ConcoursMustang Forums
Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models => Processes, Products & Techniques => Topic started by: lathamjr on September 14, 2015, 06:16:01 PM
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I'm wondering if anybody has been in contact with Python Restorations lately. I have left many messages by phone and pressed to leave a callback number, as well as many email messages. This has gone on for months now. In September 2014 he received a set of 64-1/2 belts to restore for me. The package included a set of the plastic retaining pins. He acknowledged receiving the pins and even described them. They disappeared while in his shop. For months I was told that he was still searching for them and any attempt to discuss compensation was answered with replies to let him continue to look for them. I attempt contact at least weekly and have not received any reply for probably six months now. I honestly feel like he is deliberately avoiding me.
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I had him restore my 67 standard belts back in April or May this year. He did a great job, fair price, and got them back to me within a couple weeks.
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I'm wondering if anybody has been in contact with Python Restorations lately. I have left many messages by phone and pressed to leave a callback number, as well as many email messages. This has gone on for months now. In September 2014 he received a set of 64-1/2 belts to restore for me. The package included a set of the plastic retaining pins. He acknowledged receiving the pins and even described them. They disappeared while in his shop. For months I was told that he was still searching for them and any attempt to discuss compensation was answered with replies to let him continue to look for them. I attempt contact at least weekly and have not received any reply for probably six months now. I honestly feel like he is deliberately avoiding me.
I have not had success in getting responses via phone or emails from both Python and Ssnake-Oyl recently (early 2015).
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Spoke to Python (I forget the gentlemens name.) around March/April 2015. Nice guy. He did mention that he was absolutely swamped. He told me 8 weeks minimum to get my seat belts restored. I said that was fine because I was not in a hurry. After our initial conversation, I tried to contact him via phone and email to send him my seat belts. He never returned any calls or emails so I decided this was not a person I wanted to do business with. From what I can gather if you are one of Python's "regular customers", you move to the top in terms of responsiveness then there is everybody else. I have no ill feelings towards Python (but If I was you, I sure would). It is what it is. If I was you I'd locate another set of pins but keep after Python for cash or the original pins.
I went with Ssnake-Oyl. Yes, I paid more but they kept in contact with me, delivered on time and did a great job. I did have a minor problem and they bent over backwards to make it right.
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Thanks to all posters. These reviews are invaluable. Keep them coming.
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My car is going to be done before I can even get my belts in for restoration. I'm looking to buy a standard set to put in the car so I can drive it and have the originals are ready to go when either Python or Ssnake are ready to take them. :)
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Spoke to Python (I forget the gentlemens name.) around March/April 2015. Nice guy. He did mention that he was absolutely swamped. He told me 8 weeks minimum to get my seat belts restored. I said that was fine because I was not in a hurry. After our initial conversation, I tried to contact him via phone and email to send him my seat belts. He never returned any calls or emails so I decided this was not a person I wanted to do business with. From what I can gather if you are one of Python's "regular customers", you move to the top in terms of responsiveness then there is everybody else. I have no ill feelings towards Python (but If I was you, I sure would). It is what it is. If I was you I'd locate another set of pins but keep after Python for cash or the original pins.
I went with Ssnake-Oyl. Yes, I paid more but they kept in contact with me, delivered on time and did a great job. I did have a minor problem and they bent over backwards to make it right.
there have been some autnticity issues with snake oyl which is why myself and others choose to do business with Python. If you are not concerned about that then you have more choices. I hope snake oyl has changed their webbing and sewing issues.
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Thanks to all posters. These reviews are invaluable. Keep them coming.
I second that. I need a set of Dark Blue belts restored for our '69 Z/28. This thread will help determine where I send them.
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there have been some autnticity issues with snake oyl which is why myself and others choose to do business with Python. If you are not concerned about that then you have more choices. I hope snake oyl has changed their webbing and sewing issues.
Bob, care to elaborate on the issues you've encountered? I've always used Python, but I too had difficulty getting ahold of Stewart back when I last used him, and I thought of switching to Ssnake-Oyl.
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Thanks for the name. Stewart had to deal with some personal issues around the beginning of the year and stopped accepting work for a while. This is when I had contacted him, and he was very nice, polite, and asked that I get back with later (about a month from the time that I had contacted him). Since then I have sent a couple of emails asking if it was OK to send him my belts for him to work on, but have never heard back. So I wrote to Ssnake-Oyl asking them about availability to do work and have never heard from them either. Where phone #'s are listed on WEB sites, I have also called one of both and left messages as well. There is a third seat belt restorer that I came across in the WEB searches but they seem to have a low production and work seems to stop when they go to shows. I will have to see if I can find them again so I can post the name.
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I was wanted to get my belts restored this winter, now I'm starting to have second thoughts. I'd almost rather leave the 50+ year old, worn out looking belts in there, rather than have multiple issues getting them back.
Any other thoughts?
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Back around May or so Python re-webbed all my belts, rebuilt and dyed the buckles. I had them back in around 2 1/2 weeks.
Stewart went MIA for a few days when I was trying to reach him but overall he was great to deal with and my belts looks awesome.
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I had Snakeoyl do my Cyclone belts. They look great, had no problems,(that was last year), BUT, the webbing is not 100% correct, not as thick or as wide. They told me that was all they could get. You might think if you are in the business to make high end parts you would have the correct stuff made. For the price they charge they should. I bet Jay Leno would get it done right
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I have used Stewart AKA Python for 5 sets and have recommended him. As far as the webbing I compared to some originals when I got the first set back and they matched. Maybe he is running out of the correct stuff? I first used him for my Boss 302 back in 2006. I need a set done for a Boss 429, so I think I should see if he answers his phone.......
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I have used Stewart AKA Python for 5 sets and have recommended him. As far as the webbing I compared to some originals when I got the first set back and they matched. Maybe he is running out of the correct stuff? I first used him for my Boss 302 back in 2006. I need a set done for a Boss 429, so I think I should see if he answers his phone.......
Armond , the last post was talking about Snake Oyl that didn't have the correct webbing not Python. As far as I know the correct webbing isn't a issue for Python.
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AH! Thanks Bob! I received an email back from Stewart this morning and he addressed some of the issues and he is doing his best to work thru them and all is well and he is buried with work. I have forwarded this thread so he can see it and work things out.
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Stewart from Python Restoration here
How great that there is a forum to keep track of so many important things Mustang related. I have learned quite a bit from reading and/or researching various car related forums. This forum is among the strongest.
We strive to do our best to put out the best product on the market – and have a strong following of dedicated restorers that use our work. That is clearly a subjective measurement though – we prefer to let our work speak for itself.
If our only complaint is from a customer missing four small 1964 plastic pins, it is still one too many. It is, however, difficult to get a fair perspective on something from just one point of view.
Anyone who has four original 1964 plastic anchor pins at a reasonable price – let me know so we can get a set for Mr. Latham. We have a very close approximation that we always provide at no charge with our restored belts. We have not been able to locate the set that came in a small plastic bag with his belts – but we have told him multiple times that when we can find a set for him we will send them to him. We would have preferred continued patience instead of feeling the need to air his grievance publicly.
Walter emailed when he received his belts – he said: “The belts arrived and look great. The transformation is unbelievable. I am so glad that I am going the route of having correct belts for my Mustang. Folks will be able to see what started the frenzy over 50 years ago. Modern belts just don't do justice to the interior.”
We appreciate his kind words on our work. Attached a picture of his finished belts.
Having an abundance of work can be a bit of a curse – phone calls and emails quite often have to take a back seat to orders that are already sitting on your dock. Seeking more business should not be more important than meeting current customer’s needs.
Moreover, sometimes family issues take priority over business. We have had a difficult year and we have been greatly impressed with the flexibility of our customers to allow us to handle family health-related issues. We get an abundance of calls – and some of the inquiries require lengthy responses.
Our focus will continue to be on our product – thanks to former customers who gave credible input as to our final product. Vendors do need to be held accountable to their final product – and forums like this help to do that. I do not believe that this string falls into that category, but I suppose that is also subjective.
We will need a little additional patience for a while as we work through our current family struggles. Thanks to our customers who alerted us to this thread – sorry to have made our response so lengthy.
Stewart
Python Restoration
214-384-9696
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Nice reply, Stewart. Those belts look great! Now I know where I'm sending the dark blue belts from my '69 Z/28.
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Thanks for the kind (forum) comments and for taking the time to publically addressing the questions/issues posted here.
Now back to work ;)
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Nice response and explanation. Life does get in the way of our goals and dreams sometimes whether it's a hobby or a business.
Thank you for providing a great service and sincere well wishes as you cope with family struggles.
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Thanks Stewart, you've always been done right by me and I enjoyed meeting you several years back.
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Stewart, you know you have my endorsement .