Well, this one is going to get me skewered, but here goes...
I have been buying hard-to-find parts for European automobiles for a pretty long time, at least since 1975. In those days I went to Schnitzel brothers and Max Hoffman. The price wasn't always the lowest, but I knew that they had done the analysis, and if a part was consumed once a year, they kept one in stock. They had their own formulas to calculate the right inventory as demand rose. Sometimes those parts were pretty dusty, but I VERY rarely waited for the " 'cross the pond" shipment delay.
Yes, this approach impacts the "just in time" philosophy taken by non-brick and mortar outlets so prevalent today. But I believe there is a balance between price, availability, and customer loyalty that has been lost in the modern approach.
Also, what about obtaining and offering used parts that are listed as NLA? I would think that Pelican has excellent resources available as things like this become available. I would be glad to use PP to get these things, given the incredible value already provided by Wayne free of charge in the form of this community. Hell man, I'll buy your first beer anytime we're at the same event!
There must be more answers than "wait for the shipment from across the pond". A community like this, and a great company like this, is exactly the place to come up with a better answer.
Love you guys, I swear (even as new as I am)!
