49 replies to this topic

[bikewiz]

Another overseas opinion. Minispares for me is easier and cheaper than any US based supplier. I've only used Minisport for a few bits that weren't available from Minispares, the service from Minisport was fine except a little slow in getting it shipped. If I order from Minispares Sunday night/Monday morning I usually have it Wednesday or Thursday depending on DHL. My go to supplier in the US is 7 Enterprises which always ships ASAP and is a great source of knowledge, but ironically is further in distance and shipping time than the UK from me.

[The Principal]

They both have thier place having used both many times, Minispares Customer service is far better on the rare occasion such as damaged shipments they are straight on the case with a replacement no agro. Minisport however ohh dear - I asked why their website showed 'In Stock' only to wait days having purchased said item the answer they gave is the stock shown is actual stock on the shelf not stock allocated to buyers meaning if they have one in stock and someone has ordered it you cant buy it and the online status wont change until they have shipped it.

Edited by The Principal, 26 April 2014 - 06:18 AM.

[megamini_jb]

Both have been good for me

[Russw]

Used both, but mainly lean towards Minisport. Always deal with Rob there, he knows his stuff, always friendly and looks after me in general.

Must say that never had any problems with either company

[villa3]

Minispares every time.

[sonikk4]

We have used both, on the whole I would go for Minispares over Minisport after several large orders being messed around with by Minisport. It was yes we have these items and they will be shipped as soon as possible.

Six weeks later and still nothing you tend to get annoyed with the lack of comms. We have spent several thousands with them especially at the shows where I have say they have been friendly and helpful plus we got a good discount. It's the lack of comms that annoys me after the shows.


Now it's Minispares all the time and the fact Simon on here is extremely helpful. I do have to say in Minisports defence as well though I had some issues with a set of their shop soiled Cooper S rims. After a quick call and a couple of pictures sent of the offending item I was given another rim at cost, no VAT or delivery and it came very well packaged.

[Tamworthbay]

Always minispares, minisport have messed up every order I have made. I also like mini-its in Coleshill.

[leeuk]

I also have ordered from both Minispares and Minisport and I too have experienced problems with Minisport on more than one occasion,

Twice my Minisport orders have been placed and paid for yet 1 or 2 of the items were not in stock and so ive had to wait for the stock to arrive before I got any of the items I ordered, I had no email to explain the hold up either, This got on my nut more than anything as you expect your items to arrive.

At least with Minispares they let you know what's happening with your order, Minispares have even sent out my items even if they are waiting for something else within the order to be restocked.

[cooperdan]

Minispares as i think cleared my account with them

[Wise Old Elf]

I have used them both over the years but now go to Minispares first. I used to use the London Mini shop in Enfield but it went a long time ago.

If it is a small item I use Ebay as postage is not always cost effective from Minispares. If I have lots of time I will put the small items in my Minispares basket and order them when I have a few items in there.

[henri1972]

minispares only a 15 min drive from where i live no waiting for postie to deliver

[Tomm]

I have used minisport in the past and been very pleased. I bought a set of wheels from them at around £350, cheapest I could find them. I ordered them in early October and did not open them until January. There was a fault with one of the wheels and I expected a right load of issues but I was very pleased with their service. No problems, they collected the wheel, replaced it, they covered all shipping and was excellent.

Based on this experience, I would certainly buy from them if they had a product on offer that I wanted.

I have only ever dealt with minispares once and again, they were excellent, good price, great service. I dealt with Simon on here who is a great guy to deal with and the main reason I will be going back.

With minispares being about one hour away from me I will certainly be using them for my pending panel order for my mk2, purely because I can drive over there, discuss with someone the exact panels I need, load my van up and bring it all home.

[AndyR]

I have been wanting to put my 2p in on these companies for a while....

 

As mentioned, i think they are as bad as each other.  As stated, minispares for selection and minisport for that special item or occasional lower price.

 

I have used both for the past 15 years, and have had mostly good parts.  But have had some terribly fitting parts from both parties.  I have even had a part from minispares arrive that didnt fit at all - when i sent it back they said that i had modified it (which i had not touched), and they would not cover it with a return.  Only after many many calls back and forth (which i made as they failed to call back when promised) and at the end being called a liar, i refused to accept it.  Only after threatening them with taking it further by seeking legal advice - they decided to repair the part at their expense.

 

Now where my beef lies with both companies, is in there terrible customer service and lack of respect for the customers that are floating their books.  Neither like to hear that there is something wrong with their products - and their typical response is "not true - we fit them all day long here without any problems, so it must be you"  Unfortunately they know that we need them more than they need us, as there is always somebody else to come along and buy from them while we dont have many companies to choose from. 

 

I therefore choose to spend my money (a little more maybe) at other companies that i know appreciate my custom, treat me like a valued customer and only use parts that they use on their own cars.  Swiftune for example!

 

Now i know this comes across very negative - but without moaning nothing will get done.  And hopefully they read this thread an realise that the mini community isnt that satisfied with them.

 

But back to the OP - i think minispares is the better of the 2 evils

 

Andy

[Daz1968]

I use minispares and service is ok but some prices are a little high so do shop around. I only use m-machine for most panels though due to quality of fit and availability of period correct panels nothing to do with any differences in service. Never used mini sport but would use them if they had what I required of quality I need and better prices.

[Jared Mk3]

Being an overseas buyer, especially from the depths and darkness of Africa, it can get quite difficult with getting parts out here. I've had two fairly substantial orders from Minispares and not had a problem. I've had many small to medium orders from Minisport and again not had a problem, if they don't have the part in stock, like once before, then they send the item free of charge once in stock, unlike Minispares. I've had good communication with both, no real problems. The only reason I've been leaning more towards Minisport lately is because Minispares dropped the UPS shipping option (DHL is just pathetic in this country and way more expensive than UPS). In my opinion, both companies are good enough for me.