So what's the deal with Fiero Store or other places prices vs eBay prices for the same parts. I look up prices of replacement part and I want to support places that care about our little cars but for Pete's sake. Their parts are normally 30-40% more plus shipping then I can get Dorman or ACdelco part with free shipping on eBay. The places on eBay are making money with a lower price and cheap or free shipping. There are parts that the specialty stores have that eBay doesn't. I know that if we don't support them they will close down but paying almost double for the same part after shipping is totally absurd.
You can get almost EVERYTHING for the Fiero through standard stores. The only thing the Fiero Store is good for is reproduction plastic or rubber parts.
You can get almost EVERYTHING for the Fiero through standard stores.
Exactly. I'm all about supporting specialty vendors, but when almost everything I need for routine maintenance or repairs is available locally, I go with it.
Today's project involves replacing my fuel pressure regulator. I can get a new regulator and plenum gaskets from Advance Auto Parts, and by ordering online for in-store pickup, I'll earn 450 airline points. And I'll have everything in an hour.
I always call the local parts stores and dealers first before ever going to any place online because I like the idea of being able to see something before I buy it, pictures don't always to products justice. I love the Fiero store for things I can't find right around the corner but with a few phone calls to local places I can usually find what I need. As far as EBay I am not a fan of them at all, they are not always the best place to get something because as I said you can't get your hands on the part before you buy it, then if it is not what you need or doesn't fit you have to ship it back at your expense usually and then wait for a replacement if they even have one.
Just my take.
Steve
------------------ Technology is great when it works, and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't
This part on my car leaks so I can't use my washer fluid. I've tried to find it at local places but they don't have this exact piece. Here is TFS selling the piece.... But for $15???? Why? It's literally a small piece of plastic.
So what's the deal with Fiero Store or other places prices vs eBay prices for the same parts. I look up prices of replacement part and I want to support places that care about our little cars but for Pete's sake. Their parts are normally 30-40% more plus shipping then I can get Dorman or ACdelco part with free shipping on eBay. The places on eBay are making money with a lower price and cheap or free shipping. There are parts that the specialty stores have that eBay doesn't. I know that if we don't support them they will close down but paying almost double for the same part after shipping is totally absurd.
Part of it is economy of scale. For example, summit or other large general retailer will likely negotiate lower purchase price across the entire head light segment than what Fiero Store can negotiate just for the Fiero headlights. Fiero Store could just buy from Summit (etc), but then the parts have to be shipped to them and they have to mark them up to cover their overhead.
Part of it is convenience. Fiero Store is a one-stop-shop for many Fiero items and they also market several "packages of parts" to help simplify the ordering process. They keep these parts in stock and ready to ship, where as one of the local parts stores can get them for less $$$, but you have to wait 1-3 days for them.
Part of it is business model. You can setup your business to be like Amazon with billions of annual transactions and make pennies on each, or you can have 100 transactions a year like my part-time business, or somewhere in between. As I look for products to offer, if I can't offer the product at a competitive price and margin that is worthwhile "to me", I simply don't offer it. Others will chose to offer the product at a higher price and try to capture whatever sales they can get. Both scenarios can work for each business as long as you understand that as a general rule the higher the price the fewer sales.
Part of it is R&D expense. Many of the places selling the lowest priced parts (especially on eBay), are just resellers (many of them never even see or touch the product, they just arrange for it to be shipped to you direct from the MFG). They are not trying to bring new products to market, just get you what you need, and pocket their small profit from the transaction. Fiero Store continues to develop new Fiero specific products, so a portion of all their sales help support development of new products.
In the end, every customer has the choice of where to spend their $$$. If the specialty vendor has made/developed unique parts that you use and need, then you can do your part to help keep them around by buying some parts from them (the ones you deem the markup to be acceptable). If they are not making something unique you want/need, then spend your $$$ as you see fit.
This part on my car leaks so I can't use my washer fluid. I've tried to find it at local places but they don't have this exact piece. Here is TFS selling the piece.... But for $15???? Why? It's literally a small piece of plastic.
Probably because its an official GM item. If Dorman or someone else made it, it might be $2.
This part on my car leaks so I can't use my washer fluid. I've tried to find it at local places but they don't have this exact piece. Here is TFS selling the piece.... But for $15???? Why? It's literally a small piece of plastic.
This part is a unique one way valve. If $15 is too high, you can find them on many other GM makes at the junkyards for about a buck. As for the Fiero Store, I believe their prices on many items are fair. Some are high and some are low, but the Fiero community is far better off with them as a supplier. They offer many parts not sold elsewhere.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Powerlog manifold, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Originally posted by zzzhuh: This part on my car leaks so I can't use my washer fluid. I've tried to find it at local places but they don't have this exact piece. Here is TFS selling the piece.... But for $15???? Why? It's literally a small piece of plastic. http://www.fierostore.com/P...px?s=63494&d=383&p=1
Part is not "literally a small piece of plastic"
Is a GM Part (25523494) and the check valve made of 4 parts. 3 plastic moldings and small piece of rubber. GM only use this part from 1984 to 88 See my Cave, Windshield Wipe at bottom.
Try local GM dealer or online. Some online parts are less then TFS but have high shipping. Example: Item 024 on http://parts.nalleygmc.com/...ukey_assembly=393814 Part: $10.23 Shipping & Handling (USA): $16.95 Total: $27.18
You can try a junk yard.
You can try an alternate valve. Maybe try aquarium stores. They make them so if air pump fails then can't siphon back water. google: aquarium air pump check valve
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
As with everything else these days it pays to shop around for best price, no point in complaining it's just the way it is. Sooner or later if a Store finds it just isn't making any money they either discontinue item/s or go out of business.
Regarding the part you posted, I wouldn't take any chances on a Junk Yard Part, as it could quickly fail. Keep in mind that all plastic get more brittle with age when exposed to automotive environment (and our cars are very old), they will only take so much thermal expansion/contraction before they split.
Keep in mind you are buying a very low sale volume part, that's going to drive price up on a new or OEM part. Also keep in mind that failure of this part could lead to engine damage from overheat, cost and time of adding anti-freeze, stuck in the middle of nowhere, and more that help make this part look cheap in cost in comparison.
[This message has been edited by California Kid (edited 08-03-2014).]
I shop Fiero Store when I can. Sometimes the convenience is worth a little extra cash. But there have definitely been times I felt it was too expensive or not the quality I would like. Fiero store offers items on ebay sometimes at free shipping. I hope we will always have a resource like Fiero Store to get parts. It is definitely convenient on weekends or late evening. Just order on paypal and get it in two or three days.
