Sum of Parts Less than Finishing Kit???

dbuds2 · #1 12-09-2008, 06:45 PM

Hey RV gang, I've been budgeting the purchase of my RV8 finishing kit. I had Van's send me the parts list included in the kit so I could plan what things I might omit, using a Todd's canopy or Sam James cowl instead of Van's.

Anyway, once I priced it all out, I'm finding it hard to believe the whole finishing kit is over $1000 more than all the pieces. There are several hardware bags in the kit that I can't find a direct cost, but, I've accounted for all the major stuff.

Does anyone have input?

asav8tor · #2 12-09-2008, 06:55 PM

Quite a bit different than a car where the sum of the parts exceed the cost of the car by over 1000%.

Ironflight · #3 12-09-2008, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbuds2

Does anyone have input?

I haven't done a direct comparison, as you have, so this is only a thought, not a judgement...but "the little parts" can cost a lot more than you might think, and finding some of the really odd bits - special connections, etc. - can be tough sometimes.

Probably the nicest thing about having the finish kit was that I was never stuck on the project while I had to order just one little piece that I had forgotten (or more likely, didn't know that I needed). Certainly, if you have all the drawings, you can go through them and order all the bits and pieces in advance.

Paul

Rick6a · #4 12-10-2008, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbuds2

Hey RV gang, I've been budgeting the purchase of my RV8 finishing kit. I had Van's send me the parts list included in the kit so I could plan what things I might omit, using a Todd's canopy or Sam James cowl instead of Van's.

Anyway, once I priced it all out, I'm finding it hard to believe the whole finishing kit is over $1000 more than all the pieces. There are several hardware bags in the kit that I can't find a direct cost, but, I've accounted for all the major stuff.

Does anyone have input?

Ordinarily, I'd agree with others about the sum of the parts being cheaper than if bought separately but in your case and planning to go with a different cowl and canopy you just might be on to something that warrants further investigation. A data point: I omitted the standard steel landing gear from my -8 finish kit order and went with Grove gear instead. Doing so made the crate lighter. Making the crate lighter meant that ABS charged more....something about overall crate dimensions versus gross weight. But the real killer is this: Unlike the other subkits, the finish kit contents are declared "plastic" instead of "metal bar stock." The material declaration causes its shipping cost to be much higher than the fuselage or wing kit. If you are planning to omit the cowl and the canopy from the order, I'd contact Van's and ask if the remaining contents in the finish kit can be shipped in a smaller crate and it's contents declared "metal bar stock." If they agree to do it, you will save a lot of money in shipping fees. Depending upon the shipping distance, and Florida is a looong way from Oregon.....the significant savings in shipping alone should easily make up for higher individually purchased parts for the remaining items contained within the finish kit.

Jamie · #5 12-10-2008, 05:24 AM

If you do decide to use Todd's canopy or Sam's cowl, one other thing to consider is that Van's doesn't give you full credit for omitting their parts from the kit -- it's always the cost minus some percentage. Just another factor to consider.

Fearless · #6 12-10-2008, 07:10 AM

A few years back when I inquired about omitting parts from the finishing kit for my 9A I was told I would only get 75% credit for those parts. I already had an engine mount and nose gear. I went ahead and ordered the complete kit and keep the mount and gear as spares. With prices increasing 5% each year I'll be dollars ahead in the unfortunate event that I would have to use them down the road.

I know that a 6A driver could have used them at Oshkosh in 2007 after he hit a gopher hole.

David-aviator · #7 12-10-2008, 07:37 AM

Seems like if the sum of the parts is less money than the kit, the way to go is order the parts individually.

allbee · #8 12-10-2008, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fearless

A few years back when I inquired about omitting parts from the finishing kit for my 9A I was told I would only get 75% credit for those parts. I already had an engine mount and nose gear. I went ahead and ordered the complete kit and keep the mount and gear as spares. With prices increasing 5% each year I'll be dollars ahead in the unfortunate event that I would have to use them down the road.

I know that a 6A driver could have used them at Oshkosh in 2007 after he hit a gopher hole.

I came across that garbage when I did my finish kit, because I omited brake parts.
When it came time for the firewall forward, I eliminated that charge by just giving them a list off off their FF kit with what I wanted, no loss, I felt good. THe trick is to not order such and such kit, just get the listing for it, remove the parts you don't want and order the parts individually.

L.Adamson · #9 12-10-2008, 08:19 AM

I hate to offend anybody...........

But it looks like Van's needs to do some (individual) price restructuring; possibly.

It's a fact that the markup on some parts is higher than others. But a business needs that markup to stay in business, especially when the profit margins are tight to begin with. And Van's does run with rather tight margins.

I'm the type of guy that likes to see businesses... stay in business. Especially these days! I'll even sometimes pay more for 100LL somewhere, just to help them get rid of the tank (that they ended up buying when prices were high). Especially, when they were previously lower than the local airport. I DO want to see some FBO's stay in business.

I can certainly see where the 75% only, credit comes in. If we buy all the low margin parts from Van's and substitute aftermarket pieces for the higher priced items, then Van's still does most of the leg work, design, packaging, but looses.

Well, there you have it.... from my point of view

L.Adamson

David-aviator · #10 12-10-2008, 11:01 AM

I believe Van's is constantly looking at costs and trying to keep their product as reasonably priced as possible.

Example - the 2008 catalog lists oil and fuel pressure lines (VA-102 and VA-133) at $39.50 and $46.50 respectively. If you go to the online store, the updated prices are $15.50 and $18.25 respectively.

I don't know if they changed products or what, but it was a pleasant surprise when I ordered these items online recently.