Correct me if I am wrong. I figured grade A parts have no issues of flaws. The part needs to be cleaned and installed, If is a body or interior part that is a different color clean it, prepped, and repaint or readied as needed Grade B parts may have some minor issues that need to be corrected, If the can’t be corrected you just deal with the flaws .
The reason I ask Is I am having an Issue with an on line retailer and and I have not heard
from then in two days. I guess I will spend my restoration money with other people on the
cougar forums or other vendor’s If they have the parts I need
Grade A components are original parts in reasonable condition to the age and history of the car. That is the item may need restoration or refinishing to make it as new or close to new. Grade B may have other defects in addition to the normal wear that will be more difficult to refurbish. The vender you are going through may have depleted stock of the items requested. It is a first come, first serve basis and part replenishment can take time as these cars are becoming more rare and so too are original parts.
Second part to the story is. Before I ordered these parts on two different orders I inquired if they had a certain color in stock I was told by two different people that they did.
So I ordered the parts. On the first order I received, one part was correct color the other one was not. The wrong colored part on the first order in my opinion was not grade A. Second order was not the correct color. In my opinion if they found out that they did not have the correct color that they thought was in stock They should have let me know that and that these other colors are the best we have at this time. Then I could make the decision to proceed with the order or cancel the order That did not happen. I messages them regarding these orders. The owner did contact me and said I could send the fist order back I replied back what about the second order I got no response . So I messaged them back a day later asking them to send me a shipping label so I can send these interior parts back and give me store credit once they receive them back. No response in two days. Maybe the owner never got the message I sent, and maybe I am wrong on this situation.
If I’m buying a Grade A part, I’d expect it to be in excellent condition. If the “remaining” parts are in lesser condition, then they should graded in that lesser grade. Otherwise, how is a consumer going to truly understand the condition of a used part when pics are not available?
The grading system should be independent of actual availability…just like how cars are graded.
I fully recognize it’s harder to find nice parts and may have to accept less than desirable components. I simply want an accurate description of what I’m buying.
This. Plus a caveat based on Randy’s comment. Grading is subjective. Doesn’t mean someone can’t be wrong, but everyone has slightly different judgment.
Yes I under stand that grade A and B parts are harder to get these days, because their are fewer cars to get parts from. Also when these parts do come up for sale they usually don’t last long.
I’m sorry I was glib but you have to know people have been restoring these cars for more than 30 years now, culling the best parts. Any grading system is subjective and not standardized. Same with a fussiness scale. I think you have to agree on a return policy when buying anything sight unseen. Shipping costs might sting a bit but that’s the price you pay for not having to schlep all over the country to swap meets hoping to find what you’re looking for. eBay, etc. has been a two-edged sword. Lots of availability at first, but now the supply has largely dried up. I think the time to be “too fussy” has passed.