I would by an item that must be backordered, but tell me in the advertisement.

Premier online stores such as Lands End charge when shipped. Excellent business model.

 

Yea, see to me where I take my car has nothing to do with poplularity. My local shop takes good care of me, treats me right, does good work and is a short ride away. Which is what matters, not popularity. Now if they were a bad shop that would be another thing, but there not so my loyalty is to that shop.

 

Lands End is a huge corporation though. You can't really compare to a local shop who isn't on the same cash flow. On the whole, the wholesale parts business does not operate on Net terms like the rest of the business world. Most places want cash up front. If a shop is reputable, is it too much to ask to pay when you order?

 

Good to hear that someone is loyal to a place.

 

Unfortunately local tuner shops with extensive Z/G experience are not that common (at least where I live), so I will be relying on regional shops (Forged for ex).

 

I price all. then go with the lowest price that is known for quality and service. service and treating a customer like he is a customer is worth quite a bit in my opinion.

 

+1

I'm luck enough to live 15 minutes from a good shop too. Some say i'm being a punk not doing my own installs but whatever. I can afford to be a lazy punk, that and i know my car is in good hands.

 

I pick my Vendors based on their knowledge, I have no insecurities, I want them smarter than me. I have most the answers but not all the answers.

On the other hand, If I know the product and know it well, I will go price if there is a SUBSTANTIAL difference. I will give them a part # and a check and expect the product to be delivered immediatly with no BS. I wont be looking to make friends, I want service and I want it now.

But I NEVER burn bridges. I never walk in to a Auto Zone, I go Napa for example and my Napa has wicked Knowledge. Plus, if I burn up an Ignition Module cuz I fuced up, they replace it and make the excuses to their supplier.

Competent knowledge at your finger tips (fone) on ANY subject, is worth a few bucks any day.

 

+1.

I've ordered most of my performace mods thru Forged Perf in ATL and they're doing my installs as well. They aren't the cheapest on the planet, but Sharif & Team definitely know their stuff... Especially when it comes to the finer points of Z's & G's, so to me it's worth it to support them. Their knowledge & workmanship = priceless. You get what you pay for (within reason).

 

Right, that's why supporting local places will help.

 

I congratulate you on that.

 

I agree with most of your points except e. A lot of times those "call for best price" type things are so that the vendor remains in good standing with the company who's product they are selling. This is called minimum advertised price, I know that's why a lot of the vendors on here with things such as volks require a PM. If they advertise below a certain amount they can get in trouble, and possibly lose that product.

For me it comes down to a mix of pricing, customer service, knowledge and reputation. I would be willing to pay more for a product if I were dealing with people who made customer service a priority, knew the product they were selling, and don't sell you something just to line their wallet. I've known a few people who have gone to a shop, told them their plans for their car and then the shop either through ignorance, or just wanting to pad their wallets sold them something they didn't need or wouldn't play well with their setup.

With that being said, I would prefer a local shop, because of the ease of the transaction and the ability to pop in for questions. But if I can get better service, knowledge and customer service from another shop that isn't local then they will win my business and I'd be willing to pay more for a product, and deal with any potential problems that may arrise from a non-local shop.

 

I was thinking something like a random ebay vendor. Just any shop that hasn't really built up reputation.

 

The problem wiht local z shops is there are none! lol. In houston all we have his SGP (whose booked for like 8 years) and Kyle(whos pretty far from me). But to answer your question i'd much rather buy from those places than some random ebay store.

 

It's good that people want to buy from locals if possible.

The thing that people have to realize is that in order to stay in business, the local shops can't always ***** out parts like internet only places do. People have to be willing to pay more if they want to have a local place in their neighborhood.

 

If I have a relationship with a shop, a couple dollars difference will not make a difference. I go to CarV2 for everything I can because they have treated me well even though I don't spend $$$ there and their shop is PRISTINE. but if we are talking a hundred + difference, I will always ask a shop if they can get their price closer, but if they can't....

Same with dealerships, I try to give love to only one at a time (I am very monogamous) to the parts and service dept cause they get to know your car.

 

I applaud you.

 

what happens when the local shops are dicks or inexperienced idiots? I will not support a local shop just because they are local. When I call, or see them at meets and have questions I don't like to be brushed off (not that anyone has) all the times I've seen Julian (MRC) or James (CarV2) at meets they are super friendly and willing to catch you up on the developments in the shop scene.

I tend to buy most of my stuff used, cause alot of the time I end up not being happy with it so I don't feel as bad if I didn't pay too much for something.

 

is it really that uncommon? all the guys in my local car club tend to be loyal.

 

I understand that no one is going to buy from any place that is not going to take care of the customer. Now inexperience is somethng else. Not every shop that opens up will have 20 years of experience. Every big shop was small once. Every tech/mechanic that might be considered great now, was a noob once. There has to be some sort customer support as well.