online parts ordering (was Re: [s-cars] urs4 Fan clutch bearing)

[Franco Barber]

On Fri, May 20, 2005 at 01:46:37PM -0400, Mark Pollan wrote:
> This is a Audi/VW dealer (West Broad VW) in Richmond VA that has an on-line
> parts pricing and ordering.  At this site the price comes in at $79.84.  I
> have never dealt with them but have extensively used the site to get a
> reality check on part prices.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Mark

I have ordered several times from West Broad VW.
The prices are good, but they are not without their problems.

For one, it's a little bit of a mystery what the shipping fees will
be because the ordering system does not specify them and they are
only determined when the order is filled.

For two, the whole system seems to be oriented towards a customer
that does not know what they are buying, because
(a) the descriptions of the parts is pretty poor,
(b) part numbers are not shown (even if you search for a part using
    the part number it will not show you the part numbers of the search
    results)
(c) for trim pieces there is no way to indicate what color code you
    want except by leaving it in the comments section.
    In my experience these comment are not read - I ordered
    a piece, asked for Ecru in the comments section, and got black.)

For three, lately there seem to be problems with filling orders at
the prices the system lists.  I recently ordered something and the
web system and emailed invoices had one price, and the shipped product
was accompanied by an invoice for another price.  It would appear that
Euro-dollar exchange has raised lots of parts costs, but the order
system has not been properly updated.  However, when the order gets to
the dealer to be filled, you can bet they don't fill the older at the
incorrect lower price!

For four, the online system is a little difficult to deal with in
case that something does go wrong, e.g. I order an ecru piece
and they send me black.  It takes some doing to figure out how
to request an RMA.


I think that some of these problems (e.g. the price inconsistencies)
are because the online order system is not actually run by the Audi
dealer.  It is a service that is run on behalf of the dealer by
another company, see www.trademotion.com or parts.com.

These people forward the order to the dealer for filling, and if the
parts.com database has an out of date price, the actual invoice price
will be different from that confirmed on the order.


I know that this all sounds very negative, but the sad thing is that
for an Audi dealer this is nothing, and actually quite good since
the prices are usually 15% below list price.
The local stealer always wants 20% ABOVE list!

Franco

-- 
Franco Barber                   feb at febsun.cmhnet.org
95 A6Q w/Gamma CD mit RDS!      Columbus, Ohio  USA
95 A6Q 5spd w/HCB-30 bluetooth car kit!