This link might explain why some of my prices are very high. These parts are NOT for sale. I had to pay a lot because there were many others who wanted to pay a tad less. NOS, Mint and rare items cost a lot.
Dale.
Dale.
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Re: Attention Joe Lucia........ NOT FOR SALE
Dale------
Actually, I had seen these mufflers but they were of no interest to me at any price. If they had been, I would have bought them (or you would have had to pay a lot more for them). Anyway, what you're saying is that THESE mufflers aren't for sale, but you have other parts which ARE for sale (at prices consistent with the fact that they're NOS or mint originals)? In my case, NONE of the parts that I have are for sale.
Incidentally, the reason that, when I happen to discuss a particular piece that I might have I usually suffix it with the [not for sale] phrase, is that I don't want anyone to get the idea that I'm making a "hidden or veiled offer" to sell an item. As I've mentioned before, my interest in Corvettes is STRICTLY non-commercial.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Addendum
By the way, and so that no one gets the wrong idea, I DO NOT think that folks that have a commercial interest only or have a combination commercial and non-commercial interest in Corvettes are "bad" and "unworthy" sort of folks. I'm VERY glad that there are such folks; if no one was willing to SELL parts, I wouldn't be able to PURCHASE any parts. It's just that MY OWN interest in Corvettes is STRICTLY non-commercial. And, I never sell parts.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Addendum
A few weeks ago Joe you felt the need to point out that I sell Corvette parts sometimes at extreme discounts and sometimes very high prices. I responded by stating that prices are determined by supply and demand. The above post with the link was intended to illustrate what the market can do with respect to short supply and long demand in determinating a price.
It also illustrates the profit potential for a vendor. It's very small indeed considering the cost of capital, freight, overhead, marketing and risks involved. An item this costly could be retailed at perhaps $1,500.00 leaving a net profit of perhaps $100.00 to $150.00. Hardly worth the effort! I hope I never have to depend on parts selling to make a living. I'll leave that to the big parts houses and professional vendors. I'm not a commercial entity either of else I have a full line of reproduction junk to hawk just like everyone else.
The reason I highlighted "NO SALE" is to let everyone know that the purpose of the post was NOT to advertise parts which is against the rules of this forum. These mufflers are not and never will be for sale since they will be used on a Big Brake Fuelie in my collection.
I am sincerely devoted to helping others in this hobby in the restoration, preservation and enjoyment of Corvettes. I have always shared my experiences, knowledge, and advice to all. I have researched several restoration questions and published articles in many Corvette publications including The Restorer Magazine. My fulfillment comes from the satisfaction of helping others through this sharing.
I regard the providing of rare and authentic parts to others as a form of sharing. This policy provides no monetary gain. I regard the selfish hoarding of highly sought-after items to be akin to a grammar school attitude of, "They're MY marbles and you can't have any. Not even one. So there!" Certainly this hoarding is not a position of caring about other restorers. I have no desire to have my heirs dispose of a rare collection of Corvette parts at auction when they could have been put to good use now.
Recently I have suffered a twinge of, "seller remorse" since parting with four NOS (New In The Box) RPO finned brake drums, NOS (NIB) backing plates, NOS (NIB) wheel cylinders, NOS brake springs RPO, a mint GM 37 gallon gas tank, Rpo brake scoops front and rear, NOS (NIB) front RPO 684 springs, NOS (NIB) sintered metallic brake shoes, etc., etc.. I'll NEVER be able to replace these parts. The package was expensive but the profit nil. Why did I sell these items?
All the above parts were used in the restoration of Chip Miller's 1960 Corvette LeMans race car driven by John Fitch and Bob Grossman. I feel VERY GOOD about parting with these pieces and enjoy great satisfaction knowing that every time this great Corvette is put on display my contribution to the Corvette legacy and racing history will be put on display along with my true sentiments and devotion to helping others in this hobby.
Dale PearmanComment
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Re: Addendum
Dale------
Quite some time ago, as I recall, you lamented the fact that there was a lack of humor on this board and that many of the things that you posted (and, apparently, sufferred criticism for) were intended as a form of humor and to lighten things up.
As most folks know, I pretty much "stick to business" on this board (or any other I might occasionally visit, for that matter). However, from time-to-time, just to keep things a bit light, I do interject what I intend as humor. I don't initiate threads for this purpose and I never post what some might regard as "taunting" thread titles, but I sometimes try to "weave" a little humor into a response.
Such was the case with the post regarding your prices. I mentioned that, with respect to folks on the board, you either gave them a fabulous discount or charged them extra. Obviously, you or no one else would charge folks extra just because they happened to frequent this board, so, in my mind at least, this was meant to be a JOKE (i.e. an attempt at the very humor which, from your previous expressed opinions, you feel is lacking on this board).
As far as the "discount" is concerned, I hoped that you would follow my lead and say that you give everyone on the board a big discount. Since NOS or otherwise original parts really don't have a "GM list price" (or any other list price, for that matter) it's a statement that you could make without it really having any meaning, at all (i.e. whenever you give someone on the board a price on a part it's "a big discount from your 'normal' price"). Who knows, it might even stimulate sales. Sort of like jewelry sales where they advertise 75% off; since the jewelry has no list price, the 75% off really means nothing but it does work to sell jewelry.
In any event, if my previous post on your "pricing" offended you in some way, you have my sincere apologies. However, it should, at least, serve as an "object lesson" in how what might seem like humor to some, might offend others. And, remember, you're the guy that endorsed the concept of humor on the board and lamented that the NCRS administration was trying to effectively "stamp it out". So, I really expected that you'd be the very last person to complain about what was intended, and I thought clearly communicated, as an issue of humor. I certainly hope that this is not a question of ......when the shoe's on the other foot.....In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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What You Said Is Quite True
Some items are cheap while others are expensive. I don't share a part to loose money nor do I share a part to make money. It's the market that sets the price and as you can tell by the link I pay dearly for some items. Regrettably that expense has to be passed on. At least I have the parts to share.
At Carlisle I parted with $6,000.00 for five rusty 1958 wheels. The man selling them paid $1,400.00 two weeks earlier. They're not for sale either since I'll use them. I think that might be gouging but there were others willing to pay $5,500.00.
Heck Joe I'm seldom offended by anything! After 22 years in this hobby I've developed a very thick skin. I've got my way of thinking and doing things and more power to others who differ with me. We're all in this hobby together and as long as it's the Corvettes that benefit I'm all for it.
Respectfully,
Dale.Comment
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The wheels were solid platinum, right? *NM*
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Nope! Solid RPO 276 *NM*
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Re: Attention Joe Lucia........ NOT FOR SALE
wow Dale i bought 2 sets of those mufflers in the mid 70s . i put one set on my fawn& red 62 and the other set on my driver 62 .the driver set lasted about 2 years before the insides rusted out. i sold the fawn car . i looked up the old ticket with my discount they were 49.00 each...i wish i would have bought more. BillComment
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Re: Attention Joe Lucia........ NOT FOR SALE
Bill-----
That's the unfortunate problem with mufflers; they're not what could be called a "forever" type of piece. Once installed and first exposed to exhaust gases, their deterioration process begins. From that point, unfortunately, said deterioration proceeds inexorably and continuously. Unless, of course, one has stainless steel mufflers which are virtually "immortal". But, alas, such mufflers were never originally used on C1 through C3 Corvettes and, consequently, can NEVER be original to such cars. Later C4s have them, though.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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