Here is one possibility...We all know that when ordering from
manufacturers, a large order is necessary to either get the part made, or
to get a lower cost price. Sometimes the volume necessary is consistent
with demand. When it is not, some retailers will make the large purchase
and warehouse the item. When I started my Spit restoration, it seemed the
only place I could get many of the items was from VB. Among the many items
needed were the 'L'- shaped rubber seals that hang down from the front
wheel wells when the bonnet is raised and also the rubber gaiters for the
steering rack. These items rotted, cracked, and split in less than one year
on the car despite the fact that it was in dry storage for a good part of
the time...all winter. The replacement pieces from TRF have been just fine.
My guess, VB may well have had the pieces on the shelf for a considerable
lengthy period of time. However, I am just glad the parts are being made
available through the efforts of these folks. Back when my 62 TR4 was still
my everyday driver ('cause it was my only car), I couldn't get any of the
basic parts from the British Leyland dealerships! Just my .03 (.02 US x
echange on Cdn$).
Keith Stewart
----------
> From: Bob Norway <examiner@scci.net>
> To: Fred Thomas <vafred@erols.com>
> Cc: triumphs@autox.team.net; spitfires@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: vendors
> Date: Saturday, February 27, 1999 1:14 AM
>
>
>
> Fred Thomas wrote:
>
> > It seems at least twice a year we get on a binge of kicking the s@#t
out
> > of our main parts suppliers (Big 3), I'm sure if we take our time and
> > think for a minute, we can all find a lot of faults with these vendors
> > for many reasons, out of stock, wrong part, waited too long, only
> > shipped half my order, etc. etc.. Now lets take just half this time and
> > contemplate where these cars would be if it were not for these nasty,
> > back ordering, rude, stupid, uncaring parts clerks and hi-living
owners,
> > gee I sure like driving my car, glad the places are still there. Now
> > just how much longer can this same thread continue and when will it
> > start again, sort a like bad breath = better than no breath at all.
> > just me again. "FT"
>
> I guess the question that arises, is that since most all the parts for
our
> Spits are sourced from the same place, why can one parts house get them
> quicker than another? Or does one manage their inventory better than
> another, or have a 'secret' source that the others do not? Just
> wondering......
>
> Cheers
>
> --
> Bob Norway
> Rockledge, Florida
> Home Page http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/5953/mypage.html
> ICQ# 3752712
> ***************************
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