Frank,
I find we have pretty similar viewpoints and opinions, with the exception of
The Roadster Factory. I guess it's because I know them personally, have
dealt with them for many years and had good results. If they finally take
on supplying Spridget parts, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Sure,
they sell plenty of pacific rim stuff, but, they also sell the best stuff
they can find, when there is demand for it and when they can get it.
They're faced with "keeping the lights on", as well as trying their best to
offer a quality alternative to the chinese crap. If some (lets face it,
many) customers demand low price and will go elsewhere to find it, if TRF
won't provide it; why should TRF let Moss or V.B. take those customer's
money? They can't hope to market top quality replacement parts to those of
us that demand them if they're unable to stay in business.
Hey, BTW, Charles (Runyon, TRF's owner) is restoring a Sprite (B.E.) with
one of his sons. You may see him at a Spridget nat'l event one of these
days, soon.
Bud Osbourne
-----Original Message-----
From Frank Clarici [mailto:spritenut at exit109.com]
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 11:16 PM
To: Bud Osbourne
Cc: Robert E. Shlafer; spridget list
Subject: Quality OEM
Bud
I agree with you 100%.
I have told suppliers about a problem, only one listens and actually
checks it out and either tells me I am wrong, or he finds a suitable
replacement or corrects the problem. He is a lister too.
If I make a mistake in my ordering, I'll eat it. (I have)
For me it is NOT the money, I rarely even ask the price, I just want the
part, and the correct part that will last longer than a month.
I try to get most of my parts at swap meets. Carlisle was a good source
for NOS but that too is drying up. As are most of the meets. But if I
see it, I'll buy it because I know I'll use it somewhere down the road.
I am restoring an average of 2.5 Spridgets a year. (for the past 3 years
now) so I spend a lot of money on parts. I have not, nor will I ever go
to moss directly. I have never bought from TRF, LBC car co, Scarborougho
fare, because I have seen their vendors booths and all the cheapo repros
they are selling. Yes moss crap filters thru the channels and I get
stuck with it from time to time. But I have been moss free since 1989.
I even met Rube Goldberg CEO moss motors in 1992, I didn't know who he
was, and he non chalantly asked me where I get my parts, I told him
anywhere but moss. then he asked why so I told him. He said he would
personally look into it and get back to me. Well 12 years later, I'm
Frank Clarici
Toms River, NJ
Back up to too many sprites again.
http://www.exit109.com/~spritenut/
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