Re: (ET) Used parts - long winded

["steves" <ssawtelle fcc net>]

I think the key to keeping Bill in business is to expand his customer base.
Every ET that is brought back to life can do that whether it is rebuilt 
with
used parts, new parts, or customized. Some parts have no good substitute or
used part available (sheet metal parts being one), so virtually every ET
eventually will  probably need some part from Bill. Also more ETs running
will require services such as motor rebuilds and a demand for accessories.
Having a clearing house for used parts is fine, but may be a PITA for Bill.
Also one of the things that draws me to this group is everyone helping each
other out. My first ET was complete except for a disconnect switch and
someone sent me one gratis. I try to help others out the same way. Each
time, that's another ET running that will need battery bags, sheet metal,
disconnect switch upgrades,  mower decks, etc etc which Bill can supply.

- SteveS




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jeff Tickner" <JeffT softlanding com>
To: <>
Sent: Tuesday, March 02, 2004 9:50 AM
Subject: (ET) Used parts - long winded


> I want to offer my opinion on used parts. This is coming from my
> experience with air cooled VWs, a much larger market and better
> availability of parts.
>
> We need to involve Bill Gunn in the used parts business, or at least 
> offer
> him the opportunity. If we develop our own parts availability then when
> there's a need for a part that no one has, will Bill still be around to
> supply it?
>
> There are three kinds of vintage vehicle owners: those that keep their
> vehicles strictly original and pristine and use them occasionally, mostly
> for show (trailer queens), those keep their vehicles original and use 
> them
> regularly and then there are those that find this vehicle the best  for
> their needs but have no problem upgrading or using non-stock parts 
> because
> they may be cheaper or better (rarely are parts both cheaper and better).
>
> There is a limited supply of NOS parts on Bill's shelves (and other
> places) and there are certain people that would prefer the NOS parts, 
> even
> at a premium. There is also a supply of good used parts which we don't
> know the size of and are discussing here how to quantify. Some folks 
> would
> be fine with a good used part if they could find it, like me.
>
> What I'm suggesting is that rather then just trade these used parts
> between ourselves, we use Bill as the distributor for which he makes some
> income. Then when I call him for a part he can say "I have an NOS for
> $XXX, a used refurbished for $XX and a tested used for $X".
>
> So how does he get the parts? That's the sticky part. I would like to
> think he can offer us a trade-in value or credit toward future orders for
> used parts. If I send him 3 frozen mower motors will this "credit" cover
> the cost of me shipping them? It would be a lot of additional work for
> Bill and may actually reduce his margin if there isn't a demand for his
> NOS parts. He would need to come up with a price list (which many listees
> have wanted in the past) that had the New, Used and Trade-in value of the
> parts...
>
> >From my VW perspective, I just watched one of the more expensive but
> higher quality VW parts suppliers go bankrupt, Rocky Mountain Motor 
> Works.
> Their carcass was bought up by one of the shlock houses that sells 
> chromed
> Taiwan manufactured "VW" parts with tolerance in centimeter range rather
> then millimeter. If Bill gives up his hobby and nobody on the list has
> what I need to repair my tractor then I guess it will sit until someone
> sells the parts on eBay? I want to avoid that since I'm not a machinist 
> or
> welder or EE and won't be fabbing my own part in my shop :-)
>
> Jeff Tickner
> Technical Support
> 800-545-9485, Ext 536
> SoftLanding Systems


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