We have a trolley at work
with a pressurised oil vessel on it for topping up helicopter engines and transmissions. It has a hose with a ball valve on the end of it with a short length of stainless steel tube. The handle to operate this valve often catches any number of hoses or control rods whilst servicing the transmission and dumps oil everywhere over the top of the helicopter.

Some 12 months ago I approached our general fitter (us helicopter mechanics aren't to be trusted to fix our ground equipment)who says I should order a new valve. So I proceed to our trusty storeman with a part number and a supplier, he tells me it will be ordered and arrive soon. Several months later I enquire as to the whereabouts of the valve. I am told that because the cost was only $3.80 that it wasn't worth raising a purchase order.

I then pick up his catalogue and select a $128.00 valve, which I notice some months later,is sitting on our fitters bench. He says he needs fittings to adapt it to the other hose. It remains there to this day.

Expensive turbine engine oil is still regularly dumped on the floor and on aircraft, for the sake of $3.80.
(M61A1 CUPID- STUNTS, Mon 27 Feb 2012, 14:31, Reply)