I may be late to this thread but have never associated "CHEAP" with parts from
Moss or most other US-based suppliers. Cost is something that is, in my
experience, not a dependable Quality British Part Indicator. I reject the idea
that Healey owners are either Cheap or looking for commodity pricing and, in my
experience, Moss has never been inexpensive or provided consistent quality
products in response to orders from my friends or me. If I need a quality part
I go to someone like Dave Nock who will quality-check the item before sending
them out.
Let's face it, Moss, VB, and other suppliers are in business to generate a
profit. Remember, the difference between a hobby and work is, if you have to
do it..its work. Although I, and many, consider their Healeys a hobby, it has
always been obvious to me that our main parts suppliers consider these as
profit opportunities. Don't get me wrong, I want Moss and others to make a
profit, however, I would have greater appreciation if I could trust the quality
of part received.
Over the past 45 years (in April) I have owned my Healey, I have looked to
purchase good quality parts and paid for them even when they were not supplied.
I have gone to primary, secondary, and independent vendors with similar
results. When restoring my BJ8 in '90, for quality, I bought all my rubber
parts from Moss and, in many (but on all) cases, after a few years the 30-year
old replaced parts were in better shape than the newer units. To make things
worse, the original parts were exposed to the weather for many years and the
new parts were garage-protected.
Lets face it, PRICE IS Important. I believe we are paying the price but
question the value received. I know of many that have gone to vendors in other
countries in hops of getting quality. In no example I know of was price the
driving factor but in many instances the price, with shipping, was comparable
or better than what was available in the US.
Ray Carbone 64 BJ8 (original owner)
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