Thread: Parts catalogue and prices

I take it the idea of the flash drives is due to the catalogs having a fairly large file size?

I like the idea.

Sounds like a good plan to me!

The cost of printing is quite high here and each cataloge is around 50 -60 pages in full colour

Mark

IMHO, you would be better to do a web page with basic part number and description with a search facility by description or part number.

I use LR Direct at present , and the only real hassle is looking up the part number , which is usually available somewhere on Google .

This raises the problem of terminology,eg Hood Bonnet But should not be insurmountable. Most will be able to find stuff a slong as the model specific to the part is identified . EG I had to ask LR Direct whether the new 4 bolt steering box number they listed fitted my RRC 92 ( as no model applicability was listed). They answered That another number was correct and the one they answered with was a recod one. I had to take the punt and order the new one hoping that everyone else who listed was correct. A case of untrained staff I guess.

While update of such a page is a PITA, I think you will find it just as much a PITA keeping USBs updated especially with photos and stuff, and customers having old prices etc with arguments arising. I wonder if you realise how many resources you will have to devote to updating either option.

Regards Philip A

yes, its a good idea, IVe got workable offline copies of a couple of parts sites, the offline version of fourwheel drives in melbourne and some others on a drive for when Im working in the middle of no-where.

personally If I was going to be distributing a catalog Id do the following

1. Setup Portable Apps on it so that it can be run from any machine that has USB

2. set it up with an online update so that once the consumer had purchased the original catalog it could be run to manually update from a website/online database so that you dont have to redistribute every time

3. include all the instructions for EVERYthing in the catalog.

4. Value add product use a drive thats at least 3 times whats needed for the first 3 points and have the drive partitioned into 3 sections, the primary with portable apps, your catalog and instructions, the second (which should be the same size as the primary section) and include bucket loads of useful information there, if your selling stuff that guys are going to take sailing include nautical maps, if its winching/recovery gear, include rigging tables, ground loading, knot tying topo maps, radio frequencies . For the 3rd section leave it empty and formatted in fat32 so everyone can use it for additional storage, you want them to take your drive with you.

5. do not use those stupid USB flash cards that have an oversized cover that you pull the flash out of to use, the small ones about the size of a shift key that have the flip over cover or the slide away adaptor that you can get silk screened or engraved with the business details.

hope that helps.

I agree with the web page approach. One source and it will get to people who you have not distributed to as almost everyone can access the web but you can only give away so many USB thumb drives.

Thank you all for your help - I am going to need to talk to someone about the portable app as this is a little over my knowledge (I started the business to fix Land Rovers - Now I employ 10 people and sell 1000's of parts and 100s of vehicles each year)

We do not have a on-line shop at present simply because when we do - It has to be "different" or we will be just another company selling the same parts as everyone else.

The UK market is full of people selling cheap parts at the lowest possible price and this means keeping business costs low is essential to keep parts costs down.

Other places may be cheaper, but we pride ourselves in employing people who have a passion for land rovers as well as the capability to do the job.
Try asking other shops what they would recommend also replacing when replacing a 300 TDI cambelt or what causes the door lock button on a Discovery to pop up then drop back down when unlocked !!

This means, unlike other, cheaper shops who employ people who are working there because it is "job and better than not having a job"
We will advise you on the best product to buy, regardless of how much money it makes us. We would rather have long term trusting (and therefore returning) customers than make a quick profit and supply an inferior quality part.
Cheap doesn't mean bad, as long as the customer has the choice of quality and the correct advice on what you will get for your money.

As the business was started to fix Land Rovers, and still does, the staff in parts have quite a lot of knowledge about what specific parts are required to complete a repair, or if they don't the trained Land Rover mechanics are only next door to give advice.


So what I am looking at is an Australian on-line shop in $ and with parts kits - So if you are fitting a new fuel tank you will get all the gaskets, screws and seals needed to do the job. (having our own workshop means we know what you need to do the job). - This will take time to sort out but I hope worth it.

I welcome anyone's thoughts and advice on my plan.

Mark Rich
Sorry if I have gone on too much but I am passionate about my business.