When people buy cars, they tend to consider a lot of factors like ease of handling, mileage, comfort, and security features. Not as much thought is given to aspects like finding a reliable auto parts supplier for when the inevitable happens and some vehicle parts give in to wear and tear. If you don’t give this part of car ownership some attention, you might end up scrambling at the last minute and spend more than what you have to.
If you already have a trusted supplier, well and good! If you still haven’t found your preferred auto parts supplier in New Zealand, here are a few qualities that you should look for.
Authenticity of Parts Being Sold as OEM
This is obviously one of the first things you have to consider, if not the absolute first. An auto parts business can be quite lucrative, but it’s also competitive so there’s also a lot of fake products circulating in the market. It’s not always possible or ideal to get parts from your car dealer, so look for reputable suppliers that carry legitimate, high-quality parts. Of course, there is a big difference between low-quality fake products being sold as OEM items (original equipment manufacturer) and high-quality non-original replacement parts, so you have to take this into consideration as well.
Finding a reputable supplier is especially important if you’re not well-versed in telling original from fake components. Do your research and, if you can, visit the shops first before making a decision. Of course, you should also consider the supplier’s quality of service. Check reviews online, especially from long-time customers.
Certification or Authorisation from the Manufacturer
As earlier mentioned, you may not always be able to go to your car dealer or manufacturer to get original parts. As such, you should look for auto parts suppliers in New Zealand that have been authorised by your car’s manufacturer to sell spare parts. This way, you can rest easy knowing that the parts you’ll get are always genuine. You may even end up getting great deals from these certified auto parts dealers if you become a regular customer.
Availability of Parts and Staff
Whether we like it or not, car emergencies do happen. That’s why you need an auto parts supplier that has a good record of keeping the most essential and easily worn-down parts in stock. In addition, you should look for an auto parts supplier with more available hours. At the very least, you should be able to contact them through various channels just in case you need some advice.
Speed of Delivery
Inevitably, no matter how reliable an auto parts supplier is, there will come a time that a car part will be out of stock. There are also parts that last longer, so some companies tend to keep fewer stocks or order these parts on demand. During these situations, your supplier of choice should at least be able to guarantee a speedy delivery if you’re ordering online. A good auto parts supplier knows they risk losing your business if they take too long in getting what you need, so they would work hard to deliver what you need in a timely manner.
Good Pricing
As mentioned earlier, the auto parts supplier arena has many players. Therefore, it’s in these businesses’ best interests to remain competitive. One of the things they do this is to give their clients reasonable prices. Of course, premium parts come with a premium price tag. Be wary of suppliers that offer prices that are simply too good to be true. At the same time, don’t hesitate to shop around for more affordable rates. It’s a good idea to keep yourself updated with the prices of spare parts so you know if you’re getting a good deal or not.
Staff Training
A good auto parts supplier shouldn’t focus only on the auto parts. They should also provide their staff with ample training to become parts of experts. Their people should know which parts are which and what each part does, so they can give reliable advice the first time around. In addition to work smarts, an auto parts supplier should also train their people on how to properly deal with customers.
Quality of Customer Service
Customer service is not just the way an auto parts supplier deals with you while you’re making enquiries, buying the parts, and having the parts installed. They should also provide excellent after-sales support, especially when something goes wrong soon after you bought a part from them. Again, reviews from previous customers can help you in this regard. If possible, try to look for feedback from repeat clients so you can get a better picture of how they treat their customers.
Looking for an auto parts supplier might seem like hard work. However, you should be willing to put the work in if you want to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape. Just be patient in your search, and it will all be worth the effort!
