Lesson learned

[shawn e.]

I have been slowly buying parts for my Tempest as I go through stages and as I can afford them. Recently I made a large order from a Reputable restoration parts company. I will point no fingers or name names. One of the items was a blower motor for my heater. I was quite surprised when I opened the box and a NAPA sticker was on the motor. That didn't bother me. What did piss me off was when I noticed the NAPA sticker was razor knifed off of the box. I lived 2 blocks from a NAPA and when I priced the motor it was 10 bucks cheaper. No one to blame other than myself for not being a wise shopper!

[6d7gto]

Shawn, I know the feeling well. I look back on some of my purchases and can't believe I was so stupid. I'll bet even seasoned restorers screw up from time to time. Hopefully we learn from our mistakes. This hobby is expensive enough without being taken to the cleaners by so-called 'reputable dealers'. You know what's cool though? Most of the sellers on this forum not only give good deals but they also help each other out without compensation. Sometimes knowing the part will be put to good use is rewarding in itself!

[gunmetalgray67]

Why not "name names and point fingers"? How else is everyone supposed to find the better dealers? Help prevent someone else from getting screwed.

[pro-tour79]

Not to be an A$$ but we live in a free enterprise country the dealer did nothing wrong but provided a service of providing parts to customers needing that part and they did the research to find that needed product I think that $10 is a small price to pay to have someone else do the research.

[shawn e.]

I guess I am mis-understood. My point is that I didn't need to buy a fan motor from New Hampshire when there was one at the NAPA 2 blocks from my house!:D And thats my problem!:p
Shawn

[mike nixon]

it pays to shop around.

you'd think the dealer would have removed all the stickers tho, must've been a new guy on the blade.

mike

[Norwood]

I'm with Pro Tour79 on this one, Ames (NH) Has to cover their costs of doing business. I think that you should be happy because if the part came from NAPA you know that it is a quality part. What made you think that a part from a Pontiac supplier would be different from the one that you would pick up locally at NAPA or Car Quest or any other QUALITY supplier? Just a note.. most of the reproduction parts on the market come from the same source. So if you buy a reproduction Trans Am tail lite lens from PY or Ames it is the SAME and has the same origin as the one from The Parts Place.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Shift Cables for 1968 GTO His & Hers....NAPA

[Jagtec1]

Not to be an A$$ but we live in a free enterprise country the dealer did nothing wrong but provided a service of providing parts to customers needing that part and they did the research to find that needed product I think that $10 is a small price to pay to have someone else do the research.

Research?? What research? It's a stinkin blower motor...out of the NAPA book!

[PONTIAC DUDE]

I don't understand this post? What business slacked on service or offered a product other then what was ordered?

I thought this section was for reporting good or bad business practices. Not about someone that ordered a part and got what he ordered. And it seems with no issues from the seller?

Is this a post slamming yourself?


Why is the seller (and not even mentioned in this section) a bad dude because he offers a part.... any part... to a customer.

I buy and resell all the time. Just depends on who has what. I could buy from the dealer but at times not worth the hassle or time. People buy from me and resell my wares too.

If you are fustrated with your self it would have been less embarrassing to use Word Pad and put it on your desktop to look at from time to time without others knowing that your mad at yourself for someone making a measly extra few dollars supplying you a part, putting it in a SINGLE catolog or on line and at his expense and him doing his homework, reaserch, running around time, etc, etc and stocking an item so all you had to do was supply a part number and 5 minutes of your time.


Basically............

Ya need a product.
Ya find a product.
The price is in plain view.
You have the option to look elsewhere for same product. (Sorta like Summit, Jegs and the other 43 million race parts suppliers, LOL)
Ya order the part.
Ya get the part.
It is what ya ordered?

So what's the real point of this post?

That Walmart has cheaper prices the Neiman Marcus? LOL.

[Norwood]

Pontiac Dude, You just hit the nail on the head. Thats what I was trying to say.

[shawn e.]

Ames is great! Its just the principle that they cut the label off of the box the part is great its exactly what I ordered but its sneeky b.s. that upsets me!


I guess the title of the post should read" Ames Is is a great company except they cut the label off of the NAPA box that my blower came in!"


The pupose of the post was to point out that could possibly save on cost and freight for a part if you did more research and benefit yourself!


Then if I save enough money on my Tempest project I would have some left over for so I can afford to drop the Pontiac Dude 455 that I have been lusting over in my Lemans.:D

[shawn e.]

:smash: :fencing: I am sorry I posted this here. Next Time I post in the business section I will have my SH!T together! :Peace:

[6d7gto]

Shawn, you did nothing wrong in your posting. Opening our eyes is a service to us all. If the seller wasn't ashamed of where the part came from, why did he cut the name out? He padded his profit by hiking the price $10 that's why. You wouldn't have an issue with this seller if it was the same retail price as Napa. If you can get it cheaper at the source and you expose the source doesn't that satisfy the first of 3 purposes stated in the title of this forum? I know when it comes time for me to buy a blower, I'll call Napa first. Thanks to you Shawn!
And thanks to you too, Half inch.

[jp3495]

wow I can't believe this is about 10 bucks! A business needs to make a profit or they won't be in business. Who cares where the part came from, you got your part.


"I am sorry I posted this here. Next Time I post in the business section I will have my SH!T together!"
I guess you like to whine alot......

[shawn e.]

wow I can't believe this is about 10 bucks! A business needs to make a profit or they won't be in business. Who cares where the part came from, you got your part.


"I am sorry I posted this here. Next Time I post in the business section I will have my SH!T together!"
I guess you like to whine alot......


Its not about 10 bucks ! Go back to your hole TROLL!

[gtohurstjudge]

It's buyer beware when you are buying parts from a vendor's catalog. The key is on common parts you can buy from your local parts house,
buy them there! The biggest ripoff I have ever seen can be found in the Original Parts Group catalog. They will sell you a repro Goodyear Polyglas F-70 14



white letter tire for 270.00 each, when Kelsey Tire, which is where OPGI most likely got their tires will sell you the same tire for 160.00!!!!!
On a set of four this is a price difference of 440.00!!!!!!! OUTRAGEOUS!!!
I would like to meet the people who have bought tires from OPGI! You know somebody
must be taking the bait or they wouldn't continue listing them! Somebody get a rope!

[ho428]

I bought my TA radials from Summit. Called 3 Goodrich dealers in the area and gave them a chance to match or beat their price. They wouldn't or couldn't, not sure which.
But when I needed tires for my Expedition recently, of all places the Ford dealer beat all the discount tire places by over two hundred dollars for the set.

So far I've been lucky in finding resto parts that are still available at NAPA while specific parts I do go to Ames and others. They offer more of a service on regular parts, one stop shopping.

Point is, buyer beware and do your homework. My biggest hit has come from a local resto shop, he gets me good prices but some of his stuff is not the high quality I was looking for. I'll pay more for better, I'm still learning this resto stuff.