I have an old, old, really old DR brush mower. It's one of those with the big spoked wheels, no reverse, etc., etc.
In the about 20 years that I've owned it, it's never let me down and I've had my moneys worth out of it. That is until this week. It wouldn't start. I messed around with it and I found the problem. There is a small plastic coupling that connects the fuel hose to the carb. Well, in it's old age it had developed a small crack in the plastic coupling. It leaked a little gas and sucked a little air so ... no run.
I get on the B&S web site and after much hunting around I find the part, part # 692317. Felling really chuffed with myself, I stick it in my cart and go to checkout and here is where it all begins.
I see that this little plastic part that must have cost less than 25¢ to produce is going to cost me $3.50. That was outrageous but I tell myself that it's the cost of doing business, just accept it. Then I notice that there is something called, "State Tax" on there and it's $1.19. That's 34% on a $3.50 part. That's freeking income tax not any kind of State Sales Tax. But, it's still relatively minor dollars so I bite my lip and carry on until I see that they are going to charge me $10.91 to ship this damned little plastic part by UPS Ground. WTF is going on here!!!! Almost $11 to ship a part worth 25¢. They must be shipping it direct from bloody China to my house. Man, I was pissed. I hate it when somebody tries to rip me off. It implies that I'm an idiot and not smart enough to see what they're trying to do.
While I was at the website I pulled down a list of B&S dealers. I jump in the truck and drive to the first one on the list. I walk in and hand him a piece of paper with the part number. He disappears into the back of the shop, comes back and tosses me a little plastic bag with the part inside and says, "Five bucks". Even at that it was a rip off but it was a darned sight better than almost $16.
OK, thanks for letting me rant. I feel better now. I'll get the DR fixed sometime in the coming days and she'll probably last another 20 years. Whew!!!!!
In the about 20 years that I've owned it, it's never let me down and I've had my moneys worth out of it. That is until this week. It wouldn't start. I messed around with it and I found the problem. There is a small plastic coupling that connects the fuel hose to the carb. Well, in it's old age it had developed a small crack in the plastic coupling. It leaked a little gas and sucked a little air so ... no run.
I get on the B&S web site and after much hunting around I find the part, part # 692317. Felling really chuffed with myself, I stick it in my cart and go to checkout and here is where it all begins.
I see that this little plastic part that must have cost less than 25¢ to produce is going to cost me $3.50. That was outrageous but I tell myself that it's the cost of doing business, just accept it. Then I notice that there is something called, "State Tax" on there and it's $1.19. That's 34% on a $3.50 part. That's freeking income tax not any kind of State Sales Tax. But, it's still relatively minor dollars so I bite my lip and carry on until I see that they are going to charge me $10.91 to ship this damned little plastic part by UPS Ground. WTF is going on here!!!! Almost $11 to ship a part worth 25¢. They must be shipping it direct from bloody China to my house. Man, I was pissed. I hate it when somebody tries to rip me off. It implies that I'm an idiot and not smart enough to see what they're trying to do.
While I was at the website I pulled down a list of B&S dealers. I jump in the truck and drive to the first one on the list. I walk in and hand him a piece of paper with the part number. He disappears into the back of the shop, comes back and tosses me a little plastic bag with the part inside and says, "Five bucks". Even at that it was a rip off but it was a darned sight better than almost $16.
OK, thanks for letting me rant. I feel better now. I'll get the DR fixed sometime in the coming days and she'll probably last another 20 years. Whew!!!!!
