Just wanted to update the List about my quest for a left, rear, inner wheel
arch panel for my '73 (RWA) Midget. Some of you will remember that I
contacted Moss Motors, to see if they would/could get one for me, even
though it was not listed in their catalog. Although their response was
prompt and polite, they claimed that the panel was "not currently available,
although we do have a right hand panel". That's it. No offer to order one
from BMH Ltd, or any other option. Another vendor, trying to offer me at
least SOME help, stated that "that particular piece is unavailable in the
US". Huh??? I have to assume he meant that no one in the US stocks it.
Now, I'd already contacted BMH, Ltd and confirmed what I strongly suspected:
Yes, the panel is currently available and in stock. So, why does Moss try
to deny the availability of a particular part, which they certainly have
access to, for a customer waiting with cash in hand? I can only suspect
that, due to the relatively small market potential for RWA rear inner rear
wheel arch panels, they've decided that it's not sufficiently profitable for
them to bother with (unless, of course, they can get the panel from one of
their aftermarket producers at a much lower cost and sell it to unsuspecting
US customers at the full BMH price, like I suspect they do with some other
panels).
Now, I don't do any half-assed sheet metal work and I'm determined to use
the correct panels (I'm using a NOS BL fender that I bought at Import
Carlisle several years ago). So, I e-mailed my friends at a nearby Triumph
and MGB supply house and asked if they'd have BMH add my panel to their next
stock order. They said "sure, no problem". In fact, when they e-mailed
back, they'd already called BMH and ordered the panel for me. Remember,
this outfit stocks and lists NO Spridget parts (although an affiliate of
theirs does produce high quality carpet kits for late 1275 and 1500
Midgets). They've told me they're not quite ready to add the Spridget parts
line to their business because, when they do it, they want to have the
capital and personnel on hand to do it RIGHT. I haven't gotten an answer
from them yet about whether or not they are willing to accept specific, BMH
part number orders for Spridget parts. So, I'm a bit hesitant in naming
them. I've been a good customer of theirs for years and I've sent them a
lot of new customers, too. I also loaned them an unmolested, low original
miles Midget for them to use in producing their carpet kits and they may
have taken my order to further express their gratitude. I don't know, for
sure.
However, if you've got any Triumph model, or an MGB and you are tired of the
same old bullsh-- from Moss or the inferior, oriental crap from another
nationally known supplier: contact The Roadster Factory, in Armaugh, PA.
They still understand the true meaning of SERVICE and they treat their
customers like, well, like they'd like to KEEP them as customers. What a
concept!
Their MGB catalog lists both the correct, BMH body panels and the
aftermarket panels on separate pages, with different part numbers and at
different prices (instead of ONE part # and price for whichever panel,
genuine or aftermarket junk, that ---- is currently making the greatest
profit on).
Safety Fast!
Bud Osbourne
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