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Post Info TOPIC: What would you do?


MARKHAM, ONT

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What would you do?
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All,

 

I was recently shopping for a steering wheel adapter and horn button for the Mustang.  Performance Improvements had the adapter but not the button and it was about $30.00 more including exchange and shipping than a no name place on Amazon, just for the adapter.  It would also mean driving to the PI store to pay for the order, then driving back to pick up.  I sent a not to the guys at PI, not to haggle but to let them know there was a problem.  I got a very well written response from Rob the VP.  He took the time to explain his business challenges and ended with:

We could compete solely on price. We could slash our employee's benefits. We could charge a re-stocking fee on everything we sell. Close all the outside stores. That is not the business my father started in 1964, and that's not the way we want to do business today.

My question to you guys is, would you spend the extra $60.00 and go through the hassle of going to the store or would you cheap out like I did and buy the exact same thing from Amazon?  I used to like visiting the PI on Kennedy road to see all the stuff in stock, but those days are long gone.  Is there a value to the counter staff today?



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GTA

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No one is just handing me money for free so I feel the need to spend what I have wisely.

If it means ordering a part from Texas, paying for the part, shipping, duty, taxes, packaging and having it delivered to my door while having it come out cheaper than my driving to a local store and paying cash ... I'll order from Texas thanks (and I have done just that).

As for the comment "that is not the business my father started in 1964, and that is not the business we want to do today" ... well, it ain't 1964 anymore Gertrude, and hasn't been for a long time.


I checked out a starter for my sister's Taurus (couple years ago) at Canadian Tire and it was well over $200. I went to a rebuilder in Toronto and got one for $80 taxes in. As harsh as it sounds, it is not my job to 'save' Canadian Tire by paying more for something I can find cheaper somewhere else (in this case a LOT cheaper). If it means bringing something in from another country ... so be it.



My parents 2001 Century had the 'multi-function switch' fail (turn signal, hi-lo beam, wipers, washers, cruise) ... dealer wants OVER $800 taxes in (just for the part ... over the counter, NOT installed).  Parts guys friend discount brings it to $450+.  I am going to order it from Amazon for $135 Canadian with 3 year warranty ... delivered right to my door.  No guilt felt here smile






-- Edited by Pete Moss on Thursday 26th of April 2018 05:34:12 PM

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Actually, in real racing ... it IS how fast you went.

DJD


SCARBOROUGH, ONT

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+1 buy it from the internet

a few years back I was looking to buy a torquer intake for a 460
summitt listed it for 250 .. plus shipping tax exchange and brokerage fee brought that to 519.00

karbelt in pickering wanted 575 .. PLUS TAX

sooo now I have the trickflow 460 intake I'm selling that I bought instead (listed for 400 USD)

figured IF I was going to have to pay through the nose I'd pick up something better even if it cost more

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XZ


ADMINISTRATOR

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Like you guys are saying, its a changing world. Brick and mortar stores are dying, the online sales are building up. I work at a NAPA store....more and more of the ordering by customers is done online now.

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MARKHAM, ONT

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The same nonsense at Karbelt in Pickering. The problem is they won't take your credit card over the the phone.
So you need to go pay for it and then wait for them to order it.

It must be 1964 everywhere....

So, no service and it comes with a higher cost....the guys working there with the benefits are about to lose the benefit of having a job if management doesn't wake up.

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PUGSY


PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, ONT

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I live out in Prince Edward County so I don't get into the Pickering area all that often, but in the past three weeks I have needed two separate items that I could have ordered on line but instead phoned Karbelt. Without any hesitation, they took my order, one was an item that they didn't normally carry but brought it in for me anyway with out asking for a credit card. Both items were competitively priced to Summit and I had them within 3 days as I had occasion to go to Toronto to help the kids. There are a great bunch of guys working at that location, friendly knowledgeable and ready to serve. Many companies no longer take credit cards over the phone but are trying other ways to serve the public. Just thought I would say a word in their defense.

Warren

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BRANTFORD, ONT

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I will try to buy Canadian and/or locally first unless the price difference is obscenely higher but even then if its a item that I am concerned that I may have to return or concerned that warranty on the item may not be honoured I will overlook the savings .If however I feel that I'm being price gouged I go the cheapest route as long as the quality is the same.

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Bob T


MARKHAM, ONT

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I had an experience with Rock Auto recently that I thought was going bad like that.  I got some Moog strut rod bushings that were packaged wrong.  Rock Auto shipped out a replacement without cost within 72 hours.  I was amazed!  I don't like sticking it to local business but it seems like their business model is flawed.  



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DJD


SCARBOROUGH, ONT

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biggest flaw is our artificially devalued dollar .. again and again
"but it brings in investment " - total bs
when it costs more for a company to start up and run here that's a disadvantage that affects GDP

I won't complain about our higher tax rate .. not when I had three stints done last year and it cost me only gas money to go to the hospital & back

a little research showed that would have cost me 5-27 K in the states



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XZ


CLINTON, ONT

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I buy E-BAY only .   no Amazon (my Cc gets hacked on every order) .   Every item I want is free shipping to Michigan .  My wife drives over every month for groceries we like and picks up at SCC on Lapeer    no shipping no taxes no duty no GST . 

 

just my experience   

 

At work we go to Port Huron every week for Diesel parts .  ARP headbolts are $160.00 per set cheaper .  we but 6 sets a month 

 



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MARKHAM, ONT

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wuga wrote:

I live out in Prince Edward County so I don't get into the Pickering area all that often, but in the past three weeks I have needed two separate items that I could have ordered on line but instead phoned Karbelt. Without any hesitation, they took my order, one was an item that they didn't normally carry but brought it in for me anyway with out asking for a credit card. Both items were competitively priced to Summit and I had them within 3 days as I had occasion to go to Toronto to help the kids. There are a great bunch of guys working at that location, friendly knowledgeable and ready to serve. Many companies no longer take credit cards over the phone but are trying other ways to serve the public. Just thought I would say a word in their defense.

Warren


 Right on.

I will give them a call next time and see if they will do that.



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DJD


SCARBOROUGH, ONT

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if you shop online it's safer to use pay pal than your credit card directly

also pay pal gives you more conflict resolution solutions

and if you use a credit card online it's wise to call the credit card co every year or year and a half to request a new card with a new number (I know visa DOES NOT charge a fee for this)
then anyone that did have the number is left with useless info

 

I have spent thousands online with no issues using pay pal - car parts bicycle parts computer parts 



-- Edited by DJD on Saturday 28th of April 2018 11:52:33 AM

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