national installer program

[turbo59]

we are looking for ways to increase sales. we have increassed wholesale to body shops..but we have not tried mechanical wholesale. anyone have any experience in this area? daimler-chrysler offers a national installer program but i haven't found anyone in my area using it. has anyone hear had any success?

we have 500,000 in inventory and our sales average around 375,000 a month with 102-108 thousands in gross profit.

thanks in advance
turbo59

[Chuck Hartle]

Hi Turbo,

I used it quite effectively. The installer program, unless it has changed in the past year or so, has Firestone and Goodyear repair outlets getting parts from you at cost + 25%. This is the markup you charge Daimler-Chrysler. You bill the requesting outlet dealer net, submit it to Daimler-Chrysler via the GPOP, and they credit you back cost + 25% on your weekly parts invoice.

The only setback I had with the whole program was it was meant to get Firestone and Goodyear outlets using more OE products from the dealership. But, as you will find, they usually only take advantage of the program when they need a captive OE part.

The best part about it is that Daimler-Chrysler pays weekly or however often you want to submit your claims. This means no headaches with a slow paying outlet anymore.

If no one in your market it doing it, I would sure as heck go for it. Also, when you do sell a part with wholesale compensation, remember that you do not get to claim it anymore as the cost + 25% is your only benefit.

Chuck Hartle'

[Chuck Hartle]

Hi Turbo,

I used it quite effectively. The installer program, unless it has changed in the past year or so, has Firestone and Goodyear repair outlets getting parts from you at cost + 25%. This is the markup you charge Daimler-Chrysler. You bill the requesting outlet dealer net, submit it to Daimler-Chrysler via the GPOP, and they credit you back cost + 25% on your weekly parts invoice.

The only setback I had with the whole program was it was meant to get Firestone and Goodyear outlets using more OE products from the dealership. But, as you will find, they usually only take advantage of the program when they need a captive OE part.

The best part about it is that Daimler-Chrysler pays weekly or however often you want to submit your claims. This means no headaches with a slow paying outlet anymore.

If no one in your market it doing it, I would sure as heck go for it. Also, when you do sell a part with wholesale compensation, remember that you do not get to claim it anymore as the cost + 25% is your only benefit.

Chuck Hartle'

[joe r]

Last year a number of Goodyear stores dropped out of the program and lately the Firestone stores have been too busy replacing under-inflated tires on Fords.

However, the program works quite well for us. The stores in our area use it frequently and not just for captured parts.

Just make sure you keep current in posting the sales to Chrysler. It can easily get away from you if you don't put reminders on your calendar.

Joe R

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