What Makes a Good Parts Company?

There are a lot of part suppliers out, and I have been around the block for more years than I care to admit. For me, it’s about service and relationships. We all get frustrated from time to time about part quality, deliveries, pricing, etc. In the end I want to know that I have someone I can talk to, one on one, to help with key issues. In my area, no other parts company qualifies under this criteria than CARQUEST. They do deliver (sorry for the pun).

I would like to know what other shop owners value from their suppliers.

There are a lot of part suppliers out, and I have been around the block for more years than I care to admit. For me, it’s about service and relationships. We all get frustrated from time to time about part quality, deliveries, pricing, etc. In the end I want to know that I have someone I can talk to, one on one, to help with key issues. In my area, no other parts company qualifies under this criteria than CARQUEST. They do deliver (sorry for the pun).

I would like to know what other shop owners value from their suppliers.

We deal with NAPA and CARQUEST, both have good programs and prices about the same. CARQUEST has an edge over speed of service and service in general. I like dealing with the CARQUEST store, they are a bit nicer to deal with and more freindly, it makes life a little easier to take, some days are real tough, any ray of sunshine is appreciated.

My choice is either Advance auto Parts or Oreilly Auto parts. Nearest Carquest is over 20 miles away and the napa is about 10 miles. The Oreilly's has been the best to me. The relationship goes a long way to cover any problems and since I spend more money at that store than anyone else, it also gives a few advantages.

They all have their moments with quality,and service is definitely important. Most of the suppliers in my area are great to work with, but ultimately it comes down to inventory. I need them to have what I need in stock, or be able to get it quickly. The best prices and service in the world don't help if they don't have what I need when I need it.

We're a Napa Auto Care center, and use mostly NAPA parts, but we also deal with O'Reilly's, Advance, and Autozone.

I ask for the truth and best price up front. Please ask me any questions as needed so you don't send me the first design when i need the second design. Please check the parts in the dirty opened/taped up box before you send it to me..

My favorite vendor is a local independent warehouse group who took on NAPA about 18 months ago. There are things I like better before they were NAPA and something I like better since they are NAPA but I would rate them #1 for our market. At various times AZ, Advanced and O'Reilly have all been good but it depends upon the store manager and the lead commercial person. The problem with the discounters is they have all replaced good people with incompetent people at times. O'Reilly bought out one of good independents a few years ago and we used OR as our #1 but after they were well established in the market they jacked prices on us and they are often our most expensive vendor now.

There are a lot of part suppliers out, and I have been around the block for more years than I care to admit. For me, it’s about service and relationships. We all get frustrated from time to time about part quality, deliveries, pricing, etc. In the end I want to know that I have someone I can talk to, one on one, to help with key issues. In my area, no other parts company qualifies under this criteria than CARQUEST. They do deliver (sorry for the pun).

I would like to know what other shop owners value from their suppliers.

I would have to say our top supplier is worldpac, best parts , delivery , price , quality etc.. second would be parts authority . napa and carquest tied for third, sorry but dont see much in high quality from those 2 , dont care about price at all, quality matters most. want to do job 1 time only!!

jeff