TPS trade account

[bobski1]

Haven't used them in a while but called them today and they said that they only now sell to trade accounts. Previously have been able to call or walk in and order parts.

Is this a recent policy change or does it vary by trade points?

Doesn't appear to be anything online about how to register an account with them.

[Patch1875]

Some branches have always been strictly trade only but think it’s been a while now they all have done it.

I’m lucky I still have a few mates in the parts business so can get them to order for me.

[simonwhite2000]

Really weird to see this thread pop up - I tried to speak to TPS yesterday and was told the same, trade only. Not sure where else to try to genuine VW parts in the UK that are a bit cheaper than the main dealer.

[steveo3002]

our local one has always been like it

business must be good to be able to turn away customers

[SteBrown91]

steveo3002 said:

our local one has always been like it

business must be good to be able to turn away customers

All the TPS are franchises and will likely have restictions set by VW group to prevent retail customers bypassing the dealer markup.

In regards to genuine parts there used to be a facebook page called "RPS" who did genuine parts at a bit of a discount. I think that was just a page ran by a specific dealer group though.

I have used LLLParts before too but delivery is a good 2 weeks plus due to parts coming from eastern europe and last time I used them they massively ballsed up my order 3 times in a row.

[Adrian E]

My local TPS will still sell to me as a private punter, but I do find it’s much easier if I walk in and ask. I think the phone response is to protect themselves if they’re ‘not supposed’ to sell to non-trade, in case anyone is checking. My local TPS is literally round the corner from the local VW dealer…..

[steveo3002]

are they hard on whats accpeted as trade? guessing you wouldnt get away saying its steves garage ?

[Tommie38]

SteBrown91 said:

steveo3002 said:

our local one has always been like it

business must be good to be able to turn away customers

All the TPS are franchises and will likely have restictions set by VW group to prevent retail customers bypassing the dealer markup.

In regards to genuine parts there used to be a facebook page called "RPS" who did genuine parts at a bit of a discount. I think that was just a page ran by a specific dealer group though.

I have used LLLParts before too but delivery is a good 2 weeks plus due to parts coming from eastern europe and last time I used them they massively ballsed up my order 3 times in a row.

I strongly recommend not using LLLParts for things you need in the next 2-3 weeks. Just so variable. Nothing wrong with their model (source in a different country and resell) it’s just that most of the time waiting is a pain. Great for a longer term project where you must have genuine parts.

[SpeedBash]

Found this out a few weeks ago myself.

Chap at my local branch said they have always been trade only but were not strict on enforcing this but have now cracked down.

The change seems to have happened over the covid period as I last used them December 2019.

[Sheepshanks]

I’ve always bought AdBlue and Quantum screenwash from our local TPS without issue, although usually it’s my wife who calls in for it. Last time I tried (few weeks ago) they didn’t have any.

I tried them for a part once and they were slightly dearer than the VW dealer - although when I went to the dealer they said the price list had changed but they honoured the price they’d given me (wasn’t much different).