I wanted to provide feedback to other users on *MY* experience with Accolade Body kits. Form your own opinions based on this ... please do not hate Accolade in this post. Please do not flame Accolade or anyone else in this thread. This is simply my "review" about purchasing a body kit from accolade from the initial inquiry to receiving the kit.
I started discussions with Accolade Sales on March 29th via email (Chris with Accolade -
sales@body-kit.com). At first I was inquiring about the Evo7 TS edition kit, but eventually decided on the kenstyle kit with JDM style rear bumper. Every email I sent, I received a reply within atleast 12 hours, Often times *much* quicker.
Chris and I exchanged about 4-5 emails regarding the evo7 TS edition kit and about 5-6 emails regarding the kenstyle kit. Once the kit was at a price I liked, I requested a quote ID, which Chris provided as well as details.
I accessed the body-kit.com website and reviewed payment options. I opted to pay through paypal, as its what I feel most comfortable with. I paypal'd payment to Accolade (on April 6, 2005) and followed up with an email to Chris in Sales with the information they requested (personal information, address as well as paypal confirmation and total payment amout).
I received a reply within a few hours from Chris that they had received my order and it was awaiting shipment. I then received a follow-up email on April 8, 2005 that my order was shipped. This included the shipping company as well as a tracking number (ODFL was the shipping company).
I want to add here that Chris with Accolade sales was fantastic to work with. He was very responsive to all my emails, provided all the details I requested and worked with me on the price of the kit to get it to a number I was happy with.
Today (April 14, 2005) I received the kit. It was first shipped to Portland, OR and then down here to the Eugene area. ODFL contracts someone eles (TPL Freight) to deliver from Portland to Eugene. It was supposed to arrive yesterday, but TPL and I got our wires crossed on delivery time .. and it was received today about noon.
The box is fking huge. Its like .. 8ft x 5ft x 3 ft - huge. The box itself was in very good condition. I thought it was gonna be beat to hell .. but it was in great shape. It had one ding on it .. but otherwise was in almost new condition. I tossed it in a co-workers truck and took it home and unpacked it.
The packaging of the contents in the were good (see pics). The parts were wrapped appropriately in order to prevent any damage to the parts. The parts were covered in a plastic bag, then a foam wrap, then bubble wrap, then more foam wrap (see pics).
I removed the body parts from the packaing and inspected. I could not see any noticable damage from shipping (such as cracks, hairline fractures or other damage). Upon further inspection of the parts, all seem to be in tip top shape. The finish on the outside is very smooth and has very few blemishes. The FB, RB and SS all look as if they will fit very well. Both FB and RB have license plate mounts. None of the parts have pre-drilled holes, so the shop can make sure it fits snugly. Great quality work. Fiberglass seems to be very evenly laid and seems very sturdy.
I have to admit - I was a little concerned about buying a full kit from accolade based on other comments and experiences I've heard from fellow evom people. After completing my purchase and receiving my parts from accolade, they have made me a believer that accolade HAS turned their business around for both customer service as well as quality.
Communications during purchase = 9/10
Packaging of product = 9/10
Shipping time of kit = 9.5/10
Quality of kit received = 9.9/10
Now its on to prep, paint and install. I will post an additional write-up on how that goes and what the body shop says in regards to fitment and quality.
I want to say thanks to Chris at Accolade, as he was very helpful in my purchase. I would definately do business with Accolade again.
