Special Ordering Parts For Customers

[davbell22602]

How do guys handle parts that have to be special ordered because you dont have it stock? Are all special ordered parts required to be prepaid in advance or does it depend on what part your customer is looking for? I know the engines and transaxles must be prepaid in advance by customers. What small parts such as cables, belts, air filters, carb kits, pushmower wheels, gaskets, blades, etc. that a walk in customer is looking for but you havent had enough demand to keep it on the shelf?

All the other shops in my area require all special order parts must be prepaid. Regardless of what it is from a screw to belt to new engine. They dont want to get stuck with part they cant sell or want the hassel of returning to the distributor.

 

[reynoldston]

It must be that I must buy enough parts that I don't have to prepay. One thing I do is when I special order a part I take it and use it and the dealer must knows that. Also I am on a first bases with the parts sales person. Also I would not see a reason for not prepaying if that was the case.

 

[Carscw]

I think it depends is it a first time walk in or a regular customer?

I first time walk in I think should prepay most times they will have you order a part then find it across town and not tell you to cancel the order.

 

[davbell22602]

I had few customers looking for Murray mandels. One customer looking for blades for Troy Built zero turn mower. He said he looked at Lowes cause thats where he bought it from and they didnt have them.

 

[jroske]

I had few customers looking for Murray mandels. One customer looking for blades for Troy Built zero turn mower. He said he looked at Lowes cause thats where he bought it from and they didnt have them.

Normally special orders would require prepayment unless it would be something I could move. In this case I do not think I would make the customer prepay. If you have a few customers looking for Mandrels I would probable stock at least one because you have a demand for it. If it doesn't move with a specified amount of time..ebay it.

 

[MRCo.]

Normally special orders would require prepayment unless it would be something I could move. In this case I do not think I would make the customer prepay. If you have a few customers looking for Mandrels I would probable stock at least one because you have a demand for it. If it doesn't move with a specified amount of time..ebay it.

Agreed, if it would move if they skipped on you, a common enough part, then I wouldn't necessarily pre charge. If I have no other orders to make from a part company and the customer wants the thing quick, I make them cover the shipping. If they can wait til I have a hefty order (might not be a few days in high season) then I cover shipping.

 

[davbell22602]

Thanks guys. I think I'll go with advice on if its part I sell if the customer skips out then no prepay. But if its part that would be hard to sell such as new PTO clutch, engine, etc. then they must prepay for it advance.

 

[Fish]

How do guys handle parts that have to be special ordered because you dont have it stock? Are all special ordered parts required to be prepaid in advance or does it depend on what part your customer is looking for? I know the engines and transaxles must be prepaid in advance by customers. What small parts such as cables, belts, air filters, carb kits, pushmower wheels, gaskets, blades, etc. that a walk in customer is looking for but you havent had enough demand to keep it on the shelf?

All the other shops in my area require all special order parts must be prepaid. Regardless of what it is from a screw to belt to new engine. They dont want to get stuck with part they cant sell or want the hassel of returning to the distributor.

Normally shops will get free freight if they order over a certain amount, but a customer demanding a $10 or less part, I give the choice of waiting until I have a big enough order to not charge him shipping, or pay shipping, and he will get it the next day. But as anyone that has worked in this biz long enough, he has a big list of
folks that have burned him every way from Tuesday.....

 

[mowerguy]

The shop down the road where I do purchase most of my parts from is prepay everything. And the customer gets a 6 dollar shipping charge if it is not in stock no matter who you are. I am registered as a "commercial cutter" so I only have to pay a 5 dollar shipping charge. Rip off if you ask me

 

[MRCo.]

Normally shops will get free freight if they order over a certain amount, but a customer demanding a $10 or less part, I give the choice of waiting until I have a big enough order to not charge him shipping, or pay shipping, and he will get it the next day. But as anyone that has worked in this biz long enough, he has a big list of
folks that have burned him every way from Tuesday.....

Yup, that's my method.