I Dont Get It...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 3,142
Likes: 1
From: SE Coast FL
I Dont Get It...
Can anyone justify to me why and how a GM painted license plate frame costs almost $100? 
Seriously, its a license plate frame
Sincerely
Curious
Seriously, its a license plate frame
Sincerely
Curious
Last edited by jpuli28; Oct 29, 2009 at 05:51 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,408
Likes: 1
From: Allen Park MI
Couple that with the relative low volume of sales and that will set your price per frame. And that doesn't include the cost to paint these and warehouse these and the salaries of workers involved. Oh, and a little profit. 
They don't makes these because they like you.Now what part don't you understand?
Last edited by designerRob; Oct 29, 2009 at 08:40 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Missouri City, TX
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,026
Likes: 178
From: Jacksonville, NC
*EDIT*
Just realized you may be talking about the front plate.....we don't need no stinkin' front plate in A-L-A-B-A-M-A.
My solution after having the same sticker shock:
Autozone $5 plate frame.
Silver Touchup paint $15
Clear paint $15
$35 dollar plate frame color matched and I have plenty of paint left over for other projects. I would challenge someone to find a significant difference.
Just realized you may be talking about the front plate.....we don't need no stinkin' front plate in A-L-A-B-A-M-A.
My solution after having the same sticker shock:
Autozone $5 plate frame.
Silver Touchup paint $15
Clear paint $15
$35 dollar plate frame color matched and I have plenty of paint left over for other projects. I would challenge someone to find a significant difference.
Last edited by Corpsvette; Oct 29, 2009 at 07:10 AM. Reason: Adttl info
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57,408
Likes: 164
From: queensbury ny
100??Price has gone up!!I couldn't bring myself to spend 60 on one at CARLISLE a couple of years ago.I bought a frame at AUTOZONE, put some paint on it and wa la,painted frame for less then 20 bucks.
Why 100 from GM??The lic.fees and pure profit,or as it's known in these parts CORVETTE TAX!!!
Why 100 from GM??The lic.fees and pure profit,or as it's known in these parts CORVETTE TAX!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 982
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
I’ve never been accused of being frugal, but a $100 plate frame is just over-the-top. After the $100 front plate bracket, which is a decent solution, I just went to Autozone and picked up a couple faux carbon fiber plastic plate frames for $10 and called it a day.
Edit: $600 for a painted fiberglass ZR1 rear spoiler is a hose-job also…but it looks good.
Last edited by Cypher; Oct 29, 2009 at 08:23 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,248
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From: Palm Beach County, Florida
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 762
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida Sunshine State
It isn't unique to GM. I ride a Harley, and everything with a Harley logo is 5x what it's worth. After awhile you learn to shop on fleaBay and Amazon to avoid the "Harley Tax".
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 4
From: N.E. GA
I only wanted plain jane frames - chrome color for the black Vette ----- and black for the orange Challenger. I already know what my cars are so I didn't need a frame with "Corvette" or "Challenger" logos so that saved a lot of $$$ from the start.
Therefore, my frames cost about $15 for two at the auto dept of my local WalMart and they look pretty darn good. My motto is "go cheap when you can, use the difference on the important things."
Therefore, my frames cost about $15 for two at the auto dept of my local WalMart and they look pretty darn good. My motto is "go cheap when you can, use the difference on the important things."
Last edited by mongooseC6; Oct 29, 2009 at 09:18 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
GM parts have a HUGE markup. For color match license plate frames go with Mid America for $39.99, they even come with color matching screw covers. Page 201 in the latest catalogue.
Or; www.mamotorworks.com/corvette, catalogue #634-072
Or; www.mamotorworks.com/corvette, catalogue #634-072
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Cost to produce? Supply and demand? It costs money to have tooling made to produce the nice looking plastic frame. They don't pop out of thin air. Couple that with the relative low volume of sales and that will set your price per frame. And that doesn't include the cost to paint these and warehouse these and the salaries of workers involved. Oh, and a little profit. They don't makes these because they like you.
Now what part don't you understand?
Couple that with the relative low volume of sales and that will set your price per frame. And that doesn't include the cost to paint these and warehouse these and the salaries of workers involved. Oh, and a little profit. They don't makes these because they like you.Now what part don't you understand?
Don't forget a HUGE portion...perhaps the largest single component of the cost of everything are all the federal and state government taxes...not just the overt sales taxes paid by the purchaser (for the product) but the manufacturer's, shipper's, vendor's etc. tax burden. Pricing is inclusive of their income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, utility taxes, personal property taxes, privilege taxes, payroll taxes, ad infinitum...ad naseum. With government budget shortfalls and their insane multi-trillion $ deficit spending binge they will have to steal more of our hard earned money. Our taxes and the price we pay for everything is going to go 'through the roof.'
IMO price shock isn't limited to Corvette or Harley Davidson. I'm routinely blown-away by the cost of just about everything...products, services, taxes, etc. This isn't just a 'Corvette tax' thing.