Seems we have two different ideas here:
1) There is a group of Contour owners that accept we have little or no aftermarket support, and are willing to prime the pump from time to time. I don't mind the risk for the potential long term reward .. I can afford it, now.
2) There are those who would welcome aftermarket products, but can't afford to pay the extra dollars needed for small companies to do some R&D. I have been, and will be again, in this position.
However, if I am not mistaken, the original post refers to people saving money on established products by going outside of our community.
I have been away from the board CEG for a few months, but it seems to me that most of the "mechanical" forums always contains a post like " Terry, what about..." or something similar to one of the guys that is willing to experiment from time to time. I am not here to blow smoke up anybodys ... anyway, the damper item is a good example .. you want Terry and the others to be available, show'em a little loyalty. jj
