Local Indy Motor Factors - do you support them?
Discussion
Hi,
The lads in my local Motor Factors are brilliant, always helping out, cross referencing part numbers, making calls and obtaining like for like matches on OEM stuff.
They're also pretty decent when it comes to doing a deal, knocking a couple of quid off here and there, fitting stuff like wipers & bulbs & even plates for free for anyone, all done on the street outside the local shop.
Sometimes they're a fiver more than the same thing on Ebay, but I'll buy from them because I know if it's wrong I'll just have to make a phone call to get it sorted.
After having a yarn with one of the blokes working there the other day, they are really now feeling the pinch against the likes of Ebay, to the point of perhaps losing his job. Even the recent Oil deal at Halfords has hit them as oil is one of their money makers. Like a lot of businesses I expect the inevitable will happen, but it strikes me as sad when you can no longer walk into a shop, ask for a service kit for a 99 Escort and be given a price for 9 or so items straight away & get them on the counter in front of you.
The lads in my local Motor Factors are brilliant, always helping out, cross referencing part numbers, making calls and obtaining like for like matches on OEM stuff.
They're also pretty decent when it comes to doing a deal, knocking a couple of quid off here and there, fitting stuff like wipers & bulbs & even plates for free for anyone, all done on the street outside the local shop.
Sometimes they're a fiver more than the same thing on Ebay, but I'll buy from them because I know if it's wrong I'll just have to make a phone call to get it sorted.
After having a yarn with one of the blokes working there the other day, they are really now feeling the pinch against the likes of Ebay, to the point of perhaps losing his job. Even the recent Oil deal at Halfords has hit them as oil is one of their money makers. Like a lot of businesses I expect the inevitable will happen, but it strikes me as sad when you can no longer walk into a shop, ask for a service kit for a 99 Escort and be given a price for 9 or so items straight away & get them on the counter in front of you.
Yep, customer service makes a big difference.
Typically, I'll order a part, offer to pay for it there and then but they'll just tell me to wait and make sure it's the correct part before taking any cash.
Same goes for returns. Grubby, non-fitting brake pads? not a problem. Recently tried getting my cash back on an Ebay non fitting item, no joy, the utter bunch of
s.
Typically, I'll order a part, offer to pay for it there and then but they'll just tell me to wait and make sure it's the correct part before taking any cash.
Same goes for returns. Grubby, non-fitting brake pads? not a problem. Recently tried getting my cash back on an Ebay non fitting item, no joy, the utter bunch of
s.We used to have a great one round here - proper old-school Alladdin's Cave type place, full of interesting stuff. I loved seeing some of the older stock on the shelves - there were bits and bobs that had obviously been hanging there for years, in yellowed old packets and boxes, with a layer of dust on top!
1980's Cibie spot lamps, anti-static strips, Feu Orange air fresheners and door bumpers hung alongside newer stuff like LED lamp upgrades and Bass Bazookas for your boot
A fabulously eclectic mix. Despite this, they could always get the part I wanted either that day, or the next, at a good price. The owner often used to moan when handing over an alternator or whatever to me, about 'if you only knew how little I am making on that now, you'd give me a charity donation!'
I used to think he was joking - until it all closed down a few years ago. I was very sad.
I then ran into the owner a little while later, greeted him and asked why his shop had shut down (which had been there for over 30 years).
He told me that he was sick of trying to live on peanuts, having to have re-mortgaged his house several times to keep the business going, and of staff, suppliers and customers continuously trying to take the piss out of him and screw him over at every opportunity.
He was now back doing a normal, real-world 9 to 5 job working for someone else - and he said he'd never been happier. I have to concede, he looked years younger already!
So, despite my support for over 20 years, he'd still had to knock it on the head.
It's a cut-throat business these days, with internet-savvy customers after nothing more than cheap prices first, quality and service waaaay second.
A shame
1980's Cibie spot lamps, anti-static strips, Feu Orange air fresheners and door bumpers hung alongside newer stuff like LED lamp upgrades and Bass Bazookas for your boot
A fabulously eclectic mix. Despite this, they could always get the part I wanted either that day, or the next, at a good price. The owner often used to moan when handing over an alternator or whatever to me, about 'if you only knew how little I am making on that now, you'd give me a charity donation!'
I used to think he was joking - until it all closed down a few years ago. I was very sad.
I then ran into the owner a little while later, greeted him and asked why his shop had shut down (which had been there for over 30 years).
He told me that he was sick of trying to live on peanuts, having to have re-mortgaged his house several times to keep the business going, and of staff, suppliers and customers continuously trying to take the piss out of him and screw him over at every opportunity.
He was now back doing a normal, real-world 9 to 5 job working for someone else - and he said he'd never been happier. I have to concede, he looked years younger already!
So, despite my support for over 20 years, he'd still had to knock it on the head.
It's a cut-throat business these days, with internet-savvy customers after nothing more than cheap prices first, quality and service waaaay second.
A shame
I use AutoParts in Chapelhall, they're normally cheaper than t'internet for comparable quality parts. I.e. ignore the Chinese junk on auction sites.
Nice guys, same day delivery, good quality parts, keen prices, FAST service and always trying to help.
Sorry fleabay, anazon and co. Been there done that, had fingers burnt to prove it (chinese springs in a sachs / lemforder box).
Factors all the way.
Nice guys, same day delivery, good quality parts, keen prices, FAST service and always trying to help.
Sorry fleabay, anazon and co. Been there done that, had fingers burnt to prove it (chinese springs in a sachs / lemforder box).
Factors all the way.
Yep, http://www.tmcnewmilton.co.uk/ have always been nothing short of fantastic when I've dealt with them. Nothing is too much trouble. They even put aside their last 100 amp fuse for me when I phoned a couple of days ago. It was only £1.99!
used this one for years:
http://autospareskippax.com
so much so that i still call in on trips to the uk to stock up on bits & pieces. same guys working in there since i bought my first car 15yrs ago!
cheaper than the competition, always good advice, discounts given, any parts i need will be there the next day and if they aren't the ones i need they'll take them back no quibble. contrary to market forces they have expanded over the years so must be doing something right!
http://autospareskippax.com
so much so that i still call in on trips to the uk to stock up on bits & pieces. same guys working in there since i bought my first car 15yrs ago!
cheaper than the competition, always good advice, discounts given, any parts i need will be there the next day and if they aren't the ones i need they'll take them back no quibble. contrary to market forces they have expanded over the years so must be doing something right!
Edited by shirt on Monday 20th January 22:33
Dave Edwards in Cardiff were good for parts although not used them since GMF took over.
Sadly not used an independent since euro parts and gsf have several stores. This is mainly down to internet stock checking as when I need a part I usually need it now.
Brother found a good place in Bridgend though that's cheap been waiting to use them but not so local for small parts.
Sadly not used an independent since euro parts and gsf have several stores. This is mainly down to internet stock checking as when I need a part I usually need it now.
Brother found a good place in Bridgend though that's cheap been waiting to use them but not so local for small parts.
Not really, I try my best but they usually lose out one way or another.
1. Rarely have access to specific brands I want. If they do then it's next day stuff.
2. Usually have less vans going around so takes an age to get stuff.
3. Usually more expensive
4. Usually see cock ups more frequently
1. Rarely have access to specific brands I want. If they do then it's next day stuff.
2. Usually have less vans going around so takes an age to get stuff.
3. Usually more expensive
4. Usually see cock ups more frequently
We have been using a little independent place near us. Absolutely smashes the prices that CES and Europarts offer and we have a good spend with both those places. Using the little indie place more and more at the moment, good service and for a small premises it keeps loads of stuff in stock.
Ultimately it will probably go bust within a few years as euro muscle in. Euro as far as the larger chain stores go are the best service, and the staff in my local are decent, friendly and helpful. They don't like being beaten on price though.
Ultimately it will probably go bust within a few years as euro muscle in. Euro as far as the larger chain stores go are the best service, and the staff in my local are decent, friendly and helpful. They don't like being beaten on price though.
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