Automotive Parts Counter

[bigtiller]

How much money do automotive parts stores make over the phone? Is it a substantial portion of their monthly earnings? I ask because just about everytime I go to one, I notice they will pick up a ringing phone before working with a cash paying customer.

 

[DFB]

I have the same problem...

But seems that whenever I call I get put on hold! :confused2:

 

[unbidden]

How much money do automotive parts stores make over the phone? Is it a substantial portion of their monthly earnings? I ask because just about everytime I go to one, I notice they will pick up a ringing phone before working with a cash paying customer.

My guess is the mechanic shops around their area are doing most of the calling and each shop probably calls at least once a day. The bigger the shop the more they call so they don't want to bite the hand that feeds them by ignoring the calls.

 

[creekbend]

My guess is the mechanic shops around their area are doing most of the calling and each shop probably calls at least once a day. The bigger the shop the more they call so they don't want to bite the hand that feeds them by ignoring the calls.

Your post sounds logical.

 

[orezok]

When I had a business with a customer in front of me with CASH IN HAND, they always took preference over the maybe sales! Phone inquiries looking for the lowest price only sometimes result in a sale.

I personally have walked out of stores that give the phone customer preference.

 

[bigtiller]

When I had a business with a customer in front of me with CASH IN HAND, they always took preference over the maybe sales! Phone inquiries looking for the lowest price only sometimes result in a sale.

I personally have walked out of stores that give the phone customer preference.

I have walked out too, but only when it was convenient for me. The problem is, the next closest one around is 20 miles away. I think this store knows that also.

Sometimes I fantasize about cutting the phone cord but I know that wouldn't help any.

 

[brain55]

I don't mind them having to take some calls, what pisses me off is when I'm at the counter and they don't even acknowledge me between calls.

 

[sam5570]

My guess is the mechanic shops around their area are doing most of the calling and each shop probably calls at least once a day. The bigger the shop the more they call so they don't want to bite the hand that feeds them by ignoring the calls.

yeah yyou are right and i might add that when the machanic shop guy comes in the door, don't how many people standing there he get's waited on. i have seen it i was in the machanic business for a long time. if you pay your parts bill each month and buy alot of em they cater to you. i have been in the parts store people standing in line to get waited on the guy working in the office would see me come in and here he comes what do you need sam and all them people standing there. but i was paying them around $2000 a month for parts

 

[Oaktree]

I think we've all had it drummed into our heads over the years that phone call=important. My wife will drop everything and rush to the phone when it rings, I'll just let the answering machine pick up...if it's someone I want to talk to I'll pick up, otherwise let them leave a message.

 

[RickB]

I absolutlely will not pick up the phone when I'm waiting on someone who made the effort to drive to buy parts at the dealership where I work.

 

[Zebrafive]

In person customers should come first!
They should have an answering machine that states: If your call was not answered all sales people are currently serving customers, please call back later.
If no customers are waiting to be served answer the phone.

 

[sixdogs]

I don't mind them having to take some calls, what pisses me off is when I'm at the counter and they don't even acknowledge me between calls.

I went into a local chain store parts place--Advance Auto I think--and the guy picked up the phone during my ordering something with him. It was just for a second so OK. Then he did it again and the call started to drag on with someone just checking prices. After too long, I just nodded to the guy and said I'll stop back later. I just mail ordered what I wanted elsewhere (Summit Racing I think) and it was cheaper and came right to my door. Lesson learned for me to avoid people and places like this.

A few of these parts guys are good but most are there because they have little gumption and work cheap. Go where you are treated best.

 

[brain55]

A few of these parts guys are good but most are there because they have little gumption and work cheap. Go where you are treated best.

I was a fleet manager for a landscape contractor during the housing boom. I was spending $40k a month on parts spread out over a few vendors. My local auto parts store was getting $7-10k of that. There were 2 full service (non AutoZone) parts stores in town. My go to store started making it difficult to get the right parts in a timely fashion. They went to a central call center (they had several stores in the area) so I was no longer speaking to a person in my local store and I never knew when I was going to get parts because I never knew which store(s) they were pulling parts from. So I switched stores and never looked back.

I will say that even though I was not likely the biggest customer, I had no problem throwing my weight around if I needed to. I expected a certain level of service. I had a 100 trucks and over 100 pieces of equipment I was keeping in operation, it was a 6 day a week 12 hour a day job, not getting the right part or not getting it on time was a real issue.

Brian

 

[pat32rf]

Any bussiness has to cater to the biggest dollar customers. We had one guy who looked after walkin customers, four more out of sight on the phones......

 

[Blaneypark]

I must be lucky or have a great owner of a parts store. I have always been waited on. If the phone is ringing they answer it and say hold please. Never been a problem in my neck of the woods.

 

[Mace Canute]

Years ago at a local dealership the counter guys would serve the walk in customers ahead of the phone in customers on Saturday only; Monday to Friday they answered phones first. Their rational was that during the week business would be calling and on Saturdays it was almost always backyarders pricing stuff out. I don't know if it's still like that or not but it was a nice and appreciated practice.

 

[banjodunn]

G'day I will always answer the phone but if I have a counter customer I will always excuse myself to answer it and will ask them to either hold or ring them back, most don't mind.



Jon