Would you guys buy from a PT,G-Machine vendor?

[Richz68]

Hello all...... I am about to become the "GM" for a small, established aftermarket parts supplier/website.

I have so many ideas floating around in my head to improve the existing business(primarily street rod & some muscle car parts) to take it to the next level.

One of my first ventures is to create a division that will cater to all of the guys who are building cars considered to be Pro-Touring Cars, G-Machines, Air Suspension Cruisers that all seem to becoming the "new norm" at higher end level builds.

I have already established a relationship with several of the vendors that supply the majority of the parts used on these types of cars. Our goal is to become the hands-down supplier for parts to builders of the cars featured in mags such as PHR within 2-3 years. The majority of these cars will certainly be built by members here at Pro-Touring.com.

I guess I am looking for the a "Top Five" list from you all to describe the five things that you feel are lacking at the larger speed suppliers out there right now concerning our niche. These can be as trivial as you don't like the on-hold recordings to something as serious as parts knowledge, price, inventory, shipping response time, warranty, or even show/event presence, etc.

Please format you top five concerns in a 1-5 format if possible:


1. ___________
2. ___________
3. ___________
4. ___________
5. ___________


I hope to do business with you all in the future! :cool:

[formula]

1. Customer Support- so many companies still brush the buyer off after a sale, which is pretty retarded in my mind. i have several parts on my car that are absolutely awesome, but i'll never buy from the companies i bought them from again because they were so shakey on keeping me informed on shipping and my order status and such.

2. why not shake things up with some quality hold music? maybe classic rock. or some goooood jazz. even classical. anything other than elevator music.

3. there is no number 3

4. might be kinda cool if you could offer a "progressive auto" deal where you could compare your price on an item to maybe summit's price, jeg's price, etc etc. it always seems like i find a cheaper deal 5 minutes after i get the current part in.

5. 25% off all orders for pro-touring.com members?

[Steve Chryssos]

Sure. I'de be looking for expertise. Spring rates, which brakes fit inside what wheels, backspacing, which tires fit in what wheelwells, gear ratios--and don't forget safety equipment. Pro-Touring guys do not necessarily know where to go buy helmets, belts, etc.

[JoshStratton]

1. I think THE biggest thing that I could complain about is that no one seems to have a chart listing (as Steve said) what wheels fit what cars. This might be a really big project, but it would make SO many car enthusiasts happy. It seems 10% of the posts on this site are about what tires/rims fit what.

2. I think customer service is a big deal. I have heard too many complaints from people about the customer service of companies like one that begins with "Summ". They seem to have great communication when you are buying, but if you have questions about your product, they treat you like dirt. This is not all companies, just a few.

3. It sometimes seems like it is like pulling hairs for group purchases. How bout having a 'Group Purchase of the Month/Week' or something like that. Organize it and post it....the more people who get in, the cheaper it would be, with a max price guarantee that it wont go over. That way if we get money back...woohoo for us!

4. Giveaways

5. I have not seem many coupon codes passed around for parts distributors. Come up with a few now and then and post them on this site...which makes me think of a new forum! Coupons and Deals!

[trapin]

1. Price
2. Price
3. Price
4. Price
5. Price

Take your pick. Any one will do.

[Richz68]

Guys, so far I like what I am hearing from you all. Your suggestions are all really good signs for us! Customer Service is the key to how we will operate. I have been in the Customer Service field for quite some time and plan to bring that expertise to the business.

Although we are a small company in the grand scale of things the pricing should be very competitive once you compare shipping & handling fees in throughout the aftermarket parts industry.

The wheel chart is something that can possibly be addressed with some programming, but in the end the customer would need to be very sharp with what he/she has concerning measurements. This is due to the hundreds of possible measurement combinations like lip to lip, wheel well width, total differential width, suspension ride height/travel, brake rotor & caliper sizes; all before you even address wheel & tire dimensions.

We are planning on some big incentives for forum members as well as offering some of you to play a key role in our business for those who feel qualify.


More details to come in August........:icon996:

[wantahertzdonut]

In regards to the tire/wheel chart, there are some already out there specific cars. I'm sure if you had a business you can probably borrow or link to some of these tire/wheel charts from your site with permission of the list's owner.

If you're planning on making one, that'll be tough. The one I'm thinking of (on dodgestang.com) for Mustangs lists the cars by year, and then what people actually have on their car along with what backspacing they used, wheel dia/width, tire width, any suspension mods (Shelby drop, tubular control arms, lowering springs) and if the car needed the fender lip rolled or not. I think there's more criteria than that but that's just what comes to mind.

Anyway my point is I'm sure there are more tire/wheel charts out there for other cars or you could start gathering information on your new company's site to build your own list. And if you use someone else's be sure to give them credit!

As for my own suggestions, I only have 2:

1) Have a section on your website listing popular parts swaps/upgrades like how to do a 4 wheel disc brake conversion, AND HAVE EVERY DETAIL WITH PART NUMBERS so we can order the parts from you. Or better yet sell a COMPLETE kit with everything one would need to do a swap. Too often you see what someone does for a swap but they leave out some major detail. Having a box arrive with every major part down to the nuts and bolts with complete instructions would be a major step forward when it comes to modifying your car. It seems like everyone out there wants to keep their setup a secret for some stupid reason. I'd happily buy from someone who spills the beans!

2) Don't just cater to Chevy guys. Nothing against them (I looked at many first gen F-body cars) but there are plenty of Ford, Pontiac, Buick, Olds, and Mopar guys modifying their classic cars.

[gen3bu]

1 - customer service and product knowledge

2 - list all the specs you can for any given part/kit

ps: i am looking for 6 piston, 14 inch front brakes for a g-body! if not a g, then a c5 might have to work!?!

kevin

[indyjps]

set up a drop shipping option. i buy a lot of parts well before hand and can wait several weeks before i need them. make drop shipping an option @ a lower cost so you dont have to stock it only sell it.

[69speed]

I would suggest taking a look at Street & Performance at hotrodlane.cc (http://www.hotrodlane.cc)(except their prices). They are pricey, but I have had a good experience with them while putting the LS1 in my 69. I didn't always use their parts because of price. Although now I kick myself 'cause it would have been so much easier. There is a ton of technical info on their site and they have instructional videos that also show what parts are available. They are more specialized than you plan to be so it may be easier for them to provide such complete technical information. I have been impressed with the customer service there, too. It has been like calling a friend for advise.

I know it sounds like it, but no I don't work for S&P :), just a satisfied customer with a car that runs now :drive:

1. Competitive price (or few find out how good your customer service is)
2. Customer service
3. Tons of Product knowledge, You can't know everything, but you can have contacts that know their piece of the puzzle inside and out. Careful of lazy customer service from your suppliers (like Wilwood).
4. Fast shipping (People can say what they want about Summit, but I know I'm getting my parts QUICK).
5. Fair return policy without a 60% restocking fee or some bs like that. It's enough hassle already to make a return without feeling like you're getting mugged.

Hope that's helpful. I look forward to your online catalogue, (worthless without pics). :icon996:

[Jim Nilsen]

Everyone here has a different level of skill and a different level of funds to do a project. I think packages that reflect both and a mix of both would be a challenge to put together but a complete package that fits a persons wallet and skill level with a completed project in a specified time frame is the key to success in what you are planning to do.

When I started my car there was nothing to go by and no parts available. My car could have been done in half of the build time and if I wouldn't have kept seeing new and better parts, the cost wouldn't have been as much because the plan would have been set instead of buying a few of them twice.

Quality is something you may not always have control of because some parts that people will want and the availabilty of quality parts just won't be there. Rear quarter panels is the best example of this I can think of . Some here have had to delay projects or buy the parts twice to get something only marginally acceptable. Knowing what a project entails and being able to inform customers of these added cost and time will be of great importance to your reputation for service.

Cost and availablity is also something you won't always have control of. Some suppliers may have parts one day and not the next for many different reasons.

It will be a long road to travel and if you do it right and don't promise more than you can control you might just be able to survive with all of your integrity . Goodluck and I am most certain that with the business knowledge available here you will always have support as long as you are willing to ask and listen. Last but not least, make sure that you are insured and incorporated so that if you lose the business you don't lose your personal life. If anyone tells you that you can still lose everything anyway they are correct up to the point of still having your own personal credit rating and after/if you lose it all you will understand how important that is.

Jim Nilsen

[ssdeuce]

Yes I think a shop like that would be great. I am new to sme of this so I need all the help I can get.

[Richz68]

Well guys I'm training today and I wanted to give you the site. We can get just about anything that the other guys can get, but you will get a personalized buying experience.

Stop bye and take a look around!

www.streetrodstuff.com



We are planning on developing a "g-Machine / Pro-Touring" site as well!



Thanks