Man, I pity the poor sucka if he delivers any of Mario's gifts late...

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...nta-121112.jpg

I think we've all experienced this at one point or another from companies large and small. One of the worst experiences I've had was with one of the biggest names in the auto-aftermarket! Customer service is a problem our industry needs to work on as a whole.
The current issues we are facing is everyone tightening inventories in anticipation of new taxes, regulations, and the greater unknowns of our economy. Supply chains are stretched thin as it is and when one company trips it creates a ripple that gets bigger down the chain. Companies are trying to save as much as possible so even getting raw materials is becoming a headache!

After all the crying, let downs and out of my limit buy in's I have had to put a deal together with Atech. Overnight service, near dealer pricing and a multitude of items it was a no brainer.

I want to spend money but im a small guy in a big business world and just don't have to deep pockets to meet a huge buy in plus a monthly quota.

I still buy on the shelf stuff from my local speed shop just to help out but having to wait a few days to get my parts on a clients car can make or break my business. I know how it feels Mario and I hope you got your parts.

I probably spend 15k a month with Atech. It is not always the absolute cheapest deal and because of the exposure we get I have been able to get the deep deal from some companies with out a big buy in or minimums per year. But Atech is still a better deal on anything less then 500 bucks. Free shipping on orders over 500 and the margin is decent. I use Atech also for the day to day parts for our builds tell customer when they would be better off to just call Summit or Jegs cuz my leg work is not worth the 2 bucks I might make to have to ship back a return or whatever it is. Same with Tire Rack. Now we can kill it on quite a few companies, Ridetech, XRP, Moser, Wilwood, GM performance parts, HRE, Budnik, Vintage Air, SPD, Formula 43, Rick's Tanks, etc.

You would be surprise what the free shipping deal will do a 15% margin over a 25% margin plus shipping.

I also think the majority of the Hot Rod shop Ponzi scheme shops have fallen by the way side or learned their lesson. I know there are some guys who still don't get that they do need to make a profit to survive and that getting every sale may not be a good thing possible may not be a good thing.

Rodger

You guys are killing me with all this talk. I was actually hoping it was just me and the fact that not a soul really knows me or my car yet. i just want to avoid as much of this as possible along the way.

Vince I'll get my parts I'm not worried about that. :D Just don't understand why these guys have to BS you it makes it worse on them..

WOW 180K a year with Atech? They must love you

This might just show my ignorance and stupidity on the subject, but why not just go through the manufacturer? A lot of the companies I've worked with in the past couple years have been quite good to work with directly.

Many will, some won't depending on what kind of retailer agreements they have.

Plus I prefer to order online so I don't have to talk to anybody. If they don't have it online I make my wife call, another bonus for them.

Don't forget I also buy tires and ball joints for my race car from them in that 15k. You guys race so you know what Im sayin.