Parts vendor on/near east coast

[Zaffer]

Okay, I've been thinking about this and I'm going to see what interest there may be as I'm trying to figure out what to do in the possible near future if some things work out.

I live near Charlottesville, VA and used to stop by IAP to pick up parts on my way home from work, but obviously can't do that anymore. Are there any parts suppliers near the east coast? It seems like everyone is west of the Mississippi.

That being said, do you think it's possible to realistically have one? I've been in the auto repair business for 15 years and I'm looking to either open a repair shop of my own or POSSIBLY a parts business, focusing on Fiat, old and new. I specialize in BMW, Mini, and Porsche, but see there is no one specializing in Fiat. I'm be thought about doing the parts side since it would be nice to have a place east of the Ol Miss.

Just throwing it out there.

Thanks!

[PhillySpider]

Pretty niche business. I'd go the VW route...Not such a limited market and pretty cool cars.

[Zaffer]

Not really interested in the VW business as there's already a pretty healthy market for them. I appreciate the vendors that exist, just figured having a closer one to the east coast guys would make shipping costs a little lower. I realize the market is somewhat limited at the moment, but with Fiat growing and Alfa reintroducing itself officially to the US....

[chrisg]

I thought there were still several east/east coast vendors remaining...not specifically in Charlottesville, but that's one of those situations that you are just there or not. I think AR needs to open a Knoxville TN branch, but that might not help you anyway unless you want to move.

[Zaffer]

I'm not saying I need to be able to drive to get parts. Who all is on the east side? Most of the ones I've seen are in Texas and Colorado(?). I don't buy a lot of parts at one time and some of the places I've priced parts it's $10-15 in shipping to get a $20 part.

[chrisg]

Fun Imported? Is DiFatta still in business? I get what you're saying about small orders. Probably about the same with most. Not sure there's a good practical way around that, and I guess in part it depends on weight (I mean the actual cost does). I try to do the opposite; keep a running shopping list & periodically make a decent sized order. I also have only to go to my basement still to get a large number of things I would otherwise order (and sometimes I find out I have it even after I've ordered another one), so that's usually not a big thing. I always would buy maintenance things in bulk quantities in the past & sometimes still do.

[red107]

Years ago there were several on the east coast. Bayless was in Atlanta, IAP was in VA, Difatta Brothers were in Maryland, and Bruce's parts bin was in NJ. Bayless is now Midwest Bayless, IAP closed its doors, and not sure about Bruce but I think its closed also. The Difatta Brothers is still open. Not sure how long they have been around but there is Mr. Fiat in Atlanta.

[Zaffer]

Good to know. I didn't know about DiFatta and didn't realize Mr. Fiat was in Atlanta. I'm trying to do the bulk order thing, but I also tend to try to get things as I get the money as sometimes I have he money, I then use it for something around the property instead. The other reason I was asking is due to the fact that some of them have been around for a while and what's going to happen when they decide to retire, like IAP, or something along those lines?

When IAP was sold due to retirement, I was surprised no one working for them took over to keep it going. I used to get parts from them back when I was 15 and had my 850 Spyder. It just seems like there are less vendors all the time, and I understand that these cars are getting older and parts more scarce, but with the revival of the brand in the states, MAYBE that will change.

I saw the posts on "Why I hate Fiat" and while there is truth with it, the brand is growing, especially with Fiat allowing all Chrysler dealers to work on these cars.

Like I said, nothing is set in stone and I'm trying to see if the interest is out there. If I do open a shop instead, I do plan on specializing in BMW, MINI, and Fiat as there are no shops near us that specialize in these little cars (Fiat, that is). I don't have much experience with the newer cars, but the few things I've done on them at the shop I'm currently at, they seem pretty easy to work on.

[baltobernie]

Do you have any experience in retail? This is the first question I ask anyone planning on starting a business dealing with the public. Doesn't matter if it's a B&B, cafe, or auto parts. Your affinity for chihuahuas, cigars or Fiats is irrelevant. Bottom line: Can you put up with the 21st century consumer?

Dealing with consumers nowadays is a 24/7/365 occupation. They want a human to answer the phone, immediate replies to their e-mails and texts, and next-day shipping. This is the world Amazon and others have created. They will pick your brain for cross-referenced part numbers, then buy that part at Wall-Mart. They will demand you refund their money (and pay for shipping) on parts that they ordered incorrectly or fail to fix their "problem". You will spend an hour on the phone diagnosing a problem, and they will argue with your diagnosis, buy the parts elsewhere, then bad-mouth you online.

Stupid, simple stuff like boxes, packaging material and UPS/USPS runs will consume hours of your time. You'll need personal liability insurance; "LLC" will not save you from ravenous lawyers. Oh ... you'll also need an online catalog, complete with current pricing and inventory. "Call for price and availability" doesn't cut it anymore. Guys like Danny and Chris can stay in business because people know them and accept their limited public persona. They have decades of experience, your new business doesn't.

There's a reason IAP, Bayless and Bruce inventory was sold for pennies on the dollar. Retail is a brutal, unforgiving business with wounded and dead entrepreneurs lining the streets.

[brackie1]

Seems to me regional vendors makes some sense
I live in NC and normally deal with Midwest Bayless in Columbus. Matt does a great job and is honest. I'm 2 day shipping . For folks living in SC GA and FL a dealer in sc would be good.

[Zaffer]

I do have retail experience and realize the 24/7 nature of business nowadays. I appreciate the advice and questions I should ponder and is one of the reasons for this post. I realize that there are people who have been doing this for years and have a name in the industry, it others have to get in sometime and build one as well. The current places won't be around forever.

As stated before, there are some things I'm waiting on, but will know more in a few months and that will help direct where I go and what I do. I just want to do some research/get some advice to see if it's even a viable option. I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes if I do go this route, but I believe that would be inevitable given the current size of the customer base.

[JohnMc]

personally, it does not seem to be a good business model.
Yes the parts stores are in mid-West. But shipping is shipping.
I live in Sacramento - so 6 hours from Mark in L.A. - no way does it make sense to drive that far.
The ones that are going now are pretty much long term.
Just my opinion.

[chrisg]

The folks I order stuff from are a few states away & shipping is very fast. Very very fast. As a potential customer, I don't necessarily see the need for another vendor in the mix unless there were something different to offer. Perhaps it would be interesting if there were someone doing something that was different with/for the cars. I don't know what that is exactly, though..maybe it's nothing, because more or less people end up doing the same sorts of things with them.

It's weird that we have these luxury items like these cars and can feel like we need stuff right here/right now, but I guess we all do get used to that. Info & price shopping/buying is a nasty habit humans can pick up. I see it a lot with my friends who own bicycle shops (and, granted, that's a tough world when sometimes you can go on Amazon & order the same thing you're looking at in the store & save 30%). I try to be mindful to not waste people's time unless I'm planning on actually also doing business with them. Too bad there's not a forum for vendors to go off on the problem customers...now, THAT would be interesting to read....

[Zaffer]

I've never had a problem with shipping speed. I've bought quite a few things from the various vendors (AR, Vicks, Midwest) and shipping has always been quick. I was just trying to see if I could offer something in the Mid-Atlantic to keep shipping costs down for those over here. I know the vendors try to keep the shipping prices down.

[RRoller123]

AR to New England is very fast, just a day or two typically.