auto accessory stores
 

just curious.
In good ole Pt Lincoln (Tuna capitol) we have Supercheap, Repco, Bursons and now Auto Pro
Many years ago there was another Autopro but I think the manageress was selling more than auto parts.
I digress.
Yes 2 of these (I think) are franchises but lets run a poll and see who you prefer
for quality, service, knowledge etc

Supercheap

Autopro

Auto Barn

Repco

Bursons

Re: auto accessory stores
 

None of the above, not one of them would have a clue about the parts they are selling let alone the cars they go onto, great if you need a air freshener.

I have not had one yet know what I am talking about unless I give them a rego, as this must bring up the prompts to what questions to ask about the car they know nothing about.

If I was to pick 1 it would be Bursons

Re: auto accessory stores
 

In terms of lubricants, its Repco or Supercheap, generally whoever has the product cheaper at the time.

Other than that, I'm generally shopping at Repco for workshop consumables such as bulk/beater towels, gloves, certain detailing products, lubricants.

I only go to Supercheap if I can't get it elsewhere. I find Supercheap just that, a collection of lackluster items sold cheap. The store is cluttered, and yet most shelves are half stocked. If they actually put the stock on shelves rather than dumped on end displays or stacked 2 meters high in the middle of the main isle, it would much nicer to shop. That's not to mention the staff who have little to no interest in what they are doing............although you could say that about most chain stores like that.

Overall though, I don't buy spare parts at any of them.

Re: auto accessory stores
 

Supercheap for oils, they do 40-50% off my brand, Penrite, occasionally. I tend to stock up with what I think I'll need for 12 months.
In WA for anything else there is Veale, can't recommend them enough.

Re: auto accessory stores
 

Generally wait for specials at any of them, but the local Autopro is the only one that has staff with any knowledge.

Re: auto accessory stores
 

Agree, my local guys know there ****.

Re: auto accessory stores
 

Found 2 great little gems of an independence, Bertolli's, Benalla.
Used to be part of AutoPro.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p/...s680-w680-h510

Can order XF stuff, plenty of car bling and good quality tools. They sell truck stuff like air line fittings, hoses, lights and chassis bolts/brackets.

Tractor stuff is covered as well, along with hard to get engine/tractor paints like John Deere, Cat and Cummins and Detroit Alpine green.


The other is PetroStar, Euroa.

All quality service and filters mainly truck and tractor related.

Supercheap only for Penrite and Duplicolor (which they no longer stock)

Burson's lately have lost the plot.

Re: auto accessory stores
 

Couldn't agree more. I have a trade account with bursons and repco and on price alone haven't bought from bursons for years. Their prices are unrealistic. But repco aren't much better. The big ebay stores are usually less than half trade prices ifen you have the time.

Re: auto accessory stores
 

well this is my game as a supplier for the last 30yrs, I may know a little bit lol....
Trouble is the playing field changed long ago once "tech" came into play And the last 10/15yrs aquasitions by the duopoly like coles/wollies but its GPC and Bapcor.
Coupled by the aquasitions alot of the ol skool experienced fellas have come and gone.
Followed by employers having to find someone mostly unexperienced, young and rely on the software to tell them the car, the parts your after no more no less.
GPC/Repco/Napa are a mosh pit, I've never liked them tbh but back in the day they knew their Trade, what started the rot was trying to contest Retail due to SCA amongst other business directives.
You can't beat a dedicated Retailer when your model from eternity is Trade.
Plus why support a merican owned crowd might I add :)
Bapcor, well the original owner of Burson was getting on and did a brilliant job contesting traditional Repco biz in Melb, in time expanded the rest is history.
Don't blame him taking a extra golden retirement ticket.
Why Burson worked well was good buying/sourcing from local suppliers (they hardly impirted back in the day) and service for lets face it some Independants and chains were ordinary not just Repco.
Now having aquired quite a number of other Aftermarket business's the business is too large amongst triplication in products etcetc, lost alot of experience and lost the plot in many sectors.
Some business's that are floundering
Autobarn - basket case and was in the heydays but for the Top 5/6 stores rest were struggling in anycase.
Autopro is dead - old Independants have sold out or changed brand.
In other sectors they bought very well run and profitable business's, now a pale they once were.
The mention of Veales based in WA is one of the chestnuts of the game, still run by its original owner and who still in his very mature age hands on and the big 2 can't displace no matter what they try lol.......
Kudos to the good ol Aussie small business owner defying big business.
You WA fellas keep supporting him.

IF you still enjoy the fruits of a experienced counter jock stores you know tell him thanks so much and even tip him haha

Software as mentioned is all the Vin or rego number - that kid god luv em won't have a clue if they can interchange a part number when out of stock of the usual one as in the passed.
Plus the carpark has changed so much with the countless models/varients - fast moving parts change by area to area might I add.
Alot depends on the nouse in the HQ - the sourcing Depts run by grads or inexperience and graphs and P&L keeps running its course.
%'s rule more than ever so main city store parts flow influences the systems re ordering parameters, therefore unless someone jumps up and down and finally gets through HQ after 10meetings before action occurs a regional store for eg has nil stock of xyz for how long.

I'm still the hands on type and like to talk to the salesperson I deal with, sure online you can save $$$'s but I always dislike the thought of an issue or returns, feck that hassle the extra bucks face to face is worth every $ saved to me.

I didn't bother doing the poll for to me its fruitless and pointless.
The game has changed so so much as many can see.
I know what I want/need and order through my contacts a luxury but its gonna get harder not easier even for me looking ahead.


I don't find any better experience when buying through a Dealer tbh, infact I find them even worse !
The OE's are so tunnel visioned and now with the tech and main warehousing service is even worse ! I've checked on some parts and advised might be 3mths or more before part is in.
See ya I'll find it another way.

Re: auto accessory stores
 

Yep Bapcor. One of the reasons, I will not buy from Truckline since 2019.
My favourite candy store.

Hy-Way Truck Accessories is a privately owned Australian company, we are recognised as one of the leading suppliers of truck accessories in the country.

From humble beginnings in 1964 as a supplier and manufacturer of truck accessories Hy-Way Truck Accessories now has retail outlets in Townsville, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. This wide coverage allows prompt service and delivery to all parts of Australia.

As an importer and wholesaler of an extensive range of chrome, lighting, stainless steel and acrylic products this company continues to grow and support the transport industry.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/06...g?v=1672143733

Re: auto accessory stores
 

yer stepping away from my business perpective long live the Independants !
Getting less of them support em fellas.

Re: auto accessory stores
 

They are all ****ing useless to be honest.

Am currently in the middle of servicing my Mazda2 and Wifes ZK Outlander and forgot to order sump plug washers, so as shes doing the school run I give her the old Mazda item and asked her to grab 1 of them and 1 for the outlander from Repco.

So she rings me from Repco to tell me they dont do 1 for the Outlander as its a 'special' type .
She then asks for the rego number for the Mazda so they can find one.
OMFG, you dont need a rego number to match the 14mm sump washer sitting on your counter right in front of you FFS.
It just so happens that the ZK 2.4l Outlander uses the same bloody washer and took me all of 30 seconds to Google and discover.

Seriously!!

Re: auto accessory stores
 

That's OK, Repco in Wodonga didn't know what a Falcon panel van was !

Re: auto accessory stores
 

Lol, unless you were after rear door seals or hinges id suggest it'd be the same as a ute.