Jobber parts helping to ruin the big guys?

[sonnytimes]

I ran a nissan bluebird years ago and maintained it myself on used parts from local scrap yards because i could in those days and if not would not have afforded a car.it was the best maintained car around and I even kept a stock of smaller parts for it some of which were plastic poppet type grommets that joined the wiper linkage together.they cost less than 3 pence each new.
Recently i had cause to repair my sons toyota corolla that had the same type of fittings which had nearly worn out but was told I had to buy the complete linkage mechanism as the poppets were not sold separately and were pressed on to the arms in the factory.
I was quoted £120.00 plus £21 vat..total £141.00 this says it all doesn't it.

[baconsdozen]

Recently I got my old van ready for the MOT.It has six wheels and I noticed that over the years it has collected tyres from Poland,Korea,China and Portugal.
Is there anything we can make in this country anymore?.

[mira666]

my dad very often has to use generic or aftermarket parts rather than dealer stock, he drives a mitsuibishi Pajero and all the dealer parts now have to come direct from Japan, he's quite happy with the parts and they are still fitted by the same garage.