Wicks Service
 

I placed an order with Wicks Aircraft last week and found out today (one week later) that they screwed up and haven't shipped it yet. Well, I was hot and asked for a manager. Janet (GM) got on the phone and apologized, agreed it is unacceptable, and stepped up to pay Red Label shipping so I'll have it tomorrow. Now that's customer service! I've always said, "It's not that a mistake was made, but how it is fixed that counts." Wicks and Janet handled it very nicely, so I thought I should share this. I'll definitely order from them again...

I think you will find Wicks to be one of the most reputable and reliable vendors in the business. I've gotten flawless service from them since 1992. Most likely your order was a rare glitch.

I'll vouch for Wicks as well. When I was looking for some fasteners for my electrical panel they not only helped me locate the exact (and hard to find) fasteners I was looking for, they asked for a sample from the company and then sent them to me free of charge. I only need 3 of these things which couldn't cost more than $.05 a piece, they sent me 6 and didn't charge. I commited to buying parts from them from that time on whenever possible.

I have been placing orders from both Wicks and AS&S for 8 years now building 2 Cozy MKIV's. I only order from AS&S when Wicks does not carry the product. Janet IS a real GEM! Dealings with AS&S are about as pleasant as going to the dentist for a root canal!

I've had my issues with AS in the past but I have to give them their due...

I ordered a cross-over exhaust from them for my RV-4. It took over a week to arrive at which point I installed it. I puttered around on some other things but when I went to mount my throttle cable bracket, the exhaust would not allow for any kind of bracket on the carburetor. I called AS and told them I'd like to return the exhaust because it was obviously not designed for my engine. They told me it was a special order item and they could not take it back. The rep was very polite and apologetic, I told her that was fine but let me talk to her manager because I wanted to explain why AS just lost a customer. I spoke with the manager who was very apologetic and said they would take the exhaust back but would charge a restocking fee because it had been more than 30 days. I reluctantly agreed because being $100 in the hole is better than $400 in the hole. Later that day I got a phone call from Jim Irwin who apologized profusely for the whole event, told me there would be no restocking fee, and they would refund my shipping as well.

This may have been an anomaly but AS did come through that time for me.

I resemble that remark! You're just going to the wrong dentist! ;)

I strongly recommend Wicks. Janet has called me on occasion to get orders just right or explain any difficulties in getting orders out to me. Excellent service.

Regards,

Wicks vs. *** service
 

I'll pile on here.

I've probably been ordering airplane parts for twenty years, and have dealt with most if not all of the major vendors. Wicks has been flawless. Every single time. My only issue with them has been that they frequently don't have what I need, and their catalog isn't as good as it could be.

I loved Alexander aeroplane company before they were absorbed.

Spruce has, by far, the best catalog and selection, and usually the best prices. They have also been supportive of GA and experimental aviation over the years. I order from them when I need a lot of different wierd little things, and I'm not in a hurry. They have always been nice, but the majority of my orders have been messed up in some small way (wrong parts, slow shipping, over billing, etc.). Communication has been slow. I've gotten several e-mails from Jim Irwin, who always sets things right, and I usually reply pretty much like this e-mail.

Dealing with Spruce is like an amiable but slightly addled co-worker. I use them, but never for anything time-critical.

James Freeman

Wicks
 

I've been using Wicks before AC Spruce bought out Alexander in GA., now the south's AC arm. I've always had excellent service, excpet for the last recent order. they quickly rectified the error, and even went slightly overboard to please, which was not really necessary. Bottom line, they are still reputable and a nice place to do business with.
T88
RV10

I've had excellent service from Wicks as well. Often, if you need hardware which is not stocked, they will special order it for you, if you buy in quantity. While doing my fuel tanks, my RV guru suggested I use NAS1473-08 "fuel tank" nutplates in place of the K1000-08s that Vans supplies. He told me that all certified aircraft use these.
I checked into it. Wicks told me they could get them, for $4 each. However, if I ordered 100 (hardware typically is sold to the vendors in lots of 100) the price would drop to $2. So I organized a group buy, and got 100. I mentioned this part on the Matronics RV List. The end result was that demand convinced Wicks to stock this item. I think they charge $2.05 each. This is one of several ways to eliminate the weeping fuel tank access cover problem.
I've also had excellent service from ACS. On the few times they have made a mistake, they fixed it promptly & to my satisfaction.
Charlie Kuss

Wicks Rocks!
 

I started using Wicks because of the fule tank nutplates mentioned above. I have since purchased several items from them and plan to buy all hardware from them in the future. VERY fast shipping, friendly, helpful advice. This is an expensive hobby, but I always look forward to ordering from them!

Those nuplates are awesome too!!!! Not quite as much clearance when squeezing the rivets, but they are SWEET! I highly recommend using them.