HELP! I'm being ripped off...

[onerareviper]

HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

Viperholics,

O.K. I don't mind paying a little more for Viper parts. But $18 bucks a peice for little washer/shims??? And I need 4 of them. I am re-installing my factory 3-point seat belts, which were removed by the previous owner. When I removed the center/rear bulkhead, I noticed the 4 bolts/4 shims that are need to mount the 2 belt retractors were missing. The bolts are $2.50 each (not too bad), part #6034383. The washer/shims are part #4708494. $18 a peice. Crazy. Nearly $80 bucks for 4 washers after tax. Can anyone give me advice on the dimensions or alternative washers I can purchase at the hardware store, for probably .35 cents each? The picture shows the washer/shim under the seat belt retractor in the upper/left corner of the picture.

P.S. - I already tried both part masters, Jon B. and Chuck T. They only have access to the overpriced $18 washers.

P.S.S. - I know it's only $80 bucks, but for 4 washers? I just can't bend over that far. Sorry DC, no noockie for you...

 

[Tomer]

Re: HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

I agree on the principle of $72 for 4 washers...I am not sure of a source, but a wrecked car would be a good donor...

Tomer

 

[V10 MOJO]

Re: HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

im with Tomer on this one, find a wrecked

 

[JonB]

Re: HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tomer:
I agree on the principle of $72 for 4 washers...I am not sure of a source, but a wrecked car would be a good donor...
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I cannot locate and dismantle the parts, invoice, account for, ship, then receipt the payment for $50.

"The parts are free....the service is $56!"

Bite the bullet. YOU HAVE NO LEGAL WORKING SEATBELTS! That principle must be addressed, not the $56.

$18 less 22% = $14 each x 4 = $56 PartsRack, new.

Or pay Chuck Tator 80% = $57. The time spent with both Chuck, me, and now here, has gotta be worth SUMTHIN ?

Sorry to sound so whiney !!! Have some cheese........

 

[99 R/T 10]

Re: HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

Check with Paul Scharf at 1-800-338-4002. He has wrecks.

Mike

 

[onerareviper]

Re: HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

Fella's,

Please understand (Jon B.), I always appreciate your help, and do buy parts from you and other reputable vendors (Sean Roe and Chuck T. come to mind). But this just got under my skin. I realize you just can't give them away, as profit/time prohibits it. Not to mention you have to pay the exorbitant dealer price DC is charging you. I BLAME DC FOR PRICING A SIMPLE WASHER AT $18 DOLLARS. When are car companies going to learn that making a few measly dollars, and p*ssing the customer off in the process, is just plain stupid. This reminds me how GM charges double for the SAME EXACT part, but one is a part number for a Cadillac, and the other a Buick. I was told this buy a friend of mine, who used to be a parts manager for GM. I call this 'unethical business practice' and it is just plain wrong. IT'S NOT THE $50 BUCKS OR $80 BUCKS OR $1000 BUCKS, IT'S THE PRINCIPLE. ****, a full tank of premium cost $30 in the Viper.
I realize some parts are one-off customs, etc..., and take time to develop, tool, etc... But there is no way this simple washer/shim fits this category, and DC probably got them at mere pennies, if that.

Oh well, I'm going to step off my soap box.

Thanks for your support.....

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Re: HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

Last time I checked Home Depot and Lowes they both sell nuts and bolts!

 

[Bonkers]

Re: HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

Okay what did I miss here? Are these washers custom designed to fit only Viper seats? I'm just wondering how a trip to Lowes couldn't solve a washer problem?

 

[Bonkers]

Re: HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

Wow, I'm getting as slow as MM on the replies...

 

[MadMaxx]

Re: HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

Hey! Watch it... hehehe

MadMaxx

 

[Doug Supercharged Vipers]

Re: HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

Well, if your not going to bite the bullet than go to your local race shop and get a hold of "Simpson" racing products. They have all types of hooks, washers, bolts etc... Although they are NHRA approved, they may not be DOT approved.

Regards,
Doug

 

[onerareviper]

Re: HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

Fella's,

I do plan to go to Home Depot/Lowes/hardware store to get the washer, but I need to see one first to get the proper size. I am waiting for a Dealer to get one in, so I can check it out. I have nothing to compare against, at the point. And I don't want to misfit something as important as the seat belt tensioner.

Later

 

[MichaelP]

Re: HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

Sounded like a lot of money at first. But when you think of $60 to make sure your seat belt saves your ***. Doesn't sounds so bad after all.

Think of it this way what if the Home Depot 15 cent washer does NOT hold one day. You will think those $60 washers will be the cheapest thing you ever bought.

So screw it man $60 is nothing compared to a head on crash at 50 MPH

 

[onerareviper]

Re: HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

Thank you Mark 'SuperCharged' Cooper!!!!

Mark was kind enough to measure the washer, and give me the exact dimensions. They are:

Overall diameter - 1 inch
Inside hole diameter - 1/2 inch (.493 - .5 inch)
Thickness - 3/8 inch (.375 inch)

I'll stop whining now, as I need to skip to the hardware store...

 

[2tall]

Re: HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

For the sake of curiosity, let me know what you paid.

 

[Vic]

Re: HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by onerareviper:


I'll stop whining now, as I need to skip to the hardware store...

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I hope you won't be wearing a sun dress and whistling show tunes as you "skip" to the hardware store!

Do these washers have any special clearance issues, that will affect the way the seat belt or tensioners operate? Do these washers also stiffen the surrounding material, by grabbing a larger "purchase" of substrate? Do these washers have any dynamic interaction with the seat belt assembly, car structure, or do they exert influence on any structural system in any way?
Is the material the washer is made of unusual in any way? Is it high tensile? Inert to its surroundings?

If not, then its just a mild steel 12 cent flat washer, and it doesn't mean you are putting yourself into an unsafe condition not to buy the $18 washer.

Sometimes it is better just to go with components that are pre-engineered to work properly, as a unit. Don't try to re-invent the wheel. Someone spent a lot of time and effort to engineer your automobile, and it is just a waste of yours to do it over again.

Last note- If you call a supplier, and he stops making survival money to talk to you, just buy the damm part from him, as a courtesy for his effort. If you want to conserve money, don't even call them. Just take your chances, and go do whatever your heart tells you.

But my advice is always free, which is commensurate with its value.

 

[onerareviper]

Re: HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

MichaelP,

Maybe my last post was misleading. Sorry.

It is just a space/shim to elevate the seat beat tensioner, so the belt goes through the holes easier in the rear-bulkhead. I am purchasing the factory bolts that hold the unit in place. They are reasonable, at $2.50 each. These spacer/shims/washers have nothing to do with the structural integrity of the unit. As a matter of fact, you probably don't even need them.

Later

 

[onerareviper]

Re: HELP! I\'m being ripped off...

2Tall,

20 cents a piece.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
Last note- If you call a supplier, and he stops making survival money to talk to you, just buy the damm part from him, as a courtesy for his effort. If you want to conserve money, don't even call them. Just take your chances, and go do whatever your heart tells you.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Vic,

Relax my man. Your not one of those 'Jon B. henchman' are you? Sorta like Zaino Zealots, but worse

. I merely called the man and ask him if he had the part and how much. 60 seconds, max. After he informed me he could sell them for $55, I politely said 'No thanks', and moved on. Didn't pick his brain. Didn't keep him on the phone for 20 minutes. 60 seconds. You don't feel obligated to buy a part from a vendor if you merely ask for a price, do you? If any vendor feels offended by me calling, and not ALWAYS buying, please let me know. I will take my business elsewhere.

P.S. - The only purpose this washer serves is a spacer. If someone proves otherwise, I will gladly purchase the factory part.