Poor Parts Service (again)

[simmitc]

For a change, it's not a complaint about quality, but about inconsiderate "bundling": One of my right hand bonnet hinges has broken, so not unreasonably I want to purchase a new one. The left hand hinge is only a couple of years old, has spotless chrome, and is perfect, so I do not want a left hand hinge, only a new right hand one to replace the broken one. For years one has been able to purchase whichever hinge one wanted, but now, all the major suppliers are saying that they sell them only in pairs. WHY?

Forcing me to buy a pair of hinges that I don't want doubles the price that I have to pay. It adds weight and packaging to the order, which then impacts on the environment; and if I never need the second hinge then it's a waste of scarce resources. It makes no difference to either the manufacturer or the trader whether they sell in singles or pairs, it's simply a matter of making however many units are required. If R/H are outselling L/H then next time round make a few extra R/H. If they average out at roughly the same of each, but not necessarily in matched pairs, then there's still no problem. Everything about the bundling idea is bad. What's next - track rod ends? Wiper arms? Door skins? You have been warned.

[aupickup]

well that is bad
another example from esm is that you can not just buy a tie rod, you have to buy the whole thing that is tie rod, yoke and of course making us spend more money than necessary

i do not agree with this sort of selling

[jonathon]

Maybe the suppliers can only buy in pairs, which means that selling one will mess up their stack. Most folk will require pairs for rebuilds and only a handful want individual items. If split then the supplier may well charge you more for their lost income .
Margins are very very tight at the moment, so I feel that this trend will be here to stay.
What I find really annoying is buying a part only to find washers and nuts are extra. The item cannot be fitted without them so ......derrr

[aupickup]

just glad i still have loads of new old stock small items then

[IaininTenbury]

I once went to a Rover main dealers to buy a set of axle U bolts for a Marina. The parts guy was most apologetic and explained they were only able to supply them in packs of FIVE! I've still got the left over one somewhere....
Oh yes, nuts weren't included either, so not much changes there.