Lots of Vendor Talk, here's my Jerry McGuire

[dhutton]

Just wondering how many folks here pay full MSRP when they buy a new car...

Don

[NewGenWheels]

Originally Posted by dhutton

Just wondering how many folks here pay full MSRP when they buy a new car...

Don

I can tell you last time I walked on to the lot manufacturers are advertising a "no hassle" sale price.

And besides, I'm talking about aftermarket parts, not cars dude. Profit margin on parts is a totally different game. Your that guy that thinks that parts stores are making a killing, aren't you? You obviously didn't learn anything from the OP.

Lets compare apples to apples shall we?

[youthpastor]

wow...great input and laying all the cards on the table!

Blake is right- I was one of the dealers that got caught in the "price war" on a subframe. I learned my lesson- STICK TO THE PRICE SHEET. After a little investigation (we are an installing dealer, not an online parts sales department) The guy was doing a Pontiac engine and trans. Simple question, "What are you doing for headers? I have these really expensive headers I "think" will work with the rack. Probably not, and when they don't who is he going to rant about? Me...Matt's... Speedtech- who knows. but he chose price over service and taught me a lesson- stick to the price sheet.

We do a little general automotive and the parts mark-up is 1.65 and up. If I was in this for the $$ I would blow out all the PT customers and do brakes and service all day long. Trying to make $$ on hot rod parts is hard. Just jump in your car and run down to your local speed shop...oh there isn't one.


The reason I do hot rods is because I love the build, It pays my bills, and like Mr. Weld says. The people are really cool. - Chris

[randy]

O and find me someone who has in stock ready to ship marquez billet tail lights for a 67 camaro rs ready to go. Post on here and when i get back from my date with my wife ill send you the money

[dhutton]

Originally Posted by NewGenWheels

I can tell you last time I walked on to the lot manufacturers are advertising a "no hassle" sale price.

And besides, I'm talking about aftermarket parts, not cars dude. Profit margin on parts is a totally different game. Your that guy that thinks that parts stores are making a killing, aren't you? You obviously didn't learn anything from the OP.

Lets compare apples to apples shall we?

No I'm not that guy. And I'm also not that guy who calls up vendors for free tech. I do my own research without bothering vendors with questions I can usually find answers to on this website or others. If not I'll post up a question on the forum and usually get great answers from fellow members. Most I ever do is call up a manufacturer when a spec is not clear.

The only vendor I ever talked with extensively was Mark Savitske and that was because he couldn't stop talking. And he did get an order...

Don

[HIFLYR]

Originally Posted by NewGenWheels

I can tell you last time I walked on to the lot manufacturers are advertising a "no hassle" sale price.

And besides, I'm talking about aftermarket parts, not cars dude. Profit margin on parts is a totally different game. Your that guy that thinks that parts stores are making a killing, aren't you? You obviously didn't learn anything from the OP.

Lets compare apples to apples shall we?

So let me be clear you never ask for a discount on any thing you buy? You never go look at something in local store and then buy it online for less? If you give quality service and fair pricing you will have my business. I am looking at a complete ridetech front suspension and rear 4 bar in the near future and while price will be a issue the most important one is customer service.

[Greg from Aus]

My take on it,

I have been in business for 22 years, Business is not for all people, there is a reason 80% of all small business go broke in the fist 2 years. As has been said before, it's not just related to one type of business, My belief is you have to be really good at what you do and focus on your own plan, not everybody else, I hope all goes well with your new venture John, But wingeing about what other people do, will not help your position. Keep your head down, bum up and spend your energy on things you can control.

It's human nature for people to try to get the best deal, and that will never change.


Greg

[Payton King]

has to do with the long standing business model of the industry. I think Jon or someone else metioned it earlier, higher price with discounts.

I could counter that with when is the last time you called to haggle the price of your electric bill or did the same thing at the grocery store?

[dhutton]

Originally Posted by Payton King

has to do with the long standing business model of the industry. I think Jon or someone else metioned it earlier, higher price with discounts.

I could counter that with when is the last time you called to haggle the price of your electric bill or did the same thing at the grocery store?

Well I do shop for groceries where the prices are low and I also chose an electicity provider with a low rate.

I never haggle with parts vendors over the price of their parts. I simply check their website. If it's not listed I take a minute of their time to call and ask. No haggling involved...

Anyway, I put that question out there for the folks who think that I should be blindly paying MSRP. Sorry, I'm just not programmed that way. Sure, sometimes I do pay it if it makes sense but no way do I do it every time just because someone thinks it is the right thing to do.

Flame suit on,
Don

[DRJDVM's '69]

It's not just the car business..... The Walmart effect is everywhere.... Even in veterinary medicine. More and more "low cost" clinics are popping up. The "bread and butter" stuff like spays, vaccines, flea products etc that used to decent profit generators are all going to low cost clinic, the Internet, Costco or Walmart. Those profit centers allowed me to keep my other services reasonably priced. Now my other services have to dramatically up to offset those lost income source

The low cost places do surgeries at prices I wouldn't even brake even on let alone make a profit. How do they do it? By keeping their overhead as low as possible.... Lowest paid labor, cheapest faculty, cheapest supplies... They cut corners.... It's the only way

Saw one 2 weeks ago.... That $100 dog neuter ended up costing you $500 after I had to fix the crappy job they did

So I either stick to my principles and know I will lose clients that focus solely on price.... Which is fine since I wouldn't make any profit anyway.... Or I sink to the low cost client level

The fact is that the top 20% of you customers generate 80% of your income... Focus on those 20% and offer them stellar service. So you can deal with 3 customers that make you $100 profit on each or one customer that makes you a $300 profit... You decide which is the business you want to run

How many of you buy your pets medication online now or at Costco? Do you know how many prescription I write so the owner can buy the medication somewhere else?