Alternate Plan Needed....HELP! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Mrs_Lop · 06-12-2011, 06:08 PM

Hello Everyone,

I am new to this forum and people here have been helping me with advice and information about work and parts needed to get my 1997 Toyota Camry LE 4cyl 5S-FE vehicle all up to date with maintenance needed.

My Current Challenge:
I was supposed to order a Timing Belt Kit from eBay. I emailed the seller about Priority Mail shipping and was waiting for a reply. In the interim about a day later-all three Timing Belt Kits on eBay Auctions that would fit my 1997 Toyota Camry LE 4 cyl 5S-FE engine, were sold! They had been listed as 29 day end date, and had only been up for a few days when members here suggested that I go ahead and buy it.

I have emailed the seller again about the possibility of listing the same kit for me. I haven't heard anything yet.
This listing was for a complete OEM/OES Timing Belt and Water Pump everything was included for $ 184, with free expedited shipping. I really can't afford to go much higher. I am right back to where I started now. I need to keep the kit as high in quality as possible and stay within my budget.

I would really appreciate your help with an alternate plan ASAP, in the event that this seller doesn't have any more kits to fit my Camry. My mechanic isn't too busy right now and is just waiting for me to bring the parts to him.

You can find out more about me and my adventures with this car, as well as the advice given me, in two other threads I have posted.

Thank you in advance for any ideas you want to share.

Mrs_Lop

***Mister_Perkins*** · 06-12-2011, 06:23 PM

Eh .. there really isn't anything that you can do unless you know someone who works at a parts store who gets a in-store discount. Then you can give them the money and have them apply the discount ???

Just a thought

Chris Crash · 06-12-2011, 06:35 PM

I would just wait and see if the seller posts another one. I'm sure you can find other timing kits on eBay!

Check out this kit:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AISIN...#ht_1990wt_939

It's complete with AISIN pump, gasket, and KOYO bearings.

Or this one as well: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Aisin...ht_3296wt_1165

Mrs_Lop · 06-12-2011, 08:07 PM

Chris Crash,

I just checked the first one you listed. His recent feedback is not that glowing. The second one was more promising, but it wasn't as complete as aircabinman's was.

My mechanic was willing to get me in because he wasn't very busy - at the time. I just have to pray that the timing is right for each step of this process.

I had to buy two new tires yesterday which were not in my budget. I had no other choice.

Thank you for your usual down to earth, practical, level-headed solutions.

Your The Man!

Blessings,
Mrs_Lop

ycartf · 06-12-2011, 09:32 PM

Mrs. Lop

He sells enough stuff on there that I am guessing he will have a couple more listed shortly, probably tomorrow (unless he is out). And just using his regular shipping I think I had mine in 2 or 3 days. The kit he presently has up for a V6 says there are more than 10 available, so he seems to usually have a lot of stock.

Take Care

***JohnGD*** · 06-13-2011, 01:17 AM

Just checked eBay and Aircabinman ships from Laguna, CA. At least the V6 kit is from CA. So 2-3 days to Alabama is pretty good (normally 4-5 days). Yes, I'd agree OP should wait until Monday to find out more.

Mrs_Lop · 06-13-2011, 11:42 AM

ycartf,Tracy,
When he emailed from ebay, he stated that he had the 1997 Camry Kit but that his 4 cyl kits would not be listed/relisted until late/later this week. He said that if I could wait he could definitely help me out.

I responded by asking if it was the same exact kit with the same exact parts and sent him his own item number for the exact kit that I needed, and that I needed that kit, specifically, as that is what my mechanic ok'd for the work to be done.

It's still early on the Left Coast, so I may have to wait until later for a reply.

I agree, he does sell quite a bit. I was particularly interested in his as the other sellers are not specific enough about which parts will come in your kit -it could be different configurations.

Impatient me, will have to wait. As soon as I have some news, one way or the other, I will have to give my mechanic the bad news about the delay in getting the parts and Camry to him to be repaired.

I was watching all the Asian business news stations, it doesn't look good for Japanese Parts. New parts were not produced or stocked in sufficient quantities to keep up with the demand, and it had to come out after the Tsunami and earthquakes. Roughly translated, that means that you and me and a lot of other people will have to pay more for the same Japanese parts. The Chinese companies do a lot of manufacturing for the auto industry, especially for Korea.

This slowdown began while the US economy was tanking, as sellers of parts reduced their inventory to improve their bottom lines. That left us in short supply to begin with. New car dealers had already been told this, however, the general public may not know.

I found a great website called www.safercar.gov. It's under the US Dept of Transportation. There I could find news about recalls and a complete listing of Tire Manufacturers and the Brand of Tires and see if there had been any complaints/problems regarding that tire. Very cool.

Blessings and Thanks for your help,
Mrs_Lop

Mrs_Lop · 06-13-2011, 11:48 AM

Well Everyone,

All things considered, I have decided to wait for this particular seller to relist his kit. His pricing is good for what is being offered. I am not pleased with the selection offered by the other sellers.

I will post when I have an update.

Thank you so much for your valuable input.

Mrs_Lop

***MR2Jedi*** · 06-13-2011, 12:20 PM

PM member Gary, ToyoPartsMan. He's a very cool guy who helps alot of people here. I believe he gives a discount to our members.
Gary Smith-Parts Manager
garys@toyotaofnewnan.com
www.ToyotaofNewnan.com
678-854-9601

Mrs_Lop · 06-13-2011, 04:12 PM

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I have heard from the seller. He promised to notify me as soon as the kit was listed.

He didn't, however,say how soon.

Those of you who encouraged me to wait, were right.

As my husband well knows, patience is not my middle name.

I'm a problem solution kind of person and like to get things done as soon as possible, if there is a problem.

Mrs_Lop

mail2_jb · 06-14-2011, 09:55 AM

I got the kit from aircabinman in 2 days (texas). He used to respond to emails in 4-6 hours. And if I remember correctly, his camry 2000 kit was mailed from San Antonio, Texas.

Mrs_Lop · 06-14-2011, 11:06 AM

mail2_jb,
His auctions on ebay give his location as Laguna California.
Thanks for your reassurance on the seller. I have been checking my email for any news from him -just in case.

Mrs_Lop · 06-15-2011, 07:47 AM

Greetings from sunny (finally), Rhode Island,

When I checked my email this morning -there it was, the news I had been waiting for. The seller informed me that the kit was now available. I immediately went to ebay and did the Buy it Now. The expected delivery date is June 20 or 21st.

I don't feel as stressed now that I have some positive news to give to my mechanic. I really dreaded having to tell him that the kit wasn't available, especially with not good news about when it would be. I am praying that it is here on or before the listed dates. I hope to have the car in within a day of receiving the parts...

Question: Should I ask the mechanic for all the parts that were removed to be saved and shown to me? This is the first time I am giving him a major job to do.

Thanks for your input.

Blessings,
Mrs_Lop

Buurin · 06-15-2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs_Lop

Greetings from sunny (finally), Rhode Island,

When I checked my email this morning -there it was, the news I had been waiting for. The seller informed me that the kit was now available. I immediately went to ebay and did the Buy it Now. The expected delivery date is June 20 or 21st.

Question: Should I ask the mechanic for all the parts that were removed to be saved and shown to me? This is the first time I am giving him a major job to do.

Thanks for your input.

Blessings,
Mrs_Lop

Patience pays off.

I would ask for all parts returned to make sure he didn't skip a part or keep the good ones to himself.