And make sure you are comparing apples to apples.
Big price difference between vendors
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 178
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From: Erie CO
Big price difference between vendors
Since I am new around here I wanted to know, is it normal for a big price difference between supporting vendors on the same exact item. I would of thought it would stay pretty close and you wouldn't have to worry so much about supporting vendors. Not so??
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: The Great Truth: "There ain't no free lunch"
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
All vendors must make a profit, period. Expenses (inventory, office personel, supplies, etc) vary from one to another and must be covered with the "profit" on a sale. While one may be more expensive on one product, he may be cheaper on another. All things are never equal. Service is also included in the price and may far outweigh the price. Shop wisely.
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Race Director
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Just like everything else, Compare.... It is no different here than anywhere else. It's called free enterprize.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2000
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St. Jude Donor '09
Sure will be... Some guys have real businesses (self included) with real life overhead and value added into their products. Some work out of their houses (nothing wrong with that) with no overhead and very little value.
Their are great vendors here but there have also been many problem vendors here (not here anymore). If you look at the track record most of them were here for the quick buck then met the unfortunate doom because their lack in business skill. They may have meant well but the ones who got hurt were the members here.
My opinion on the matter is this: If it's a small item and you won't loose sleep over a sour deal then go ahead and shop price but if your looking for brain surgery go for the best no matter what the price is :-)
Their are great vendors here but there have also been many problem vendors here (not here anymore). If you look at the track record most of them were here for the quick buck then met the unfortunate doom because their lack in business skill. They may have meant well but the ones who got hurt were the members here.
My opinion on the matter is this: If it's a small item and you won't loose sleep over a sour deal then go ahead and shop price but if your looking for brain surgery go for the best no matter what the price is :-)
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,886
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From: Olathe, Kansas
Stick with the "Good guys", and you'll do fine. Vendors like Chip @ CCA, Josh @ RPI Designs, Jim @ Southern Car parts, Jeff @ Elite Engineering, Ken @ Vetteshop, Dave @ DJ motorsports, to name a few, will give you fair pricing, great customer service, and best of all, top quality products. I've dealt with all of them, and they are all highly recommended !
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Manassas Park VA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08,-'13-'14, '16-'17
Stick with the "Good guys", and you'll do fine. Vendors like Chip @ CCA, Josh @ RPI Designs, Jim @ Southern Car parts, Jeff @ Elite Engineering, Ken @ Vetteshop, Dave @ DJ motorsports, to name a few, will give you fair pricing, great customer service, and best of all, top quality products. I've dealt with all of them, and they are all highly recommended !
Got to add Ed to the List (pipedreams) Leea Customs
As suggested above, different companies have different associated costs. Also, different vendors get different pricing from the manufacturers depending on volume.
Peace
Chip
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Former Vendor
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From: The AutoBuffs Army is unmatched in the Custom world! www.autobuffs.net
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
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Sure will be... Some guys have real businesses (self included) with real life overhead and value added into their products. Some work out of their houses (nothing wrong with that) with no overhead and very little value.
Their are great vendors here but there have also been many problem vendors here (not here anymore). If you look at the track record most of them were here for the quick buck then met the unfortunate doom because their lack in business skill. They may have meant well but the ones who got hurt were the members here.
My opinion on the matter is this: If it's a small item and you won't loose sleep over a sour deal then go ahead and shop price but if your looking for brain surgery go for the best no matter what the price is :-)
Their are great vendors here but there have also been many problem vendors here (not here anymore). If you look at the track record most of them were here for the quick buck then met the unfortunate doom because their lack in business skill. They may have meant well but the ones who got hurt were the members here.
My opinion on the matter is this: If it's a small item and you won't loose sleep over a sour deal then go ahead and shop price but if your looking for brain surgery go for the best no matter what the price is :-)
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Staten Island NY
Also check out the prices from the large Corvette parts clearing houses such as Ecklers and Corvette America for referance.
Some vendors list "Special Corvette Forum member prices" when in fact the item is the same everyday price at the larger places.
Some vendors list "Special Corvette Forum member prices" when in fact the item is the same everyday price at the larger places.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
As Noel so articulately stated- fixed overhead varies greatly from one vendor to another. Personally - I make it a habit to buy only from supporting forum vendors.
Just hanging around here - it becomes plainly obvious who the good ones are and who are the bad ones. The bad ones generally don't last for long.
There are several others that should be mentioned as long as we are mentioning the good ones - Vette Essentials, Richard at Corvette-Enhancements both come to mind.
Be an informed shopper - check prices, but don't rely solely on who has the best price, as service after the sale is extremely important. Some vendors love you when you have money in your clenched fist ready to spend - but when the occasional issue or problem comes up, are they going to help you or turn a cold shoulder?
Just hanging around here - it becomes plainly obvious who the good ones are and who are the bad ones. The bad ones generally don't last for long.
There are several others that should be mentioned as long as we are mentioning the good ones - Vette Essentials, Richard at Corvette-Enhancements both come to mind.
Be an informed shopper - check prices, but don't rely solely on who has the best price, as service after the sale is extremely important. Some vendors love you when you have money in your clenched fist ready to spend - but when the occasional issue or problem comes up, are they going to help you or turn a cold shoulder?
Last edited by blacksedan87; Dec 6, 2008 at 01:18 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,804
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From: Dallas Texas
I agree with all that has been written. Any consumer should always be price aware and make sure he/she is maximizing value. PLEASE also be aware that SUPPORTING VENDORS on CF page large monthly fees to participate on this site and because of these fees -- the site continues to operate.
So --- if prices are equal and service is GREAT -- I think all of the SUPPORTING VENDORS would hope you would choose one of us.
Todd
So --- if prices are equal and service is GREAT -- I think all of the SUPPORTING VENDORS would hope you would choose one of us.
Todd
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 347
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From: Fair Lawn NJ
Also keep in mind that some of your larger vendors are able to buy larger quantities and therefore, get better pricing on their purchases. Their better or lower costs means they are able to sell cheaper and still make a good profit.
Temporary Hold
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,711
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From: www.modular-concept.com www.flatoutimaging.com
I personally had to purchase a ton of prints to keep the costs down on my product. I order them a 1,000 at a time, had I ordered 500, or less the products would be more.
I work my tail off on keeping my overhead down, right now my company is still small so I am constantly thinking about the future and how to reduce the impact of the economy and growth on my prices. I just spent my entire Saturday researching and purchasing small things that will make a difference in time management for my company.
Anyways there are obviously a lot of factors that fall into each companies bottom line.
Since I shoot and design all of my own prints I have to budget a ton of money for new photography equipment, as well as editing software and the like. Resellers don't have to do this.
I am also getting my prints liscensed through GM which adds a whole different side to the equation as opposed to a vendor that doesn't do this.
So anyways just lots of little variables that can and do make a big difference!
Andy Wheeler
FLATOUT IMAGING LLC
I work my tail off on keeping my overhead down, right now my company is still small so I am constantly thinking about the future and how to reduce the impact of the economy and growth on my prices. I just spent my entire Saturday researching and purchasing small things that will make a difference in time management for my company.
Anyways there are obviously a lot of factors that fall into each companies bottom line.
Since I shoot and design all of my own prints I have to budget a ton of money for new photography equipment, as well as editing software and the like. Resellers don't have to do this.
I am also getting my prints liscensed through GM which adds a whole different side to the equation as opposed to a vendor that doesn't do this.
So anyways just lots of little variables that can and do make a big difference!
Andy Wheeler
FLATOUT IMAGING LLC