What you get from the experts.

[Sasquatch4100]

Everyone likes to save money, especially me! But sometimes if you spend a few extra dollars you can get some invaluable advice and fantastic service.

I'm still collecting parts to put a 3spool valve on my JD4100 for TNT and an Aux function. I already have all the major comps such as the spool valve and cylinders. I just need the hoses and fittings. Then I'll be able to fab it all up and get rocking!

Had a conversation with a customer about what you get for your money and don't realize it this morning. Such as advice and specials you might not get if you don't have a good relationship with local professionals. I work a lot with hydraulics and am very knowledgeable about fittings, hoses etc, but after that talk with the customer I thought maybe I should hit up my local supplier to get a better handle and design up my hose set up.

So, I went in and got everything laid out and bought what was in stock and ordered what wasn't. He thought I needed everything asap and was going to charge me freight, and I said, Uh uh. Don't need the stuff that bad, just add them to your stock order. I still get them fast (within a week) and I save 18 bucks on shipping! FYI, it's a good tip. Some shops try to get you what you want fast and don't realize you can wait. They're just trying to help, but beware. Anyways, sure they charge a bit more than I could get them online cheaper, but the guy went out of his way to make sure my set up was as simple as possible and tough too. He was full of suggestions even a pro like me didn't think of. I'm going to end up with a nice streamline set up and not some spaghetti monster of hoses routed everywhere. Haha!

Anyways just my :2cents:I thought I'd share. Plus it's nice to help out the local shops if possible.

 

[mfreund]

I agree, it seems the older I get the more it rings true....and I was so sure I knew it all at 18!

 

[davygp38]

I have to agree. I find that I am better off getting a pro to do some things that I would have done myself when I was a younger man. It turns out to be cheaper in the long run, and much better.

 

[FredH]

Regarding shipping on parts , I do that all the time at my local Freightliner dealer when needing something they are out of or do not carry . Their order goes in Tuesday morning and everything ships from Reno , NV. that night and is in Medford Wednesday afternoon . So unless it is a "Must Have " or truck does not run , it comes via their regular weekly inventory shipment .

Fred H.

 

[Zebrafive]

If my local dealer does not have what I want in stock they always ask if I need it fast or if it can be put on a stock order.

 

[teg]

....I'm going to end up with a nice streamline set up and not some spaghetti monster of hoses routed everywhere...

Wow, that hit close to home!!! I resemble that remark... at least my tractor does!!!

Very true what you said but I didn't have a shop to go to I would have changed mine to be more streamline... but since I didn't know what I was doing. I decided to buy a few extra parts here and there. In the end, I don't care what it looks like... just very happy that it works :thumbsup:

 

[Sasquatch4100]

Wow, that hit close to home!!! I resemble that remark... at least my tractor does!!!

Very true what you said but I didn't have a shop to go to I would have changed mine to be more streamline... but since I didn't know what I was doing. I decided to buy a few extra parts here and there. In the end, I don't care what it looks like... just very happy that it works :thumbsup:

LOL! Haha. My stuff was like that when I was younger and didn't know of all the other do dads (and was to poor to do it right!) I could use to make it sleek and professional. When I do that now I just think of all the "Stock" I'm building up for future projects.

Sometimes you have to piece stuff together like that. Work with what ya got. I'm in the boonies and when it comes to getting things on the weekend, it'll take your whole day to get the part, forget it on sunday. God knows I've been out in the boonies on a job and had to do some funny "adapting" of fittings to make things work.

 

[muddstopper]

I guess my biggest complaint when dealing with the saleperson is them not knowing what they are talking about. Many a time I have tried to buy a fitting or hose and they not have the exact right part in stock. When this happens, they are always trying to cobble a bunch of parts together, at twice the price of the part I need, just to sell me something. Many a time I have just had to stop and tell them, Look, why would I want to buy all this stuff and piece it together, its going to look like crap, create more places for leaks, and cost me more than if I just order the part I need. I usually run into this problem at places like Lowes or Homedepot, but I have also had this problem at part stores as well.

A good point was also made about letting them know you can wait on the part if needed. Freight can now cost more than the part being ordered, if you can wait a day or two on your parts, it can pay to have patience. On a belt I needed, the belt cost $20, next day delivery (UPS), was $60, total cost of part, $80. Flat rate shipping at USPS was $4.95, got part in two days instead of one, saved $55.

 

[Sasquatch4100]

I completely agree with you on the majority of shops having un knowledgeable staff. Mainly the big box auto stores, even napa and car quest occasionally.

Luckily being a prof mechanic I know the places to avoid. I still hit the box stores, but make sure I've previously looked up the part or insure the clerk has the right thing.

Shipping has gotten crazy. A 2 dollar part with standard shipping turns into 15 bucks.:thumbdown:

 

[doxford jim]

Have to agree on the costs of shipping for the parts purchased.

I recently (7 months ago) needed some parts for my Chinese tractor and initially purchased them in the USA (I live in Canada). The vender insisted I ship through UPS - cost =$80. By the time the part reached Canada, UPS wanted another $100 plus before they would release and deliver the parts. The parts cost me around $150 to buy ! Adding insult to injury, UPS was supposed to have a one week delivery service and I was only informed of my package arriving in Canada, after five weeks had passed.

Long story short, I cancelled my order with the vendor and notified the credit card company and asked to have the charges (cost) removed. The card company, after learning of my situation, readily agreed to my request. Six months later I still have not been charged for the parts I didn't receive. UPS now has an unclaimed package floating around their storage facilities unless the original vendor paid UPS the $100 they wanted - which I doubt.

The good part is because of the no show through UPS, I searched and found another dealer in Canada that ordered the part I needed, from China and had it it Canada within five days. Including shipping, air freight and taxes and parts cost, I had everything within twelve days and saved approximately $200 to boot.

Lesson here is avoid at all costs, companies like UPS that get rich, big, fat and ugly on the backs of their customers - and give poor service at the same time.

I now have a supplier in Canada (not quite local) that can supply on time and at a reasonable cost. I guess experiences dictate future business in may ways.

Thanks

jim