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Prior to 1980 two things were certain-

- any nut and bolt could be purchased from "McEwens stores because as the jingle went "McEwens mean a million things"....and it did.

- any Repco outlet had the part you needed.

Things have changed. Went to Repco today for a part. A brass barbed both ends reducer 5/8 to 1/2" to connect my heater core to my ea81 heater in/out on the engine.

The guy at Repco went along the isle, collected a small case of reducers, returned with it to me and pointed at one of the 4 out of 12 compartments that were empty and said -"havent got any." The other thing that amazed me was - all reducers were black plastic. Not good enough for me, I want something that wont break on my numerous future trips ...like the Nullabor to visit Jules and co....one day.

I said I'll browse the shop. The guy put the box back and returned to the counter. Before I left I said- "so are you going to order those reducers in"" Which ones " he said. I said "the ones that you havent got" He replied "Nah- we dont get enough demand"

Went to mitre 10, Coopers bearings, Benalla radiators, Recce's and Benalla plumbing supplies....xmas traffic...that's enough!!!!

At Benalla plumbing supplies, after the guy told me he didnt stock them I said "suppose a lot of people go on Ebay now and order them?" he replied "Yeh thats the way to go now".

And we wonder why shops are closing down. More unemployment.

So got home and screwed the 5/8 hose on the 1/2 inch copper pipe with a darn good clamp and presto, worked and sealed ok.

In semi remote areas like our place I wont waste my time anymore. Ebay for all of my needs now except for oil. Autobarn have my Penrite oil...until they close down because "there isnt enough demand since 200,000 km oil came in, in 2022".

Then I'll get my drone delivered oil to my front door likely with the wrong filter.......

It's a sorry state of affairs, ain't it

then there is that other promo - let your fingers do the walking ! Found my brass barbed 5/8" to har finch at a hose supplier when I jerry rigged an AC condensor to the heater circuit. Did stuff all too except increase water capacity and get in the way of the radiator !

I have this problem all the time in Bunbury. most auto parts stores try to hit me with the "courier charge", which means it will take a week to come with the normal shipment and then cost me extra for ordering it.

Some times Ebay is the only option and is cheaper. other times by pure chance the part is in the shop and is cheaper than the shipping charge from the good old US of A.

We have a multitude of brass reducers and joiners at work Tony. I can look tomorrow and if there is one there for the cost of postage it can be yours.

TOONGA

The same thing is happening everywhere. I was in the US a year back and wanted to pick up some larger items as I had a last-minute upgrade to business class so had plenty of luggage allowance. Went to a bunch of auto stores looking for car parts, and the stock held was neglible - everything was special order or no longer stocked because people buy everything from eBay.
The other problem locally is the high retail prices. I was looking for some wheel studs this past weekend, and the unit cost here is $4.50 (with discount). The cost in the US was $1.30, and with UPS express freight it is still cheaper to import them than buy locally ($39 AUS shipped vs $45 AUS locally).

Thanks for the offer Jules,

The half inch copper pipe from the heater core had a small exposed rib around them, allowing 5/8" hose to seal ok with good wide clamps. doesnt leak.

Since retiring from work, driving anywhere is thought about seriously. So when we went to benalla 72 kms away you'd think they'd have brass reducers. It's just a gripe of mine.

There are 3 seroves in Euroa 22 kms away. My usual one BP hols SFA in terms of parts, hoses and clamps. The Shell on the highway isnt really a supporter of the town and has little anyway bar chips and chocolates...real helpful breakdown gear. The third a Caltex, I went into today for the first time in my 8 years in the area. Has heaps of stuff and "if we havent got it we will get it for you attitude. They now have my business.