I just had to put this thread out there for all newcomers and all members! DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM CALIFORNIA CRUISERS aka ABC Designs!
They are such rip offs it is ridiculous. I have had nothing but trouble with them for the last 2 months! I ordered a rolled visor (painted) (which I do like the visor), bumpers (SUCKED didn't fit or look good at all), wheel well trim (came in one roll, but short on material), door cups, antenna bezel and tail light rings (these 3 items were ok).
I ordered and he charged my CC on 3/30/07 (probably seconds after he hung up). PT Bob told me I would receive everything in 1 week, HAH a month later still no parts.
On April 17th I emailed him to see if it had been shipped yet, he said still going through paint! Finally I told him to just send me an unpainted visor, which I finally received on 5/2 unpainted. He said he would credit me $100.00 because it was unpainted. Still have not received that credit.

Now the bumpers-he sent me 2 front bumpers. I tried since 4/17 to get the correct bumper, never seen it, so on 5/12/07 I sent them back. It cost me $62.47 for shipping, I don't feel I should have to pay that since it was his mistake. He admitted he sent 2 front. Then he turns around and says they were correct after he received them. He said I could only have store credit and would have to pay a restock fee! I DOUBT I AM GOING TO DO THAT!
I have contacted my CC company and am disputing $500. for the bumpers, $100 credit for the unpainted visor, $62.47 for return shipping and $65.00 for the wheel well trim that was shipped short (that my body shop had to order to finish the job).
GET THIS! He wanted pics of my car so I sent them, then he said:

"Kathie,

Thanks for the pictures! They show how the Chrome wheel
well trim was over-installed incorrectly! No wonder you ran
out of the material we sent. Also You have a chrome trim in
the same area our custom bumper kit goes? We also can see
the visor was installed.So *you received all parts ordered,*
and then incorrectly installed items and changed your mind?

We are not in business to custom build non-refundable parts
and ship them only to have the customer change their mind.
We are not responsible for incorrect installation of our parts.
_*
As you already know, our company policies are as follows:*_
1. Any Refunds are store credit only! *NO CASH REFUNDS!*
2. Any _*custom ordered*_* *parts are also* NON-REFUNDABLE!*
3. Any parts made to your special order are _*custom ordered.*_
4. Any painted parts are *_custom ordered.
_*
At first we were willing to make some exceptions for you.
After reviewing the pictures, we now understand what's up.

The return package was opened today and inspected.
The Bumpers were the correct parts for your order.
_*These were built to your special custom order.*__*
Any return shipping cost are at the customer's expense!
*_
We also reviewed the pictures and see the chrome
was installed incorrectly, We actually sent extra 2' of
chrome in the original shipment (LIAR). You had someone run too much chrome on each wheel well. (HOW CAN YOU DO THAT?)
_*No value here. our material was not installed correctly!
You can not ask us to pay for your over use of materials!
*_
The pictures also show you installed Chrome moldings
in the area our bumpers were to go? What material is this? (DUMB A$$ IT'S BUMPER CHROME NOT WHEEL WELL CHROME)_*When a customer changes their mind it is not at our cost.

The Visor was ordered Painted and is considered custom. (HE SENT UNPAINTED)*_You were impatience had us over-night a second visor for you? (HE ONLY SENT ONE)
_*
We are a customizing shop. Most parts are built as custom
special order items. These items are non-refundable!
*_
We tried to help you impatient needs and now you are
being ridiculous. You can not tell us how to run our business.
*We have policies in place for you to follow. *You are abusing
our company policies and now demanding we do it your way!*
*
You can not make up a value? There are correct details here.*

1. Your complete order was built custom only for you!
This order is a special order and is Non-refundable!
*
We were willing to work something out for you before you
created this false list of values. Your demands are wrong!

*FACTS:
1. This order was made special for you! as a CUSTOM order!
_
2. You have the following on your car:_*
1. HHR ROLLED VISOR...............$295. (HE CHARGED ME $375.00 FOR PAINTED)
2. Chrome Wheel well kit.................$100.
3. Shipping your custom order..........$100.*
3. Total value for the parts you have.$495.
*
We will offer a store credit less re-stock on the bumpers.*
4. STORE CREDIT (Bumper kit)......$425.

If you choose to dispute this through your credit card, then
we will not offer the store credit for the non-refundable items.
**
S.C.C.I. Collections dept."

That is just one email that he sent. Now I await decision from my CC company. I faxed them 41 pages of proof.

Sorry for the venting here, just wanted everyone to know STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY!

 

Kathie
I feel for you, I don't know what to tell you other then I hope your Holiday Weekend turns out so good it will take you mind off of this for a few days.

Cheer Up things can be worst.

Rudy (Z-Man) aka LLB

 

I Ordered Headlight Eyelids Not Even Do They Come Close To Fit, I Thought It Was Me But, They Arn't Close.

 

I've been hearing on this forum for over a year.....DON"T deal with them unless you're a local.

Looks like the two main outlets for large custom HHR parts are not good to deal with.

I can't wait for a couple of years to pass and there are enough HHRs on the road for other companies to start making products for us.

 

What a bummer on the bad support for our HHR products.

 

Maybe things will pick up when the HHR is available in Europe.

I have no problem paying good money for custom parts, but I expect the parts to be as advertised and for the manufacturer of the parts to stand behind them.

 

Yup, them crazy European tuners rule

 

Well, I hate to say it, but until Chevy generates the same kind of buzz behind the HHR that Ford did with the Mustang, VW did with the New Beetle, and Chrysler did with the PT, I doubt we're going to see much more than these half-ass jobs done by PT people looking to cash in on the smaller HHR market.

I think the HHR is quickly becoming the Thunderbird. Maybe not in sales, but in interest.

 

There's simply not enough on the road. I agree, bo buzz at all. It has not been a "hot" car like those you mentioned when their models came out. Plus its too late for it to get "hot".

We're closing in fast on the third model year with nothing really special. Yeah, I know the special editions are nice, but none of them sold out quickly. The panel is a work vehicle plain and simple and most people who buy it use it for hauling.

Right now I'mm 50/50 hoping it stays around vs. another model year or two before its canceled. And the way sales are going, if I owned an aftermarket parts compnay I'd think twice before spending all the cash to develop stuff for the HHR. Costs a LOT of money to bring something to market.

 

Which essentially means the car is doomed and will not have a long life.