Most Overpriced part or service. Not necessarily most expensive

[RogueOne]

So having been a pilot and single engine airplane owner what is the most overpriced item you ever purchased?  I think I bought my overpriced “leader” to date this week.  The Missile has a lot going on underneath and the oil drain hits “stuff” without an adapter.  I called Rocket Engineering and Patrick did not stock “the tool”, but found one.  It was $187 COD.  With shipping was $215 bucks.  What did I get?  A 12” piece of small diameter aluminum tube with a male adapter for a quick drain plug.  There is a slight bend in the tube.  Seriously this thing is like .50 cents worth of aluminum with a couple prongs and a flange riveted to the bottom...Sigh.  Drain plug NOT included

What’s your “Gotta have it at any price” item?

[warren.huisman]

Rear strobe / position bulb.  Almost $500

Edited August 29, 2019 by warren.huisman

[DonMuncy]

Until I found a better source, the $30 fuses for the panel lights.

[Guest]

21 minutes ago, RogueOne said:

So having been a pilot and single engine airplane owner what is the most overpriced item you ever purchased?  I think I bought my overpriced “leader” to date this week.  The Missile has a lot going on underneath and the oil drain hits “stuff” without an adapter.  I called Rocket Engineering and Patrick did not stock “the tool”, but found one.  It was $187 COD.  With shipping was $215 bucks.  What did I get?  A 12” piece of small diameter aluminum tube with a male adapter for a quick drain plug.  There is a slight bend in the tube.  Seriously this thing is like .50 cents worth of aluminum with a couple prongs and a flange riveted to the bottom...Sigh.  Drain plug NOT included

What’s your “Gotta have it at any price” item?

Do you have a picture of the drain tube?

Clarence

[RogueOne]

10 minutes ago, M20Doc said:

Do you have a picture of the drain tube?

Clarence

I can take one.  It is in the plane right now.

[MooneyMitch]

24 minutes ago, DonMuncy said:

Until I found a better source, the $30 fuses for the panel lights.

What?   Your hangar pixie elf couldn’t make one ?   Seems the elf is quite creative and can create all sorts of item!  

[DonMuncy]

26 minutes ago, MooneyMitch said:

What?   Your hangar pixie elf couldn’t make one ?   Seems the elf is quite creative and can create all sorts of item!  

I rigged one for testing with paper clips and ordinary fuses, but the originals are pretty specialized.

[alextstone]

I was quoted $670 from Mooney for the plastic annunciator panel lens for my Bravo.  I passed.

 

 

[N201MKTurbo]

2 hours ago, DonMuncy said:

Until I found a better source, the $30 fuses for the panel lights.

You can get them for $5 if you get the industrial version. FM01 if I recall.

Edited August 30, 2019 by N201MKTurbo

[smwash02]

One of my favorites was the $5 Rheostat Cessna had an AD on and charged $2000 for. AD 93-24-15. Fortunately someone came along and got an STC for a $200 version (maxDim).

[N201MKTurbo]

The tank reseal from Willmar Air Service.

Paid $10000. Worth $-100000!

Worst money I ever spent!

Paul Beck had nothing to do with the problem.

Thats why I know so much about fixing tanks!

 

[Timbot]

I can't believe that no one has mentioned yet the Mooney SB M20-282-A undercarriage no back spring cost. North of $1k last time I checked.

[Niko182]

6 minutes ago, Timbot said:

I can't believe that no one has mentioned yet the Mooney SB M20-282-A undercarriage no back spring cost. North of $1k last time I checked.

little more than that. a great memory from this years annual

[jetdriven]

The 120$ o-rings for the bladder caps. They’re literally 3$ flourosilicone o-rings. 
 

1200$ dukes fuel pump overhauls. 

[gacoon]

28v voltage regulator $1800

[Niko182]

1 minute ago, gacoon said:

28v voltage regulator $1800

I enjoyed doing this one too. thank god for maxwell.

[gacoon]

Just now, Niko182 said:

I enjoyed doing this one too. thank god for maxwell.

Yea, I said no thanks and had mine repaired, new circuit board, for $650.

[Niko182]

Just now, gacoon said:

Yea, I said no thanks and had mine repaired, new circuit board, for $650.

maxwell repairs them for 300. just an FYI for next time.

[Yooper Rocketman]

Ok Scott, I’m a fan of you and your posts, but think about it ..... you are still getting service from a company that hasn’t produced your conversion in, what, 15-20 years?   As a business owner, that’s still something that deserves a “little “ appreciation.  

Next time post on the forum your request. Some dumb sh*t like me might have pictures or a spare they can supply for less money.  (Coming from a guy flying a Lancair 15 years out of production and appreciating ANY support from the OEM).  

Tom

[hypertech]

By the time I paid for shipping, the tow bar limits sticker cost me about $40.  I should have gone with a little stripe of paint or something.

[RLCarter]

Lower shock link bolt on the nose gear....$60.00, same bolt on the mains, less than 2 bucks

[Bravoman]

1 hour ago, alextstone said:

I was quoted $670 from Mooney for the plastic annunciator panel lens for my Bravo.  I passed.

 

 

A couple of annuals ago I had my Annunciator panel sent out to the OEM for overhaul. They still are in business and their work was relatively reasonably priced. If you need the info on the company let me know and I’ll look it up for you 

[MIm20c]

Expanding on what Yooper said I’m always amazed how much longer it takes me to service/support/produce something that is older than current mindset/tooling/inventory.  There is no profit margin for these items even when the end user feels like they’re being taken for a ride. 

[carusoam]

Pick an AD... Any AD...

1) Huck bolts are expensive... to replace them requires taking the tail hinge off the fuselage...

Fortunately, Mooneys are built with great part number control and documentation... (LB issue)

 

2) Cam gears are expensive... to replace them requires gaining access to the cam

Fortunately, Continentals are built with great part number control and documentation... (IO550 issue)

 

3) Aluminum gear in the oil gear pump... sure, that is low cost part hiding behind a cover on the back of an O360...

 

Nothing feels like the relief you get when your S/N is NOT on the list...  

Best regards,

-a-

[JimB]

$6536.43 - Price quoted to upgrade the shafts and yokes in my M20F to the larger size and get rid of the inspection AD.