CUCVFAN
Trust that your response taught me two good things. First, this isn't the forum for retailers and hobbyists, it's a forum for hobbyists. Got it! I'm fairly new to this forum, so forgive me for that. Second, M939 series trucks won't become wildly popular for another 20 years. M809 series trucks are just NOW gaining popularity (and availability) in civilian hands. So the best way that I can answer your question is this -- how many people do you know who own M35s? How many people do you know who own M813s? How many people do you know who own M923s? All I'm trying to do here is establish in fact that there aren't many M939 series trucks in civilian hands. And, if you look at how long it takes 6x6s to become popular in civilian hands from date of introduction in to the military, I'd argue that's about 20 to 30 years. OK, so why is it that I'm not willing to pay jack shit (I'll be brutally honest here) for M939 series parts and to whom do I retail to if there's no market? The reality is that I am one of the VERY few in the U.S. who are building an experience and parts base for the M939 series trucks. Parts -- inventory -- costs money, lots of money! The reality is that I'll buy a part today and likely won't sell it for another 10 years; maybe sooner, but likely later. So I'll continue on the math problem here. Let's say you put $100 in a EE savings bond; in about 12 years you've doubled your money. The inverse is true. Let's say I buy a part today with that same $100; in 12 years of sitting on my shelf that part now cost me $200 (future value of money). OK, that future value of math part of the equation is easy. Now let's talk risk. Let's say that three years from now the Department of Transportation tells DoD to stop releasing M939 series trucks, because they roll over too easily. Remember the M151 mutt? So, not only am I making a L O N G term investment in parts, I'm taking substantial risk that there will be a return on my investment. OK, if you don't get the picture by now I can't help you to understand. Trust that I am frustrated, and defensive, by your accusatory email. I'm not getting rich off of this stuff. In fact, so far I'm still about $48k in the whole (truck inventory plus parts inventory plus cost of flying out to Hawaii a few times a year). And you know what really sucks? When I fly out to Hawaii I don't get to do the touristy things, it's just work, work, work at Barbers Point. Last, who's the market today? Well, I'd say on average about one person a month contacts me for parts, seldom M939 series parts at that. Of those who contact me, I've gained a reputation of either selling them the best product at the most competitive price or referring them to others. In fact, if you look at a post I made last night a guy asked me for my price on a M939 series air filter. My answer was "I charge $100, because there is no commercial cross reference for this part number. And, I strongly encourage you to look other places as I know that there are places other than me to get this air filter that are cheaper". And again, in the last 30 days I've referred no less than 15 people (hobbyists all) to the likes of John Winslow, Oshkosh Equipment, Ranchers Supply, and many others. SO, I respectfully ask you to calm down and tone down. If I had something to hide, or something to be ashamed of, I wouldn't do it in an open forum like Steel Soldiers. My hope is that others who have dealt with me will chime in to defend my honor. Trust you hit a nerve ...