Bob,
You hit the nail on the head. The issue is not where the part is made, the
issue is what standards the supplier uses when ordering production of parts,
and what quality checks they use when the parts are delivered.
I have a friend who worked for Moss in the mid-80s, and he when he needed
parts for his project car he would look through the parts bin and check to
see if the parts met spec. When looking at oil pumps, most of the "brand
new" UK made pumps were worse than his 20yr old oil pump from the car, with
regard to end float on the pump pieces. His other advice was to make sure
to wash all the machining "swarf" (or junk to you and me) from the pump
before thinking about installing it on the car. Again, UK made parts.
As enthusiasts the problem we face is that if Moss is not being diligent in
making sure the parts are correct, there aren't any other US suppliers who'd
have the "correct" part, unless you get lucky and they have a NOS part
kicking around. We can threaten to take our business elsewhere (such as the
UK). My experience with ordering from the UK included having to phone long
distance (the supplier's e-mail was "not working") and spending $50 to ship
3 lbs worth of parts from the UK to the Dallas area. And you have no
guarantee that they're not getting parts from Moss Europe!
Is it maybe time to compile a list of suppliers who provide only quality
made parts? And encourage those suppliers to not use Moss as one of their
suppliers?
Jim
> -----Original Message-----
> From: b-evans@ix.netcom.com [SMTP:b-evans@ix.netcom.com]
> Sent: Thursday, July 02, 1998 10:41 AM
> To: Daniel Thompson
> Cc: 'Frank Clarici'; 'spridgets@autox.team.net'
> Subject: Re: Chinese junk
>
> Daniel Thompson wrote:
>
> > BTW, people of Chinese or any other origin simply perform the job they
> are paid to do; the substandard quality of some Moss distributed parts is
> no reflection on their culture, nationality or skin color.
>
> Daniel...
>
> I didn't see or read into Frank's post any
> Chinese/Taiwanese/Japanese/Malaynese/Italian bashing. I read pure,
> unbridled, and righteous frustration and anger at companies that buy cheap
> and sell high without
> regard to quality or concern for the end user. But you are right.
> Quality CAN be a reflection on the wages paid. But last I heard, they
> weren't paying any wages in the Chinese "labor camps" where so much
> of the country's exported crap and crud come from. (Anyone who thinks
> that cheap wages can't produce good quality can just look at their own
> feet. Where do you think those Nikes and Reeboks come from?)
>
> We must face it. Those who manufacture reproduction parts do so to meet
> the requirements and demands of their market of distributors. If
> distributors were more demanding on quality, the manufacturers would
> deliver it, and those of us on the user end would see better quality. If
> as buyers we demand higher quality from a supplier, AND WE GO ELSWWHERE
> if it is not forthcoming, suppliers would eventually be
> forced by competition to do better. The reality is that the actual cost
> of manufacturing a part is a pitance compared to the final selling cost,
> just as profit margins are not arbitrary and fixed.
>
> There are good quality parts out there. But a buyer cannot simply rely on
> the traditional American way of buying things--waiting until the
> last-minute and running down to Chief, or convenient ordering by
> phone from one of the monsters of the parts suppliers.
>
> This is exactly why I have, for some time time, been touting the benefits
> of "buying British". Simply put, it is my belief that the British
> enthusiast is far more demanding when it comes to issues such as
> quality and value. Yes, it may take some time and some planning, but I
> have found it more than worth the effort. The benefit has been generally
> higher quality and invariably lower costs. Maybe others are
> so rolling in dough that they don't have to worry about saving money, but
> I work too hard to throw it away. (Which is why I resent the arrogance of
> those who would say that if you don't have the money to
> spend, you don't belong among those who enjoy these cars.)
>
> A year or more ago, I put up a post regarding the purchase of parts from
> England. If any people want it reposted, or want it sent e-mail, just let
> me know.
>
> Bob Evans
> Anaheim, California
> Frogeyes AN 5L/762, AN 5L/26893
>
>
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