This is simply "for the record" for any other folks like me who are in the market for a replacement grille. I used 55tech.com, and when transacting, my card was charged immediately. I received an automated confirmation email after, but its been radio silence 12 days since, no shipping notifications or updates. I've reached out to the support email twice but with no responses thus far.
Reading posts on other forums, I am currently surmising 55tech may be a "middle-man drop shipper" type of outfit, which suggests they may keep no stock, but rather forwards orders to a manufacturer in the East and has them ship it direct.
I have had past experiences with products coming directly from a manufacturer in the East that take a long time to ship, and have no notifications unless you ask or go looking for it expressly.
Finally, I saw many similar grille products on eBay for a significantly lower price, and I suspect it may be the same fabricator, if not the same person. I do know that 55tech has an eBay Store.
So buyer beware with 55tech....clearly we choose to be in a market where this kind of thing can happen and dealing with probable overseas fabricators is not the same as dealing with Amazon.com. As a R170 owner, Its no Toyota Camry. I'll stick with my current assumption that the part is coming directly from the East and give it another week or so before initiating a chargeback. 4 weeks with no feedback or product is unacceptable in today's marketplace. I'll report back for full disclosure.
Reading posts on other forums, I am currently surmising 55tech may be a "middle-man drop shipper" type of outfit, which suggests they may keep no stock, but rather forwards orders to a manufacturer in the East and has them ship it direct.
I have had past experiences with products coming directly from a manufacturer in the East that take a long time to ship, and have no notifications unless you ask or go looking for it expressly.
Finally, I saw many similar grille products on eBay for a significantly lower price, and I suspect it may be the same fabricator, if not the same person. I do know that 55tech has an eBay Store.
So buyer beware with 55tech....clearly we choose to be in a market where this kind of thing can happen and dealing with probable overseas fabricators is not the same as dealing with Amazon.com. As a R170 owner, Its no Toyota Camry. I'll stick with my current assumption that the part is coming directly from the East and give it another week or so before initiating a chargeback. 4 weeks with no feedback or product is unacceptable in today's marketplace. I'll report back for full disclosure.
