Broken Door Locks in your 92-95 civic? New replacement part might be coming soon
 

Some of you might have seen my thread on Honda-tech about this, but if not, here is the link
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1150990


Well I'm about ready to move onto the next stage, but there are quite a few new problems/considerations that I need to take into account.

First of all, these would be sets of left and right interior door lock tabs. This peice is broken frequently on 92-95 civics from cold weather freezing the locks, old age, or from aftermarket door lock actuators. To get this part from the dealership, it costs anywhere from $60-80 for each side, totalling $120-160.

I originally planned on offering them for $10, however due to the insanely high cost of the injection molding alluminum mold, the new price is going to be $20 shipped for the set.

Here is my situation, I would need around $6500 to throw down for the mold to be made, so for this to work I need to sell at least 350 sets just to break even. This is my dillema. I need to get a feel for what the market is like so I can decide whether or not this is too big of a financial risk for me to undertake.

Now onto the design considerations:
The new peices would be made out of black plastic, with other factory colors availible in shorter supply for possibly $22 a set. I would produce 500 sets at first. Each peice will be made out of a glass polymer ABS injection molded plastic. This plastic is similar to the type used in many ski and snowboard bindings. It is a very strong plastic with extremely temperature ratings. It can handle -40 farenheit with the same properties as it would at room temperature. I would thicken up the back brace slightly, but not enough to affect fitment. The letters "lock" would no longer be a sticker, but instead etched directly onto the peice.


I need everyones opinion about the market structure for an item such as this. I'm just a college student who has some extra money that I might be able to throw around. I wouldn't be making a huge profit by any means off of this unless it started selling in the 1000 sets range. Should I procede to the next step or just call it good and let everyone superglue their locks back together and hope to find a used set on ebay :P


Let me know your opinion. I just kind of want to see who would be interested and get a base volume amount. Thanks for your help

Re: Broken Door Locks in your 92-95 civic? New replacement part might be coming
 

I've broken a set of those myself on my last car. Luckily the ones on my current car arent' broken. It's a good idea, but it may take you until 2016 to recoup all your money.
Instead of making the whole thing, try coming up with a way to make a tab that will connect to the metal rod. Come up with a cheaper alternative and offer it.

Re: Broken Door Locks in your 92-95 civic? New replacement part might be coming soon
 

jb weld costs less than 10 bucks

Re: Broken Door Locks in your 92-95 civic? New replacement part might be coming soon
 

I'ld buy 2 sets, stealth is probably right though, i dunno if you'ld sell enough on all the honda boards in the world to make back your money...but i hope you do! cuz i want some! :-) if not, and you make some prototypes that would be more expensive but would take you less time to make your money back, I'm still interested. Anything that is stronger/better than the OEM POS's I would buy. both of mine are currently broken.

Good luck! shoot me an e-mail when they are ready! ben_inglis@hotmail.com

Re: Broken Door Locks in your 92-95 civic? New replacement part might be coming
 

Some local guys were over my house yesterday asking about buying some locks. You MAY be able to make your money back in the long run, but I would look for a cheaper (less committment) way of doing it. Hell, I'd take my good locks out and put yours in just to be down for the cause. ;)

I know those things are weak as ---- anyway.

Re: Broken Door Locks in your 92-95 civic? New replacement part might be coming soon
 

Just charge more for them. If you think about it, it wouldn't be out of the question to charge the same price as what new OEM ones cost. You're offering a better quality piece for the same price. By selling yours so much under that price, you're actually devaluing them. I think people would pay $40-50 for a set shipped and it would still be a value considering the alternative. At that price, you wouldn't have to sell nearly as many to recoup your investment. Just something to think about..

Of course, this is only if you think you're not going to get enough interest. I'm sure you can sell any surplus you have on ebay pretty quick anyway.