Opinions/thoughts/comments
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,173
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From: Port St Lucie Florida
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Opinions/thoughts/comments
Hey folks - just want to toss something out and see what you think. Before getting down to specifics, I know that we can all agree that our hobby/obsession ranks right up there with, and is just as important as, the cure for the common cold!! What gets me though is just because "Corvette" is attached to an item for purchase, we pay a premium. I just received several items that I ordered from Corvette Central and while I don't really take issue with $40 for headlight shields (nothing more than thin plastic though) I do take exception to being charged $49.95 for a cloth air cleaner cover. This cover is made of a very thin material but does have the C3 logo. Take the logo off and I don't think anyone in their right mind would pay this kind of money. I realize the choice to purchase is mine and no one forced me to make that purchase and of course, in the future, will undoubtedly overpay for something else for the car because after all, as I've told my wife, "honey, it's an investment for the future" LOL. Thanks for letting me vent!
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Webster Ky.
You have a good point. I just recently became a Vette owner but have had a Harley Davidson for years, same thing. I walked up to a Harley parts counter one day when another customer was paying his bill, he told the parts guy "this is the one place that I know I'm going to get screwed as soon as I walk in the door but I keep comming in anyway, I'm suprised you SOB's don't charge to walk in the front door." The only difference between them is two wheels!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 629
From: Port St Lucie Florida
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Advanced
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 61
Likes: 4
From: Paragould Arkansas
I own a Harley also and the running joke is HD stands for HUNDRED DOLLAR. The thing that gets me the most is shipping. I ordered a Corvette rear bumper emblem that would fit in an envelope and it was $14 shipping.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
Well, if 'one' doesn't buy things 'one' doesn't need [like an "air cleaner cover" ???], 'one' would have more money.
It's always the unique little extras that cost the most.
{This isn't another one of those "the sun will reflect off the air cleaner and burn a hole in my hood" posts, is it? I have yet to see a concave air cleaner lid that would actually focus the suns rays on an area small enough to do any damage...}
It's always the unique little extras that cost the most.
{This isn't another one of those "the sun will reflect off the air cleaner and burn a hole in my hood" posts, is it? I have yet to see a concave air cleaner lid that would actually focus the suns rays on an area small enough to do any damage...}
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 629
From: Port St Lucie Florida
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Well, if 'one' doesn't buy things 'one' doesn't need [like an "air cleaner cover" ???], 'one' would have more money.
It's always the unique little extras that cost the most.
{This isn't another one of those "the sun will reflect off the air cleaner and burn a hole in my hood" posts, is it? I have yet to see a concave air cleaner lid that would actually focus the suns rays on an area small enough to do any damage...}
It's always the unique little extras that cost the most.
{This isn't another one of those "the sun will reflect off the air cleaner and burn a hole in my hood" posts, is it? I have yet to see a concave air cleaner lid that would actually focus the suns rays on an area small enough to do any damage...}
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
If I think the complete, delivered price of any item is too steep I seek alternatives to overpaying. There are scads of vendors out there and I have always found what I want at a price I am comfortable with somewhere. All that is required is a willingness to shop a bit.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 793
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From: Houston Texas
I am with you javaman.
There are a whole lot of repro pieces that are IMHO overpriced. Especially when you take into account the quality of materials, lack of accuracy AND I believe a large number of these parts are produced in other countries with exceptionally low overhead.
I have never begrudged a guy his profit, I just don't like being raped.
What really gets me is the sales price and value of these cars has dropped since our glorious leader took office, but the freakin' parts prices have risen.
Dan
There are a whole lot of repro pieces that are IMHO overpriced. Especially when you take into account the quality of materials, lack of accuracy AND I believe a large number of these parts are produced in other countries with exceptionally low overhead.
I have never begrudged a guy his profit, I just don't like being raped.
What really gets me is the sales price and value of these cars has dropped since our glorious leader took office, but the freakin' parts prices have risen.
Dan
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
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The reason vendors charge $49.95 for a cloth air cleaner cover with a logo is because there's people willing to pay $49.95 for them. Otherwise, they'd charge less or not bother selling them at all.
Same rules apply to fancy bottles of imported spring water when the stuff coming out of the tap for free is just as thirst quenching.
It's all called capitalism, a concept we all embrace when it works to our advantage but hate when it doesn't.
Same rules apply to fancy bottles of imported spring water when the stuff coming out of the tap for free is just as thirst quenching.
It's all called capitalism, a concept we all embrace when it works to our advantage but hate when it doesn't.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Just be glad the aftermarket supports the Corvette so well and pay the money with a smile 
. You can buy most anything you need for your Corvette even though the parts may seem pricey. Many car enthusiasts who restore non-GM or even non-Chevy GM vehicles find they can't get many of their parts new because they aren't reproduced. Turning to NOS or good used can get very expensive in those cases.
Many of the more general parts (brackets, chassis, powertrain, etc.) are common with full size Chevy, Camaro or Chevelle and can be found from those vendors for a bit less $$.
. You can buy most anything you need for your Corvette even though the parts may seem pricey. Many car enthusiasts who restore non-GM or even non-Chevy GM vehicles find they can't get many of their parts new because they aren't reproduced. Turning to NOS or good used can get very expensive in those cases.Many of the more general parts (brackets, chassis, powertrain, etc.) are common with full size Chevy, Camaro or Chevelle and can be found from those vendors for a bit less $$.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
I worked for Harley Davidson for several years and can tell you that most aftermarket parts dont fit as well as Genuine HD stuff. Ive seen parts that needed to be shaved, ground or otherwise modified just to fit. HD accessories are just made better. Yes, you pay a HUGE premium for them...I can tell you that markup is almost 55% on large parts, 100% or more on the small stuff. But thats retail.
Cars...well....Ive never seen a problem with aftermarket hard parts, but as the OP stated, anything with a LOGO on it also demands top dollar. Ive never understood the logo thing myself....but its like any designer emblem. You pay what its worth to you...
Cars...well....Ive never seen a problem with aftermarket hard parts, but as the OP stated, anything with a LOGO on it also demands top dollar. Ive never understood the logo thing myself....but its like any designer emblem. You pay what its worth to you...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 629
From: Port St Lucie Florida
2025 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Can someone please decipher the above quote? Not sure what may have given this person the idea that I was looking for "positive" comments re: my thread or his further mention of my "odd" purchase.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,705
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From: Orlando FL
You`ll get that same elevated price book at the truck parts counter if you say the magic words "Four Wheel Drive".
I`m about used to inflated parts prices from building Pontiacs for years. They think the 66 goat is a gold mine, and the "one year only" parts on my 69 Grand Prix are not reproduced. I bought 3 pairs of used parking light lenses just to get 2 that were good enough to put on the car.
But did I learn anything? Obviously not, based on the 71 Vette we just added to the collection! I feel your pain every time I pick up the catalog and look through it!
I`m about used to inflated parts prices from building Pontiacs for years. They think the 66 goat is a gold mine, and the "one year only" parts on my 69 Grand Prix are not reproduced. I bought 3 pairs of used parking light lenses just to get 2 that were good enough to put on the car.
But did I learn anything? Obviously not, based on the 71 Vette we just added to the collection! I feel your pain every time I pick up the catalog and look through it!
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,920
Likes: 6,178
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Hey folks - just want to toss something out and see what you think. Before getting down to specifics, I know that we can all agree that our hobby/obsession ranks right up there with, and is just as important as, the cure for the common cold!! What gets me though is just because "Corvette" is attached to an item for purchase, we pay a premium. I just received several items that I ordered from Corvette Central and while I don't really take issue with $40 for headlight shields (nothing more than thin plastic though) I do take exception to being charged $49.95 for a cloth air cleaner cover. This cover is made of a very thin material but does have the C3 logo. Take the logo off and I don't think anyone in their right mind would pay this kind of money. I realize the choice to purchase is mine and no one forced me to make that purchase and of course, in the future, will undoubtedly overpay for something else for the car because after all, as I've told my wife, "honey, it's an investment for the future" LOL. Thanks for letting me vent!
It's called the "Corvette Tax." Get used to it.
PS: my worst example was when I brought a door panel to a vinyl repair place for a quote to repair a small tear. The owner said $12. I came back a few days later to get it and it was $20. I asked what the deal was and the owner's wife said, "oh, my husband said he didnt realize it was a Corvette at first, and Corvettes are more."
Another time I called a chrome shop to get a quote on a 63 Corvette air cleaner lid. It was $125. I waited an hour, called back and asked about a '63 Chevy air cleaner lid and gave him the dimensions. It was $75.
Last edited by vettebuyer6369; Jun 2, 2012 at 07:53 PM.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,920
Likes: 6,178
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
Since you say it happened to you, who am I to question it. What kind of air cleaner did it have? I don't think I've ever seen a Chevy air cleaner that was concave on top. If it just reflected sunlight, it shouldn't have generated any more heat than what direct sunlight would do on the 'outside' of the hood. Curious...