Reason #41,782 why stealerships suck

[Vandelay Industries]

I need a new lower door hinge for my Grand Cherokee so I figured I'd see if any of the local dealers had one on the shelf.

Parts guy at Jeep dealer 1: "What's the VIN? I can't look anything up without a VIN."

Seriously? I don't have it memorized, I'll have to call you back.

Parts guy at Jeep dealer 2: Just kidding, no parts guy answered...it went to voice mail.

Less than 3 minutes later after checking Rock Auto and Mopar sites I had a part number and found the hinge on Amazon for the same price with free shipping.

So glad I wasted time trying to do business locally.

#stealerships suck
#thread of the year

[ptindall]

If you keep an insurance card in your wallet, it has the VIN.

Amazon is the way I'm buying most car parts these days. I would prefer to buy local, but the price difference is too much to ignore.

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by ptindall

If you keep an insurance card in your wallet, it has the VIN.

Amazon is the way I'm buying most car parts these days. I would prefer to buy local, but the price difference is too much to ignore.

How's the quality? Is it cheap chinese made crap or is it really cheap chinese made crap?

[Egnalf]

FYI, some/many jeep latches or hinges are made by Southco or Fairchild. If you know what you want, sometimes you can find them on zoro or other online stores for cheap.

[Vandelay Industries]

Originally Posted by ptindall

If you keep an insurance card in your wallet, it has the VIN.

Amazon is the way I'm buying most car parts these days. I would prefer to buy local, but the price difference is too much to ignore.

We don't have ins cards in MA, so no go there. a while later I realized I coul've pulled the vehicle file from the cabinet next to my desk and the VIN would be in there. But WTF is up with needing it for all lookups?

[Vandelay Industries]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

How's the quality? Is it cheap chinese made crap or is it really cheap chinese made crap?

The part I ordered is genuine MOPAR, so it's guaranteed to be crap.

[Vandelay Industries]

Originally Posted by Egnalf

FYI, some/many jeep latches or hinges are made by Southco or Fairchild. If you know what you want, sometimes you can find them on zoro or other online stores for cheap.

Gonna check them out.

[Egnalf]

Originally Posted by Vandelay Industries

Gonna check them out.

I only know this as a friend was in charge of global manufacturing for southco, and also a jeep lover/owner. He used to love talking about how he was in charge of making parts for his jeeps.

[ptindall]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

How's the quality? Is it cheap chinese made crap or is it really cheap chinese made crap?

Just depends I guess. Latest things I've ordered were MOOG steering parts. I assume those are at least as good as the Duralast parts that literally cost twice as much at Autozone. Sometimes you can find quality OEM parts or name brand parts on Amazon. Other times not.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

How's the quality? Is it cheap chinese made crap or is it really cheap chinese made crap?

I bought a vacuum check valve for my '76 off of Amazon.
It was sold by and shipped by Corvette Central.
OEM replacement part, same as all the Corvette/Hot Rod shops have.
Napa/Auto Zone/Advance Parts don't carry the part.
Doesn't say on the package where its made, but its an officially GM Licensed OEM product.

Amazon price was $3.00 less than Corvette Central, and included free shipping (Prime acct).
Corvette Central wanted $8.50 for shipping.
Why any company does this stuff is crazy (cheaper prices at Amazon).

Also got my radio cheaper from Jegs, than I could have got it from the manufacturer (US made) Free shipping too.

[Rodnok1]

I have no problem paying a premium of reasonable amount(percentage) to keep local parts stores open.. However when I can get 50% off or more buying off Amazon or Rock I buy there.
For the same or cheaper that local place gets for knockoff whitebox junk you get quality online. Money is money. Plus since local places stock virtually nothing and I have to order everything by going to the store... What's the point. I save gas money and time of 2 trips to the store.

[markids77]

Originally Posted by Vandelay Industries

We don't have ins cards in MA, so no go there. a while later I realized I coul've pulled the vehicle file from the cabinet next to my desk and the VIN would be in there. But WTF is up with needing it for all lookups?

True story... I work parts at a large equipment dealership, and I looked up parts for an asphalt roller today where the serial number group on this particular machine was only 4 machines in total. Above or below those 4 units required a different parts book.

Another tidbit... In this age of rapidly changing emissions policies combined with manufacturers sourcing parts wherever they happen to be available as production progresses our major product line recommends inputting the entire machine serial number to the part software instead of a simple model designation... SUPPOSEDLY... this will bring me to only the portion of the catalog which deals with that specific unit; so the Jeep guy was possibly telling the truth about getting no info from his software without the VIN.

[outrunm]

The local BMW parts dept does the same shit. They wouldn't sell me weathertech floormats for my daughter's car without the VIN.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by outrunm

The local BMW parts dept does the same shit. They wouldn't sell me weathertech floormats for my daughter's car without the VIN.

Www.Weathertech.com

[markids77]

Originally Posted by outrunm

The local BMW parts dept does the same shit. They wouldn't sell me weathertech floormats for my daughter's car without the VIN.

That's probably a different deal... they likely track customer purchases that way so they can fine tune their inventory, and also so they can recommend other accessories on later service tickets.

[Vandelay Industries]

Originally Posted by markids77

True story... I work parts at a large equipment dealership, and I looked up parts for an asphalt roller today where the serial number group on this particular machine was only 4 machines in total. Above or below those 4 units required a different parts book.

Another tidbit... In this age of rapidly changing emissions policies combined with manufacturers sourcing parts wherever they happen to be available as production progresses our major product line recommends inputting the entire machine serial number to the part software instead of a simple model designation... SUPPOSEDLY... this will bring me to only the portion of the catalog which deals with that specific unit; so the Jeep guy was possibly telling the truth about getting no info from his software without the VIN.

I don't doubt that the dealer's parts software would require it, but it seems like a solution in search of a problem.

My Jeep is a 2015, and there looks to be one part number for multiple years. In my opinion it's to make the customer jump through unnecessary hoops just to initiate a lookup.

[markids77]

Originally Posted by Vandelay Industries

I don't doubt that the dealer's parts software would require it, but it seems like a solution in search of a problem.

My Jeep is a 2015, and there looks to be one part number for multiple years. In my opinion it's to make the customer jump through unnecessary hoops just to initiate a lookup.

Actually it is the solution to the problem. The VIN is the "fingerprint" or birth certificate for your vehicle. Having the VIN makes the parts guy's life simpler so it is much more likely you will get the correct part the first time, and isn't that what's really important to you as a customer? I have parts catalogs where there are as many as 9 or 10 different engine build specifications over the life of a model. I would much rather "inconvenience" you with telling me exactly what machine you have than deal with pissing you off if you happen to get the wrong part because I guessed "they are all the same". 30 years selling this manufacturer's parts... even back then they were not "all the same".

[Vandelay Industries]

Originally Posted by markids77

Actually it is the solution to the problem. The VIN is the "fingerprint" or birth certificate for your vehicle. Having the VIN makes the parts guy's life simpler so it is much more likely you will get the correct part the first time, and isn't that what's really important to you as a customer? I have parts catalogs where there are as many as 9 or 10 different engine build specifications over the life of a model. I would much rather "inconvenience" you with telling me exactly what machine you have than deal with pissing you off if you happen to get the wrong part because I guessed "they are all the same". 30 years selling this manufacturer's parts... even back then they were not "all the same".

Huh? Nobody's asking for a guess. If there is an item that varies by VIN or SN, you ask for additional info. The vast majority of parts don't require it.

It reminds me of the meme of a guy answering the phone at Auto Zone. "You need an air freshener? For what car?"

[markids77]

[QUOTE=Vandelay Industries;1973223]Huh? Nobody's asking for a guess. If there is an item that varies by VIN or SN, you ask for additional info. The vast majority of parts don't require it.

It reminds me of the meme of a guy answering the phone at Auto Zone. "You need an air freshener? For what car?"[

We're too far apart in terminology to continue to discuss. I do strongly suggest if you need something like spark plugs, a muffler or perhaps even a cabin filter for that Jeep you have the VIN available to avoid disappointment. Peace, out.

[Vandelay Industries]

[quote=markids77;1973224]

Originally Posted by Vandelay Industries

Huh? Nobody's asking for a guess. If there is an item that varies by VIN or SN, you ask for additional info. The vast majority of parts don't require it.

It reminds me of the meme of a guy answering the phone at Auto Zone. "You need an air freshener? For what car?"[

We're too far apart in terminology to continue to discuss. I do strongly suggest if you need something like spark plugs, a muffler or perhaps even a cabin filter for that Jeep you have the VIN available to avoid disappointment. Peace, out.

I've spent my share of time behind parts counters.