DealersEdge Professional Forums

we seem to be getting hit lately with a lot of callers wanting paint codes, some calls from out of state and even from other cities in state. Its getting to the point that its taking us away from helping our paying customers. Also getting calls from out of state glass companies wanting part numbers for windshields ( they never buy anything) How do you all handle these situations.

I feel the customer out on the telephone. 90% of my calls for paint codes are from customers wanting to buy touch up paint, or the local parts store who mixes oddball discontinued paints for me as needed.

If they're not your customer tell them there is a $15 charge for paint codes/axle ratio/gvw/option code inquiries (would u like to pay that with a credit card?), That should either scare them off or make it worth your time. And we don't give out part numbers to repair shops/estimators/glass companies if they don't do business with us.

Most of the paint code request I get are from legit business that do business with us (some not much). When the insurance companies call I always ask if the car is coming into our shop, I give them the info but it always makes them real uneasy, one guy has stopped calling all together.

pcarrillo wrote:we seem to be getting hit lately with a lot of callers wanting paint codes, some calls from out of state and even from other cities in state. Its getting to the point that its taking us away from helping our paying customers. Also getting calls from out of state glass companies wanting part numbers for windshields ( they never buy anything) How do you all handle these situations.

After a while, I'd have to ask "Why are you calling me for this info ?" If I did not get a suitable answer, I might tell them to go buy their own franchise and THEN they can get their own codes and part numbers .

we had a frequent caller for the SF Bay area (area code 415) calling with VIN numbers, usually Ecotech powered or 3.6 powered vehicles and asking if the engine or transmission part number in both VINs was the same engine or compatible. It was "fun" the first few times, but soon we were getting 5 or 6 calls a day. I put an end to it and they must be calling someone else now.

~ gt

greenthumb-38 wrote:we had a frequent caller for the SF Bay area (area code 415) calling with VIN numbers, usually Ecotech powered or 3.6 powered vehicles and asking if the engine or transmission part number in both VINs was the same engine or compatible. It was "fun" the first few times, but soon we were getting 5 or 6 calls a day. I put an end to it and they must be calling someone else now.

~ gt

I have been getting calls from the same person.. Wants to know if engines are the same. They called once and I put a quick end to that!

bentwrench54 wrote:I feel the customer out on the telephone. 90% of my calls for paint codes are from customers wanting to buy touch up paint, or the local parts store who mixes oddball discontinued paints for me as needed.

The calls we get are not our customers, but paint shops or body shops that dont buy from us. One guy I asked why he was calling me and his reply was that his local dealerships took too long to give him the paint codes. So now, we always put paint code people on hold for a while and occasionally we play soccer with the call, we bounce it back and forth if we are bored.

Just received another call from 4153900384 inquiring about an engine. before she started in, I told her I was unable to help her. She said I didn't even listen to what she needs. I asked her if she wanted me to compare vehicles to see if the engine matches?? she hung up before I could finish.