I felt I got taken today. (long rant)

[Wayne K.]

I know this sort of thing happens to all of us at one time or another and today it happened to me (again).
Last night I decided to change the oil in the 67 Vette and went to look for my supply of drain plug washers that I couldn't come up with after 30 minutes of seaching (this over 50 BS is getting the best of me). As I didn't need to use the car I decided I would stop at the local auto parts store on the way to the office in the AM and buy some more. Well they had washers but not exactly what I was wanting so my next stop was the hardware store. They had something that probably would have worked @ $.25 a piece but they were twice the thickness so I passed and stopped at Lube Pro thinking if they change oil they have to have drain gaskets. Well I was right but they don't sell them. You get them included in the oil change. Can you believe that. I offered them a buck for one and was told they couldn't do it as they didn't have a code to ring it up. They politely told me to go across the street to the local Ford dealer. Having been there in the past I know before I walk through the door this is going to be a little pricey. Sure enough the parts guy comes up with the exact kind of washer I was looking for and asked if the Vette would mind that it was for a Ford 302. I said " not if I don't tell it" and told him I'd take one, how much. He goes to the computer and looks it up @ $ 2.91. I'm running late so I take it and tell him the next time I'll bend over before I come through the door so he'll know I'm ready. Such a deal. Why do we let this happen to ourselves ?

[Joe L.]

Re: I felt I got taken today. (long rant)

Wayne----

I don't know what kind of gasket that Ford uses these days. However, the current GM gasket for your application is GM #14090908. This is a composite metal-elastomer type gasket and is the best one that GM has ever come up with for oil pan drain plugs. It's not totally leak-proof, but it's better than the nylon gaskets (originally used on most C1-C3 Corvettes) and the copper replacements that followed. GM uses the 14090908 on a very wide array of engine drain plugs, both metric and english. Not C5s, though, as they use a plug with an o-ring seal.

In any event, the GM #14090908 currently GM lists for $1.31/each. HOWEVER, if you walk into most GM dealers, especially those in major urban areas on either the "left" or "right" coasts and ask for an item like this and nothing else, they will likely use their price-escalator program on you. This is a program which is built into the GM parts system that allows the dealers to increase the list price of certain items. Usually, this is done on a "sliding scale" sort of manner. In other words, if you purchase a part with a GM list price of, say, $1, it may increase the list price by 300%. If you purchase something with a list price of, say, $10, it may increase the list price by, say, 150%. And, so on. Usually, parts with list prices of $100, or more, are sold at the "true" GM list price.

Many dealers, including Ford, I'll bet, figure that there is a certain cost to having a parts man help you and that's not recovered by the profit on a $1 part, sold to you at manufacturer's list price. In fact, it's likley not recovered even when they sell you such a part at a 300% mark-up over list price, considering that the part's profit has to cover a lot of other overhead, too.

Whenever I walk into a dealer to purchae a small item, by itself, I usually expect to pay a premium price for it. Usually, I only do this when I need something right now. In that case, I'm glad to have the part and I feel okay with the price. In fact, even if I am otherwise entitled to a discount in such cases, I NEVER ask for it.

[Dave Suesz]

I've been on the other side...

of the counter for this. I have often seen where even plain, high-volume gaskets and other such parts carry a stunning price. The problem is that even with a $.02 gasket, warehousing and transporting costs are comparable to a much larger and expensive part (this is why frozen concentrated OJ costs less than the straight stuff). Not to mention the time/efforts of the counterman. When someone askes me even for a small used part, I figure even if the part is almost worthless, it costs the company a minimum of $5 of my time just for me to go find it.

[DANNY PANTUSO]

Re: I felt I got taken today. (long rant)

HI WAYNE, I JUST HAD A GOOD LAUGH AT THAT ONE, THAT A GOOD ONE, HAVE A NICE DAY WAYNE. DANNY #38266

[Wayne C.]

The problem...

...with that "escalator", is that I, the customer, feel I've been shafted and will think very long and hard before going back to that dealer when I want the $100 part, or even a whole car. I harbor a grudge against being treated that way. In fact I've already stopped doing business with several such dealers. Some dealers can't be bothered with a small order... they aren't ever "bothered" by me again for ANY size order.

[Chuck R.]

Re: Were victims of the money landslide

I feel your pain Wayne,

It's always about the money and in these times it's BIG MONEY.

We are victims of our passion. And the majority of larger parts suppliers know it!

Over head Bah, they just don't want to be bothered with the small stuf so they inflate the prices.

They have most of us right where they want us, parts poor and hungry!

Why will I be crawling around in a weathered wreck peeling out the fire wall insulation for my 68?......the money of course, or should I say the lack there of. My budget is tight enough where I'm forced to compromise on the less important and less visible components so I can afford the more critical parts I need.

Do I like it?, no. Is it necessary?, Yes!

It's the cruel hard facts of some of us who know out of the gates, that we will never be worthy of flight status but want that straight and sharp driver.

I guess it's that little fish in the big pond thing.

That's why this board and membership is so vital to at least this knuckle dragging wrench swinger, the price is right and the assistance and information priceless.

Chuck

[Dave Suesz]

I most respect...

...The guys and gals who wrench their own cars. I saw a car recently restored from unrecognizable junk to show-winning beauty. The major demonstration of talent on the owner's part was...Writing checks. I've always been more impressed by those who turn junk into a good driver with their bare hands. How many of those great looking trailer queens could do a 4 hour rally without half a dozen things going wrong, anyway? I know for a fact there are such cars out there with no-grease-fitting universals pulled from yards just to get that original look. They look great on the trailer, though.

[Chuck R.]

Re: Amen Brother Dave *NM*

[Clem Z.]

who is passing the collection plate? *NM*