The following is my opinion only
It is based on years of watching this and similar scenarios play out...
Your opinions and experiences may be different
When parts manufacturers tool and build new parts.
They often (almost always) have to iterate a few times to get it right..
So what you get in the first initial runs are parts that are close,
but not good enough for full production.
The term I have heard used to describe these initial run parts
are B-stock parts. These B-stock parts are close but not up to spec.
In order to recoup tooling costs, manufacturers will
will dump these B-stock (less than perfect) parts on the DIY crowd...
Why? ..because they can!
First, they know full well if you are a shop or not.
if you are a shop, they know you are probably ordering to install immediately.
So shops are more than likely to get a good part from a supplier or they will be told it's out of stock.
Next, if you are NOT a shop (DIY guys) they will ship you a b-stock part.
Hoping for one of several things:
1. You won't notice the issues until AFTER they are installed
2. You will notice but not care - because you are either
a) not picky or
b) the part is new and shiny and overall "looks better" than what its replacing.
3. You will not install right away and the company return policy will expire BEFORE you find out part is lame.
Item #3 plays out more than most people realize.. Why?
The simple fact is, in most cases,
DIYers HAVE to buy the parts they need immediately when they get the extra money to buy them.
Not necessarily when they are ready to install...
Because if they don't do this,
they know that either life, wife, or both will ensure that that"parts" money gets be spent elsewhere...
(vacations, new refrigerator, etc...)
So you buy the part, even paying an upcharge for an officially licensed part!
Of course you inspect it visually on arrival to make sure nothing was damaged during shipping . etc...
and then store it until its time to install
That day arrives weeks, months, even a year or two later ...
Say your car finally gets back from the body shop painted all brand new!
Now its time to assemble it!!!!
and you have all these new officially licensed parts (Guaranteed for fit and finish etc.)
that you've been collecting for years in some cases
that are ready to go on the car.
Your dreams are about to come true!
FUN FUN FUN right?
WRONG!
When you try to install that new door panel, seat cover, windshield, weatherstrip, moulding, bezel,
chrome whatever,
Now you find out it doesn't fit or match exactly the part it is replacing...
Now you have to go back to the seller (if they are even still in business)
and plead your case...
Good luck...
Most resellers/manufacturers will say - "I've sold 20 of those and never ONCE had a complaint"
Meaning the problem is obviously the customer and not the part...
In order to look like they are standing behind their name/reputation and warranty etc. (as opposed to hiding behind it)
Resellers may offer you a refund on the part (as long as they can sell (dump) it to some one else)
but they will not pay shipping costs even though they sent you the lame part to begin with.
When you are shipping large items like windshields, Quarter panels etc.
Sellers know that the to and from shipping is frequently more than the cost of the part
Even the most angriest customer is not going to pay $400 in total shipping charges
to get a $300 refund....
Buyers Beware
