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Spitfire Where do you buy your parts?

philkenealy

Freshman Member
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As newbies to Triumph ownership, my pictured mechanic and I, are
1000006679.jpg
curious where folks buy quality replacement parts. I'm always skeptical of parts ordered from Amazon.
 
Spitbits & Moss Motors online sources specifically for TR vs amazon
I've found Amazon *not so good*.
Ebay on the other hand I've found extremely useful.
The problem I've had with UK suppliers is the big hassle with importing to the US. If it weren't for a helpful FedEx lady I'd still be pulling my hair out over the HS-7 form you're required to fill out, AND forward signed.
 
I've found Amazon *not so good*.
Ebay on the other hand I've found extremely useful.
The problem I've had with UK suppliers is the big hassle with importing to the US. If it weren't for a helpful FedEx lady I'd still be pulling my hair out over the HS-7 form you're required to fill out, AND forward signed.
I just received my new UK made fuel sender that I purchased from a supplier in England. It arrived in less than a week and was less expensive than buying it from a supplier in the US. I’ve never had a problem purchasing from any overseas supplier.
 
You didn't have to fill out the infamous HD-7 form? It requires answering questions regarding "Port of entry, customs port code, customs entry no., entry date" and whether or not it conforms to a giant list of various "Federal Motor Vehicle Safety, Bumper, and Theft Prevention Standards"

All I ordered from Canley was the machined aluminum lower alternator bracket.
It came fast but the form HD-7 was a big pain. Maybe now that I've been through it once it wouldn't be such a pain.
Also maybe it's only if it comes FedEx.
 

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You didn't have to fill out the infamous HD-7 form? It requires answering questions regarding "Port of entry, customs port code, customs entry no., entry date" and whether or not it conforms to a giant list of various "Federal Motor Vehicle Safety, Bumper, and Theft Prevention Standards"

All I ordered from Canley was the machined aluminum lower alternator bracket.
It came fast but the form HD-7 was a big pain. Maybe now that I've been through it once it wouldn't be such a pain.
Also maybe it's only if it comes FedEx.
No, didn’t have to fill out the HD-7 form. My package was shipped via Royal Mail and delivered by the USPS.
 
Interestingly, I just got a bill from FedEx for $52.00 for duties on the Canley alternator bracket which costs $72.
So much for importing from GB.
I've learned my lesson, unless it's virtually unobtainium from elsewhere, as the Canley bracket is, I won't be doing that again!
 
BtW, I too bought a fuel sender.
I just checked the country of origin and it too came from the UK.
So it's definitely FedEx that's the problem apparently.
 
My two cents....

There are plenty of peeps on our forums that have parts sitting in boxes in their garages - I know I way too many TR3 parts! I personally prefer OEM in good shape, but that's me.

Bill
'59 TR2A - TS62383L
 
Many, if not most, of the aftermarket parts are garbage. I try to focus on restorable original parts, and I've been OK with that. It seems that whenever I buy new parts, I regret it. It's the easy thing to do, sure, but I don't think it's best.

I do occasionally get something from BP Northwest or Rimmer Bros. I've found The Roadster Factory to be good, but they seem still to be struggling to recover from their disastrous fire. I buy NOTHING from Moss. I got tired of them and their attitude long ago, and I've found that I really don't need them.

Be careful of eBay. A lot of counterfeit parts are showing up there. NGK spark plugs and Timken bearings are among the more common ones. But anything that is expensive and good quality is a target for counterfeiting.

Recently, I bought some differential bearings through Amazon and they turned out to be counterfeit. Setting up a differential is tedious and the bearings are expensive. I didn't appreciate having to redo it so some crook could make a few bucks off me.
 
Many, if not most, of the aftermarket parts are garbage. I try to focus on restorable original parts, and I've been OK with that. It seems that whenever I buy new parts, I regret it. It's the easy thing to do, sure, but I don't think it's best.

I do occasionally get something from BP Northwest or Rimmer Bros. I've found The Roadster Factory to be good, but they seem still to be struggling to recover from their disastrous fire. I buy NOTHING from Moss. I got tired of them and their attitude long ago, and I've found that I really don't need them.

Be careful of eBay. A lot of counterfeit parts are showing up there. NGK spark plugs and Timken bearings are among the more common ones. But anything that is expensive and good quality is a target for counterfeiting.

Recently, I bought some differential bearings through Amazon and they turned out to be counterfeit. Setting up a differential is tedious and the bearings are expensive. I didn't appreciate having to redo it so some crook could make a few bucks off me.
Rimmer and Moss are owned by the same private equity group. Just saying.
 
BtW, I too bought a fuel sender.
I just checked the country of origin and it too came from the UK.
So it's definitely FedEx that's the problem apparently.
It’s not the fault of FedEx.
 
Rimmer and Moss are owned by the same private equity group. Just saying.
I know, but the corporate cultures are miles apart. It's anyone's guess, though, what will happen in the future. With luck, Rimmer's attitude will influence Moss. heaven help us if it's the other way.
 
Maybe not Mr. Gliderman8, but I'd like someone to explain why I buy 2 car parts from the UK and 1 is shipped via mail and the other via FedEx and in one case I have to jump through hoops to import it and other it sails through unimpeded.

Edit: see below for explanation.
 
Last edited:
The discrepancy between shipping parts via Royal Mail/USPS and FedEx continued to bother me so I did some research .

Canley alternator bracket vs fuel sender, both automobile parts.

The core reason for the discrepancy boils down to a specific data classification error triggered by how the item was described on the commercial invoice, which clashed with FedEx's rigid, automated screening systems.

When an item is flagged by automated software, the two shipping methods handle it completely differently:

FedEx: To protect themselves from massive customs penalties, FedEx will halt the shipment and force you to file the HS-7 form. You then have to check Box 2A on the form, which essentially declares: "This is a motor vehicle part, but it is not subject to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards".

USPS/Royal Mail: The postal customs workflow is largely focused on contraband or major tax evasion rather than pre-emptively auditing mechanical bracket types. If a $50 package labeled "bracket" passes through, a CBP postal agent will not stop it to ask for a form confirming it is a non-regulated part.

So it turns out it is, indeed, FedEx fault it's such a hassle but it is necessary for FedEx to protect themselves.
 
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