Anybody in replacement car parts?
Discussion
Afternoon all. Given that it's the bank holiday weekend I'm hoping to progress a bit further with a potential business venture.
I'm planning on opening an online (initially at least) spare parts shop for a specific range of cars. These aren't particularly rare so there's a sizeable demand out there in theory so the potential volume is quite good. I know what kinds of products I want to sell the problem is getting hold of the suppliers, as it always is. Until I know how much I can buy the stuff for I don't know if it's worth going any further with though.
So far most manufacturers/distributors I have spoken to won't discuss any further as I'm not an established company, one of them suggested contacting an aftermarket parts supplier in my area to see if they will supply me at trade prices. Before I do this I wondered if anybody had any advice on how to approach this. The biggest problem I can see is that they won't want to be helping a competitor into the market. The other is that if they do agree to supply me then the supply chain is getting quite long: manufacturer-distributor-my potential supplier-me-customer and I don't want it to impact on any service I offer.
Any advice from anyone whether in this industry or not would be appreciated!
Cheers
I'm planning on opening an online (initially at least) spare parts shop for a specific range of cars. These aren't particularly rare so there's a sizeable demand out there in theory so the potential volume is quite good. I know what kinds of products I want to sell the problem is getting hold of the suppliers, as it always is. Until I know how much I can buy the stuff for I don't know if it's worth going any further with though.
So far most manufacturers/distributors I have spoken to won't discuss any further as I'm not an established company, one of them suggested contacting an aftermarket parts supplier in my area to see if they will supply me at trade prices. Before I do this I wondered if anybody had any advice on how to approach this. The biggest problem I can see is that they won't want to be helping a competitor into the market. The other is that if they do agree to supply me then the supply chain is getting quite long: manufacturer-distributor-my potential supplier-me-customer and I don't want it to impact on any service I offer.
Any advice from anyone whether in this industry or not would be appreciated!
Cheers
I don't want to put you off, but you really are miles away here, sorry.
Ten years ago, you could have gotten away with this, but there are now people out there with deeper pockets, more ideas, and better contacts that you've got.
Unless it's very specialist, you're honestly going to struggle I'm afraid.
At the very, very least, you should be looking to source directly from the wholesale/distributor.
Do you have any experience in internet sales or marketing? Or is this a completely new thing to you?
Of course, I wish you the best of luck, but your first post is indicating you don't really have the first idea of how to go about this, so it's going to be a very, very tough project for you.
Ten years ago, you could have gotten away with this, but there are now people out there with deeper pockets, more ideas, and better contacts that you've got.
Unless it's very specialist, you're honestly going to struggle I'm afraid.
At the very, very least, you should be looking to source directly from the wholesale/distributor.
Do you have any experience in internet sales or marketing? Or is this a completely new thing to you?
Of course, I wish you the best of luck, but your first post is indicating you don't really have the first idea of how to go about this, so it's going to be a very, very tough project for you.
As mentioned above...there are some hugely successful companies in this area of business.
You'd do well to have a look around this website...absolutely fantastic company...very successful too:
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/Car-Parts
You'd do well to have a look around this website...absolutely fantastic company...very successful too:
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/Car-Parts
Oh yeah I know euro car parts, used them a few times for my Golf. However they don't generally stock any uprated parts, at least not for the vehicles I'm interested. I'm been told that they do supply people for reselling though so that might be my standard stuff sorted.
There are places that sell the uprated stuff obviously but not standard and can be a bit hit and miss with which models they cover. Essentially it's about bringing all the standard and aftermarket parts together for these particular vehicles as most people seem to end up looking on eBay at the moment.
There are places that sell the uprated stuff obviously but not standard and can be a bit hit and miss with which models they cover. Essentially it's about bringing all the standard and aftermarket parts together for these particular vehicles as most people seem to end up looking on eBay at the moment.
Leeds220 said:
You're probably right but it's one of those things that's worth looking into a bit more. If it isn't viable then no harm done and no lost money.
I realise I don't have the contacts yet, hence coming on here to ask for advice
Really sorry, but there's no 'probably' about it. It's 'definitely'.I realise I don't have the contacts yet, hence coming on here to ask for advice
If you have a niche market, parts for specialist cars or hard to find bits, then you stand a chance of having a good business, and something you can expand upon.
You haven't given a whole lot of information above, but I'm guessing you're looking to sell oil filters for Ford Focuses? If that's the case, forget it. If it's a better idea than this, then perhaps we can help with a bit more information.
More importantly, do you have any experience in e-commerce or internet marketing? I did ask above, but you didn't reply on this. This alone is a massive deal, and a huge skill to learn.
Put it this way, at the moment, aaahm ooot.
Prove me wrong, show me an actual idea that's something nobody else is doing and I'm sure there are people here that can actually help you.
At the moment, you appear to be wanting to take on Eurocarparts, but with no contacts and no experience. As it stands, this is a non-starter.
ETA - I was typing that as you put more information above, beat me by two minutes!
Edited by maser_spyder on Thursday 1st April 20:35
Ok ok it's providing parts specifically for Ford ST and RS vehicles. As I say euro car parts can provide most of the standard stuff but for example won't have your EBC, Brembo brakes etc
So it's probably based on the assumption that everybody prefers the convenience of getting everything from the same place but maybe in reality they don't mind ordering from lots of different places as long as it saves a few quid.
And no, I know very little about ecommerce (played around with oscommerce a bit lol) and marketing but planning to learn as much as possible and take things slowly
So it's probably based on the assumption that everybody prefers the convenience of getting everything from the same place but maybe in reality they don't mind ordering from lots of different places as long as it saves a few quid.
And no, I know very little about ecommerce (played around with oscommerce a bit lol) and marketing but planning to learn as much as possible and take things slowly
Leeds220 said:
Ok ok it's providing parts specifically for Ford ST and RS vehicles. As I say euro car parts can provide most of the standard stuff but for example won't have your EBC, Brembo brakes etc
So it's probably based on the assumption that everybody prefers the convenience of getting everything from the same place but maybe in reality they don't mind ordering from lots of different places as long as it saves a few quid.
And no, I know very little about ecommerce (played around with oscommerce a bit lol) and marketing but planning to learn as much as possible and take things slowly
Absolutely best of luck, but you've got a LOT to learn.So it's probably based on the assumption that everybody prefers the convenience of getting everything from the same place but maybe in reality they don't mind ordering from lots of different places as long as it saves a few quid.
And no, I know very little about ecommerce (played around with oscommerce a bit lol) and marketing but planning to learn as much as possible and take things slowly
If it's not your area of expertise, then it's really not going to be easy.
There are people out there that now have ten years plus of experience in doing this, e-commerce has now been around for quite a long time.
Knowing a bit about OSC has absolutely nothing to do with running a website.
If you're serious, you would have a web developer doing this for you, and letting them decide which system suits your requirements best.
Actually, we use a heavily customised version of OSC, but I know very little about it apart from a bit of back end admin. It's not my job. My job is to do business, not be a code monkey. I'm also hopeless at design work, but luckily, my designer is ruddy good at it.
On the other side of it, my designer is a less than perfect business man, but his design work is superb. We all stick to what we're good at, and what we have experience in.
If you're even THINKING of designing your own OSC website for this project, you are absolutely crazy. It WILL look like a home-built site. The project will not be successful.
OK, here's where to start.
Don't tell the wholesalers you're 'thinking' of doing this. When I get approached with this, I instantly know the person is a chancer.
Get a web domain so that you can have a good email address. 'trade@fordcarparts.co.uk' or something will make it look like you mean business.
Tell the wholesalers you're already in business, ask them for their trading terms, etc.
Don't be timid. If they don't call back, remind them.
If you start acting like you're actually going to do this for real, the wholesalers will take you a lot more seriously.
At the moment, I have a list of enquiries from hotmail, ntlworld, yahoo etc. email addresses that will never get access to our trade website. They just don't look serious. However, an enquiry from a serious retailer, with a website (or at the very least a domain name with relative email) will get a near instant response, and quick access to the trade prices and ordering system.
HTH.
Edited by maser_spyder on Thursday 1st April 21:04
Thanks for the advice above. I thought that an initial enquiry email from my hotmail probably didn't look too good. Maybe this weekend would be best spent registering a suitable domain name and the associated email addresses and sending those enquiries again.
I haven't looked too far into the setting up of the ecommerce site yet, I thought it would be better to make sure I can get in with the correct suppliers first before spending too much time on that. Do you think its possible to start with an 'off the shelf solution' such as Zen Cart with a suitable template and see how it goes or invest potentially hundreds (thousands?) on having designers tech guys from the start?
I haven't looked too far into the setting up of the ecommerce site yet, I thought it would be better to make sure I can get in with the correct suppliers first before spending too much time on that. Do you think its possible to start with an 'off the shelf solution' such as Zen Cart with a suitable template and see how it goes or invest potentially hundreds (thousands?) on having designers tech guys from the start?
Leeds220 said:
Thanks for the advice above. I thought that an initial enquiry email from my hotmail probably didn't look too good. Maybe this weekend would be best spent registering a suitable domain name and the associated email addresses and sending those enquiries again.
Yes, do this.
I haven't looked too far into the setting up of the ecommerce site yet, I thought it would be better to make sure I can get in with the correct suppliers first before spending too much time on that.
Fair enough!
Do you think its possible to start with an 'off the shelf solution' such as Zen Cart with a suitable template and see how it goes
No. It will go badly, I can guarantee it.
or invest potentially hundreds (thousands?) on having designers tech guys from the start?
This is the ONLY way the project will be a success
See above.Yes, do this.
I haven't looked too far into the setting up of the ecommerce site yet, I thought it would be better to make sure I can get in with the correct suppliers first before spending too much time on that.
Fair enough!
Do you think its possible to start with an 'off the shelf solution' such as Zen Cart with a suitable template and see how it goes
No. It will go badly, I can guarantee it.
or invest potentially hundreds (thousands?) on having designers tech guys from the start?
This is the ONLY way the project will be a success
Are you a web developer? Or a graphic designer? You'll need to be both for a good website. A web developer generally cannot graphic design, and a graphic designer generally cannot code. They are two very different skills.
If you are any good at either of these things, then set up business doing that instead, there's a lot of call for it.
Assuming not, act like a business owner.
You will NOT create a successful site building it yourself. You know nothing about web development or graphic design. There's no shame in this! I have websites all over Europe, and know next to nothing about development, and absolutely nothing about design. I don't need to! I can write a very good brief for a developer though, which is all you need to be able to do.
Your job should be finding the products and market, this is far more important that the website that they'll be going on to.
It's a massive mis-conception that to run an e-commerce store you need to be good with computers or design or web development. You don't. In fact, it's often a hindrance as you get bogged down in the day to day of the thing.
You need to be good at basic business skills. Find your products. Haggle. Work out your market. Put the processes in place to tell your customers about your products, and supply those products in a timely fashion. Be a businessman.
The actual website is pretty much the last thing you should be doing. The ONLY thing you need to learn about coding and designing websites is how to write a proper brief for a developer. You DO NOT tell them what colours you want it to be. If your web designer asks you about colours, get a new one. It's their job to work this out, it's what you'll be paying them for. Your only input should be choosing which concept you like (you should get at least three or four), and specifying (to the nth degree) exactly what you want the site to do, and not to do.
With little or no experience in this, you have almost zero chance of getting a merchant account straight away, this is going to be your biggest hurdle.
Don't even THINK about websites yet. You have a whole heap of work to do before even starting to work on this side of things.
HTH.
This is really useful information. Thanks very much for all of it.
I've just registered a very suitable domain along with the email addresses to go with it. First thing is to get back onto those suppliers looking a bit more professional now I guess.
I'm pleased you say that I don't need to know too much about the ecommerce side of things, I was hoping to leave that to others!
I think the main competition I face is actually from eBay sellers and I'm hoping that the security of buying from a 'real' site will make potential customers look more favourably at me if I'm there or there abouts on price. Some other sites in this market aren't great to be honest (http://www.fordpartsuk.com/default.htm for example) so I really think that stock availability and pricing are more important than tspending loads and loads of time and money on a site. I realise that this could be completely wrong though!
ETA; On the merchant account point - is there anything wrong with using PayPal to start with?
I've just registered a very suitable domain along with the email addresses to go with it. First thing is to get back onto those suppliers looking a bit more professional now I guess.
I'm pleased you say that I don't need to know too much about the ecommerce side of things, I was hoping to leave that to others!
I think the main competition I face is actually from eBay sellers and I'm hoping that the security of buying from a 'real' site will make potential customers look more favourably at me if I'm there or there abouts on price. Some other sites in this market aren't great to be honest (http://www.fordpartsuk.com/default.htm for example) so I really think that stock availability and pricing are more important than tspending loads and loads of time and money on a site. I realise that this could be completely wrong though!
ETA; On the merchant account point - is there anything wrong with using PayPal to start with?
Edited by Leeds220 on Friday 2nd April 00:49
Leeds220 said:
This is really useful information. Thanks very much for all of it.
I've just registered a very suitable domain along with the email addresses to go with it. First thing is to get back onto those suppliers looking a bit more professional now I guess.
I'm pleased you say that I don't need to know too much about the ecommerce side of things, I was hoping to leave that to others!
I think the main competition I face is actually from eBay sellers and I'm hoping that the security of buying from a 'real' site will make potential customers look more favourably at me if I'm there or there abouts on price. Some other sites in this market aren't great to be honest (http://www.fordpartsuk.com/default.htm for example) so I really think that stock availability and pricing are more important than tspending loads and loads of time and money on a site. I realise that this could be completely wrong though!
ETA; On the merchant account point - is there anything wrong with using PayPal to start with?
Nothing wrong with paypal, but with the standard account, you can't process 'normal' (i.e. hidden, professional looking) card payments online. This is limited to paypal 'pro'.I've just registered a very suitable domain along with the email addresses to go with it. First thing is to get back onto those suppliers looking a bit more professional now I guess.
I'm pleased you say that I don't need to know too much about the ecommerce side of things, I was hoping to leave that to others!
I think the main competition I face is actually from eBay sellers and I'm hoping that the security of buying from a 'real' site will make potential customers look more favourably at me if I'm there or there abouts on price. Some other sites in this market aren't great to be honest (http://www.fordpartsuk.com/default.htm for example) so I really think that stock availability and pricing are more important than tspending loads and loads of time and money on a site. I realise that this could be completely wrong though!
ETA; On the merchant account point - is there anything wrong with using PayPal to start with?
Edited by Leeds220 on Friday 2nd April 00:49
You can technically take a card payment through a normal business paypal account when the customer doesn't have paypal already, but the link is sooooooo small it's very easy to miss.
Customers don't like this. They like to be spoon-fed (and rightly so, it's their money!). They like a big button with ENTER CARD DETAILS HERE and COMPLETE ORDER and THANK YOU FOR YOUR ORDER, WE HAVE RECEIVED YOUR PAYMENT etc. Think of the thickest person you know. Then give them attention deficit disorder. Then ask them to place an order on your website!
If you already have a paypal account, get some money going through it (unfortunately ebay is about the only way to do this), at least 3k a month for three months. Apply online for the 'business' account, and preferential rates. This is on the 'merchant' page of their website. Get this approved first. Then apply for their merchant services (called 'paypal pro'). If anybody is going to give you a merchant account, it's paypal.
You may also be successful with Nochex, but I'm not sure what their criteria is with new business.
You need the most simple way possible of processing a customer payment, where they enter their details on a secure site, confirm, and done. Keep it simple.
HTH.
The good points are that you're only focusing on a particular mark of vehicle, finding the right part can be the hardest part. Euro car parts must have loads of returns from people choosing the wrong parts of the their vehicles.
The motor trade is VERY competitive, the main suppliers won't be willing to supply to you at the cost of upsetting their big, regular accounts who maybe in your area. I would imagine that with the quantities you're looking at purchasing the suppliers won't really be all that interested considering you're only just starting out and are only focusing on one vehicle. Plus, if you did buy bulk you'd need space and racking to hold it all.
I'd go to a local motor factor that stocks the brands you're looking for (or a range of motor factors if needs be) speak with the manager/owner and come to some arrangement on price. They'll have a retail, trade and a special trade price for their best customers, aim for that. Get a price list off him and put it all on your site, then you can just order parts from the motor factor as and when people order from you. If they're any good you'll be able to get parts the same day, if not the next day no problems.
If you're any good at selling yourself you could arrange some free same day deliveries to your house. This way you may not be getting the parts as cheap as you'd originally like but you'd by pass having to fork out large sums of money for parts up front, racking and additional storage costs.
The motor trade is VERY competitive, the main suppliers won't be willing to supply to you at the cost of upsetting their big, regular accounts who maybe in your area. I would imagine that with the quantities you're looking at purchasing the suppliers won't really be all that interested considering you're only just starting out and are only focusing on one vehicle. Plus, if you did buy bulk you'd need space and racking to hold it all.
I'd go to a local motor factor that stocks the brands you're looking for (or a range of motor factors if needs be) speak with the manager/owner and come to some arrangement on price. They'll have a retail, trade and a special trade price for their best customers, aim for that. Get a price list off him and put it all on your site, then you can just order parts from the motor factor as and when people order from you. If they're any good you'll be able to get parts the same day, if not the next day no problems.
If you're any good at selling yourself you could arrange some free same day deliveries to your house. This way you may not be getting the parts as cheap as you'd originally like but you'd by pass having to fork out large sums of money for parts up front, racking and additional storage costs.
Hi there,
All absolutley fantastic advice, coming from what I can definitley appreciate as years of business experience.
I just wanted to go back and focus on something fundamental in your initial posting. And that is 'if you can buy at trade prices'
'Trade Prices' is something that you'll see a hell of a lot of variance on. I've seen 'Yep, we will supply you trade no worries, it's 10% off the retail price' and others at a very very healthy -40% and even more. Another aspect which stuck out to me will be quantity ordering in order to secure a more substantial discount and of course, as mentioned already, where will you keep all of this stock?!
As mentioned, car parts is extremely competitive, even for specifics such as for ST and RS models.
http://www.pumaspeed.co.uk/index.jsp these guys already seem to be doing exactly what you're thinking of, and thats just from a quick googly/yahoo search, I'm sure theres a few more.
I think you need to approach suppliers, and also the manufacturers to 'start' you're idea. As you say, then you'd know immediately if it's worth persuing and then of course taking on board some of the very excellent adivse given for preparing to do business.
Good luck though, you, like me in this recession are looking for potential good projects which could turn into a good business as ever so slowly the UK picks back up in economic terms.
Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
All absolutley fantastic advice, coming from what I can definitley appreciate as years of business experience.
I just wanted to go back and focus on something fundamental in your initial posting. And that is 'if you can buy at trade prices'
'Trade Prices' is something that you'll see a hell of a lot of variance on. I've seen 'Yep, we will supply you trade no worries, it's 10% off the retail price' and others at a very very healthy -40% and even more. Another aspect which stuck out to me will be quantity ordering in order to secure a more substantial discount and of course, as mentioned already, where will you keep all of this stock?!
As mentioned, car parts is extremely competitive, even for specifics such as for ST and RS models.
http://www.pumaspeed.co.uk/index.jsp these guys already seem to be doing exactly what you're thinking of, and thats just from a quick googly/yahoo search, I'm sure theres a few more.
I think you need to approach suppliers, and also the manufacturers to 'start' you're idea. As you say, then you'd know immediately if it's worth persuing and then of course taking on board some of the very excellent adivse given for preparing to do business.
Good luck though, you, like me in this recession are looking for potential good projects which could turn into a good business as ever so slowly the UK picks back up in economic terms.
Cheers, Dennis! West London & Slough UK!
maser_spyder said:
jon- said:
Maser, just wanted to say you really do go out of your way to give good advice. Fair play to you.
Ta! Take slight offence at 'years of experience', I'm only just 30! (it's still a little bit of a sore subject....).
npe said:
I'd go to a local motor factor that stocks the brands you're looking for (or a range of motor factors if needs be) speak with the manager/owner and come to some arrangement on price. They'll have a retail, trade and a special trade price for their best customers, aim for that. Get a price list off him and put it all on your site, then you can just order parts from the motor factor as and when people order from you. If they're any good you'll be able to get parts the same day, if not the next day no problems.
If you're any good at selling yourself you could arrange some free same day deliveries to your house. This way you may not be getting the parts as cheap as you'd originally like but you'd by pass having to fork out large sums of money for parts up front, racking and additional storage costs.
This.If you're any good at selling yourself you could arrange some free same day deliveries to your house. This way you may not be getting the parts as cheap as you'd originally like but you'd by pass having to fork out large sums of money for parts up front, racking and additional storage costs.
This would be an ideal result for me initially. Then once I'm established I can go straight to the source if the quantities deem it worthy.
DennisCooper said:
'Trade Prices' is something that you'll see a hell of a lot of variance on. I've seen 'Yep, we will supply you trade no worries, it's 10% off the retail price' and others at a very very healthy -40% and even more. Another aspect which stuck out to me will be quantity ordering in order to secure a more substantial discount and of course, as mentioned already, where will you keep all of this stock?!
As mentioned, car parts is extremely competitive, even for specifics such as for ST and RS models.
http://www.pumaspeed.co.uk/index.jsp these guys already seem to be doing exactly what you're thinking of, and thats just from a quick googly/yahoo search, I'm sure theres a few more.
I agree on the 'trade price' comment. Trade price from one place is quite often the retail price somewehere else.As mentioned, car parts is extremely competitive, even for specifics such as for ST and RS models.
http://www.pumaspeed.co.uk/index.jsp these guys already seem to be doing exactly what you're thinking of, and thats just from a quick googly/yahoo search, I'm sure theres a few more.
I am struggling to find decent ST/RS specialist to be honest. Pumaspeed do offer parts for these vehicles but the range is very poor IMO and so is the website. For the Mondeo and Focus STs for example there was the option of two brake discs, neither of which I'd heard of. Think it could be improved.
All worthwhile advice though and being factored into my planning.
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