So guys, yesterday afternoon I placed an order with the Bob Drake company. I received an e mail stating they would notify me when my order was shipped. This morning I was checking and noticed that I had ordered an item twice. It was a bolt kit for the trunk lid support on a 40 coupe. I called Drakes to see if I needed two kits rather than just one. Usually a bolt kit includes both sides. The web site does not specify whether both sides are included. The fellow speaking with me informed me my order could not be corrected and I would have to send the item back for a credit to my account. He did not know if the kit included both sides or not. After some consultation with another person it was determined that it does include both side per kit. The return shipping cost as much as the purchase price. Not a big deal I will just have an extra kit. My mistake, however I do think someone in order processing would have noticed a duplication since the other items related to the trunk that I ordered were of a single quantity. I asked the fellow about getting a new catalogue sent out as well. He informed me that they no longer print them and have discontinued about half or two thirds of items featured. I commented on the almost 100% increase in the price of the repo running boards they offer. He told me that if I need some I had better get them as they were also discontinued. He told me that Bob Drake senior has been and I quote "relieved of all duties regarding the business, we still let him roam around a little thats all" apparently his son now helms the business and is one of the new modern business model advocates. If you have an old catalogue hold on to it. I find it to be a useful reference source. I really think the times are changing drastically in the vintage vehicle realm and the d. o. b. of most of us is a considerable factor in the interest and demand for parts reproduction. Not a rant just an observation.
It’s happening everywhere! Almost every thing I buy now is quite a bit higher, like almost twice! I have put off buying anything that I don’t just absolutely need! So I am contributing to the problem , too! Bones
Know Exactly what You speak of... I do a Jeep once in a while to keep light's on an what not, Quadratec a Jeep source, Same Deal... It's a Very strange(shitty world) Time .. To actually have to get something Done! When You for decade's have known How.... Nothing positive, At All... It's almost like if there was something You use/used an was Good, Ya better get one or two, Cause it just might be the next thing deleted!
The way it's going you'll be able to sell your extra bolt kit in the future as the production of re-pro 40 parts fades away. I have the feeling that this trend will continue. Remember the good old days of when DRAKE was the "go to guy" and had a catalog the thickness of a telephone book?
I bet customer service people love being told 100 times a day that the price of what they sell has gone up.
Add Casino slip redemption machines to that list. Every time I am at a casino the machines pay in bills and print a voucher for the change. Those slips litter the floor and garbage cans. I figure the casinos are making a (additional) fortune .35 cents at a time.
I had the same kind of thing happen at Rockauto, ordered everything but backing plates for a specific year ford bronco rear end to do a complete brake overhaul. They sent two left side wheel cylinders, one for a different year, told me I ordered the wrong part and wouldn't return it because the shipping cost more than the part.
I know it's stated in other threads but Pete & Jakes gave me great service. I had the wrong panard bar shipped with a chassis and Jason personally sorted it that day. No BS, just desire to fix it.
Depends on who you ask. Simon and Garfunkel probably thought it was a little love from the ladies on 7th avenue.
Consider where this hobby would be if it wasn't for people like Bob Drake, Dennis Carpenter, Snyder's, Speedway, etc etc etc etc. We are all very fortunate that someone is still making and selling parts for vintage Fords. Even if the prices increase by 500%, it is still cheaper than having items custom made-which is necessary when you are working with rare or obscure cars. The prices for reproduction vintage Ford parts are still bargains at any price and the fact that you can call or email an order and generally have the item shipped to you relatively fast is an added-and priceless-bonus.
The scary point I took from the OP is that 2/3rds of the catalog will not be available anymore. Even at 500% prices. I thought I might be buying a pair or two of those '40 running boards in the next decade, but seems I'm already SOL. Hopefully someone will still be making glue-on covers.
It's only numbers. Once you understand that it's less painful to pay the going rates. I can remember my first paycheck that was over $100.oo and I was married with a Kid and buying a house. Everything was more than we wanted to pay then also. Fun costs money, how much fun can you afford? I just made an order from Van Pelt. I didn't ask how much or care, just glad he's still there so I could get what I need. To offset the cost of parts I just don't eat lunch anymore. I also quit smoking.
Don't worry, our friends in far- north- Northern Australia ( China) will keep making poor quality repop rubbish that needs work or just doesn't work or fit, as long as there is demand. Unless you have your own NOS supply of bits, you don't have many options.
Might have to resort to reading that little tiny print in the 1" thick Hemmings Motor News. Either that or going to swap meets trying to find your parts.
It's only Money....the only thing that comes to mind this very moment, played this many times street racing back east at Long Warf - New Haven and the Hammonasset Connector - many - many years ago......
Just think - swap meets will be busy again looking for all those discontinued re-pops. Ahhh the good old swap meet days 2.0
And there is the problem, we have gotten to a point that in another 10 yrs this country won't be able to survive without China, look at shelves now. As far as 500% increase in parts prices, go for it and see how fast this hobby dries up. When it comes to paying the mortgage or electric bill vs. paying 500% increase in parts prices I think I know where the money is going to go. Sad deal on Drakes but like some businesses, the family takes over and 1 of 2 things happen, 1-the family isn't really interested in that particular area and start cutting back and cutting cost to make their job and work load easier and 2- dad has already made enough money that the immediate family is basically set financially and then back to number 1, don't really need a lot of income but it just gives them something to do. Seen a lot of the above in the last 5 yrs or so locally. .
Ok, I get it. China, repops, poor quality, blah, blah, blah. But back to the actual problem at hand, what are we going to do about these damn casinos keeping my change?
I have seen it many times here in my home town! Dad works his butt off, makes a good business , putting in many hours, sacrificing and giving good service! Son grows up with everything he wants, pampered! Then Dad dies, son takes over…..everything changes! Business fails! Bones
Maybe we can start getting good repro parts from Argentina again? They made '34 grilles long before Drake even thought about it. Anybody have the 1-800 for Rick's?