Joe,
The comparison I was trying to make was that VB, like big department stores,
carry huge amounts of merchandise, and you can't get good customer service
in them. I know that's a generalization, but it feels like you have to set
yourself on fire on one of those stores to attract the attention of the
staff, and then all you get are blank stares. VB, or more specifically
Long Motors, is a large company, that provides parts many makes of cars.
The people on the phones can't possibly know about every part from every one
of the catalogs that they send out.
I do shop at the other parts supplies too. And they do usually have better
prices, and shipping practices. But they are on occasion out of stock , or
behind on orders. Just look at the discussion about TRF that happened on
this list not long back. I haven't run into that with VB. Being a large
company allows them to have more parts on the shelves, and have more staff
getting the parts shipped. These economies of scale, should cause their
prices to be lower, just as they do for the large chains I mentioned before,
but obviously they don't. Since these are relatively rare parts, they are
worth whatever they can get for them. It could be argued that they help us
out, just by being a vendor. The more vendors we have, the less rare our
parts are, and therefore the overall price of the parts is lower.
I agree whole heartedly that their shipping is high priced. And I limit my
ordering through them for that very reason. Which really puts me in a tough
position here. I find myself defending a company that I can't say that I
buy from on a regular basis. I took exception to the comment that they were
a "poor company". They haven't, as of yet, let me down. They always
seem to have the parts I need in stock. So I thought a differing opinion
needed to be voiced.
Just my opinions,
Dan
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Joe Curry [SMTP:spitlist@gte.net]
> Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2000 10:12 AM
> To: Dummer, Dan
> Cc: 'mark holbrook'; spitfires@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: dash wiring harness from vicky brit
>
> Dan,
> I take exception with the comparison of VB with K-Mart, Wal-Mart, and
> Target.
>
> If you go into any of those stores, you would expect to find (among other
> things) name brands sold at prices lass than the other
> upscale stores.
>
> Victoria British sells in most cases the same parts as the other suppliers
> at prices that are much higher. Compare prices there with
> SpitBits, BPNW and Ted Schumacher and see what you find. I Think you will
> be surprised.
>
> Plus, their shipping policies really bite! I had a set of lifters shipped
> UPS ground recently and they based the shipping cost on the
> price of the product not on the weight. So I ended up paying $15.75
> shipping for something that would have been delivered priority
> mail for $3.20.
>
> Needless to say, I shop everywhere else before I go to VB.
>
> Joe
>
> "Dummer, Dan" wrote:
> >
> > Now hold on. Why does Victoria British deserve to be called a "Poor
> > Company" ? Because its larger than the other supply houses ? No, you
> > won't get personal service there. And yes, the operators on the phone
> are
> > order takers, not technicians. But when I call a supply house, I'm not
> > looking for someone to ask questions of. I want someone to take the
> order,
> > tell me its in stock, and tell me that it will be at my house in just a
> > couple days. I get that from VB. Are the parts concourse quality ?
> > Nope. Do I care ? Nope again. If you are the kind of person, who would
> > never shop in a Kmart/Wal-Mart/Target store, then you won't like VB.
> >
> > And I'm working real hard to hold back a rant about companies caring
> about
> > making a profit. Arg.... that's one tough rant to choke back.......
> >
> > The usual caveats apply here, I do not have a financial interest in VB.
> > It just gets me going to hear a company slagged off just because they
> are
> > big.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Dan
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: mark holbrook [SMTP:rolling_rock_12@yahoo.com]
> > > Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2000 10:19 PM
> > > To: dave jenkins
> > > Cc: spitfires@autox.team.net
> > > Subject: Re: dash wiring harness from vicky brit
> > >
> > >
> > > I have to say that Vic Brit is a poor company. All
> > > they know is part numbers, you ask a question and they
> > > have no idea what you're talking about. TRF on the
> > > other hand, as well as Rimmer Brothers, have great
> > > ordering and tech knowledge. I say screw Vic Brit and
> > > give your business to people who care about YOU and
> > > your CAR, not profit.
> > > Mark
> > > --- dave jenkins <me@davejenkins.com> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Help--
> > > >
> > > > I am restoring a '75 spitfire 1500 and am
> > > > contemplating rewiring my girl
> > > > (haven't named her yet-- suggestions?). I am
> > > > thinking of ordering the
> > > > 'complete wiring harness' from Vickybrit, but it
> > > > doesn't come with the
> > > > dash wiring harness. Do they have one of those? I
> > > > can't see it in the
> > > > catalog. If not, where can I get one?
> > > >
> > > > ALSO-
> > > > I am going to go for the 'beige' interior, not the
> > > > biscuit. Does the
> > > > VickyBrit 'Complete Interior Kit' come in Beige, or
> > > > just Biscuit and
> > > > Black?
> > > >
> > > > Sorry for asking what would be tech support
> > > > questions of their company,
> > > > but I can't seem to get a good answer from them, and
> > > > I thought maybe
> > > > someone has experience.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ONE LAST POINT:
> > > > As a web developer and company exec with a firm that
> > > > develops
> > > > e-commerce, (www.mediabang.com) I am appalled at
> > > > victoriabritish.com
> > > > (can only order catalogs). If I pushed it, I think
> > > > I can help them
> > > > develop an online parts ordering catalog. Imagine
> > > > being able to enter
> > > > your car(s) on the site, and only see parts for that
> > > > model . . . Imagine
> > > > being able to track orders, the site would remember
> > > > who you are, what
> > > > your cars have had done, etc. . . imaging being
> > > > notified when specific
> > > > special orders for your car(s) come online!
> > > >
> > > > I know that was kind of sales-pitchy of me. My
> > > > point is this: if I can
> > > > show them enough of a 'groundswell' for this, they
> > > > might go for it. I'm
> > > > sure we can figure out some way of discounts for all
> > > > of those who help
> > > > out--
> > > > just an idea (wish) . . .
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Dave
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > =====
> > > -Mark Holbrook-
> > >
> > > __________________________________________________
> > > Send instant messages with Yahoo! Messenger.
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