TOYOTA STAR ELITE DEALER?

[MR GOODWRENCH]

Greetings, all followers of Kaizen!

I'd sure love some feedback from Star Elite dealers on the value that program brings to your individual Toyota stores' parts operations.
With the rapid escalation of online parts estimating and ordering platforms, does Star Elite simplify your ability to capture or at least retain wholesale business profitably? Is it, by itself, enough to support the demands of insurers and customers, or do you find yourselves spending additional dollars joining/subscribing to additional platforms? Are there enough part numbers eligible for price-matching, given the explosion in aftermarket parts availability? Most of all, is it really necessary or do you have other programs in play that are more effective or widely embraced?

Lets hear from you, Toyota Nation!

[MSInventory]

We are a Star Elite dealer. Not huge in collision wholesale (not enough ROI anymore) but do benefit from the programs. I understand the bulk filter/alternator-starter discount is going away. That was the main reason we have been in it for the last several years. It does however, reimburse you for customer giveaways like jackets, caps and Christmas goodies! I'm anxious to see what will be offered in place of the bulk discount purchases. They may have already announced it but I haven't seen it yet. Will do some checking.

[lochstein]

just placed our last bulk order. that discount and the $3000 credit towards goodies and apparel made the cost worth it. by far. no more. somehow they expect all the benefits to be transferred to the wholesale "customer." all of the other tools are cool, but another program to manage and if you're not into wholesale, they're essentially useless. wholesale is going away as an industry. good.

[MR GOODWRENCH]

Thanks, everyone. Any others out there with an opinion?