Air Spruce and Univair

[gusc]

I ordered a big bunch of stuff from AS and found that some of the parts are made by Univair?

I have no way to check if the AS prices are higher than Univair because my Univair catalog is so old.

It was always frustrating to me that Univair had that really annoying system of separate price lists so you had to look up every catalog price in this long, long list. Do they still use this system?

I like their stuff but their ordering system is a pain and their website is agonizingly slow to load so I gave up on looking at that also. They don't seem to try very hard to make ordering easy.

AS, on the other hand, will do everything they possibly can to make ordering easier!!

I recently ordered some stuff from Wag Aero but am holding my breath as I never did have much luck with them either. I'm hoping things have gotten better.

[Jerry]

Univair is the only way to go just call the 800# ask for Jason or Mark. I find they have most parts I'm looking for.

[Nathan K. Hammond]

Unfortunately Univair still uses that crummy 2 catalog system. Don't know why, but really slows you down when looking up multiple parts. As for Spruce selling Univair stuff; the price is usually very close. And if there is a spread, Spruce's cheaper shipping evens it out.

nkh

[gusc]

Nathan,

Thanks, I kind of suspected that. I just refuse to fool with that crazy price list thing.

I like to look at catalogs and compare item specs and prices. Too bad every supplier can't have a catalog as thorough as AS's.

[Nathan K. Hammond]

I agree Gus. Because of their catalog, Spruce has gotten so big and successful! There are many times when I won't buy something unless I can see a picture of it.

nkh

[Paul Agaliotis]

I think Aircraft Spruce has done a good job in re-inventing their image. There was a time everything you needed from them would have to be back ordered. With the new warehouse most of the items are in stock and the shipping is fast. They dont manufacture many parts so the majority will be marked with the factory information, such as Univair.
Univair,s parts are as good as they get. While the ordering system requires two books, it allows the catalog to stay current and any price changes to be reflected in the price sheets. If you are unsure of the correct part needed you can call, and the tech support is wonderful.
I did some avionics purchases from Chief aircraft and was not impressed. I would suggest using another source. They burned me for about 1K. The radio they sold me was defective and I had to repair it on my dime.
I dont use Wag Aero, at all, never, even if my life depended on it, which it does. We,ll see how they do with the Safe Air line. The items sold by them look to be Safe Air inventory that they bought. I liked using Safe Air and was sad to see them go.
Paul

[Ron Babos]

Love that online ordering from Spruce and the catalog. Those other two are still in the stone age when it comes to that. Most frustrating websites I've ever used, and usually end up phoning an order in.
Ron

[gusc]

I've never once had any problems with Spruce. When they first bought out that outfit in GA, can't remember their name, anything shipped from there was fouled up just like it was before they bought it. I complained to SpruceW and told them of the problems I had before they bought it. In short order that place got squared away, very impressive. They were awful but often were the only source for a lot of hardware. Spruce at that time did not have a large inventory.

I have ordered a lot of stuff from Chief but that was years ago. I even stopped by there once on a trip to Seattle but haven't ordered from them for years. I don't remember why I stopped but think it was because their prices were no longer competitive and I had a couple of lost orders from them also.

I haven't ordered from Wag for years until this most recent order. Wish me luck!

I also ordered a bunch of Stinson stuff from Univair years ago but probably haven't ordered from them in 10 yrs. Don't see any reason to as long as Spruce sells the same stuff at comparable prices.