My complaints when shopping for parts are... Price, price, and i would probably say price.
Automotive Store Suggestions
Whats up everyone! I'm working on a site that will sell automotive parts, most likely overwhelmingly BMW parts, and I was hoping to get help from all of you people here at e46fanatics.com. I understand that it is a fairly dense field competitively, but lets say I'm getting all the right help so its possible. Although, the most help would come from you guys providing me with suggestions of features you would like to see, information provided on the website, how you would like to search for parts, etc... When you shop for parts what are your complaints, or things you consider a negative or weaknesses about the experience or sites? what are your biggest compliments about ones you've shopped at? I would even like to see sites that you think are doing it uniquely, or even just doing it the way you like. I'm sure this information will be useful universally a benefit for readers who are sellers(I'm pretty sure ever retailer will read this) or even buyers. Sellers will get to better understand what you the consumer needs, and wants, and you the buyer gets more product notifications(as in newest releases on parts, updates, fixes, or recalls), more information(DIY, help, support, alternatives), more features(easier search, more car specific orientation), and just more fun toys to play with at the end with a overall enjoyable purchasing experience. So just submit whatever you think, even if it is specific ways to make support for the site better. Kind of wrote a lot but I wanted to draw out the maximum feedback you guys are willing to give.
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:werd: low prices, free shipping, good customer service, quality parts, fast order processing, and huge inventory and selections of parts is what's most important when it comes to online shopping.My complaints when shopping for parts are... Price, price, and i would probably say price.
1) Free shipping over $xxx. Clearly defined shipping rates otherwise.
2) Tell us if the part is in stock before we pay
3) estimated delivery dates
2) Tell us if the part is in stock before we pay
3) estimated delivery dates
What others said above, but also include a function to search by OEM part numbers. Can save a lot of time.
My input would be that if your going to offer price matching (which you should) then have someone spend time searching the common sites for BMW parts. If you find an item you carry that another retailer is selling for less then ACTUALLY adjust your price to theirs, don't wait for consumer to do the leg work, ask for the price match and then you continue to sell the part to other unknowing individuals for the higher price unless they notice as well.
Keep business honest, be up front and reliable for customer support. Selling quantity to a customer every chance you get is not always best, sell affordable quality and know your info on what someone needs for a certain project, ie Cooling overhaul - offer more than just one "package deal" one with WP, T-stat, ET, Coolant another with hoses/sensors added to that, another with pulleys thrown in there, and another with the WHOLE shibang, radiator etc.
Good luck man.
Keep business honest, be up front and reliable for customer support. Selling quantity to a customer every chance you get is not always best, sell affordable quality and know your info on what someone needs for a certain project, ie Cooling overhaul - offer more than just one "package deal" one with WP, T-stat, ET, Coolant another with hoses/sensors added to that, another with pulleys thrown in there, and another with the WHOLE shibang, radiator etc.
Good luck man.
Note which brands are OEM and which are aftermarket. Makes deciding easier, especially if there are a lot of options. Also, I'd consider just not carrying parts that aren't high quality...Rock Auto is already going to win on the low end 
Thanks Jmanscotch, and the rest of you that contributed to this thread. I will definitely utilize these suggestions when I end up releasing my store. I will post all the details as the time comes near, and even provide you guys that are helping me out with some discounts and gift certificates after I am up and running!
Let me sum up everything and ask you guys some questions. So obviously price is the biggest concern, the site has to be very competitive(although would you buy from a site that offers better service and features, but charges a slightly higher price?).
Additionally, you want good support if not great support. What kind of changes, or additions would you guys suggest to improve support between automotive parts retailers and their consumers (keeping in mind product quality and other details sometimes cannot be controlled by the retailer since those factors come into the hands of the manufacturer.)
What kind of features do you think should also be included to help you during your parts shopping?
Let me sum up everything and ask you guys some questions. So obviously price is the biggest concern, the site has to be very competitive(although would you buy from a site that offers better service and features, but charges a slightly higher price?).
Additionally, you want good support if not great support. What kind of changes, or additions would you guys suggest to improve support between automotive parts retailers and their consumers (keeping in mind product quality and other details sometimes cannot be controlled by the retailer since those factors come into the hands of the manufacturer.)
What kind of features do you think should also be included to help you during your parts shopping?
My input would be that if your going to offer price matching (which you should) then have someone spend time searching the common sites for BMW parts. If you find an item you carry that another retailer is selling for less then ACTUALLY adjust your price to theirs, don't wait for consumer to do the leg work, ask for the price match and then you continue to sell the part to other unknowing individuals for the higher price unless they notice as well.
Keep business honest, be up front and reliable for customer support. Selling quantity to a customer every chance you get is not always best, sell affordable quality and know your info on what someone needs for a certain project, ie Cooling overhaul - offer more than just one "package deal" one with WP, T-stat, ET, Coolant another with hoses/sensors added to that, another with pulleys thrown in there, and another with the WHOLE shibang, radiator etc.
Good luck man.
Also what kind of information would you guys want on product pages to be shown/provides so you can decide whether to purchase a product?
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
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