| Author | Message | ||
     Randy Roberson Grand Master Username: wascator Post Number: 474 Registered: 5-2009 |
I really can't get why one of the big, quality parts suppliers still offer the two replacement hoses for my Wraith II, at a total cost of more than $2200 US. Does anyone really ever pay that much for these? They are really nothing special and a reasonably well equipped shop could make replacements in a few minutes. I buy a lot of my parts from this supplier and they are very nice, and most of the parts are reasonable. They could have replacement hoses made and sell then for a fraction of the Crewe Originals and be very profitable. I could buy the crimp machine and materials and make my own for less than the asking price for these two hoses. End of whine. | ||
| Brian Vogel Grand Master Username: guyslp Post Number: 1442 Registered: 6-2009 |
Randy, All I can say is that I feel your pain and am glad to see someone else bemoan inane gouging schemes. In this day and age you know that something's really wrong when getting something made custom costs less than buying the same part "off the shelf." This is all the more true when you're talking about parts of the class you're discussing. Good customer service and long-term support are definitely worth something, but nothing anywhere near to $2200 for two air conditioning hoses. My guess is that those will likely remain on the shelf for a very, very, very long time. Brian | ||
| Randy Roberson Grand Master Username: wascator Post Number: 478 Registered: 5-2009 |
Oh, it didn't cause me a minute's pain: I am just amazed. I can get hoses 5 different ways and for a lot less. I paid about $15 for a new hose they are asking more than $1000 for. | ||
| Brian Vogel Grand Master Username: guyslp Post Number: 1446 Registered: 6-2009 |
Randy, I count mental anguish at the silliness of it all. These sorts of parts situations, and the occasional defenses of them, leave me dazed and confused. They just defy all reason. Brian | ||
| richard george yeaman Grand Master Username: richyrich Post Number: 327 Registered: 4-2012 |
At the mention of the name Rolls Royce or Bentley I think suppliers go weak at the knees trying to see how much money they can s...w out of you and my answer is keep them where the Sun don't shine. Richard. | ||
| Robert Noel Reddington Prolific User Username: bob_uk Post Number: 233 Registered: 5-2015 |
This can also happen in the Uk. Usually a quick phone around produces sensible prices on stuff like this. Incidently the hoses offered at 2000 bucks may have been old stock and not the latest barrier hose as recommended for R134a. As soon as a need any pipe work I never bother with genuine except the pipes from brake pump to ACV. Genuine pipe work is probably not made at Bentley Crewe. It's most likely made by an independent small company across the road. An order comes in Bentley phone them, they already have the specs and they make the pipe, a couple of hours later its on its way. | ||
| Jan Forrest Grand Master Username: got_one Post Number: 835 Registered: 1-2008 |
When I need an expensive hose, of any kind, I first check the prices at the usual suspects followed by eBay and then a wider check through Google. Then I remove the part and take it to a local hydraulics specialist who makes a superior (using more modern materials) version for a fraction of the price. At worst he may have to remove the metal ends, but he always checks the orientation between them and copies it to the new ones. | ||
| Robert Noel Reddington Prolific User Username: bob_uk Post Number: 235 Registered: 5-2015 |
On some hoses its possible to reuse the couplings if the couplings are not damaged. |
