First is the their image from their page for shopping. The 900 series caption/picture is taken directly from their website and show below.
- ipdusa.png (75.39 KiB) Viewed 1511 times
I have made several purchases and found that some of the parts have not fit. Upon consultation it was decided that some would not fit, and others should be fine. I have yet to attempt installation of the indicated good parts.
examples:
Transmission Filter and Flush Kit:
I purchased the transmission filter kit listed in the proper category. I also bought the transmission flush kit. After speaking with them I learned that neither will work. It turns out that they are for the 940s, but they are listed in the 960 category as well. A update is now listed on the website.
Incorrect Expansion Tank:
I also purchased an expansion tank for my car. My car comes with a coolant level sensor. The tank sent does not have a sensor. It was agreed that the tank for all Volvo's listed in this category should have the sensor. I imagine that a wrong tank was sent.
Timing Kit Confusion and Bad Advice:
My car is a 1995 and is registered as so. The build info on the VIN plate lists it as being manufactured in 1994, which is normal. IPD lists two different kits for a 94 or a 95. There is a difference between the kits for each year. I decided that I had better find out definitively.
The first tech I spoke with about a timing kit stated that Volvo was notorious for being inconsistent about what engine series went into what car (!?!?!) I had, and sent pictures of the engine model and serial number on the timing belt cover. I also sent pictures of the VIN plate on my car as well. This particular tech stuck to this story, and told me that I had to take the car apart to figure out which one was correct. I asked him to speak with someone else, but he declined to do so. My guess is that he had no idea. Perhaps he did not want others to know.
After several weeks I spoke with a different tech. I gave him the same information and pictures. He was confident of which kit I had to use. I bought it and it worked fine.
Recommendations
IPD needs to make disclaimers much more clear. There are very few 1995 960 owners. And we would represent a very small percentage of all business. But it does generate frustration and lack of future purchases due to unclear parts matching.
IPD should request that owners of unusual cars contact them for ordering to avoid problems.
IPD could create an application that automatically screens for conflicts between parts ordered for particular cars. Other online stores have such as system. It may be prohibitively expensive though.
IPD techs need to be encouraged to seek advice from other techs if they are unclear on applications of parts. There is no shame in asking for a confirmation. However, it does hurt business if bad advice leads to customer dissatisfaction (or car complications.)
Overall:
I would give IPD a 2 out of 5 rating. This includes tech support (2.5 out of 5), parts accuracy (2 out of 5), and accuracy of website information (1 of 5).
