back of the engine block in 1967 has a road draft tube. I can't measure the parts for hypothetical applications as it is too time consuming and the parts are wrapped in their packages from the original manufacturer. You can see the description gives you the GM number that this unit replaces and it is an exact quality reproduction.

Thank you,
Jim

- heartbeatcity

[BillOhio]

I have bought several parts and occasionally you get something not as correct as expected but had worsen problems with ricks. I did get a set of cool springs from hbc that they said were small blocks and would work for my z. The car sat so high that it looked like the engine was out. They said they didn't know z's sat lower than other small blocks. They did refund my money. My experience with ricks was bad. I ordered a distributer cap that was a supposed to match original and it was grey! The heater core was junk and damaged. HBC does sell a nice heavy core

[jeff68]

I have dealt with HBC almost exclusively over the past 8 years or so.  As others have stated, you need to do your homework regarding whether or not a part is really 'correct' , regardless of what the description on the HBC web site states.  For used/restored parts, or NOS stuff, I always call and talk to Jim before buying.  I have sent back a few "mint" used parts and "show quality" restored parts over the years.  Customer service has always been excellent.  Otherwise, I've been very happy and found that they have some interesting parts available. 

[x77-69z28]

I have been dealing with Jim from HBC for over twenty years. He is a car guy. I have traded parts with him, and bought a lot more. He has always stood behind his stuff. I would not hesitate to recommend him.

[BULLITT65]

I've been pleased with Heartbeat's customer service and shipping, but the quality/accuracy of their parts is no better (or worse) than other venders.  What they call "same as original" many times is not.  I tend to buy most stuff from a nearby Camaro parts house (Steve's Camaros) where I can inspect the parts before purchase.  I understand not everyone has a Camaro parts dealer within 50 miles.

When I lived in the Bay Area, it was always a treat to go to Steves Camaros. Steve is top shelf in my book.

[DavidS]

When I lived in the Bay Area, it was always a treat to go to Steves Camaros. Steve is top shelf in my book.

I have also received terrific parts and support from the other Steves Camaros in California.  Steve's Camaro Shop: http://camaro-shop.com/HomePage

[philip]

Even in overseas shipping it s a goog company
:-)

[jethog737]

I ordered a new Holley carb from them at the last minute about 10 days ago. (Mine was diagnosed as terminal.) So I needed it next day, car was in the shop and needed to be removed! I called talked to the guy on the phone at Heartbeat City and he quoted me $795.00 for a #4053. BUT I had seen one on Ebay from them for $695.00. I mentioned that to him. He put me on hold went to they're Ebay site and then came back on the phone and said that I was right. So they honored the $695.00 price and I got that carb the very next day by 11:00am. As far as I am concerned they are "so far so good". First purchase I might say but after this transaction I would buy from them again....very prompt too. I called them just past noon and that thing was shipped that same day.......

Jeff

[69Z28]

Sorry guys, what's a repop?

[BULLITT65]

Quick Breakdown:
-repop =reproduction parts . could be a good reproduction or bad. Even repop (reproduction parts) with the GM trademark can be junk.
-NOS is obviously New Old Stock. after years of being on a shelf they can have scratches or "shelf wear". Also some Nos parts could have been made many years after 1969, like the front license plate bracket, they may have made those into the 80's.
And then there is the assembly line correct which can be the most sought after, which refers to parts that were put on the cars originally on the assembly line.

Some of this may be common knowledge, but in case you didn't know... there ya go!

[BULLITT65]

One other thing I just remembered, there are also reproduction parts made from the original tooling. These usually have a better chance of fitting like the originals did, versus other reproduction stuff which is a crap shoot. I have had good luck with Trim parts, there stuff has always been top notch, if NOS is not available.

[69Z28]

Is it really repop or repro?

[BULLITT65]

sure repro would make more sense, but seems like repop gets used more often. Same thing though reproduced parts

[69Z28]

sure repro would make more sense, but seems like repop gets used more often. Same thing though reproduced parts

I know, I'm just busting your hump BULLITT...just fooling around...yeah, repop sounds so...teenage, doesn't it. But we're all still young right guys?...Guys?

[69Z28-RS]

If I'm not mistaken, there is a company which makes a lot of these parts which has the name "REPOP"...    Repro' is a more appropriate abbrev for Reproduction, and REPLACEMENT parts are not necessarily 'reproduction' either, if they simply replace the intended function, without a concerted effort to replicate the look, mfg, etc as well.

[69Z28]

If I'm not mistaken, there is a company which makes a lot of these parts which has the name "REPOP"...    Repro' is a more appropriate abbrev for Reproduction, and REPLACEMENT parts are not necessarily 'reproduction' either, if they simply replace the intended function, without a concerted effort to replicate the look, mfg, etc as well.

I found these yesterday afternoon.

[red69]

Recent purchase from HBC, part was wrong, they admitted it was their fault and would not take care of the situation to my satisfaction. I did not ask for the world, just expidited shipping on a very small item, to finish a project. I have been in business for 25+ years and deal with many vendors both business and hobby. I was very disapointed at the poor response, and rude treatment I recieved. 2nd bad experiece with them, shouldn't have given them another chance. Never again.

[blackss69]

I ordered A.I.R. parts from them.  Incorrect parts sent.  Long wait for "correct" parts which was still wrong (same as original incorrect parts).  Insulting response from them on the whole deal.  After loosing money on shipping two times I will never deal with them again.  Take your business elsewhere.