A classified ad in the POCA newsletter offers OEM and used pantera parts. The seller is Ralph Sanchez, located in Brooklyn, NY.
I entered into a parts trade with this man. He received an excellent restored set of GRP 4 lenses and a set of the two-color front turn signals I sell.
I received junk. His powers of description are basically outright fraud. The worst of the items received was a headlight switch to replace mine which has some flaking chrome. I told Ralph that the only reason I wanted another switch was because of the flaking chrome. He said he had one with 'good chrome'. The one he sent has more flaking than the one I was trying to replace.
Another PIBB and PCNC member entered into a major cash purchase of a Fontana engine-in-a-box. He will soon be posting his experience, but suffice it to say that transaction also turned out to be far less than satisfactory.
I spoke this week with a Pantera vendor who took parts to Brooklyn back in January, expecting to return with the promised Pantera items Ralph said he had to trade. Upon arrival, Ralph was unable to obtain the parts, but assured the vendor they would soon be shipped when he had time to access them. The vendor's parts were left with Ralph; as of this week, Ralph has shipped nothing to this vendor.
I spoke with a PIBB member who personally knows Ralph. He used the terms 'shyster' and 'hustler' in describing Ralph. "Hustler' was also the term my Fontana buddy and I picked for Ralph.
I spoke with another PIBB member who had expressed interest in a Euro speedometer. Ralph offered a used one at $300, basically the cost of a new unit from the vendors. Upon viewing photos of the speedo, the buyer found the chrome ring to be rusty and the item in general poor condition. He offered $100 but Ralph has not returned phone calls.
In my case, an email of nearly a week ago has received no response, and phone calls either go to Ralph's filled mail box or just ring without answer.
My advice would be to totally avoid any contact or business with Ralph Sanchez of Brooklyn. Should you decide to pursue items sold by him, it is imperative you obtain complete, clear and front-back-side-top photographs of any item you might purchase. And as he may not even ship the parts, you will still be on shakey ground.
I don't wish to have any other owners join the "I got screwed by Ralph Sanchez" fraternity.
Larry
