Mustang Maniac are trying to maintain an uninterrupted service to our customers via our online WebShop. Over the last week or so we have been getting emails from our various freight handlers which basically state that a surcharge for weight has now been introduced. Some are charging more than others, we can’t help but think that some people are just cashing in on the Coronavirus band wagon. We know some shops are charging stupid money to make a quick buck of other people’s hardships.
These charges are basically (on average) amounting to an eye watering $1.05 per 1kg of weight, regardless the size of the order. Taking into account the Pound to Dollar exchange rate this becomes a double whammy for us. That’s all before Mustang Maniac has to pay our normal import duty and taxes on top of those additional charges. To give you an example; a pallet of stock was ordered before the government introduced CV lock down. We have calculated that the surcharges alone will now run well into four figures just for that single order. Then we have to add our overheads on top of that, which we will absorb this time. As a business model we simply can’t sustain for two or three times a month. We would then be in a situation where we are selling the parts at a loss. So we have no choice but to pass these additional charges on to our customers which leaves us with a dilemma; Do we stop ordering and wait for the pandemic to finish keeping costs down, or do we order and pass the short term charges on and keep going? We know many people are working on their cars during this stressful time as they can’t go out, and not having any stock to support our customers really goes against what we stand for. We will continue to order stock in the mean time, as long as it still sells.
However, this strategy can only continue as we are, and always have been totally reliant on the couriers, shipping and freight companies we deal with to a) get the pallets of stock to us b) enabling us to keep getting the orders out to our customers. The alternative which has always been an option is that the current stock is available to be collected directly from us. Let us know when ordering that you will be picking up from us. We in turn will leave your order in a safe place where it can be easily picked up.
To protect us and our customers;
On a temporary basis we will no longer able to offer our legendary tea, coffee, biscuits and our conversation hospitality within our offices, which are closed to the general public for now. Our regulars have been amazingly supportive and understanding of this measure and totally get it.
Keep safe and stay at home. Sooner we all do it, the quicker we can all get back to normal and get on with what we enjoy – restoring and looking after Mustangs.
Mustang Maniac 
Well said and I’m sure people will understand. You guys are probably the most honest and upfront guys out there. 👍
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With fuel prices the lowest they’ve been for a while, it seems odd that a surcharge has been applied or am I missing something here? Keep safe.
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You’re not missing anything at all. That’s our point that we think some companies are trying a quick buck. They are saying that they cant ship by passenger plane so the freight costs more. We can’t help but feel some of this is a scam. But we have no choice, if we want it we get charged more. 🤔
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It’s typical of your style and core values to be so up front and transparent – thank you.
Keep safe and fingers crossed we all come through this in one piece.
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Thank you John, we appreciatethe comment. We find being open and honest with our customers can only help with their trust with us. We don’t rip people off and we say what we mean, we are here for the long haul. Keep safe.
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Listen up guys, in my opinion this horrible moment will kind of sort out the wheat from the chaff. In other words businesses who now seek to make a quick buck will hopefully be shunned in the future, whereas honest and upfront guys like you will surely feel the thanks for your honesty. Good luck!!!
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Thanks Simon, we try and be upfront where we can. You’re right about the quick buck brigade, hopefully they will get the karma to pay them a visit. It’s short term then hopefully we can get back to normal.
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Sorry to hear about the surcharges you are being hit with. It is all over and in every aspect, here at least.
You guys are great to read and I can’t wait for all of this to be over, you guys are on my “must visit if I ever get the chance to travel” list, which, right now looks like a far off dream.
So, what projects are you guys working on in shop?
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Hi, don’t feel sorry for the surcharges, there is nothing we can do about it, unfortunately that’s life. We will all just have to sit this out then we can see what we can do. Due to the Virus the workshops have all but shut down, we have a ’67 coupe in for upgrades and we will bebringing those pictures when we can.
Thanks for the spport.
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Supporting long distance from St. Louis, Missouri. All my best to my Mustang friends on that side of the pond!
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Thank you for the support. All our best straight back to you and your family.
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