ECS trunk mats finally shipping

[Floyd]

I forgot what dates ECS offered and I am too dense to decipher the date code on my new purchase.  Is "8 28 A 42" 28 Aug 1969?  Actually, now that I think about it, did they just offer the one date code? 

Thanks

[JH27N0B]

I don't recall how you decipher date codes on trunk mats.  However I remember when talking to Tom at MCACN about the mats, he told me they were only going to have one date code, a generic earlier code that would be acceptable for most cars.

[anlauto]

My hope is that this product doesn't become one of the restoration products we've seen come to market, only to disappear after a year or so because of low demand not justifying additional runs being made.
That being said, should I buy another one or two to stash away just in case?

I don't think it's the low demand that kills the product as much as it is the high cost.
No one will ever question the quality of any ECS product, but rather have a hard time justifying the higher price.

If they could figure out a way to manufacturer these mats for the same cost as the REM mats...then they would sell for an eternity...but for whatever reason they can't seem to get there...look at their exhaust systems...good gawd ...every E body deserves a system like that but try telling somebody (in my case a paying customer) that there's a better system it's only three times the price of a good system...

I think there's a strong demand for all reproduction E Body parts, but they are usually ten times the amount of a Mustang or Camaro parts and quite frankly a lot of people just don't like spending the money.

[JH27N0B]

I think demand is the biggest factor.  The cost to engineer and tool a product is the same whether you are going to sell 100 parts a year or 10,000 a year.  That cost must be factored into the sales price. So a great repro trunk mat for a '69 Camaro that sells thousands a year will be profitable to market for a much lower price than a repro trunk mat for a cuda that sells a couple hundred a year.
I'm sure Mike at BEA can elaborate more having been in the business, he'd tell you making a good living selling repro parts for Mopars is a challenge.
Bottom line is that if you want good repro parts for our cars, pony up to support companies that make good parts.  My late father used to say the pleasure remains after the cost is forgotten.  I'll forget how much my ECS mat costs in far less time than the time I've spent complaining that the mats that have been on the market were basically picnic table cover with trunk mat pattern printed on them quality, and an embarrassment to look at.

[RUNCHARGER]

I sell lots of Taiwan stuff to GM guys, they pretty much don't care. They are more concerned about price and having say a "bolt kit" in their hands immediately rather than being correct. Us Mopar guys like stuff to be more correct in my experience.

[anlauto]

Oh I agree with you about the quality, but I think you're in the minority...

I think there are way more Mopar owners that would prefer to pay $60 for a trunk mat than $160.  The quality and little details don't appeal to the masses as much as affordability does in my opinion.

The trick to manufacturing is to have a great part and be able to sell it at the same price or cheaper then the crappy parts....a feat that is darn near impossible if not impossible.

One company that comes to mind that has been tremendously successful at accomplishing that, is Detroit Muscle Technologies. James has found a void in the market where companies like "Soft Seal" were making absolute garbage gaskets....DMT comes along, makes a far superior product yet sells it for a very affordable price, in some cases cheaper then the crappy stuff....10 years later and I don't know if those other guys are even making gaskets anymore 


Dave at ECS is an extremely smart business man, I'm sure if he could sell it cheaper he would, I'm sure he knows he could sell more Camaro ones then Challenger....but that won't change the minds set of the consumer...

All that being said, I'm a customer for sure

[Cuda_mark]

I ordered enough for all five of my ebodies when showing a car at MCACN.  The material is perfect, If the printing is the same as the sample piece I laid on the NOS mat that was in my trunk, history will have been made.  I literally could not see the sample sitting on the NOS mat, dare I say, I was perfect.  The cheezy rubber mats will go away for sure, mine will be deposited in the dumpster.

I just checked ECS's website for a retail price but they haven't added this product yet. I would certainly add them to my customer's cars, I'm sure they wouldn't mind the extra cost for the extra quality.

I'm pretty sure the pre-order price was lower than what they were going to offer it at once it was in production. I don't recall what they said the final price would be though.

[Cudagirl3406]

Hopefully when I get home one day this week mine will be there too! 

[70 Challenger Lover]

Do these mats trap moisture that could create corrosion issues? They look super and I'd like something to dress up the trunk but I always worry I'll wind up with corrosion a few years into it.

[HEMICUDA]

If your only requirements when buying a car is that it has four wheels and two peddles and you want cheap, you'll get what you pay for.  If you ask a Bentley dealer "I'll buy a car if they match the Chevy NEON dealers price", what do you think he's going to say?  Probably show you the front door.  To compare the ECS trunk mat to the other available is totally ridiculous, are you serious?  You have a choice, no one is twisting your arm to buy either one.  To think "superior" needs to compete, price wise, with "junk"?  Really?  REM will still have customers.   

[HEMICUDA]

I think demand is the biggest factor.  The cost to engineer and tool a product is the same whether you are going to sell 100 parts a year or 10,000 a year.  That cost must be factored into the sales price. So a great repro trunk mat for a '69 Camaro that sells thousands a year will be profitable to market for a much lower price than a repro trunk mat for a cuda that sells a couple hundred a year.
I'm sure Mike at BEA can elaborate more having been in the business, he'd tell you making a good living selling repro parts for Mopars is a challenge.
Bottom line is that if you want good repro parts for our cars, pony up to support companies that make good parts.  My late father used to say the pleasure remains after the cost is forgotten.  I'll forget how much my ECS mat costs in far less time than the time I've spent complaining that the mats that have been on the market were basically picnic table cover with trunk mat pattern printed on them quality, and an embarrassment to look at.

You don't need me to add anything to that, pretty much sums it up in a nut shell.

[js27]

Good Stuff ain't cheap and cheap stuff ain't good
JS27

[VCODE]

Good Stuff ain't cheap and cheap stuff ain't good
JS27

I second that.
I just received my mat, all I can say is WOW. Thanks to ECS for making great parts. I am always willing to pay for better parts made in the USA instead of the cheap made China junk.
Bob

[6Pack70]

Received mine today... truely stunning piece!!  This was a very very fair price paid for such a well made repro trunk mat.  Incredible!!

[kawahonda]

Where to order?