$ 1,500 + for repro spirals!!!!

[GeorgeLyons]

FOR SALE: Own a fine collectible, one of the finest pieces of Americana never before offered for sale: The original axe George Washington used to cut down the cherry tree, blade replaced once, handle replaced twice.

It is really funny how one's perception of someone can change in an instance..Isn't this the same Bob Harris that had a Royal Plum '67 RS/Z at one time featured in some Camaoro club magazines?? Isn't this the same guy that turned out some really nice Camaro restorations over the years and who also seemed, to me at least, to have some really desirable 1st gen cars??? I have never dealt with the guy but had a few phone conversations with him over the years regarding his business and different cars for sale from his shop. I always thought he was a stand up guy, but after reading this thread and MORE importantly his reply (assuming it is genuinely his) I think he is a PXX (you figure the letters...), who would dupe someone and risk his reputation for $1500.00 If this is really his attitude, as it appears to be, glad I never did nor will ever do business with this guy! Has the hobby really gotten this bad?

[hep1966]

How was the auction misleading? They were not advertised as original 1969 shocks. Date codes are commonly placed on many restoration items (stickers, decals, chalk marks or stamps). It is commonly done for glass for collectable cars. If you need to replace the glass in your supercar or 57 Chevy show car are you going to the local shop for a new replacement window or will you go to a specialty supplier to get the glass with a correct date code?

[resto4u]

The price and wording is to make one think they are NOS. The price alone makes one think the price Nos shocks would sell. Anyone can buy number stamps at the hardware store. Roger

[Charley Lillard]

It is real simple.. Does the buyer know he bought repo or does he think he bought orig ? My read of the auction made me think they were orig.

[Salvatore]

In this day and age question everything more times than once. I have dealt with Bob and his guys for years. NEVER a problem. But.....I asked and badgered on everything before I bought. To me everything is questionable to proven else wise. Do your homework!

[hep1966]

[ QUOTE ]
The price and wording is to make one think they are NOS. The price alone makes one think the price Nos shocks would sell. Anyone can buy number stamps at the hardware store. Roger

[/ QUOTE ]

The starting bid was $125. Is that unreasonable for reproduction shocks?

[Mr70]

Reproduction spiral front or rear leafspring shocks,with out date codes,retail for $79.95 each.You can catch them at swapmeets around $50.00 on a slow day.

IMO the ad is misleading because:

1) it never says they AREN'T "NOS" or that they ARE repros
2)the bidder's ID was kept private, which is pretty common for collector cars or parts vs the more common show everyone in your "run of the mill" repro parts auctions
3) he makes an effort to describe their application and part numbers and dates in detail, BUT leaves out they are new manufactured
4) he shows close ups of the dates and part numbers which is more commonly done with an item of collector value as the value is likely in the "details"
5)he mentions his business and the fact they have been doing it for 20 years, serving the public and implying the collector in the process
6) he uses words that are "attractors" in his title.."Yenko, COPO and Z28" vs. just saying these are "1969 Camaro spiral shocks"..he obviously wants the guy looking to restore a car correctly vs. the guy wanting a shock for an old Camaro
7) most importantly he says "bid with confidence" which implies he is fully disclosing..at least to me

Again based on his ad and his resulting emais...not the guy I want to do business with as I'm not an "expert" and there has to be a certain level of trust when buying these types of parts or cars. Hopefully he will make the situation right...just my opinions and observatiosn.

Repsectfully,

GSC

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
Posted by mr70:

Besides that,I've yet to see a new repro set fullfil it's duties beyond a few 100 miles of normal street useage.
They were recently re-manufactured for their appearance for the trailered/show cars,so their internals are cheaper and their oil less plentiful.

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm curious, have you physically drained the oil from one of these new repro shocks and compared it to an original? Granted, they aren't gonna ride/drive like a new set of gas charged Ranchos, but surely GM wouldn't license a shock that they know folks are gonna drive on but is "just for shows"...I can't see GM's lawyers taking on that kind of liability?