Re: Cost of cars

["Bernard" <bernardl@acumenassociates.com>]

John Larson <jdlarson@ix.netcom.com> writes:
> We've had
>the cheap starter discussion before, a $29 starter is just that, a $29
>starter. Barely covers paying Julio to spray paint it and slap a rebuilt
>label on it. It is more properly called a washed and painted starter.
>One gets what one pays for.
>

I have to disagree with you on this.  I have paid anyewhere from $19 to $199
for a starter.  All have been rebuilt well.  It depends a lot on how many
they re-build and what the stocking of the parts costs the chain from
re-builder to retail.

My Bronco gets Starters very cheap from any store because Ford uses the same
basic starter in a very, very, large number of vehicles.  Compared to Audi,
very, very, large does not begin to describe the order of magnitude
difference in vehicles on the road in America.

However, Bronco rotors, at 110 each, are more than your average Audi 5k
rotor if I am not mistaken.  There are not that many Bronco's with my kind
of rotor out there.

You will also, if you pay attention to detail, notice I wrote cost of
stocking the parts, not cost of parts.  This accounts for both the cost and
the number of requests.  A part that sits on the shelf and is rarely needed
costs a seller in ways beyond the cost of the part.  Inventory, shelf space
and even people time to manage the part.  In the world of parts for old
vehicles, it goes well beyond you get what you pay for.

I have noted a migration over the years, from stocking space for parts, to
retail space, in most of the major chains of car stuff.  Now I get the "we
can have it here the next business day..." line more and more often, as
older vehicle, less often needed parts, are fetched from a regional
distribution center rather than being in stock.  This cuts costs, but is a
pain when you want a part on Saturday.

Best,

Bernard Littau
Woodinville, WA
Audi-less and looking...