Dick, are there "Original Tiger Rivets for the VIN plate" or are they
just rivets.
Thanks for the info.
Larry
Dick Barker wrote:
>
> At 12:00 AM 12/25/2000 -0800, you wrote:
> >Hello Dick,
> >
> > Well...I thought I was making a simple inquiry into the use of a
> > seemingly legitimate service for
> >Tiger owners. Boy, I seemed to have opened a can of worms here. It
> >would seem that my curiosity
> >concerning the purpose of this service may have been satisfied by the
> >responses (or lack thereof) I
> >have received from persons involved with it either selling it, buying it,
> >or participating on it's
> >committee. Sorry for any hassles brought about by my curiosity.
> >
> >As far as being able to trace I.d. info out of Ebay.. or anywhere else on
> >the net, It's in the genes.
> >
> >S. Sagan
> >530.268.3861
>
> Steve,
>
> Thank you for your email regarding T.R.A.C. Sorry to take so long getting
> back to you. Your message raises some very legitimate points which I feel
> should be answered not only for you, but also for the Tiger community in
> general. You'll notice I am therefore including the Tiger "list" on this
> reply.
>
> You have not opened a can of worms. On the contrary, as one of the few
> people so far to question the purpose of the T.R.A.C. program, your
> curiosity is like a faint ray of hope. Frankly, it would be gratifying if
> others applied your analogy and curiosity. Even though you may not realize
> it, you have identified one of the program objectives, to wit: Challenge
> the legitimacy and authenticity of eBay auctions offering 'Sunbeam Tiger -
> Rootes "Rivets" Original' at exorbitant prices.
>
> As you may know, those expense rivets frequently auctioned on eBay were
> never originally installed anywhere on a Sunbeam Tiger. And the suggestion
> that some copper service replacements in a Rootes bag could be the final
> necessary part of a proper Tiger restoration is ludicrous. Originally the
> auction description implied that these rivets were the same as the unique
> OEM fasteners used by Rootes to attach the chassis (VIN) plate to Sunbeam
> Tigers. But after a challenge to the accuracy of that claim, the
> description was modified to the present wording, "....correct rivets that
> you are looking for" ".....to complete that special correct
> restoration." Further appeals to the seller to properly identify the
> rivets have been unsuccessful, so unwary buyers continue to bid AS MUCH AS
> $20 PER RIVET for these inappropriate fasteners. And it is all done in
> complete secrecy, because these are always private auctions "so as to keep
> things 'private'." What could be the purpose of a private auction, unless
> it is to conceal something that the buyer and/or seller do not want
> known? These auctions have also fostered a misconception about the
> replaceability of unique factory rivets so that now some Sunbeam owners
> think they are acquiring authentic and valuable products, when they are not.
>
> The Tiger Rivet Authentication Committee was formed for the purpose stated
> above, and to offer a legitimate advisory and counseling service to Tiger
> owners actually desiring correct, authoritative information about Rootes
> fasteners. (There is more information available on this subject that you
> may ever want to know.) An "imitator" auction (also private) offering the
> T.R.A.C. service usually appears on eBay immediately following the one for
> the bogus rivets, and although the whole thing appears to be a spoof, in
> fact, it is not. The information advertised in the T.R.A.C. auction
> description is readily available to ANYONE seeking information about Rootes
> rivets, and at little or no cost. For those who might otherwise pay a
> princely sum for a package of generic fasteners, this could indeed be a
> worthwhile and valuable service. Those like myself who staunchly hold this
> view help support awareness of the T.R.A.C. program by submitting timely
> bids during the eBay auctions.
>
> Regrettably, few bidders have taken advantage of T.R.A.C. Commendably,
> some, like yourself, have finally questioned its purpose, but still may not
> understand it completely. Perhaps this background and explanation will
> help to clarify your understanding. And if it prevents one unsuspecting
> Tiger owner from spending a king's ransom for a package of worthless
> rivets, it will have served it purpose.
>
> Dick Barker
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