It's their going outta business sale ... not sure that they have much left.

Yeah, everything I looked at was either out of stock or overproced

Going out of business?

Wow, that's hard to believe.  Well, I guess not.  The only places left from back when I started this hobby are CJs and Mustangs Plus.  Still, Mustangs Unlimited seemed like a huge company.  Even at tight margins the volume they seemed to do should be enough to have made them profitable.  I couldn't find any info as to why they were closing on the web.  Also hard to believe that another company wouldn't make a bid to acquire them, unless they had a lot of outstanding debt.  Their name, web presence, etc. should be worth something.  It'll be interesting to see where you get redirected once they close and you try to go to their website.

Thanks for the heads-up.

Oddly enough they had some trim clips for the 71-73’s CHEAP.

Placed an order...

Yeah, and Lancaster Mustang, which was huge around here.  I probably ordered half the parts on my car from them.  Even in much slower times I could get stuff next day without paying extra if I ordered before noon.  Worst case I could rive there; they were only about 45 minutes away. 

I am wondering if the demise of several large Mustang Parts vendors is due to the hobby getting smaller, like the daily posts on this forum would indicate.  Or, is it the result of companies carrying the low priced Chinese garbage (compare to WalMart and the old time local retailers) running those off who try to carry better stuff?

I heard SSBC went under as well.  That type result is why MustangSteve brake kits only use Ford original working parts. And... is still going strong.

Haverty's insurance emails say it was bound to happen due to the age of the people that can now afford the cars they dreamed of owning while they were in high school. That age of "kids" has moved to a new group of old guys. The value of our cars they are saying is beginning to decline now because of it. I haven't seen that yet personally looking at prices on the different trade pages though.

One issue that plagues all mail delivered retailers is the amount of inventory they have to carry.  That is a HUGE expense, and it makes them less able to cope with changing market conditions.  If you are holding a huge inventory and the economy tanks people stop spending discretionary income on their cars.  You already paid for the inventory and can't send it back, so you are sitting on an asset that is worth less and less each day you don't sell it due to your overhead, carrying cost, etc.  When the margins are slim, which I'm guessing they are when you are guaranteeing the lowest possible price, its an even more pronounced effect.

It will be interesting to see.  I don't know that I buy that the market is shrinking.  These cars typically get done and redone several times.  Cars are being restored now that I would have gleefully junked 20 years ago.  The primary consumer base still represents the largest single generation in US history, and though older, there are still a lot of Baby Boomers. 

There has definitely been tremendous growth in the later model restoration market though.  Fox cars are hot, and have been for several years now, with no immediate end in sight.  The thing that baffles me is that MU serviced this market as well.  It shouldn't have been that hard to pivot from being heavy into the early cars to being heavy into the Fox cars.  You let the inventory for the older cars dissipate by attrition and stay competitive and well stocked on the Fox and later parts.  Who knows?  I know how a business is supposed to be run, but I can't say how one actually has been run.  There's all kinds of things that can destroy a seemingly huge, profitable company from the inside. 

Does anyone know how NPD are doing?

NPD has been my go to supplier for most of the parts I have got for my 68 since day one of owning it.They might be one of the first Mustang supply warehouses.
I get two day shipping to my US address because of the depot location.
Their customer service is second to none. The owners son is a regular  on VMF and has on many occasions quickly resolved any issues that have been posted.
I also like CJ Pony, bought stuff from them for a long time  as well. Creed Stammel one of the original owners was always good to deal with and was very approachable and cared about customers.YMMV

Last edited by Rudi (11/12/2019 4:04 PM)

Had my problems with just about all at times. 

CJ's    in stock, but don't drive an hour and hear we can't find it.

NPD   We have the right to change our prices anytime (phone orders before the internet) or this part isn't for a 67 so we held up your order.      Yes...….but not everything on this 67 IS 67.

MU    We no longer stock this item, so we substituted it.   I never asked for the substitute  you said
IN STOCK.

Others   (whoever)    This wiring harness is missing all these wires and connection, so it can't be RIGHT
 
 A lot of beer help get these cars done, before that,    I never had a problem.

 

One of the biggest issues I had (with a small part supplier) was he sent me a clutch bar and it was the wrong one (mine is a 64-1/2). I found out right in the middle of fitting, so I had to come up with a quick solution. The part supplier couldn't help and didn't even offer a refund. I ended up having to take the bar to a shop, get them to weld on an extra length of tube and then machine the end to fit the bushing. It became all my problem and expense. NPD always treated me better than that.