|
I'm sorry that I can't offer these at the "truly amazing introductory price of $19.95, where if you call now, we'll double your order and give you 2 for the price of one and free shipping if you just pay this small processing fee".
Look, I've been in this business for 11 years and I've been building my own custom products since DAY ONE. I've tried all sorts of pricing methodologies for the stuff I've made and the stuff I just resell, and I've come to the conclusion that no matter what I do, unless I'm giving the stuff away, someone will be unhappy with the price. If I stick to MAP pricing to stay in the good graces of my suppliers and make sure my customers are purchasing from an authorized dealer so they still have a warranty...and offer free shipping on the item...someone still calls and beats me up over the fact that they can get it cheaper on ebay or from some fly by night operation. I can accept all of that, it's just how this business goes.
On the other hand, what I can't accept and what really upsets me is when I'm accused of intentionally gouging someone. I do NOT operate my business that way and I take personal offense at the suggestion. It's one thing to question the price, it's something entirely different to be insulting about it. My short answer to the comment above is simply, if you don't like it, don't buy it.
What I will not do is make apologies for the price on this product. In the first place, the person that put the time, money and effort into designing, prototyping, testing and manufacturing this product needs to be compensated for his work. There is absolutely no point in manufacturing the part if he's not going to make enough to justify the effort, particularly since his business is fabrication and this is how he makes his living. In addition, as the company that has invested in the inventory, is paying for the advertising, is taking the pre and post sale technical calls and is having to endure the insulting postings from people like the above poster, we are entitled to make something on the sale as well. I'm not sure how much you think we are making on this part, but when you consider the fact that many of the sales have been made to "shops" (who we discount to further so they can offer the product at the same retail price that we do), I can assure you it's not as much as you think.
Look, if you want to fix it cheaper, get the kit from international and cross your fingers. If you're lucky, the back piece doesn't have damaged threads and isn't warped, the nut isn't damaged, you won't drop the back piece into the pan and changing the o-rings will fix your leak. Heck, don't even bother doing all of that, just clean the outside really good and cover it with either silicone or jbweld (we've seen both of those on trucks in our shop)...whatever suits you.
The point is, there are less expensive ways to fix this problem, so it's not like we've got a monopoly on the fix and we're taking everyone for a ride. We simply have what we believe is a better way to fix the problem, one that can be installed very quickly (how much is your time worth?), can be easily serviced if you somehow develop a leak past the double o-ring seal (again, how much is your time worth?) and one that is made from far superior materials when compared to the POS pot metal stock piece. Take your pick, I'm good with whatever you decide.
|
Strictly Diesel
12-20-2011, 07:06 AM
Linear Mode
