Before ordering parts, Do you know if there is a
1) Maximum part return date
2) Credit for returns for damaged parts
3) Credit for returns on electrical parts
4) Warranty for reconditioned wheels
5) Warranty for off road usage
6) Warranty for CAPA aftermarket parts (like kind & quality)
7) Warranty for Mechanical Parts
8) Warranty for Chrome parts
9) Warranty for New sheet metal rust through
10) Warranty for Non-CAPA aftermarket parts
11) Optional mechanical service warranty Agreement
12) Transferable warranty to a non-original owner
13) Policy for compensation to shop for wrong parts received
14) Fee for shipping cost on special order parts
15) Restocking fee after 30 Days
Having answers to the above parts ordering warranty concerns will assure you maintain and improve your parts department profit margins.
For example, recently our auto body shop in Santa Barbara, California had a very positive parts warranty experience involving our aftermarket parts supplier.
Our repair shop had customer approval to proceed with repairs to their 2010 Honda Civic. Their insurance company, to my complete surprise, stipulated in the repair estimate the use of an aftermarket fender and front bumper. I questioned the insurance company adjuster to make sure there was no mistake on their proposed estimate for such a new vehicle. The Insurance adjuster replied the insured’s policy stipulates using aftermarket parts when available in exchange for a lower annual policy premium. Upon hearing this news I decided not to make a fuss and proceeded with repairs.
All appeared well until the car bumper was installed. After the body tech installed the bumper it was quite obvious there was a “quality of fit” problem. The bumper end did not meet the attachment point of the aftermarket left fender. Additionally, there were noticeable one-inch gaps in front of both headlamps. How Sweet!!!
I immediately addressed the issue with our aftermarket supplier who referred me to the district manager. The district parts manager asked me to take a few digital pictures of the misfit and send them to him to forward onto the manufacturer. Within 24 hours he authorized the aftermarket parts manufacturer to pay 100% of all the body & paint labor, including paint supplies. We then reported the potential catastrophe to the insurance company who authorized us to install an OEM bumper. We proceeded with completing the repairs.
A couple of weeks later we received payment in full for $653.93 from the aftermarket parts supplier. The insurance company even commented on how well we handled potential part warranty replacement crisis. This could have turned ugly if we choose to involve a less reputable aftermarket part supplier whose warranty did not conform to full reimbursement for parts and labor.
By choosing carefully your suppliers part sales warranty, you will experience increased productivity and retained shop profits.
May you all receive many “PERFECT FITTING PARTS” and added income to your bottom line!
