This very disturbing news came over the Riley list this morning. Could
this be true??? How will it effect us? Oh well . . . . . . .
Cheers,
Rick Feibusch
Venice, CA
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Graham Orme-Bannister writes:
I do not remember this coming up before so I will say it again on the basis
that repetition is better than ommission.
Many UK spares companies will refuse to do business with US customers
because of the risk of being sued for product liability in the event of an
accident. This may sound absurd when we are talking about light lenses but if
a company has a policy of not dealing with the US it is easier to have a
blanket ban than pick and choose products. The problem is insurance.
In Europe product liability is also now becoming a hot issue. Insurance
companies will either quote a totally absurd premium for dealing with the US
or simply impose a blanket restriction. I used to be buyer for the Riley
Register Spares Company and they will not sell to US Register members for
this reason. I am not defending the situation but simply quoting facts. Poor
service to the US by some companies may be a reflection of this situation.
Some companies are unaware of the problem and just supply anyway. Some other
companies, even in Europe, now put performance disclaimers on all their
products but I am advised that these have no legal value whatsoever.
Many people, including me, believe that the biggest single threat to the
historic vehicle movement in the future, certainly in Europe, and probably
elsewhere, is punitive legislation on product liability for spares.
Autojumblers beware.
Graham Orme-Bannister
Alresford, Hampshire, UK
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