Another Corvette Tax
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 1,017
From: MOUNTAIN HOME Arkansas
Another Corvette Tax
Just received my Z06 decal that sticks to the rear spoiler. Bought at VetteStripes.com. Regular price $65 marked down to $25 & I had a coupon, $18. In their pics (really close-up) they look larger. It is only 7" long X 3/4" high on the number/letter parts, made of plain jane vinyl (thin), but color of Z same as car & 06 in white for contrast on black. I know it has to be small to fit on spoiler. Not saying it doesn't look good but haven't put on yet 'cause I'm having a Quartz coat/paint correction done in couple of weeks. Mark-up has to be approx. 162 times cost to have made. I'm guessing .40 cents cost to them. I should have thought of buying mailbox letters/#s, would have been $3-$4. Just saying & yes no-one made me spend my hard earned retirement moola on this
. OK, I'm done.
. OK, I'm done.
Last edited by madrob2020; Jan 31, 2018 at 08:40 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 1,017
From: MOUNTAIN HOME Arkansas
I haven't put it on, it's still on it's film backing so it won't show up well. Like I said can't put it on till after paint work done. Maybe this will give better idea of size/quality. Don't get me wrong, I think it will look good & subtle also but stand out from behind. Also plan to do the full Jake on hood stinger but haven't ordered it yet. Promise I won't gripe about its cost!
Last edited by madrob2020; Feb 1, 2018 at 03:48 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,232
Likes: 4,357
From: Chirper Island
Just received my Z06 decal that sticks to the rear spoiler. Bought at VetteStripes.com. Regular price $65 marked down to $25 & I had a coupon, $18. In their pics (really close-up) they look larger. It is only 7" long X 3/4" high on the number/letter parts, made of plain jane vinyl (thin), but color of Z same as car & 06 in white for contrast on black. I know it has to be small to fit on spoiler. Not saying it doesn't look good but haven't put on yet 'cause I'm having a Quartz coat/paint correction done in couple of weeks. Mark-up has to be approx. 162 times cost to have made. I'm guessing .40 cents cost to them. I should have thought of buying mailbox letters/#s, would have been $3-$4. Just saying & yes no-one made me spend my hard earned retirement moola on this. OK, I'm done.
. OK, I'm done.Zecondly, a ruler is a good device when modding anything.
Thirdly, eventual production costs are only a smidge of what any product costs to get to the consumer.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,964
Likes: 6,768
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
I'm sorry, but aftermarket accessories, as you describe, are not where I'd be concerned about cost.
If you think such are too high you don't have to buy them, indeed, if you can get enough like-minded you might even be able to mount a protest... of sorts.
More basically, you can either afford them or not. Such items are not needed to keep our cars on the road. It's when you must spend money on keeping it going that seems significant to me and where I'd be concerned about what might constitute reasonable "markup."
But, after all is said and done, most buyers of specialty vehicles of all kinds and types know full-well going in that they will most likely pay more from acquisition throughout ownership for nearly everything than if they'd bought an "average" vehicle. Shoot, even gasoline for our Vettes cost more than for the run-of-the-mill sedan. Is that a Vette tax, too?
I don't wish to sound unsympathetic, though I come across that way; I own a couple Vettes, too (and other performance cars) and feel your pain, but owning, driving, and maintaining such was my call and continues as such each day.
(btw, do try to remember when looking at Vette parts, they are hardly alone in seeming overpriced, at least from any rational point-of-view)
All the best
If you think such are too high you don't have to buy them, indeed, if you can get enough like-minded you might even be able to mount a protest... of sorts.
More basically, you can either afford them or not. Such items are not needed to keep our cars on the road. It's when you must spend money on keeping it going that seems significant to me and where I'd be concerned about what might constitute reasonable "markup."
But, after all is said and done, most buyers of specialty vehicles of all kinds and types know full-well going in that they will most likely pay more from acquisition throughout ownership for nearly everything than if they'd bought an "average" vehicle. Shoot, even gasoline for our Vettes cost more than for the run-of-the-mill sedan. Is that a Vette tax, too?
I don't wish to sound unsympathetic, though I come across that way; I own a couple Vettes, too (and other performance cars) and feel your pain, but owning, driving, and maintaining such was my call and continues as such each day.
(btw, do try to remember when looking at Vette parts, they are hardly alone in seeming overpriced, at least from any rational point-of-view)
All the best
Last edited by Avanti; Jan 31, 2018 at 11:12 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 117
Likes: 42
Just received my Z06 decal that sticks to the rear spoiler. Bought at VetteStripes.com. Regular price $65 marked down to $25 & I had a coupon, $18. In their pics (really close-up) they look larger. It is only 7" long X 3/4" high on the number/letter parts, made of plain jane vinyl (thin), but color of Z same as car & 06 in white for contrast on black. I know it has to be small to fit on spoiler. Not saying it doesn't look good but haven't put on yet 'cause I'm having a Quartz coat/paint correction done in couple of weeks. Mark-up has to be approx. 162 times cost to have made. I'm guessing .40 cents cost to them. I should have thought of buying mailbox letters/#s, would have been $3-$4. Just saying & yes no-one made me spend my hard earned retirement moola on this. OK, I'm done.
. OK, I'm done.I went through this process when it came to changing my front spoiler. Should I pay less for a knock off, or almost double for a gm part. For a pice of plastic. I am glad I went with the cheaper way. Like you said, no one is forcing us to buy, but would be great if some things could be a little cheaper, so we could buy more
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,517
Likes: 1,303
From: Windermere FL
Just a thought.
Some Vette stuff is licensed by GM. Now if you buy stuff off Fleabay, or a truck at a car show, maybe they don't pay the GM licensing fees.
Maybe this vendor pays the GM licensing fee? Maybe not?
What I am saying is that sometime, a LOT of the Corvette Tax is going back to GM. Other times, just plain old Corvette Tax staying with the vendor.
[/RANT]
Some Vette stuff is licensed by GM. Now if you buy stuff off Fleabay, or a truck at a car show, maybe they don't pay the GM licensing fees.
Maybe this vendor pays the GM licensing fee? Maybe not?
What I am saying is that sometime, a LOT of the Corvette Tax is going back to GM. Other times, just plain old Corvette Tax staying with the vendor.
[/RANT]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,979
Likes: 4,142
From: Kansas City, MO
There is nothing on the Vettestripes website that suggests any of it is licensed or endorsed by GM.
Frankly, I think his prices are outrageous. I showed his site to a friend of mine who has a professional vinyl business and he was shocked. Especially since at least half of what he sells is copied directly from the official GM decals.
I ended up buying fender hashes from a vendor on eBay. The cost was a fraction of Vettestripes.
Frankly, I think his prices are outrageous. I showed his site to a friend of mine who has a professional vinyl business and he was shocked. Especially since at least half of what he sells is copied directly from the official GM decals.
I ended up buying fender hashes from a vendor on eBay. The cost was a fraction of Vettestripes.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 1,017
From: MOUNTAIN HOME Arkansas
Some of you entirely missed the part about not having any problem with the product & will definitely put it on. I also pointed out no one made me use my hard earned retirement money-LOL. I simply pointed out that for a small colored piece of vinyl this falls into the outrageous realm of some vendor's prices. I have purchased X-pipe, Mamo TB, skip shift eliminator, brake pads etc & am fixing to spend more big bucks for Quartz coating. I paid cash for '14 Z51 & my '16 Z. Own my own home sitting on 24 acres (both paid off)in the country, 2 pensions, S/S, & investment income-OH YES, single so no sharing! So for you folks who felt it necessary to try to make me out CHEAP instead just trying to make a (I thought) kinda funny post, well you know what you can do.
So for you folks who felt it necessary to try to make me out CHEAP instead just trying to make a (I thought) kinda funny post, well you know what you can do.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 1,017
From: MOUNTAIN HOME Arkansas
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 464
From: Raleigh/Cary NC
I've noticed that a lot of people that participate on this forum have a sense of humor only slightly lower than their reading comprehension.
LOL
LOL
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 785
Likes: 56
From: Bradenton Florida
If you install the hood stripe stinger decal, go for the GM OEM part. Yes, it is pricey, but the quality is there and it will look great. I had my window tint guy do the install which took less than an hour. He cautioned me about aftermarket kits, so I took his suggestion. Just my $.02
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 1,017
From: MOUNTAIN HOME Arkansas
Sorry, but a quick follow up. Went on Ebay & ordered 12"W x 1"H word Supercharged in Red for above the center brake lite & the Z06 2" H x 5" W in Yellow for the right side of spoiler between rivets. Both are professional grade Vinyl, last 6-7 yrs. outdoors. Total cost for BOTH-$9.94 w/free shipping versus the $18 (reg. $65) from vettestripes for just the Z06 decal. Figured for Ebays price I'll just use whichever Z06 decal looks best & Supercharged if I approve its looks.
Last edited by madrob2020; Feb 2, 2018 at 02:39 PM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 176
Likes: 54
From: DFW Texas
I have a Roland printer at work that we use to do graphics. When we quote pricing, piece work is always at a higher cost. What isn't seen, the amount of waste that is caused by such a small decal.
I've seen times where a quote for a single decal can be much higher than the cost of printing 20 of them. Consider shop hourly rate x material used... etc..
If the quality of the vinyl used is high enough, I'd say your discounted decal cost is pretty spot on.
I've seen times where a quote for a single decal can be much higher than the cost of printing 20 of them. Consider shop hourly rate x material used... etc..
If the quality of the vinyl used is high enough, I'd say your discounted decal cost is pretty spot on.
