bad experience: europeanplates.com - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Peyton300TD · #1 02-05-2008, 06:29 PM

hey guys...

just wanted to share a bad experience i recently had with purchasing a custom German plate. i did a bit of research online before i chose europeanplates.com.

Europeanplates.com LLC
309 S. Cloverdale Street
Building C Suite 23
Seattle, Wa. 98108
www.europeanplates.com
www.europeanplates.net
1-866-371-2054
1-206-935-4941 24 hour fax

they seemed to have the best prices, and the most flexibility for customization. i ordered my plate December 18th and still have yet to receive it. I have sent nearly 10 emails to the various email addresses and only received a couple replies. I have escalated the issue with PayPal and still have no response.

I did an internet search on them and found countless complaints in various forums. Others seem to have the same problems- months go by before they get their plates, poor communication with the seller, etc.

what a miserable experience. i gave them the chance to get it right, i explained what i thought their problems were, and they just defer blame.

next time, i will use Alex at grtpl8s.com - he's awesome, friendly, and a good person.

cheers
eric

iwrock · #2 02-05-2008, 06:36 PM

Perfect timing!

I have been wating to order a euro plate for my car for almost a year, but have been turned off by bad reports about several companies...

Thanks for sharing!

Off to order a euro plate.

TheDon · #3 02-05-2008, 06:37 PM

good info.. I'm thinking about using grtpl8ts.com to make a Stuttgart repro plate for my benz

Brian Carlton · #4 02-05-2008, 06:38 PM

If you paid via a credit card though Paypal.........your problems are over. Just call up the credit card company and dispute the charge. In fact, you might be very close to the time limit for dispute with the credit card company........so, time is of the essence.

If you paid though Paypal via a bank account, you've only got yourself to blame. Paypal is your only recourse. Good luck with that.

Peyton300TD · #5 02-05-2008, 06:44 PM

thanks everyone.

talk to Alex at info@grtpl8s.com and tell them Eric sent you! maybe he'll give you a discount! he likes to get pictures of your cars after you put the plates on too!

cheers

Jim B. · #6 02-05-2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

Perfect timing!

I have been wating to order a euro plate for my car for almost a year, but have been turned off by bad reports about several companies...

Thanks for sharing!

Off to order a euro plate.

What country?

What will it say?

No trouble with the CHP on that? I am pretty sure they are illegal on the front.

TheDon · #7 02-05-2008, 06:46 PM

I asked Alex if he can get me an authentic plate from Stuttgart

I think as long as you put the US plate somewhere visible it will be ok..

One thing I've seen is you put the euro plate under the us spec plate..

Peyton300TD · #8 02-05-2008, 06:51 PM

i have driven with an authentic German/Stuttgart plate on the front of my car and the registered CA plate on the back for 4 years... no problems aside from 1 fixit ticket from airport police ($10). airport police are instructed to ticket for any and everything they can to cut down on terrorism - they need to have a reason to stop you.

though ive been pulled many times since then with no comment or ticket about the plate. here it seems they don't care as long as you have a valid plate on the back.

the plate i ordered from europeanplates.com looks like the attached image.

you can see my plate from Alex by clicking the link below. it's authentic German replica material. it's awesome! you need to buy the frame holder for it to fit your US screw holes.

http://flickr.com/photos/ekstarr/sets/72157603850739088/

Jim B. · #9 02-05-2008, 07:16 PM

That W124 black wagon is just STUNNING!!!!

Interesting plate on the front, I guess they are technically illegal, but enforcement not too high of a priority.

There are VERY specific "euro" plate holders you could get, with the city, name of dealer, and model insignia on them, Such as "Mercedes Benz Neiderlassung, Hamburg" etc. to go for extra authenticity. You could probably go to the German, Polish, Latvian ect. dealers directly, or get them some way. A little difficult, but likely it could be done.

What does "EAUX" mean on the plate?

Inspired by member TX76513, I ordered a personalised number plate last week.

BMW SUK but I have serious doubts that'll ever get past the California Zensur Nazi gang. Be cool if it did, we will see....

Peyton300TD · #10 02-05-2008, 07:32 PM

WOW, thank you! it feels good to get positive feedback for my wagon! i worked VERY VERY hard to get it looking mint - clayed it, zaino polish every month if not more, new rims, new sound system (nothing ghetto). im really happy with it!

EAUX means "waters" (EAU = water, add the "x" for plural) in french. i lived in the french caribbean for 5 years and i love sailing. i wanted something short and simple, but a little cryptic.

ive always admired your SEC. where did you get the exhaust done? are you happy with it? how much was it?

Jim B. · #11 02-05-2008, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peyton300TD

WOW, thank you! it feels good to get positive feedback for my wagon! i worked VERY VERY hard to get it looking mint - clayed it, zaino polish every month if not more, new rims, new sound system (nothing ghetto). im really happy with it!

EAUX means "waters" (EAU = water, add the "x" for plural) in french. i lived in the french caribbean for 5 years and i love sailing. i wanted something short and simple, but a little cryptic.

ive always admired your SEC. where did you get the exhaust done? are you happy with it? how much was it?

A black end-of-model run W124 wagon is something to be MUCH coveted. I know a LOT about owning a black car, they are a lot of work, and get dusty and drity real fast, but nothing shows as well as one.

The "Arts" plate shows the lettering just perfect on your car. Nice job with that. I would think you'd want to show it on the front too.

I have a set of Period correct Beverly Hills Ltd. MB dealer plate frames, so if the personalized plate comes in, I might use that too.

Anyway, here's a late update with pictures, on what has been going on the last weeks, with the Remus (so far as I know it was the last brand new one left for the 560SEC in the USA). Costs me $930 to the door, but it is worth it. (Would have cost $750 a dozen years ago, FWIW)

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w126-s-se-sec-sel-sd-sdl-class/1357395-new-remus-exhaust-cascade-560sec.html?highlight=cascade+new+remus

The aftermarket modifications:

Eibach springs.

Aftermarket wheels 16", new ASA (BBS subsidiary)
brushed aluminum W140 style. W220 style S class center
caps. Fitted October 2007.

Custom fitted 2 piece Ramshead New Zealand sheepskin
seat covers in Polar White on front seats, fitted 1997
www.ramsheadusa.com

Burlwood driver door cupholder (Performance Products)

Burlwood/leather shift knob (Performance Products)

In dash CD player (Alpine Unit - installed, 2002)

Full Euro headlight conversion, including darker Euro
amber corner lights.)

Period correct AMG trunk script and AMG aircleaner
decal.

Weathertech HD floor mats.**

Euro OEM "Warndriecke" warning triangle and clip**

Euro OEM fire extinguisher **

Cadillac horns wired to existing horn system

Remus custom exhaust system

Euro OEM oddments box

Euro OEM 7.5 litre gasoline jerrycan fitted.

Bergwerks first gear start fitted.

Bumpers, lower body cladding, mirror backs, and door

Trying to Euro it one step at a time. Pretty much have it how I like it now.
I have a set of MB OEM new Euro front orange fender blinkers I bought at a MB dealer in Helsinki, Finland, years ago. Can't decide whether to install or not.

But to say the truth, it never ends!!!

iwrock · #12 02-05-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

What country?

What will it say?

No trouble with the CHP on that? I am pretty sure they are illegal on the front.

Just German plates.

I want to get a set made for all the Sacramento Area Guys...

I want SACMBZ1, SACMBZ2, SACMBZ3, etc...

Get them for Nik, Garrett, Me, You, Troy, Turbobenz, and anyone else who wants one!

Peyton300TD · #13 02-05-2008, 08:43 PM

yes i LOOOVE black cars. black was my first choice, thankfully i got one - it took me forever to find this car and i ended up getting it shipped from Georgia.

i prefer not to have the stock CA front plate - the German plate fits the lines of the car so nicely, and it turns more heads.

i love your mods... how do you like your rubber mats? would you recommend them? i have tried inquiring at the dealer for some and they are extremely unhelpful. the best i found were Lloyds and i didn't like the upholstered mats they sent for my old w123.

also have you thought about tint? i have been toying with the idea. i don't like limo tint, but was thinking more along the lines of a light/medium tint.

Hammertime · #14 02-05-2008, 09:27 PM

bought several German plates from here:

http://www.licenseplates.tv

never a problem, but maybe not the cheapest..

Peyton300TD · #15 02-07-2008, 01:08 PM

just a quick update on this...

i escalated my dispute on PayPal to a 'claim.' the seller insists he provided proof of shipment. but the tracking information from USPS indicates that the seller printed a label, but never sent a package.

it seems this guy is a cheat.