You local motor factor - Use them or lose them:

[Oldred_V8S]

I have this morning just visited my local motor factor. The proprietor was telling me the effect internet sales are having on his business. Clearly the internet is a big factor in modern day life and is used by many to sell cheaply produced items at prices not always commensurate with their manufacturing costs. Consumers are obviously looking for a good deal, but is that cheap item really cheap? I find it hard to understand why consumers complain about "Chinese rubbish” whilst continuing to ignore their local motor factors in favour of an unknown individual on the internet, who is only too willing to sell them even more, cheap, inferior rubbish.

The reason I use the smaller motor factors when I need car parts is because I know the items will be fit for purpose. The pricing I have found to often be comparable to the internet and to the well-known national chain on the local business park, especially when the old maxim, buy cheap, buy twice comes into play. Items not in stock can very often be ordered for later the same day; the proprietor has a wealth of knowledge and operates in an ethical manner. I was in his shop one day, when a young girl came in and asked to buy 5 litres of oil for her car. The proprietor asked her why she needed that amount. She replied the oil level was low. He asked the make and model of her car and how low was the oil. Once this was ascertained, he suggested she purchase 1 litre of oil and then a second, only if the first was insufficient He explained how to check the oil and even offered her a cloth to wipe the dipstick. The result was one happy young girl on her way with a few more pounds in her pocket than if she had visited the large national outlet just down the road, where customer service is an alien concept. She could have chosen to visit one of the Car Parts franchises, where the staff lose interest the moment your vehicle registration number fails to appear on their computer. This is a particular bug-bear of mine; I drive an old TVR, a vehicle that is made from many manufacturers parts; it confuses the hell out of the assistants who seem unable to think outside of the confines of their registration number driven, computerised stocking system, even though I know the make and model of the donor vehicle.

My local town has already lost one small motor factor; a business that delivered a personal, knowledgable service, and I fear other smaller motor factor businesses will go the same way. So if you want a knowledgeable service, good quality parts at competitive prices, and you would rather the pound in your pocket benefited a small family business rather than buying another holiday home for a corporate CEO, support your local motor factor before they go the same way as other small businesses.

If, like me, you discover a gem, make sure they get your custom, tell your friends and lets ensure these vital businesses are there to support us in the future.