This is to expand and clarify my post above.
I don’t post on these forums a lot, even less about purely business stuff…and nearly NEVER about negative business issues. This forum is about fun with cars and I think it should stay that way.
I have to break that tradition now because there are some dangerous precedents being set that need to be addressed. Too many people have complained about dealers taking their money and not shipping parts for weeks or months. This type of complaint has seemed to cross all ranges of product…wheels, brakes, engine parts, interior parts, and suspension parts.
If you are a dealer [for any manufacturer] who has sat on an order [for any reason], you might be highly offended by our position on this subject. If you are a SMART dealer, then you should be encouraged by our position on this subject. Pick your level of offense.
Read the remainder of this rant as your leisure, but here is the main message:
• With rare exception, RideTech components are in stock and can ship within a day or two of the order. Also, with rare exception, we will ship the components that we do have and send the backordered component as soon as it is built, usually within a matter of days…sometimes a few weeks…certainly not months.
• We make a conscious effort to inform customer and dealers if any component is beyond a couple days availability and to notify them if that situation changes. Any customer can call at any time and get an accurate answer as to what components are actually in the building and which ones might be delayed [if any].
• We TRY to police our dealer base to eliminate dealers who cannot or will not provide our expected level of service to our customers. Part of that process includes the dealers knowledge that if they drop the ball, for whatever reason, RideTech WILL take care of the customer directly.
RideTech is one of the few manufacturers that still sells directly to the end user in addition to having an extensive dealer network. We do that for many reasons, the main one being convenience for the hotrodder. Most RideTech dealers do not mind this situation because they know that we NEVER undercut the retail price and we encourage the customer to deal with his favorite dealer. The relationship between RideTech as a manufacturer and our dealers is simple…the dealers get a fixed percentage discount for making an initial dollar amount buy-in, and supporting it with an agreed upon annual purchase level. It is also assumed that a RideTech dealer will provide a level of customer service that is appropriate to each customer and each market.
RideTech dealers have 3 main responsibilities:
1. To become knowledgeable enough about the product line to provide competent product advice in order to guide the customer towards the most appropriate equipment.
2. To process a customer’s order in the most timely and efficient manner possible.
3. To provide accurate and relevant technical advice on products after the sale.
As a manufacturer, RideTech has responsibilities as well:
1. To develop and manufacture the highest grade of product possible.
2. To maintain a pricing structure that is agreeable to both the dealer and the end customer
3. To manufacture and deliver product in the most timely and efficient manner possible.
This is not a complex relationship and it has not changed in the last 16 years of our existence…nor do we intend it to. From time to time we have had situations where a dealer has taken an order [and possibly money] from a customer and then delayed for some period of time in placing that order with us. These are rare situations and USUALLY it is worked out with a minimum of hassle for all parties. As our product line matures, there are some hungry dealers who are offering discounts to the point where they are making little to no profit with which to operate their businesses. We have no capacity to resolve a dealer’s business problems, but we do have the capacity to attempt to protect our customers from becoming a part of it on our behalf.
I could end my rant here and become cryptic and politically correct about specific dealers who have had problems in this area, but then there would be [likely incorrect] speculation about who I am specifically referring to. I cannot jeopardize good dealers standings by trying to protect one person.
Perry Price and PTS is no longer a RideTech dealer. If you have RideTech orders pending with PTS please call or email Danny Coultas at our shop and he will work with you to get you your parts promptly. Danny’s direct email is
[email protected]. His direct number is 812.481.4712
If anyone has ordered from any other RideTech dealer and has waited more than 2 weeks for parts you may contact us as well.
OK…let the beatings begin.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
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