The old bottom wipe piece of my shower that prevents the water from seeping though needed to be replaced.
I finally stopped by Amati one day to purchase a replacement part. They told me that they didn't have the normal full length part but only a half length unit which they said they would sell to me for less.
I looked at it and compared it to the one I had. I had sufficient length with the new one so said I would buy it.
That clear piece of plastic about a meter long cost me 45$ plus taxes (50.85!!) I thought it was quite expansive but thought "renovations are always expansive, ok maybe!" and I returned home.
But I had an eerie feeling about this. So when I arrived home I checked the clear plastic sleeve that it was in and saw a part number and a manufacturing company. So I Googled them and entered the part number on their website. It required to be a registered client and a company registered with the government to see the unit prices. SO, I registered my company and sent the proof that it is a registered business. Quickly I could access the wholesale unit price of the part I purchased retail from Amati.
The normal 2 meter length (there is no half length) of the same clear plastic bottom wipe rail wholesales for 7 dollars and 19 cents. SEVEN DOLLARS versus the FIFTY dollars they charged me for just a piece of it.
So I came to the following conclusions regarding AMATI.
- There is no half length at the manufacturer so what AMATI sold me is a used part. What they said to me though is they didn't have the normal full length but only a half length. They are not that honest.
- The 2m part wholesales for 7 dollars, they would have sold me a 2 meter part for 100$, that's 14 times its cost. That's a 1425% profit. I don't know any business with that kind of margin. They do not conduct trustworthy business, without calling them thieves!
When I realized the difference in cost, the same day I purchased the part from them I walked back and got my money back pretending it didn't fit and got it from the manufacturer directly. I cut about 40 cm out of the 2 meters and I am left with a good 1m50 of the part. Next week I will walk back to Amati and offer them to repurchase my leftover part for 20$! Showing them their old invoice and pretending they are getting it at a good deal since it is a 40% profit for them should they sell it again at the price they sold it once to me. We will see what they say and I will report back to you!
In the meantime, stay away or watch closely what they bill you for and do your homework.