Just some info for all of you. A part in an appliance in my van failed, I wont name it, the point is the cost difference, I went to a local franchise that deals in all bits associated with this type of appliance and more. They quoted me $199 for what I needed, and stated it will need to be ordered as they don't keep that particular item in stock. So I rang the manufacturer of the appliance in Melbourne, who quoted $88 delivered. So my message is shop around and it pays to speak with the manufacturer.
I have a generator, its red and made in China. The primer bulb disintegrated, I ordered a new primer unit from UK, later a feed came up with just the bulb from South Australia, it was cheap so I bought it too. The UK part arrived a week before the sa one.
Wanted a small plastic passenger rear door trim for my Ranger. Ford quoted something like $40. No wait that is for the drivers side. The passenger side is $90. Why the difference, its just a mirror image. That's what the price tells me it is. Nope it's because I want that side, not the cheap side. Still got the old one on there.
UK is a great source to secure car parts and appliance parts and freight can be very reasonable unlike US shipping.
I buy a few things from USA, freight costs a fortune & takes forever in most cases.
Bhphoto in NY, but it has been a few years, pretty good, but they don't do car parts!
Back to the UK. 2020 my Australian & UK passports needed to be renewed. Australia dated the new passport basically the application date & took ages to get.
UK dated the new passport basically the date DHL delivered it. Which also had a long delay.
Almost forgot, a UK passport is cheaper!
__________________
Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!
50L custom fuel rack 6x20W 100/20mppt 4x26Ah gel 28L super insulated fridge TPMS 3 ARB compressors heatsink fan cooled 4L tank aftercooler Air/water OCD cleaning 4 stage car acoustic insulation.
Not a part but a repair. My 4hp boat motor stopped pumping water so thinking it might need a new water pump or impeller I took it to the local dealer. They inspected the motor and advised that it would need a new water pump plus repairs to the leg as it was badly corroded and full of sand and salt. The cost would be in excess of $900.00 plus $100.00 for the inspection.
I politely told them about sex and travel and took it to another dealer some distance away.
Result. One new Impeller, a full service and inspection of the leg, which found no evidence of corrosion, $358.00.
On a similar note, a local caravan repairer quoted me $900 to replace the rear tail light assembly on my caravan as one of the brake lights had failed (three separate lights but only one failed). I said, "what the f-----". I then sourced an identical, original part for $36 and with a screwdriver, soldering iron and about 30 minutes of simple labour, fixed it myself. So yeah you do need to shop around!!!
-- Edited by Pradokakadudavid on Saturday 3rd of August 2024 08:34:01 PM
__________________
Nissan Patrol TIL and highly modified Retreat Fraser full offroad version
I have just recently imported an electronic controller for the slideout on my MH. Genuine part air shipped from US , 10 day delivery from order date A$800. Local importer wanted A$1700 plus interstate freight.
