Demand for an online parts website

rockyridgefarm · May 17, 2004

Both JDParts and Chrysler's are browser based. They are plenty fast.

The real issue is that they are always up to date and are tied directly into inventory and ordering systems. Not only can I look up a part, but I can price it and check inventory. Local based systems rely on media updates that are always delayed and costly to maintain.

The real time systems have had another advantage. The manufacturer can alert the users on particular pats application issues. We had a situation that a part for a new vehicle was specified, but the real problem was elsewhere. The system warned that the other condition should be resolved before ordering this part. This was on a brand new model, and there is no way that local based system would have been updated quick enough to catch this.

The cost savings are so great that the manufacturers cannot ignore the web based parts systems.

GregJ · May 17, 2004

Whoaa..... Thanks Rockyridge... I guess maybe I had better take the time to view their tutorial on "How to use JDparts". I thought I was smart enough to figure it out on my own...... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Greg

CMunger · May 17, 2004

If buying parts are so easy, why was there ever a need for a partsman. Go to a libary, look the part up, go and get your part, just like you would buy grocerys, simple.
I know this is a trend(on line parts buying) and it does have it's merrits, and may be fine for key switchs, gauges, etc., but I do not think they have developed a computer that can answer a question. Alot of shopping is done on the internet, but how many people (raise your hands), finally end up calling the company they wish to purchase the part from.
Chuck M.

rockyridgefarm · May 17, 2004

Smart? What in the world does that have to do with it?!!!

You need a login. Once you log in, click on the Parts Manual on the left. Then click on the Model Search. I do best by Sectional searches, but sometimes alphabetic does better.

Neil, if you haven't already checked out JDParts, you should. I know that Deere is only a HugeMarketingMonster, but before you do a tonna work, jut to be mothballed, you better see what the orange and Blue guys are gonna be doing soon.

uhmgawa · May 17, 2004

( Selling general parts on-line may not be the best option. Non-professional ( sorry guys ) users often have an idea of what they need, but usually like the one-on-one conversation at the counter to gain knowledge and advice.)

Perhaps in an ideal world. However the 'clerks' at my local dealer can't
do more than order a part based upon the manufacturer's PN. Ask them if
it is a JIC or SAE fitting and you get a blank stare. The most effective
measure here is an educated owner (professional or otherwise).

rockyridgefarm · May 17, 2004

I live 60 minutes from any parts counter. I can look up parts at my place, and then check inventories, before I head out. The part may be in stock at a dealer to the south, but I would have to order it if I go west.

MikePA · May 17, 2004

Selling general parts on-line may not be the best option. 
IMHO, the point isn't whether or not a manufacturer ends up selling parts online or not. The manufacturers need to develop computer systems that tie parts, to inventory, to sales, to accounts receivable, to accounts payable, etc. Too many manufacturers have simply gone to electronic versions of a parts catalog, e.g., sending a new CD to the dealers every month or are using a CD instead of microfiche. While this does reduce mailing costs, it does little else. Many a time I've gone to my dealer to order a part, and the guy behind the counter has brought their application with a picture and said, "You mean that part?" as they pointed to the screen.

Such interactions between customers and dealers could be eliminated which would free the dealer up for the more consultative interactions and/or other revenue generating activities.

A properly designed software product would allow the dealer to specify which portions of this application are made available to the customers via the web. One way for dealers to increase profit without raising prices is to transfer the work from the person behind the counter to the customer. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

MessickFarmEqu · May 17, 2004

I have used JDParts before, infact we use it here to order parts when we fix their tractors. Its a slick system, but it defentialy takes their cash flow to put that kinda thing together. That kinda system is fine for online access for customers, but like I said, its way to slow for parts counter use. We would have to hire extra people if we had the response times that JD parts has (we have 8 now). The media based systems still recieve the same kind of updates that the web based ones do. We have connections (frame relay and DSL) to the manufacturers where we get the kind of updates you where talking about.

If I persue this I think i will stay away from anything that requires catalog type access. Like everyone is saying, its not a substitute for a parts counter. Consumable parts probably have a market but I don't see much beyond that being very cost effective.

I used to work for an IBM business partner doing these web based applications. They are great for giving public access. The drawback is that they are crazy slow and huge resource hogs on your servers. And yes... now I sell tractors

How is that for a carear change.

rockyridgefarm · May 17, 2004

Thats too bad, Chrysers is far faster than the Bell+Howell system we replaced. We ran them side by side. The older systems didn't have up to date supercedences... We get the correct part much faster, now. JDParts is just a fast as far as I can see...

yellowsocks93 · May 17, 2004

The only time at work I see JD parts being slow is due to our way outdated parts computers. They don't even have CD ROMs installed and they are old. If we had a decent internet connection and the latest John Deere Information Systems software it would be good. I too like the inventory checker at home it is really nice they have that so then I know if I will have to wait a day or 2 for my part. Some of the parts we get come from my area here in Minnesota. Bloomington to be exact.

F_22 · May 18, 2004

I buy parts, supplies, and accessories everywhere but my NH dealer. Why? NH and their dealers are not online. Pointing and clicking sure beats having to take off work (NH dealers are not open weekends nor evenings) and driving 45 minutes one way. The only time I patronize NH is when I can't get something anywhere else. As for service, the counter guys know less than I do and I usually have to help them.

JD's excellent online system will figure into my next tractor purchase in about a year or so. Time to join the 21st century, NH! Any dealer that strikes out online on their own will make a killing in my opinion.

MikePA · May 19, 2004

NH dealers are not open weekends nor evenings 
Not true of all of them. Mine is open Saturday mornings.

MessickFarmEqu · May 19, 2004

Yea we are too

We also have a 24 hour number. I feel your pain though.

I am starting to put togehter some ideas here. Depending on what this winter holds I might get my butt in gear and do somthing. Its still up in the air though.

BXRICK · May 19, 2004

In general, I prefer buying online, all else being equal. As previous posters have said, a few clicks is a lot easier than driving to a dealer.

I do, however, think the "which types of parts to carry online" question needs some thought. It seems to me that there are several broad categories of parts (obviously with some overlap):

- Comsumable parts. Filters, belts, etc. These parts work well online, since the need for them is usually known in advance for scheduled maintenance, and owners don't mind buying a few extra, since they will use them eventually. The problem here is competition for commodity parts. What can you offer than no other online parts service offer? And, as is seen here on TBN, a lot of these types of parts have local (NAPA, Wix, etc) equivalents that are cheaper/just as easy to obtain as the manufacturer's part. Maybe offering the equivalents online (with a good cross-reference system) would be the ticket?

- Emergency repair parts. Parts that break (as opposed to wear out) infrequently, but when they do, the tractor is out of commission until the new part is obtained. The problem with these parts is that owners won't want to stock up on these parts, and (assuming a decent inventory) a dealer can get the parts to the owner immediately, whereas an online service will force the owner to wait at least overnight. Price is not a major advantage here, since owners will likely pay a (slight) premium to get the tractor running again within hours instead of days.

- Major overhaul/restoration parts. These parts could work well online, since the tractor is already torn apart, likely for "known ahead of time" service.

So, I think it's worth thinking about what types of parts you would offer, and what you can offer regarding those parts that other online services (including the manufacturers') cannot (or don't) offer.

As I mentioned above, it might be worth considering offering aftermarket consumables with an easy-to-use cross-reference system. There have been an awful lot of posts about what Wix filter matches a Kubota <fill in the blank>. I don't know if the tractor brands you carry "allow" you to do this, however.

Anyway, food for thought.

Rick

AndyMA · May 19, 2004

(
Perhaps in an ideal world. However the 'clerks' at my local dealer can't
do more than order a part based upon the manufacturer's PN. Ask them if
it is a JIC or SAE fitting and you get a blank stare. The most effective
measure here is an educated owner (professional or otherwise).
)

Fortunately that is not the case at my NH/Kubota dealer. The parts people are well trained and about as far from clerks as you can get. In fact the owner fo the business runs parts and has a General Manager to run sales and ervice.

Andy

MessickFarmEqu · May 19, 2004

The issue with other filter options has always confused me. I would think that people would be looking for a better quality filter than the OEM's, not a cheaper lesser filter. Most people never do their maintance when they should anyway, why not pay the extra $2 to cover your butt. I don't have sourcing right now for cheaper, non OEM filters. I do however have fleetguard which makes a more premium line. I thought this might do well, but am I wrong?

BXRICK · May 19, 2004

No, you're not wrong - I didn't write quite what I meant.

The idea about an easy way to identify/order non-OEM filters doesn't require that the non-OEM filters (or other parts) be cheaper.

The idea was centered more around the ability to quickly and accurately identify which filters cross to the OEM filters, and order them from a web site.

Of course, I'm not sure how to solve the problem of using your site to identify the correct Wix (for instance) filter, and then stopping on the way home to pick it up, rather than ordering it from you and waiting a day or two.

While I'm hardly an expert, I think in general that to succeed selling on the web, you (or anyone) must offer something different/better. Otherwise, what you offer becomes a commodity, and in the commodity world, the lowest price wins every time, ratcheting down margins until no one is actually making money.

This follows with the discussions that occur frequently on this site regarding buying from dealer A or dealer B. Even if dealer B's price is a bit higher, service down the roard counts for a lot and should therefore be considered in the buying decision. If all dealers offerred the exact same service, then all buying decisions would be based only on price. Dealers vary in levels and quality of service, so there is more to consider than price.

On the web, you're competing (whether in service or on price) with a lot more people than just the other dealers in your area.

Another angle might be to look at a web-based service for your local customers as a value-add to buying from you as opposed to your local competitors. I don't have any ideas in this area, though. I'm also not sure about the cost/benefit of this, since it would be potentially serving many ferwer customers.

Would anyone be interested in a service (maybe for a small fee) that emailed relevant manufacturer service bulletins to them as soon as they come out? Again, not sure how the manufacturers feel about this.

Just throwing stuff out there...

Rick

CMunger · May 19, 2004

Does anyone know how many companies make filters anymore?
I think we might be surprised on how few. Wix makes Napa. Fleetgard, very high quality, OE to Cummins and may own part of the company, when these companies get behind they farm out to there competitors. The thing that bothers me about filters is everyone is bitching about price because some filter cost 2 dollars less, and they are protecting a 5,000 dollar engine. Its easy to have somone to check gasket size and threads and if it spins on and is cheaper, buy it. Chuck M.