Example of "Progress/Upgrades" that Just Piss Me OFF!

-
dibbons

dibbons

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2009
Messages
5,727
Reaction score
3,790
Location
La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico
1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ oil Filler cap (metal) at AutoZone $2.29 (Duralast)
2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ oil filter cap (plastic) at AutoZone $8.39 (Duralast)
2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ oll filler cap (plastic) at AutoZone $14.99 (Dorman)
2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ oil filler cap (plastic) online $11.02 (Dealer list $15.85) (Mopar?)

Are going to tell me something as basic/simple as the oil cap needed a redesign /upgrade/price increase? (The ratchet mechanism in the newer style plastic cap eventually fails and one needs to pry the cap off with a screwdriver--the metal one can't fail except for maybe the gasket)

92 cap.jpeg


01 cap.jpeg
 
Buddy, you are preachin to the choir. By the way, the brand new one from Oh'Really's lasted about "less than once." After that it was vise grips
 
It’s due to things like “Quantitative Easing”, used to devalue our dollar and steal “we the people’s” money through inflation. Thank a central banker and our past administrations for this. This problem spans borders as the world uses the US dollar as the standard currency.
 
68gtxman said:
It’s due to things like “Quantitative Easing”, used to devalue our dollar and steal “we the people’s” money through inflation. Thank a central banker and our past administrations for this. This problem spans borders as the world uses the US dollar as the standard currency.
Click to expand...
I don't think that's the main reason for the higher price. The new plastic cap is 5X more complex than the old metal one. The new, expensive, plastic one is specific to one make/model. The old, cheap, metal one probably fits 100s of different vehicles, going back to the 1950s.
 
Or, just how many price increases for the exact part that has not changed in how many years!?????? Good old inflation.

And who reaps the rewards of inflation?
 
69_340_GTS said:
I don't think that's the main reason for the higher price. The new plastic cap is 5X more complex than the old metal one. The new, expensive, plastic one is specific to one make/model. The old, cheap, metal one probably fits 100s of different vehicles, going back to the 1950s.
Click to expand...

you have to wonder though...what would posses a manufacturer to abandon such a tried and true part that fits their entire line up and doesnt EVER need to be replaced (unless it gets misplaced) with complicated junk that is vehicle specific ?

the old 710 model simply worked
 
It just the cost to make it changes, not so much just material, but the overhead over the years is attached to the final product. Manufacturers cost for pay raises, health care for employees, raw materials, etc. Also the suppliers of those raw materials cost have risen for the same reason. I don't believe it's the central banks or the dollar as the standard monetary unit that make us feel the pinch. Just ask the Canadians or other countries about their prices. I agree it seems crazy, but compare what you made in '92 compared with today's rate. Me I'm on SS, so I'm sort of screwed.:)
 
Like 44070dart just said " I'm on SS , so Sort of screwed"!!!! Yes ME TOO!

A few years ago I needed the fuel shut off solenoid for my Cummins. Not available at parts store, I call the Dodge dealer. The parts man tells me in is most sympathetic voice, how this part keeps getting a superseded parts number, Yes it is the same identical part but the price has risen to $475!
I get on the net and find a Cummins dealer in panhandle of Fl. that mailed it to me for $100 total.
Total bullshit.
 
barbee6043 said:
Like 44070dart just said " I'm on SS , so Sort of screwed"!!!! Yes ME TOO!

A few years ago I needed the fuel shut off solenoid for my Cummins. Not available at parts store, I call the Dodge dealer. The parts man tells me in is most sympathetic voice, how this part keeps getting a superseded parts number, Yes it is the same identical part but the price has risen to $475!
I get on the net and find a Cummins dealer in panhandle of Fl. that mailed it to me for $100 total.
Total bullshit.
Click to expand...

Yeow.
A 200 dollar markup on my shift kit to get it locally was more than I could justify.
I'm all for supporting locals, but if they are going to get greedy about it F em.
 
diymirage said:
you have to wonder though...what would posses a manufacturer to abandon such a tried and true part that fits their entire line up and doesnt EVER need to be replaced (unless it gets misplaced) with complicated junk that is vehicle specific ?

the old 710 model simply worked
Click to expand...
I guess it keeps the engineers busy, inventing new things that are supposedly "better", but not really. Maybe it's cheaper to mold it out of plastic and put a ratchet mechanism inside? (I'd still like to know why that's necessary) But now you have to pay for the injection molds, plus all that design labor. So you raise the price to pay for that. Bottom line is, some bean-counter, somewhere approved it, so must make sense. :rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top