Posts: 577
Threads: 69
Joined: Jul 2006
hi
i do not want to upset any apple cart!, but as i see it it is difficult to really keep a stock of parts.
we are all pretty friendly, and when a part is desperate for some event etc, there are always plenty to clamour around to find a replacement or temporary fix.
i am not trying to put a dampener on things, but without obtaining a huge inventory, we would still be looking at other sources for parts, and you could be left with a part for many years that no one needs.
Dave H is a great chap to have a chat with, and to be honest refreshing that he does not need the net, and if you have not talked with Dave, good to get indepth knowledge of the car and its history.
As we all know, many essential parts (filters, brake pads, headlights etc) are available off the shelf, or rebuildable (calipers etc) in just a few days, or a cross ref to other cars.
just my view
Steve Saunders
Wolverhampton
ex owner vin 1621
doc 370
I don't think people are talking about setting up a business - My Halfords washer pump took 1 day and less than £20 - it's more about just a few difficult or long-lead-time parts. For example - if (and this is only hypothetical!) the club had decided to buy 2 exhausts as part of the "SS Exhaust December Special", then it's only a matter of time before someone had bought them - at, say £50 more than the club paid for them, but £200 less than what Don would quote if you phoned him up today. At current interest rates that could be a nice little earner for club funds. This is of course assuming the club has something like £5k in the bank! The member then gets an exhaust in a week, as opposed to 3 months. One of our fellow members has run into this exact problem already....
Likewise correct water pumps, RPM relay, radiators - all stuff that can take a couple of weeks at least and quite costly to ship or difficult to find. I totally agree that it could be tricky to set up well, and the club would have to agree on a budget, and what to buy, but definately worth a think about in my book!
Posts: 425
Threads: 56
Joined: Jul 2006
arranj Wrote:Likewise correct water pumps, RPM relay, radiators - all stuff that can take a couple of weeks at least and quite costly to ship or difficult to find. I totally agree that it could be tricky to set up well, and the club would have to agree on a budget, and what to buy, but definately worth a think about in my book!
I think the club should only hold essential 'get your car back on the road' parts perhaps 2 of each components, it would probably amount to less than 20 items and not tie up much money.
RPM Relay - Water Pump - Fuel Pump - Alternator - Starter Motor - radiator
all things that when they suddenly go pop ultimately result in the car being undriveable
Just my 2p
Quote:we are all pretty friendly, and when a part is desperate for some event etc, there are always plenty to clamour around to find a replacement or temporary fix.
i am not trying to put a dampener on things, but without obtaining a huge inventory, we would still be looking at other sources for parts, and you could be left with a part for many years that no one needs.
Steve, if you need a radiator you hve to wait for one or pay more for a re-core, starter motors can be tricky too, and decent alternators, and also in very small quantities.
We would only be looking at parts that are essential to the car running, not brake pads and belts which you can get hold of easily of as there is a cross ref.
Posts: 6,170
Threads: 347
Joined: Jul 2006
To answer Arran, no the club has not got £5k in the bank!! And I think, if it did, questions
would be asked as to why it was sitting on so much of club members money and doing nothing
with it.
I was going to look at investing a £1000-£1500, but that was before interest rates plummeted,
so at the moment its not worth doing.
My guesstimate, considering that memberships are falling due to the current economic climate
and people 'tightening their belts', is that the club will have a buffer of around £1500 going into
next year, but obviously I dont want to spend all of that, as it may be needed suddenly for
something (and dont ask me what, but these things have a habit of cropping up lol).
It is interesting to see what people think we should keep in stock - but who should keep it,
and obviously there are postage considerations on large and/or heavy items.
Claire Wright - Club Treasurer
Jul 1981 DeLorean - Flopsy #2292
Aug 1989 Cavalier 1.6L - Guinney
Apr 2021 Mokka-e Launch Edition - Evie
#170
Just a thought, but having a small stock of next-to-impossible-to-get parts that would be available quickly could actually [i]attract[/i new members.
Posts: 1,272
Threads: 79
Joined: Sep 2007
The club keeps clothing and umbrellas etc in stock to sell on, so I don't see why a small selection of parts can't be bought by the club as well, and they will probably get sold on quicker than the clothes.
VIN: 6511
Good point Dan.
If it was easier to buy club merchandise through a web shop with online payments, paypal etc..we might sell more and raise more funds.
Posts: 1,332
Threads: 73
Joined: Jul 2006
or we could steal a car and when anyone needs any bits ........................... TT
DOC398
VIN#3484
Tourettes Tutor
I have the X factor
Posts: 1,272
Threads: 79
Joined: Sep 2007
We could tony, I happen to know that my key fits another delorean in the club :wink:
VIN: 6511
Quote:or we could steal a car and when anyone needs any bits ........................... TT
:lol: :lol:
Posts: 6,170
Threads: 347
Joined: Jul 2006
A Van Wrote:Good point Dan.
If it was easier to buy club merchandise through a web shop with online payments, paypal etc..we might sell more and raise more funds.
Club Regalia goes through a seperate bank account run by Mary Hooper.
A 'online' club shop has been discussed before at the last 2 or 3 AGM's from memory, but
Mary says that because clothing can be supplied in various colours and sizes, or special
items (like the team shirts) can be ordered 'on spec' as one offs, she prefers to take phone/
email enquiries.
And Dan, yes we all know who's key your car fits....... :wink:
Claire Wright - Club Treasurer
Jul 1981 DeLorean - Flopsy #2292
Aug 1989 Cavalier 1.6L - Guinney
Apr 2021 Mokka-e Launch Edition - Evie
#170
Yes I see your point Claire regarding the team shirts as they are a bit more bespoke.
But looking at our Club shop it seems most things are in two colours and couple of different sizes, couldnt the club just offer a basic selection via a web shop?
It might take less of Mary's time too having to do cheques and that, and could encourage increased sales.
So how do we get a request like this 'parts stock' through the club for agreement Claire, Surely its not a wait till the NEC in November to raise it .. or is it ?
I've got a few spare parts in stock, waiting on a reply from a few trade re-conditioners about supplying me with some starter solenoids (the part that tends to fail).
Fingers crossed....
NickT
ps STOP PRESS! 1 place returned quoted £30 for the solenoid £5 delivery. I will ask about multiple purchases of this part.
pps If money is tight, I don't mind buying a few items and storing them for quick postage but seems pointless if everyone does the same...
|
