merlinpjl

Active Member
Has anyone had trouble with Island 4x4?

I have been using them for a good few years now with no issues but!

Back in June and July I ordered approx £2000 worths of parts in two orders for my L322 4.4 2003 to do some preventative maintenance before going on holiday towing a large twin axle caravan across France.

I replaced lots of parts in the engine bay including the power steering pump.

Once I finished the job I discovered that the new power steering pump was whining at an unacceptable rate so removed it and put the old one back on.

Over a period of a few months, I have contacted Island 4x4 via the website contact form and via direct email to arrange replacement of the pump.

They have ignored me completely!

Has anyone else had this problem?

Clearly I need to take this further, perhaps with their local trading standards department.

Just wanted to know if they treat everyone like this, or is it just me?
 
I have not had problems with them give them a ring. But be aware the people you talk to are counter hands not mechanics.
 
Never had an issue with them. In fact they're one of my preferred suppliers and have been since I got my Disco 10yrs ago , continuing to use them for my RR
 
Likewise, my first choice as they usually deliver within 2 days. Never had a problem but that said never had to return anything
 
I contacted them about my potentially faulty Dunlop air struts and they basically said by email could be the bearings and so I replied asking if it was a known fault, which I know it is anyway , and asked if it was a repairable item and they then ignored me as have Dunlop uk after 4 emails so both basically saying **** off and buy some Delphi ones...
I have used them a lot and they are not far from me and prices are good but strike me as ****ing arrogant at times
 
I've had a few problems with them sending me ****part items when i've ordered (& paid for) better makes. They seem very reluctant to sort anything out. Emails go without response. Usually fast delivery although the last item i bought (starter motor) took over a week - they blamed the supplier.
 
never had a problem with Island. A phone call may help?

What brand was the pump ?

I also use John Craddock, Paddock Spares, Brit Car, LR parts all have been good and returned or replaced items.

Tip: if it rotates or seals or is a bitch to get to.. avoid Britpart
 
The pump was the OEM one so not the cheapest, I'll have a look in the garage later and post the actual brand.

So it seems Island only treat you badly if you ask a question or need to change a part, I must have spent several thousand pounds with them over the years of LR ownership so this is disappointing.

Yes, they do deliver fairly quickly, but on the one and only occasion that I have required a replacement, they have ignored me.

Time to buy from another supplier I think.

I'm going to follow it up with trading standards as I have made the attempts to contact them via their preferred method (web / email) and no response.
 
I would give them a call as it is a lot harder to avoid a phone conversation.
I use Rimmer brothers for some items as they have a lot of options on post and prices seem good.
i do like britcar as well as they offer a lot of alternatives to the same item on the same page and their basket is easy to use and when i have had a problem they resolve things very quickly and even phone after to make sure everything is ok.
I have used LRDirect in the past who were good and craddocks occasionally who are good if you ring them and don't forget ebay as they have some proper sellers on there and another who i have found good is advanced factors, especially if i buy the BMW equivalent part.
i only use island when their prices are significantly better like for my Dunlop Air struts and my transmission cooler and parts
 
+1 for Advanced Factors, but they don't have the largest range. Good service though.
Generally use Rimmer Bros because they just get on with it.
 
I have used them a few times to send parts out to me in Russia and never had a problem but like others say I have not had to return anything so I would give them a call.
 
I've had a couple of not so great experiences with Island 4x4 in the last year, which has meant that I've now started using LR Direct as my first stop - generally prices are similar, and I always get exactly what I've ordered...
I used to get that from Island 4x4 aswell, until I ordered an Airtex water pump for my P38, which didn't even come in a box (the last one did!) and just had the warranty paperwork/instruction randomly thrown in the overall packaging box. The kicker was the water pump gasket that was box taped to another box inside the main carton... thus rendering it useless, not only because packing tape doesn't come off the gasket very well, but also because the gasket wasn't laid flat, and ripped through.

Unfortunately the order arrived as I was leaving for work for 3 weeks, so by the time I opened it and found it, I figured it wasn't worth the hassle... my next order had a Eurospare part in it that was +2/3 days for them to order in, and something else that was on their site - a valve grinding stick I think.... I had to call them a week or so later to find out why the order hadn't shipped, and was just told that the grinding stick wasn't in stock, and they were only then just waiting to find out if they could get the Eurospare part (which they couldn't in the end).

After that, I gave up - likewise, I've probably spent a good few thousand ££ with them over the years - but to not even send me an email or give me a call to say parts that weren't listed as out of stock weren't available, and on top of the water pump/gasket of the last time - I decided to take my money elsewhere.

I do still use them for some things, but only when a) i'm not in a hurry and b) it's things that they are far better on price on, or I can't get elsewhere.
 

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