Why the high cost of some service parts?

[locodude]

I have just bought a distributor cap and rotor arm for my 944S (16v) and am astonished at the prices that some of the'specialists' charge. I shan't name them but searching the internet I came up with prices ranging from £26 to £45 NOT including VAT!!! It's only a distributor cap and unless I'm mistaken not encrusted with gold jewels etc... The rotor arm is much the same only not quite so much discrepancy in the prices. I purchased mine from GSF as I usually do for my service parts. Guess what? The dizzy cap was £15.90 + the vat and it's a BERU which if I'm not mistaken is an OEM item. The rotor arm was £25.80 + vat. Surely these 'specialists' are here to help us poor Porsche owners, we don't all own 997 turbos etc. I know they have to turn a profit but come on! Just be careful when shopping at these places, shop around guys, you know it makes sense!

 

[Diver944]

Why do they do it? Simple - because they can. Many people pay those prices without shopping around. The beauty of internet websites is it takes just a few minutes to check all the major suppliers for competetiveness. Like you I find GSF are always competetive and stock good parts. However they have next to zero knowledge of Porsches so you need to know exactly what you want. Bert Gear is rarely cheapest but he is very nearly there, however Bert knows our cars inside and out so brings with him the expertise that is worth paying a small amount extra.

Annoyingly if you are looking for several parts at one time you tend to find that each part is cheapest at a seperate supplier, which would mean multiple P&P charges []

 

[locodude]

I don't mind paying a premium for expert knowledge, I know how long it takes to pick up skills and knowledge, learn a trade or indeed teach it but one of the 'specialists' I refer to is always getting stick on this forum about wrong info and sending the wrong goods. And guess what, they were the dearest! Over £50 inc vat for a dizzy cap, disgusting! Rant over.

 

[Diver944]

Yep we know the shop you mean []

Not only do they tend to charge the most, we also hear more about them sending the wrong part and taking twice as long as they said it would even though it was 'in stock, honest guv'

 

[sawood12]

Specialists are in business to make money and will charge whatever markup they think they can get away with which means you can always hunt round for the best price. I personally find that the OPC is often hard to beat especially once you factor in lack of P&P charges and the discount they usually give you - Nottingham OPC usually give me anywhere between 15 - 17.5% discount.

 

[locodude]

Yeah you could be right, I recently bought a few bits from Exeter OPC on this forums recommendation and I have to say the prices were more than reasonable and the service second to none!

 

[stevespic]

Im sure you can hear them rubbing there hands together as soon as you say the magic word PORSCHE, and as far as the certain not mentioned shop goes i wouldnt use them if they were the only porsche parts and service centre left in the world, i would rather see my car fall apart than buy or use these people... []

 

[MarkK]

I have bought lots of bits from Notts OPC aswell,they are usually good on price and Jonathon knows 944s ,when i describe bits he usually knows what i am talking about,he gets my vote[] rather than mess about .... I have also bought from the specialist "shop" mentioned aswell and the tool kit roll took ages and had non original tools you get from anywhere,it wasn't complete either and was expensive -never again..[:'(] for the correct part first time,obscure trim part/sticker its OPC for me,anything you buy has a warranty for 2 years aswell.

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: Diver944

I find GSF are always competetive and stock good parts. However they have next to zero knowledge of Porsches so you need to know exactly what you want.

I can't speak for GSF, but Euro Car Parts (very similar outfit) have a specialised Porsche department, who can be contacted on 020 8956 5088, and they are very helpful.

They are also usually happy to sell ECP parts at a discount. Tell 'em what you want, and which branch you want to collect them from, and they will give you a reference number which will do the necessary.

Helpful people. (Having said that, the chaps in the branches are utterly clueless about 944's ... to the point of once trying to sell me 6 spark plugs for my S2 when I went in there for some service parts ... )


Oli.

 

[bert gear]

In most cases I am cheaper than E C P and I base my prices on a cost plus basis and not what I think I can get.
Beru is not the original suppler, Bosch is,

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Hi Bert,

Good to see you on here again - may it be the first post of many!

 

[locodude]

ORIGINAL: bert gear

In most cases I am cheaper than E C P and I base my prices on a cost plus basis and not what I think I can get

Which is what i would expect, and all power to you.I just think that there are some suppliers (and we all know who they are) who take unfair advantage. To be fair Bert you are one of the suppliers who has a very good name, epecially on this section of the forum, keep up the good work!