Collision repairers prefer to get their parts from auto parts retailers (33 percent) with dealerships (24 percent) and jobbers (23) a close second and third option, according to the Aftermarket Business World Collision Shop Study. Warehouse distributors came in fourth as 13 percent of repairers favor them as a parts source.
These numbers reflect where repairers actually buy their parts from as 29 percent buy from auto parts retailers, 27 percent from dealerships, 18 percent from jobbers and 13 percent from warehouse distributors.
Some 29 percent of repairers cite good relationships as the primary reason for using a supplier, while 22 percent said parts availability and 18 percent said fast delivery were most important. Only 12 percent said price was the primary reason they purchase from a supplier.
Suppliers don’t need to hover over collision repairers as 58 percent of repairers say no supplier contact is necessary for them to get the parts they need. Six percent say they are contacted once a year by suppliers and 10 percent said once a week.
Some 83 percent said they make Internet parts purchases 0 percent to 10 percent of the time, while 3 percent of respondents said they use the Internet to purchase parts 91 percent to 100 percent of the time. Click on collision shop study to see the entire study.
Methodology: The Collision Shop Study was fielded via email to readers of ABRN, a sister publication of Aftermarket Business World. The findings are intended to show general trends, not statistical certainties.
Subscribe to Aftermarket Business World and receive articles like this every month….absolutely free. Click here.
