Ok all, got a quote from Clair regarding the molding kits. To qualify for a group discount we would need to purchase 5 sets for a given vehicle (ie: 5 CQs and 5 sedans) Also, the payment must be a lump sum and shipping to a single address.
The following prices include ALL the parts; the molding strips, end caps, and fastener clips.
CQ kit: $273.70
90 sedan: $240.94

According to tonydule, Blau and vwparts.com ask the following without a bulk discount:
B3 Sedan $80 each side (vwparts)
PN____________DESCRIPTION____VWPRTS_BLAU
893853992A01C_FenderRight____6.29___9.70
893853991A01C_FenderLeft_____6.29___9.70
893853960B01C_DoorFrontRight_37.66__39.95
893853959B01C_DoorFrontLeft__37.66__44.95
893853970B01C_DoorRearRight__30.52__33.00
893853969B01C_DoorRearLeft___30.52__35.95
893853700A01C_SidePanelRight_4.04
893853699A01C_SidePanelLeft__4.04
I get a total of $157 from vwparts, thats without the clips and end caps.

And for the CQ:
PN______________DESCRIPTION___VWPRTS__BLAU
89585398901C____FenderLeft______22____20
89585399001C____FenderRight_____25____20
895853959A01C___DoorLeft________56____41
895853960A01C___Doorright_______66____41
89585354101C____SidePanelLeft___33
89585354201C____SidePanelRight__37

Left side $111 and Right side $128(vwpart)
Cheaper if ordered seperately from the two suppliers $97 and $94 respectively


From what I gather fromt the 20v archives, the clips frequently become brittle and break...and in my case the end caps are long gone. So I personally am in for a GP from Clair; considering the competetive price, dealing with a single company, and that the kit includes EVERYTHING.

 

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13357/molding1.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/13357/molding2.jpg">

 

mine are a little worse!

 

I guess I got luckey cuz I just got a drivers side front and rear stripping from the wreckers for 5 bucks!

 

How is the group buy purchase any cheaper than what you can already buy these parts from VWParts or Blau?

Are you assuming that the clips and end caps would be more expensive than the difference ($84 for the sedan or $35 for the Coupe) between buying the parts from VWParts/Blau and the group buy? That sounds like it could be a very expensive assumption.

What am I not understanding properly?

 

...I doubt they are a total of 80 bucks. The reason I decided to support the Clair purchase was to avoid exactly what you expressed; confusion. Instead of ordering 8 or so different parts from two different companies, I don't mind sacrificing a few bucks for simplicity and low blood pressure. That and my work day is quite busy and I often have limited time during business hours to do personal chores (like this GP).
Choose for yourself which way is best for you. Initially, it appears that buying moldings for one side from Blau and the other from VWparts and the clips and caps from ??? would be less expensive that Clair's GP price. Maybe someone can contact both companies and inquire about the misc. parts prices as well as see if they can entertain a group discount. That would serve to better set the situation in stone; I just don't have the willpower or the time.
OK, back to work...

 

The confusion that I expressed was becuase I didn't understand why anyone would order more expesnive parts, not because of the parts themselves.

IMO, ordering everything from VWParts would be easiest and cheapest...and you can order everything right online without even picking up the phone.

 

Cap Left - 895 853 113a - $2.04
Cap Right - 895 853 114a - $2.04

I'm not 100% sure what the part numbers for the clips are, but if you tell me, i'll look up the prices.

 

Tony:

I'm in on the Clair GP

-Peter

 

Ok Pete, I'll count you it..assuming we get 5 or more for the CQ sets. I'm going to get new ones regardless, but it's be nice to save about $100.