What's a reasonable time for Parts Stocking?

[Angelfire]

Hello,
Before I get too upset over this, I thought I'd check to see if I'm being unreasonable here. I purchased an air compressor approx. 5 years ago. The company discontinued it probably about 2-3 years ago. It has developed an oil leak and I called to get a replacement seal. They informed me they had no parts and they don't stock them any longer. Is it unreasonable to think that a company should stock replacement parts even for discontinued items for at least a few years after discontinuing the item?
Cheers,
cc

 

[SMKS]

What's the make/model of the the compressor? I assume the gasket is on the actual pump itself? Is there a make on the pump separate from the brand of the compressor?

Yeah, that ***** that you can't get it. Your best bet may be trying to trace the part and cut your own gasket from sheets of gasket paper.

 

[Angelfire]

I haven't torn into it yet but suspect the leak is where the motor shaft enters the crankcase (this is a small portable twin tank compressor). I'll hold off divulging the make until I understand whether parts should normally be stocked. Don't want to bash the mfg if this is standard practice

 

[crewchief888]

we can normally have parts for 30+ year old const eq within a couple days...


you may want to figure out who made the air end and try to source parts from them.

 

[Lotek]

Did they mfg the compressor themselves or just assemble the components? Go ahead and post the make and model, easiest way to get an answer.

 

[Angelfire]

It's Harbor Freight. Model is 94734. I use it very sparingly and was working fine until about a week ago when it started leaking.

Just didn't seem like the business model "Discontinue product, stop stocking parts, and hopefully sell another compressor" was a very good business model.

I'll pull the seal/bearing and see if I can source something locally.

 

[benjamintmiller]

Oh, well there's your problem. Harbor Freight's business model is "cheap ****", not "quality product with service and support."

I have found that parts can be made for HF tools, provided you have $10,000 in machine tools...

 

[Angelfire]

I don't disagree to some degree. I do have some items of theirs that have performed well and some of it has been ****. I am disappointed that when they clear the parts shelf when they discontinue an item.

 

[SMKS]

I haven't torn into it yet but suspect the leak is where the motor shaft enters the crankcase

So, would this be the same style of round, rubber-type seal found on the front of a car's crankshaft?

If so, I think a lot of those types of seals are standard sizes. If you can read some numbers off of it you may be able to order a replacement.

Otherwise, some measuring with calipers and poking around should net you a replacement.

 

[K13]

I am disappointed that when they clear the parts shelf when they discontinue an item.

My guess is the "parts shelf" never existed in the first place. I would be amazed if they brought in little parts(or any parts) like seals for any of their stuff it just doesn't make sense economically when you are importing cheap chinese tools. It costs them less to replace the entire unit during warranty for the few that go bad and after warranty they don't give a ****.

 

[Norcal]

If you want product support one does not buy from Harbor Freight, one needs to buy a reputable product as ChiCom products equal a throwaway product. That is the sad state of affairs today.

 

[Angelfire]

So, would this be the same style of round, rubber-type seal found on the front of a car's crankshaft?

If so, I think a lot of those types of seals are standard sizes. If you can read some numbers off of it you may be able to order a replacement.

Otherwise, some measuring with calipers and poking around should net you a replacement.

I haven't opened it up yet to check but am hopeful it is a standard crank type seal

My guess is the "parts shelf" never existed in the first place. I would be amazed if they brought in little parts(or any parts) like seals for any of their stuff it just doesn't make sense economically when you are importing cheap chinese tools. It costs them less to replace the entire unit during warranty for the few that go bad and after warranty they don't give a ****.

You may be right. I was able to order a switch from them years ago for a drill press no problem but they may have tightened up on their inventory management and done away with parts for less expensive products.

If you want product support one does not buy from Harbor Freight, one needs to buy a reputable product as ChiCom products equal a throwaway product. That is the sad state of affairs today.

I have a few items from them that will outlast many other tools. Some of their stuff is **** but some is built so heavy, it will outlast many others. Consider as well that most of what we buy these days are made in the same factories in china and simply rebadged. But yes, customer service and HF shouldn't be in the same sentence!

 

[pinoyesv6]

I don't disagree to some degree. I do have some items of theirs that have performed well and some of it has been ****. I am disappointed that when they clear the parts shelf when they discontinue an item.

for Harbor freight to keep 2-3 years supply of spare parts they'd need a warehouse the size of Rhode Island to keep then in. Even if there was a spare parts shelf, I bet most of those parts disappeared within 6 months.

 

[KinzeMech]

Remove the old seal.

Take it to the best place nearby for buying bearings and seals. In my town, that's NAPA. Let them measure it, and find you a replacement. Worst case, you may have to wait a few days for it to come in.

 

[SMKS]

My guess is the "parts shelf" never existed in the first place. I would be amazed if they brought in little parts(or any parts) like seals for any of their stuff it just doesn't make sense economically when you are importing cheap chinese tools.

When I bought my 44" HF box it had a bad caster. I called the number in the manual and they sent me a new one. So, they have access to some parts.

 

[Angelfire]

Remove the old seal.

Take it to the best place nearby for buying bearings and seals. In my town, that's NAPA. Let them measure it, and find you a replacement. Worst case, you may have to wait a few days for it to come in.

That's the plan!