I maybe preaching to the un-converted but here's my take on it.
I think we are under a slight misconception here that genuine VX parts are superior to other suppliers.
Vx , to my knowledge, don't manufacture anything, they get their suppliers to manufacture their parts and sell them onto their customers at vastly inflated prices.
These same suppliers to VX might also supply Joe Bloggs who sells his parts on ebay - the big difference is the mark-up - VX probably have a mark-up of at least 100% whereas Joe Bloggs might have a mark-up of 50%.
VX have expensive showrooms to pay for whereas Joe Bloggs has probably a small out-of-town-industrial estate warehouse - so in effect they could both be selling the same part but one sells it far cheaper than the other.
So if people stopped buying VX parts they would be forced to reduce their prices.
I've always gone for the most cost-effective alternative to dealers parts (if available) and over the years have saved myself bucket loads of money and haven't had any problems.
Food for thought anyway

Hurray beer/wine/champers on me - I'm now a junior member!!!!
