Contra Rant : Chassis Stiffener

["Daegrigg (Don)" <daegrigg@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Joe,

Rant well taken.  Since I started this thread with an "innocent"  inquiry
about the stiffener, I can well agree with your point.  But here are some
other points I will put on the table.

I haven't talked to would-be supplier about the lack of incentive to market
after-market Alfa stuff but if they are concerned about copyright
infringements, they can pay the $50 (not sure but it's not a lot) and send
plans to the copyright office.  Also, you can immediately publish a mere
sketch of your item with the copyright symbol and you are covered with a
period allowed to do the formal registration.

But I don't think that is really the point.  There have been previous
suggestions that Alfisti could see more items on the market by group buying
or otherwise supporting the vendors.  I am all for this but it misses the
real nub -  Alfa types are doers, tinkerers, backyard engineers, inventors,
what's-in-the-box types.  Not all but many more percentage wise than you
might find in a gaggle of BMW or Porsche owners.

Don't  know about moving heaven and earth, but Alfisti have typically had to
find out what's in the box to see if you could find it in another box - BMW,
Fiat, Saab parts that fit Alfas is the point.  Pep Boys carrys a Bimmer
distributor cap for most of the  5 series but try asking for a 164 cap
 last time I was there).

Now to the chassis stiffener.  A great idea is a great idea until it hits
the market place, after that it is a great idea that makes money or it is an
also-ran.  The chassis stiffener is worth it to me only at the right price.
If that is not $400 or $500, the market place says give me some options - a
kit, plans only - all for a price - but a price I am willing to pay.

Yes, I agree that "these guys work pretty damn hard... and SHOULD get a
decent mark-up."  So meet me in the marketplace and let's do a deal.

Thanks,

Don
36 Alfas and counting

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe Cabibbo" <joe@domain.elided>
To: "Alfa Digest" <alfa-digest@domain.elided>
Cc: <bshorey@domain.elided>
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2003 2:52 AM
Subject: Rant, was: Chassis Stiffener


> Brian Shorey wrote:
>
> "I won't cast judgement, but I will point out that part of the 'high' cost
> of the chassis stiffener is the r&d that Don put into it.  Some people
have
> stolen the design and copied it, I don't believe that makes it right."
>
> Brian, I agree 100%. I also feel this attitude is one of the main reasons
> there aren't as many aftermarket parts for Alfas as there could be.
Several
> prominent Alfa vendors have privately expressed to me that the reason they
> don't develop more parts or performance systems is that Alfa owners will
> move heaven and earth to try and find out what components go into these
> systems, then buy them somewhere else or reproduce them for $5 or $10
> dollars cheaper!
>
> With this kind of loyalty, who can blame them for being gun shy! These
guys
> work pretty damn hard for their money, and SHOULD get a decent mark-up for
> figuring out well engineered performance solutions for our cars. If they
> don't they'll disappear, and then your choices will be a lot more limited.
>
> Joe Cabibbo <joe@domain.elided>
> Website Content and Design
> http://www.AlfaCentro.com
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