Custom parts, builds, etc: Defined timeline with goal/stage oriented payments. X % at initial deposit, X % at a certain stage of the build, X % on delivery.
Retailer of basic parts: Have that **** on the shelf and keep a decent inventory or management of said inventory. Thats your damn business. If it is not on the shelf, give me a hard date as to availability. If you pull the "oh well call back in Xweeks" then expect me to buy elsewhere.
The other thing that kills me too, is E-storefronts that work solely off of drop shipping from a supplier/manufacturer. I understand that there are some companies with distribution centers, but the off road market in particular is loaded with these types of businesses that have a vendor account with someone and just drop ship. I totally get the fact that someone wants to make a buck but doesn't want to carry a bunch of overhead and sit on parts. Its annoying to order parts from someone that you search and see they are located within a day or two on ground shipping, then the part ships from California and you don't get the tracking for 2 days because someone had to forward your order to the supplier.
I won't throw anyone under the bus, but there are only a few companies I order from these days. ECGS being about the only one that I feel comfortable paying before the parts are in, simply because I can walk into their offices and place the order in person. BudBuilt was the same way when I was living close to his shop.
