> From: Paul Borghese <paul98@PRODIGY.NET>
> The muffler now has a series of very large dents. So what do
> you guys think? Should I send it back?
The difference between appearance parts and performance parts is in the eye=
of the buyer. I know guys who would take back a starter for cosmetic reason=
s. If you want to return the dented (rattling?) muffler it's your choice. Bu=
t it's Bus Depot's choice to use/re-use what ever packaging material they wa=
nt. The balance of costs saved and resulting lower prices against the =
costs of returns is augmented by the environmental impact of adding to the w=
aste stream.
(ramble on)
In general, the small retailer can get away with reusing shipping/packing m=
aterials because the costs saved are more than the costs spent in lack of co=
nformity (can you imagine GM or VW using old boxes for their parts?) Having =
been in retail for almost twenty years...I am sick of seeing those expanded =
styrofoam shipping "peanuts" flying down the alley in a stiff bree=
ze. Unlike leaves and newspaper those things won't decay in a matter of mont=
hs. In many other cultures our newspapers and "throwaway" bo=
xes would spend second and third lives before being discarded. My wife=
wrapped Christmas presents last night reusing boxes, some now twenty years =
old...instead of throwing them away, we just pack them up with the holiday d=
ecorations for future reuse.
As an aside some of my favorite old boxes in the attic are from... the Benj=
amin pellet gun, our first Macintosh, Yakima rack parts boxes, several ladie=
s hat boxes and a passle of wooden boxes from breweries, bottlers, bike and =
bullet makers, the most functional award goes to a set of about twenty boxes=
nested with matching lids (from my wife's pharmacy job) which have been reu=
sed for moving us, kids and neighbors.
Reduce,recycle,reuse.
Just MHO.
(ramble off)
--
Stephen Steele
'91 Caravelle...Hans
'84 Westy...Fritz or Sunny?
Chillicothe, OH