I've finally decided that cooperate life sucks and I'm going to open my own business. http://www.reddotmotorsports.com
I have the website up and running. It is no ware near being fully operational. The goal of the website is more or less an inventory control system for the store customers. There is no way that little ol’ me can compete with some of the wholesalers online.
Before charging ahead with the store front I need some feedback.

What do you like or dislike about your local shops?
What do you like or dislike about some of the online stores?

I see problems with some online stores and a couple of the local shop owners are ******. But I need more detail than that. I want to become the best at serving everybodies aftermarket part needs.
Thanks to all that reply.

 

I don't like much at all about our local shops. I dislike the pimply face kids that read a few "how-to" articles in Super Street and think they know everything.

I dislike that nobody seems to know anything about what the hell they sell. I was looking into the Fiber Images front splitter and spoiler combo a while back so I contacted one of their web-retailers and asked about it. This guy put me on hold twice and ended up directing me back to FI for the information I was looking for . If you're going to sell something, you better know some details about it.

 

Cool ... Don!

Best of luck, Ed.
Come on out to Speedtrials!

 

Will be there!!

 

What I absolutely hate is poor customer service. I have had countless "run-ins" with certain shops that just flat out didn't know how to tell the truth. I have several stories concerning trying to order three different sets of shocks for my SE-R(s) over the years. If somebody doesn't have something in stock, be honest. If it's going to take awhile to get a part, they shouldn't make up something on the fly about it only taking "a couple days" or "a couple weeks." Get the facts first before making a commitment.

There are three mail-order/online places that I have had multiple dealings with and have had ZERO problems -- TireRack, Summit Racing and Racer Wholesale (well, four if you count the latter's sister company Racer Parts Wholesale). Never gotten a wrong order, never been lied to ... if they didn't have something, they told me up front and gave me an honest assetment of when I could expect what I was attempting to order. If there was a problem with my order, they called me about it -- I never had to call them weeks later trying to find out the status of an order only to find there was a delay on their end.

 

HA! OMG. You must be the only person that HASN'T had at least one issue with Summit. Unless you drive a big block chunka Detroit Iron, their availability is a total joke. I ordered parts they indicated in stock, and waited 3 months for the first backorder slip. Upon requesting a refund, they delayed payment for 3 weeks. They were quick to offer store credit, but when I pointed out that they have exactly 4 parts for my car that I would be interested in, and I don't need any of them except the part that was on back order......
Tire Rack, superb. Racer wholesale, phenomenal.
If you know what you are selling, offer helpful advice, and generally aren't rude, I count the buying experience as a positive one. There just aren't enough of them out there.

 

Disclaimer: Bear in mind that you asked this in the competition forum, which will flavor the answers somewhat (and might lead you to a lower volume section of the enthusiast market). There's probably more people buying mad skillz taillights than there are getting their shocks custom valved. That said...

1. I like a shop that actually speaks competition. As in autocross and road racing. I don't care about carbon fiber dash overlays and idiglo gauges. Typically shops that advertise stuff like that heavily lose some credibility in my eyes.

2. The shops that I like participate in the hobby, and that's where they get their knowledge.

3. They give something back to the community that supports them. A company like OPM that is a series sponsor for something like ECHC will ALWAYS get my dollar before some other place if possible. And if they're a bit more expensive than some discount parts place...so be it.

4. Customer service. I like places that I can call up with stupid questions, even if I don't order something from them.

A local exhaust place that THSCC has a discount deal with is a perfect example. I called them today to look into getting my sunroof hole covered, and getting my seat mounted. He called around body shops for me, and suggested stuff like Corbeau seat rails for my Kirkey seat (after he paged through some of his catalogs). None of this resulted in any sales for their shop because it isn't really their field. He got me some leads and some good information in like 10 minutes.

That's what I'm talking about. This shop (R&J Custom Exhaust in Apex) takes care of me. In fair trade, I take care of them too - I refer people there all the time.

HTH

 

http://www.reddotmotorsports.com



[Modified by G0D, 5:27 PM 2/8/2002]

 

i would say take a note on Andie Lin's attitude and participation on this board

 

I order most of my stuff from machiii.net. I can't stand their page because it looks like a ricer's dream but they can order most any part I need and match or beat any price around. The real reason I keep going back is they're local to me and they have very good customer service and have never ever tried to sell me a wrong part (as other shops have) or lied about getting a part in.

Price A+
Honesty A+
Web page... I'll overlook that one.

 

And this is the exact reason why I asked this question in the competition forum. I want to cator to people who are performance minded. As you probably know, very few shops do. Now to be clear though, this does not mean that I will not stoop down to sell a set of altezza's. Because like you said, there is a much larger group of people buying clear corner lights than there are buying titanium valve springs.

 

I like dealing with Walee at machiii also. I would love to find a place close to me where I could get a decent selection and good prices. If it was within driving distance I'd be ecstatic. I guess that's too much to ask living where I do.

 

Do you consider Lynchburg driving distance? Its about 2.5-3 hours from Raliegh

 

I guess I was speaking more in general than about you specifically. No, Lynchburg really isn't in my driving range. Not for small purchases anyway.

 

We'll have a dyno with special rates for HT members