[Healeys] Quality Control

[Dave Schweninger]

Hello Michael.
I'm Curious about the thought process  that takes place at Moss and  
indeed at every other restoration parts house I've dealt with.
How is it that parts that are of low quality, incorrect manufacture,  
poorly or incorrectly finished are simply stuck in a bag and sent out  
to customers?
The folks that restoring or repairing  these cars are willing to pay  
a very high price for these low volume pieces. It seems to me that a  
high quality part should go along with the high price.
Case in point.
  I ordered a license plate light lens from Moss (through "Tom's  
Toys"). The lens is 3/16" too high. My light assembly is all original  
except the chrome cover, also from Moss. This part came out of an  
incorrect mold.
I had a similar experience with dash grab handle. The one I got was  
in worse shape than the one I took off the car.
Dings and scratches. Tom tried to replace the handle but every one he  
got was similarly beat up.
I know when I tell him about the lens he'll instantly say "send it  
back".  So now what? Try other vendors and hope they don't use the  
same suppliers?
I'm beginning to think that Repro parts are a waste of time and  
money. I guess I'll bite the $80.00 bullet and get my grab handle re- 
chromed. It and a bunch of other stuff. Damn.
I'm very interested in your reply.
Dave