Ever since I came to work at Car-Part.com, I have had this debate at least once a week with a recycler. The recycler tells me the MANY reasons they can’t or won’t put prices online. Trust me, I have heard them all!
Let me tell you an example that I use in one of the classes that I give:
I need new bathroom towels and I want a pretty green color; I go to Target.com and the website says:
- Really nice fluffy green towels — $CALL
- Pretty decent green towels — $CALL
- Cheap green towels — $CALL
Hmmmm, that’s odd. If I wanted to call Target, I would have. But I am looking online. Let me check Kohls.com.
- Really nice fluffy green towels —$12.99
- Pretty decent green towels — $7.99
- Cheap green towels — $2.99
- But wait, if you buy 6 green towels, we will give you FREE SHIPPING!
Do you honestly think that there is any chance in the world that I am going to CALL Target to ask for the price of their towels? No way!! I am going to buy them from Kohl’s right now and get free shipping! This raises the question: why do some yards think that not having prices online is OK?
Another example: My Aunt Judy is looking for an alternator for her 2011 Impala. There are 35 in her area. 25 have prices, and 10 don’t. Guess who is not getting Aunt Judy’s money? Aunt Judy does ALL of her shopping online and she may not be looking for the cheapest. She may want one with a picture of the part so that she knows it’s the correct one or she may be looking for low miles. But the one thing I know about Aunt Judy and the vast majority of our customers is that they want to know how much the part is before they ever call you!
I know that I talk about “online sales” a LOT! But, it is my personal belief that even before COVID-19, we were moving into a vast majority of our sales being online. Now? I think it will be sooner rather than later!
As always, if you have any questions, comments or ideas please email me, text me or call me at TheresaC@Car-Part.com or 859-802-2382. Please, be SAFE out there!
Theresa Colbert is a public speaker who goes to state association meetings, at no charge, to give classes on cores, brokering and much more. She offers on-site support to salvage yards in many areas and has been an on-the-ground representative for Car-Part.com for five years. Prior, she worked at Nu-Parts Automotive Products for 10 years, was a manager at Winter Auto Japanese Engines in Glendale, Arizona, and at AAA Economy Auto Parts in Phoenix, Arizona. With 23 years of industry experience, Theresa has seen the auto recycling world from almost every point of view. When she is at home, she loves to spend time with her family, play with her dogs, cook and watch football.