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Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:17 am
by jonathon
Probably because the Mini market is huge compared to the Minor one
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:26 pm
by Jefftav
Surely if all the suppliers play nicely the market is large enough for a several companies and I am sure Moss will have studied the market carefully before making a decision to set up a catalogue.
As others have said Moss will probably enter the market with special offers but things will level out. If I am buying a lot of parts I always shop around and ask for discount as we all work hard for our cash.
I do think suppliers could do more to display the discounts for buying on line and/or being a club member as sometimes the discounts are advertised but don't actually apply to a lot of parts which you don't find out (unless you ask) until the order is completed. Not that I think Moss will be any better or worse in this respect but I can but hope

Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:44 pm
by MarkyB
As they are heavily into Minis and MGs they will already have usable parts in stock, so it seems like a natural way to expand their business.
(Has shufti at their web site)
Looks like Frosts need to watch out too.
Time will tell I guess.
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 3:11 pm
by flowersGTR
i have used moss for most of teh bits on my MG midget and have found the parts to be generally good. sometimes you do get some dodgy parts although i have had no issues with refunds or getting another product.
since mini's and many MG's share parts with the morris minor it seems the logical way to go. ive been to the moss off the M3 and they do have the odd morris minor poster on the wall.
as regards modification;
in terms of the Midget/sprite moss dont sell any of their own modifications other than anything that was a performance part available from the factory. they do however have a partnership with Frontline spridget where they will sell frontline parts.
maybe this is a possibility for you jonathon??
where its says staff are enthusiast - i would agree to a certain extent some of the guys there are very knowledgeable and helpful whilst others arnt so helpfull.
i would agree the parts catalogue can double up as a manual very usefull.
i
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:37 am
by jonathon
Too late' flowersGTR' , as it would appear that Nick Harding and ESM are the main suppliers to Moss, and Moss will be selling the old Owen Burton ' designed kits, plus a tie up with Frontline and their 5 speed conversions.
So it would now seem that the ' gloves are off'. So expect to see a new raft of affordable, quality, bolt on modifications early next year.
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 2:23 pm
by flowersGTR
when you say a tie up with frontline and their 5 speed conversions,
are you saying that frontline will produce a 5 speed kit for morris minors???
if so im not entirely sure they can do that as frontline were "licensed" by the morris minor centre birmingham to produce and retail the kit themselves.
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 2:28 pm
by flowersGTR
and ESM are the main suppliers to moss?
so ESM are distributors for Morris Minor Centre (Bath) Ltd and then inturn moss are distributors for ESM??
maybe ive looked to far into this.
dont mean to be ignorant but who is Nick Harding?
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 3:30 pm
by billlobban
Oh what tangled web they weave!
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 3:35 pm
by bmcecosse
MOSS have a 15% discount running over this week-end - so make up your lists of parts now!
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 3:37 pm
by billlobban
Just after I bought some stuff - Typical

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 3:39 pm
by jonathon
Nick Harding ran the MMC Bath which was subsequently bought by ESM (not sure of the minuti of the deal) So yes in effect ESM will sell to Moss, doesnt quite make sense to me as most profit is retail and not trade.
Page 6 of the Moss catalogue shows a 5 spd conversion and having contacted Moss it is from Frontline Costello.
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 4:30 pm
by billlobban
Johnathon I wouldnt be losing any sleep over Moss a quick look at their 5 speed conversion shows it listed at £1520 whereas MMC quote £835 for a recon box and fitting kit.Your own gearbox is quite sensibly priced at £375
There should still be lots of scope to make a shilling when competing against them.
Many Minor owners (me included) spent less than that buying their car! We live in times where cost is important and even if I was prepared to pay more for decent quality I certainly wouldnt go that far.
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:18 pm
by MarkyB
When this thread started I had a quick look at their web site. The first thing that caught my eye were the electric fan kits.
All of them were £150+

suddenly lost interest for some reason.
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:40 pm
by mike.perry
I have received my Moss catalogue this morning, no I didn't ask for it.
Everything starts at Series II so not a lot in there for me.
It seems a little pricey, £895 for an alloy 1275 head, not even an 8 port head. I don't suppose we will see many of those on the rally fields.
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:47 pm
by bmcecosse
Can't see the point of an alloy head for the 1275 - unless it is 7 port ??
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 9:40 am
by Kevin
mike.perry wrote:I have received my Moss catalogue this morning, no I didn't ask for it.
Everything starts at Series II so not a lot in there for me.
It seems a little pricey, £895 for an alloy 1275 head, not even an 8 port head. I don't suppose we will see many of those on the rally fields.
Agreed Mike and even less likely to see an Arden 8 port as they are over £1,500

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:19 pm
by simmitc
I think that any of us who have more than about 6 weeks experience of Minors can probably quote recognised part numbers off by heart, certainly for the more frequently used items, and these generally apply across all usual suppliers. Having looked at the moss web site: (a) it's nowhere near as clear as some of the established ones [but I would agree that it's better than some]; (b) I can't be bothered to learn a complete new set of part numbers that bear no relation to recognised ones; (c) I can't believe some of the prices.
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:58 pm
by jonathon
Prices are high due to the frequent % discounts they give which blind some customers into thinking they are getting a bargain, whereas the reality is that most existing suppliers are offering bargain prices all year round and the occassional show and Xmas discounts are true discounts to be had.
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:30 pm
by jonathon
Quick question, has anyone on here received a copy of the Moss catalogue, despite 'not' having ordered one.
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 4:33 pm
by dalebrignall
i have not been sent one and i have not ordered one .