IML: Re:Thoughts on the parts availability situation
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IML: Re:Thoughts on the parts availability situation
- From: "mike sutton" <mikanlin62@xxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 16:46:02 -0700
Today there was a post regarding the availability of parts for our Imperials
in the aftermarket. For the most part, that post is a very good barometer
of the situation we are living in. From the perspective of having worked in
the parts business and the auto repair business, they dont want to have to
invest precious cash flow , shelf space, time and training in anything but
the top 10 or 20 percent fastest moving parts. This is especially true with
the Kragens, Schucks, Pep Boys or whatever national or regional chain you
are dealing with.
At one such chain store I was verbally reprimanded on one occasion for
taking the iniative to stock a part based on the fact that we had lost sales
on it because we didnt stock it, my trump card was giving the customer an
appreciation card to fill out and send in to our regional bean counter
expressing thanks for getting the part for them and how that was going to
influence their future shopping with us. The part in question.....a timing
belt for a 2.2 liter mopar 4 cylinder, of which tens of thousands were on
the road at that time. That part was listed as an A mover in the price
sheets but our particular chain had made the decision not to stock it. Such
is the corporate mentality.
If you are lucky, you will find a store with some people who are actually
interested in cars and have a deeper understanding of the hobby aspect and
the way people get attached to their particular make of car, not just some
guy whos between burger flippin jobs and only knows what the computer tells
them. Find a store that still has paper catalogs in an old fashioned metal
rack and people who can read and possibly understand them. I have bought
catalogs in the past for as many of the normal wear and tear items as I can
find, most of the time youll find something like " Gates Belts and Hoses
1960-1975" or simliar, depending on the year of the catalog. Those books
also have interchanges in the back to other brands, which can be invaluable
when you are faced with a different brand to work with. Finding the buyers
guides in these catalogs is also something to look for, nothing beats a
picture to identify what other makes and models share that starter relay or
wheel bearing that seems so hard to find.
Find that store and find out if they have ties to rebuilders and other
wholesale suppliers further up the food chain, and patronize that store
whenever you can. If they see you as a customer who is there for them then
the chances are greater they will be there when you need that booster
rebuilt or need someone to get on the phone and really dig for a part that
you have no idea where to begin even looking for.
I imagine most of this is preaching to the choir, it amazes me to this day
how some parts places can make it harder than it has to be to find parts.
Consider that the automakers love commonality wherever they can find it, it
means fewer different parts to build or have built for them and that means
more profit somewhere along the line. Under the skin, they love to have
similar cars - platforms to use modern jargon - and more often than not that
translates into common parts between them. Sure we know the Budd brakes and
headlight switches and driveline supports are out there that defy this, but
those things are always going to occur.
If you look diligently, and this may not be as easy as it once was because
of the economics of it, you will still be able to find someone to rebuild
that alternator , water pump, brake booster when it seems that nobody has it
on the shelf. The same with brake shoes, catch them before they go metal to
metal with the drum and get them relined. My advice is to find what parts
for your car are critical in nature of spares( youll probably be able to
find an alternator or water pump for a Chrysler for decades to come for
example ) those one or two parts that are year and model specific and get
a core and have it rebuilt for that day we all dread. If anything, it will
be cheaper to do today than in 5 or 10 years.
Good luck, take care
Mikey
62 Crown Coupe
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