Americas Finest Corvettes (AFC) / Michael Mermelstein WARNING

[Don D.]

I wanted to provide a warning to anyone dealing with AFC and Mike Mermelstein. I'd been talking with him for a couple weeks back in October and he seemed very knowledgeable and answered the phone whenever I called. I finally placed my order about 6 weeks ago and he ran my credit card for the full amount for parts he told me were in stock and ready to ship. After a week I received a few items then nothing. I called and he said the rest would be on the way and he'd provide tracking. A few days later I received a few more items (some weren't as nice as he described, but he said he'd reduce the price or take them back). Now it has been several weeks and I haven't received the remaining parts I paid for and he will not answer the phone, return calls, emails, or texts to his "personal cell". Recently his voicemail's been full so it won't accept any new messages.

I only received about half of my order and finally contacted my credit card company to dispute the charges.

I also sent him a date correct front alternator cover to build an alternator for me and I don't expect to see it again if recent events are an indication.

After a quick Google search, it seems there are other forums with warnings about AFC and Mike Mermelstein. Although my issue is not resolved, I thought I would warn other members of these questionable business practices.

[Gary J.]

Re: Americas Finest Corvettes (AFC) / Michael Mermelstein WARNING

If other members are having this problem, then he should be banned from advertising in the Driveline. I think they may have banned Goat Hill from advertising in the Driveline years ago from the complaints about him.

[Patrick T.]

Re: Americas Finest Corvettes (AFC) / Michael Mermelstein WARNING

If other members are having this problem, then he should be banned from advertising in the Driveline. I think they may have banned Goat Hill from advertising in the Driveline years ago from the complaints about him.

I remember posting about the complaints in a thread here regarding Goat Hill Classic's owner Paul Baker. He then sent me a nasty email asking what did he ever do wrong with his customers!

[Jerome P.]

Re: Americas Finest Corvettes (AFC) / Michael Mermelstein WARNING

Goat Hill and Paul are slow, but knowing that he has always done good by me. I just had to be patient .

[John P.]

Re: Americas Finest Corvettes (AFC) / Michael Mermelstein WARNING

I just ordered Bolt-ons from him last week. They shipped on time and arrived on time. My experience has been a good one.

[Anthony F.]

Re: Americas Finest Corvettes (AFC) / Michael Mermelstein WARNING

I have mixed feelings about Goat Hill. The positive is that he carries a good stock of rare/interesting inventory. I received my merchandise quickly.

The negative: I spoke to Paul Baker and he told me he could rebuild my original (rare) water pump, and he did. Shortly afterward I 'discovered' water pump expert Bill Mock, and I ordered a spare'water pump. While speaking with Bill, he advised me that Goat Hill rebuilds using inferior parts, and I confirmed that by opening up the water pump and checking the bearings and impeller. I sent the pump to Bill for a 'correct' rebuild.

So, I will not use Goat Hill for any rebuild type activities, but maybe for parts if not available anywhere else.

[Joe R.]

Re: Americas Finest Corvettes (AFC) / Michael Mermelstein WARNING

Anthony,

You are correct about Bill Mock! He rebuilds the pump with premium parts AND he uses new hardened shafts. I don't want my water pump flying thru my original radiator or anything else.

JR

[Anthony F.]

Re: Americas Finest Corvettes (AFC) / Michael Mermelstein WARNING

He's not cheap, but he is worth it! He lectured me on the history and rarity of my pump ( for a late-build 72 Lt-1 with a/c ), only cast on two (three?) dates. I'm hoping that in 20 years or so when the pump needs rebuilding, he's still around. That's why I bought a spare ( $600! He's not cheap!).

[Joe L.]

Re: Americas Finest Corvettes (AFC) / Michael Mermelstein WARNING

I have mixed feelings about Goat Hill. The positive is that he carries a good stock of rare/interesting inventory. I received my merchandise quickly.

The negative: I spoke to Paul Baker and he told me he could rebuild my original (rare) water pump, and he did. Shortly afterward I 'discovered' water pump expert Bill Mock, and I ordered a spare'water pump. While speaking with Bill, he advised me that Goat Hill rebuilds using inferior parts, and I confirmed that by opening up the water pump and checking the bearings and impeller. I sent the pump to Bill for a 'correct' rebuild.

So, I will not use Goat Hill for any rebuild type activities, but maybe for parts if not available anywhere else.

Anthony-------


Out of curiosity, how do you know the replaced parts in the Goat Hill pump were inferior?

[Don D.]

Re: Americas Finest Corvettes (AFC) / Michael Mermelstein WARNING

If other members are having this problem, then he should be banned from advertising in the Driveline. I think they may have banned Goat Hill from advertising in the Driveline years ago from the complaints about him.

I have thought about calling Driveline to inform them of issues with AFC, but I wanted to see if others on here had issues.

[Anthony F.]

Re: Americas Finest Corvettes (AFC) / Michael Mermelstein WARNING

This was about three years ago, but as I recall:

First, Bill instructed me to remove the plate on the back of the water pump. There were two or three different types of fasteners, Bill said that the rebuilder (subcontracted by Goat Hill, usually a cheap place near him) probably just grabbed whatever was lying around when putting back together. Maybe not inferior, but shoddy. I think he also said something about the gasket material or perhaps the gasket sealant ( either it should be used or shouldn't be used, I don't remember ).

Then, he asked me to look at the impeller. It was not the c`ast iron type. Bill said that was inferior ( I'm not a water pump expert, so by this time I figured he knows pumps so I trusted him ). I had to take Bill's word that the Goat Hill rebuilder uses a crap bearing assembly and seal that would leak in a fairly short period of time.

Like I said, I'm not a pump expert. But, per Bill's suggestion, I joined NCRS and saw some nasty comments about Goat Hill and lots of praise for Mr Mock.

I'm not totally against Goat Hill, they seem to have a decent inventory of NOS and rare parts, and the stuff I ordered ( repro fuel pump with correct markings, don't remember what else ) was delivered quickly and seemed fine. Maybe some of the shops Goat Hill uses to rebuild parts are ok, but based on my limited experience, I wouldn't use them again for rebuilding anything or to purchase something like one of their rebuilt alternators or pumps.

[Don H.]

Re: Americas Finest Corvettes (AFC) / Michael Mermelstein WARNING

I have thought about calling Driveline to inform them of issues with AFC, but I wanted to see if others on here had issues.

Don
Vinnie Peters is the Editor of the Driveline (and Restorer) magazine and a moderator of this forum. He has already read this thread, so is aware of your concerns.

[Frank T.]

Re: Americas Finest Corvettes (AFC) / Michael Mermelstein WARNING

Mike has always delivered on time for us , just received an order this week ,and he has always phoned back when I called

[Jim D.]

Re: Americas Finest Corvettes (AFC) / Michael Mermelstein WARNING

For the record, AFC has a Better Business Bureau rating of "B-", Goat Hill has a "F" rating. Both have a ZERO out of 5 star customer rating. Personally, I wouldn't do business with either. On a side note, just got my bolt-on wheels from Corvette America ("A+" BBB rating) and they are beautiful. Much better hub and spinner attachment design than AFC wheels.

[Michael F.]

Re: Americas Finest Corvettes (AFC) / Michael Mermelstein WARNING

having learned the hard way many moons ago on my first car, I try to live by a fool and his money are quickly separated. I like to verify before I nowadays. good luck to all.