v8ian
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,765
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Is it me, or have all the Motor Factors turned into useless Tos-ers 3 times in the last week I have been into my local factors, and drawn a blank asking for some very basic items, one being 3mm split pins for my wheel bearings. I was offered "R" clips!!!!, An equivalent to DumDum paste, a non setting assembly paste, that is ideal for sealing access covers on floors, he was trying to sell me Tiger seal adhesive, adamant it was what I needed, until I have to remove the cover for maintenance, today I asked for some 8mm clevis pins, the look I got made me think I must have grown an extra head overnight, "Whats a Clevis pin? ??" after a protracted description, Nah, none of those, try Screwfix was his answer. I thought Halfrauds was bad, my faith has been restored in Halfrauds......... Is it me or all Motor Factors going down the Pan? ??
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Atmo V8 Power . No slicks , No gas + No bits missing . Doing it in style. Austin A35van, very different------- but still doing it in style, going to be a funmoble
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Davey
Posted a lot
Resident Tyre Nerd.
Posts: 2,224
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The problem is they all employ younger people on very little pay, not enthusiatic experienced people any more. I work for a tyre supplier and i am one of few that actually knows much about what we sell.. Its a shame but its the money that causes the issue.
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K11 Micra x3 - Mk3 astra - Seat Marbella - Mk6 Escort estate - B5 Passat - Alfa 156 estate - E36 compact Mk2 MR2 T-bar - E46 328i - Skoda Superb - Fiat seicento - 6n2 Polo - 6n polo 1.6 - Mk1 GS300 EU8 civic type S - MG ZT cdti - R56 MINI Cooper S - Audi A3 8p - Jaguar XF (X250) - FN2 Civic Type R - Mk2 2.0i Ford Focus
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The one I use is pretty good IF you get the right guy serving you! All the people who work there are 40+ but this one guy, he really knows his stuff, and is really helpful. If he can't find what you need, he'll find you a good alternative. But what Davey said is right, it's down to money to an extent. That and people have no interest in learning what their jobs are about these days!
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Apr 12, 2018 10:13:47 GMT
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Most of the places over here are useless. They all use the same parts supply system it seems, and if it is not in the system they can't get it. Luckily, you can access the same system online, so I tend to have a look through and check whether they actually list what I want in advance, and if they do go in with the exact code so that they can't mess it up.
Went in one place the other day, they could sell me 20 different types of 10w40 oil at silly prices, but had no dexron III ATF other than in very expensive 1 litre bottles... No wonder online is winning. I do most of my parts shopping online. Order before 8pm, next day delivery, and generally at least 20% cheaper than the local places.
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Davey
Posted a lot
Resident Tyre Nerd.
Posts: 2,224
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Apr 12, 2018 10:23:42 GMT
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The one I use is pretty good IF you get the right guy serving you! All the people who work there are 40+ but this one guy, he really knows his stuff, and is really helpful. If he can't find what you need, he'll find you a good alternative. But what Davey said is right, it's down to money to an extent. That and people have no interest in learning what their jobs are about these days! Its a shame, i came from working in a garage which i always wanted to do, necessity forced me to change careers and this is what was available quickly at the time, its the only thing that puts me apart from those i work with and the only reason i seem to have a genuine interest in the job! Pay peanuts get monkeys as they say. Obviously there are exceptions but it seems to be a new trend.
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K11 Micra x3 - Mk3 astra - Seat Marbella - Mk6 Escort estate - B5 Passat - Alfa 156 estate - E36 compact Mk2 MR2 T-bar - E46 328i - Skoda Superb - Fiat seicento - 6n2 Polo - 6n polo 1.6 - Mk1 GS300 EU8 civic type S - MG ZT cdti - R56 MINI Cooper S - Audi A3 8p - Jaguar XF (X250) - FN2 Civic Type R - Mk2 2.0i Ford Focus
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Apr 12, 2018 10:45:05 GMT
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This thread lacks in cool old car content and is just a bit of a whinge. Maybe a better way to word it would be "Anyone got any good, genuine, knowledgeable motor factors near them any more?" something like that
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Davey
Posted a lot
Resident Tyre Nerd.
Posts: 2,224
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Apr 12, 2018 11:22:38 GMT
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Penance Imagine this delivering your parts!
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K11 Micra x3 - Mk3 astra - Seat Marbella - Mk6 Escort estate - B5 Passat - Alfa 156 estate - E36 compact Mk2 MR2 T-bar - E46 328i - Skoda Superb - Fiat seicento - 6n2 Polo - 6n polo 1.6 - Mk1 GS300 EU8 civic type S - MG ZT cdti - R56 MINI Cooper S - Audi A3 8p - Jaguar XF (X250) - FN2 Civic Type R - Mk2 2.0i Ford Focus
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,195
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Motor FactorsChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Apr 12, 2018 12:01:21 GMT
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I know exactly what you mean. Leamoco near me have become rip off central for alot of stuff, even compared to Halfords non-trade car prices! But HoTWire has a point. IMHO specialist suppliers here can be worth their weight in gold. David Manners Group were a superb bunch of people to deal with and had convenient opening hours. C3BMW are another great one; they won't just sell brand names simply because they sound good. They will sell decent and tested stuff. A few in Coventry aren't too bad which adam73bgt can point you to. The fact is this. It's not cheap or easy for motor factors to be kept running these days. I know the head of one motor factor and he's really struggling against ECP; he simply cannot buy the stuff for as cheap as ECP sell it with an offer on. Christ, even the massive Building Merchants I used to work for beginning with W used to source some stuff from ECP, which is amazing for a multinational company of that size! MPD were very helpful with my Toyota Carina as were Doctor Car Parts. I'd happily shop with either again. No old stock they're selling as a 'bargain'. Just decent parts for a reasonable cost. Dealers IME have fought back alot, or at least BMW, Porsche and Peugeot have near me. Darren at Robins & Day in Coventry is worth his weight in gold at that place. He's saved me cash in a few cases too. Yes, he probably lost a sale but he also gained a few thanks to his honesty and general work ethic . I used to sell some parts but haven't done for a while as most customers understandably are price driven and I simply cannot compete without putting alot on the line for a tough marketplace; people IME will still shop somewhere it is cheap even if the parts are questionable and the customer service non-existant/terrible. Maybe one day I'll take it more seriously. The truth is this. If you like your local factors and they get you out of the curse word keep shopping with them. Yes, they can be a little more expensive, but shop overheads don't pay themselves. But, let's have some shots . Where ECP began:
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Apr 12, 2018 14:01:42 GMT
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ChasR is correct - the whole parts supply business has changed and is forcing alot of motor factors out of business and those that hang on are having to save costs paying low wages and not attracting knowledgeable people.
I work for a massive teir 1 parts OEM and I can tell you the industry has become ruthless. There are the big parts suppliers such as ECP, Andrew Page etc. who approach manufactures like us and demand we sell at ridiculously low prices for in return high quantity purchases. Their bargaining chip is that they have so many outlets and also supply to alot of the main car dealers, so a manufacture would be mad not to sell to them. The margin places like ECP make is unreal and they save further costs by employing unknowledgeable staff. Have you also noticed how aggressive their delivery drivers are? - times money!
The big factors have the industry sewn up. They supply to other motor shops including Halfreuds, main dealers, and general public, and like the energy companies, don't really care who they squash in the process or giving that personal customer care.
I would say there are a few independents that doing ok and need support from the public. Some of these do buy directly from OEMs and therefore also have their specialist knowledge. Then there are those places for generic items such as wiring, paint or upholstery. They too need supporting. Getting parts for some prestige brands that don't appear in the general scrap yard can be difficult because i know some specialist breakers mop up every crashed expensive car in the country, however alot of these places also have vast knowledge of what they are dealing with and some guarantee the parts they sell.
Finally, finding out information on how to fix your car has never been so available. Gone are the days where you scratch your head with a Haynes Manual and then shuffle down the local motor store to ask their opinion. Today you have place like this and Youtube ready to help you. all you have to do is source the parts from all over the world - another modern advantage. Chin up guys.
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Apr 12, 2018 15:20:52 GMT
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Its not just factors either, parts staff in my local ford dealership are next to useless! The factor we use most are pretty good and to be fair the fella on the counter at our local Euros is pretty good too, but thats because he ran his own independent for years beforehand.
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Its not broken, its resting! Max signature image height: 80px
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Motor FactorsMercdan68
@forddan68
Club Retro Rides Member 68
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Apr 12, 2018 15:43:22 GMT
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Its not just factors either, parts staff in my local ford dealership are next to useless! The factor we use most are pretty good and to be fair the fella on the counter at our local Euros is pretty good too, but thats because he ran his own independent for years beforehand. Yep I find euros locally great You must know Nick great guy knows his stuff Older stuff from most factors can be difficult explaining to a lad of 17!!!
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Fraud owners club member 1999 Jaguar s type 1993 ford escort
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Apr 12, 2018 16:04:52 GMT
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I have got a great one near me , In 2 Motorfactors .
I'm probably 15-20 minutes from a Halfords and dislike using them anyway as they really do not have much for a older car . If i want paint or filler etc well in advance i would rather order it as they are very expensive now - i suppose that was there plan all along as they used to see all sorts at reasonable prices . Now most of the small places have gone they almost have a monopoly or do for the avarage motorist .
Anyway , my local is proper old place thats rammed with stuff up to the ceiling . Its nice talking to someone who actually knows his stuff and i am prepared to pay the extra bit to have the convenience and knowledge locally .
Nice to know if i start something and do not have the tool i can get one if the car is in bits and am not stranded .
I say support your local motor factor - its worth paying the little more for the service . If we do not use them they will be gone and they will not come back !
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benzine
Part of things
Posts: 333
Club RR Member Number: 87
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Motor Factorsbenzine
@benzine
Club Retro Rides Member 87
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Apr 12, 2018 17:22:04 GMT
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My local independent factors is amazing. They often have stuff in that I need in stock or can get it very quickly. The best part is the old stuff they have in stock. I got a sierra throttle cable for my kit car which was under the front window covered in about 4mm of dust. They have some stuff up on the walls that's been there for decades, like a seat belt alarm! The haynes manuals there are a little out dated, can't see many of these selling!
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Its not just factors either, parts staff in my local ford dealership are next to useless! The factor we use most are pretty good and to be fair the fella on the counter at our local Euros is pretty good too, but thats because he ran his own independent for years beforehand. Yep I find euros locally great You must know Nick great guy knows his stuff Older stuff from most factors can be difficult explaining to a lad of 17!!! Yep, Nick is the only one we will deal with down there. SMF are pretty good too to be fair.
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Its not broken, its resting! Max signature image height: 80px
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Apr 13, 2018 10:17:51 GMT
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OMG that haynes manual selection is my idea of heaven!!!
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Apr 13, 2018 11:31:20 GMT
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Apr 13, 2018 12:57:40 GMT
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I switched from my local factor to ECP after a couple of "We'll have it tomorrow for you" incidents where they didn't, and didn't really give a ****, and another where their computer system was down and the two lads behind the counter were running themselves ragged doing everything manually. Not their fault and probably couldn't be helped but the manager was outside washing his car instead of helping, and the guys who answer the phones were having a brew and finding the whole thing hilarious.
I always got the impression that they regarded counter sales to Joe Public where you are just spending a few quid as a PITA so I took my custom elsewhere. I have zero-patience when it comes to queuing and if it appears that you don't give a monkey's about said queue I will just walk out and never go back. ECP always have what they say they have, don't quibble about returns, and are polite and friendly.
There used to be a brilliant engineering supplies place locally for split pins, drill bits and assorted bits and bobs but my few quid a year wasn't enough to keep them going. There used to be several Motorists Discount type places who would happily pull you out of the mire (breaking open gasket sets to sell you the inlet gasket and so on) but these days they are either gone or like a mini Halfords with very little by way of parts.
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Jaguar S-Type 3.0 SE
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,195
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Motor FactorsChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Apr 13, 2018 13:19:58 GMT
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This thread in a strange way may have given me the kick I needed regarding a previous point. Stay tuned.
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Apr 13, 2018 13:42:04 GMT
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My local one is really good, as is the local Jim Barrow depot. Always gives good service and a good discount.
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Apr 13, 2018 14:25:08 GMT
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Still not enough cool rides guys.. Here have a cool Street Rod!
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96 E320 W210 Wafter - on 18" split Mono's - Sold :-( 10 Kia Ceed Sportwagon - Our new daily 03 Import Forester STi - Sold 98 W140 CL500 AMG - Brutal weekend bruiser! Sold :-( 99 E240 S210 Barge - Now sold 02 Accord 2.0SE - wife's old daily - gone in PX 88 P100 2.9efi Custom - Sold
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