"trade price" - how does it work?

[ratter]

Not really directed at anybody specifically, more just an observation that so many non mecahnical trade people expect or demand trade prices when they are not in the trade.

[ebxr8240]

Originally Posted by ratter

Not really directed at anybody specifically, more just an observation that so many non mechanical trade people expect or demand trade prices when they are not in the trade.

Yea .. I was after a compressor and we usually get at least 20% discount.. Though at times it's way more than that...
The boss wasn't there I think it was a Saturday morning??
One of the guys behind the counter gave some lip...
After telling them Hare & Forbes have air compressors $200 cheaper..

Yep you'll keep !!!
Never seen him there since. I go there to pick up parts two or three times a week..Exchange clutch etc for Hino, Mitsi, Isuzu etc...
Though elect worker we are definitely in maintenance trade also...

One thing I can't do [though I've tried] is you cannot home a bucket of electricity with you...

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Full Noise

My advice would be to buy Sidchrome or the Total Tools (TTS) brand. You will get a lot more for your money and if you break one, they will replace it

+1 for Sidchrome. The spanners are the size they're meant to be, and my ratchet still works fine after 30+ years.

Although when I bought mine Sidchrome was an Australian company

[ebxr8240]

I have my old Sidchrome set .. BUT Kincrome seems to have taken over...
The guys at work got a good deal through Repco with a complete tool box combo..
The spanners feel well made, fit in hand nice.. Though again I think they have changed in quality ??

[Full Noise]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Although when I bought mine Sidchrome was an Australian company

I’ve still got all of my Australian made Sidchrome stuff from when I was an apprentice, as well as a “shipload” of the new imported stuff.

With the new stuff, TTS, Kinchrome and Sidchrome, I wouldn’t say that they were made in the same factory, but the foundries are probably in the same street.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Full Noise

It’s all good and well for them to say “spend up big”, however, they’re not the ones picking up the tab.

So you’re an apprentice working on Honda cars?

Realistically, how often do you break spanners or sockets? My guess would be not very often, unless you plan on hooking ring spanners to open enders, or putting pieces of pipe on the end of ring spanners.

My advice would be to buy Sidchrome or the Total Tools (TTS) brand. You will get a lot more for your money and if you break one, they will replace it.
If you are pretty close to your Total Tools branch, they will swap broken tools over on the spot, no iffs or buts, whereas with Sidchrome, you’ll have to wait until a sales rep comes to the shop to inspect them.

It you are going to work on trucks or earthmoving equipment, that’s a different issue, but if you’re only working on cars, In my opinion, Sidchrome, TTS or Kinchrome are fine for what you’re using them for.

By the way, when I was an apprentice, I had a Chicago Pneumatic ½ drive impact gun and the housing cracked like a chocolate egg on Easter Sunday. So even when you buy expensive stuff, it doesn’t mean that they’ll last.

Good point, one of the mechanics there has "K.C Tools" and old Sidchrome ones, but his ratchet is starting to wear a little, 3 of the apprentices have "Teng Tools", it was hilarious when someone went to open one of the teng tools toolboxes with his foot and it just smashed off the plastic handle, one has SP Tools. I'll check out the TTI tools and I quite like some of the Kincrome stuff, I can get that through Bunnings, I'm looking at a Kincrome tool chest, they sell them for $300 at my local hardware store and it doesn't look too bad.

Chicago Pneumatic 1/2" drive impact gun, one of the mechanics has one and damn that thing is nuts, it has a bit of a kick using it on its most powerful setting compared to the crappy "Jonesway" ones in the express bays.

Keep the advice coming, anything you can tell me I really appreciate.

[BIGTRAV]

My mechanic used to send me around to r+e auto to get parts as his trade price was always dearer than my price and i would just ask what is the best you can do on??? and i didnt go in there very often either so trade isnt always the cheapest. It pays to shop around though, the last couple of months i have been buying a load of parts for my xc coupe project and there is a big difference in price between repco,autobarn,r+e and burson and it sways differently all the time. I have saved a heap of $$$ though. Were i work now (hydraulics + pneumatics) we all get cost price on everything we buy for ourselves, 30-70% off.

[Interceptor]

I'm the resident parts ********** at a local car dealer

I've been ordered not to give trade price to ANYONE who doesnt have an account, if i get sprung, I end up paying the difference

I've had more than a few people whinge about it, and they cant comprehend that theres no way i'm going to give them a discount when they earn more than me!

On the flip side, the DP and manager know that I'm not going to give a discount to just anyone, so good friends and friends in associated industries (read: suppliers and account holders) who work for a company where they could simply get thier parts through thier employers account get given trade pricing

Also, anyone in the emergency/armed forces (apart from a couple of the local cops) who is smart enough to come in wearing uniform doesnt pay full price either.....

DP and manager also know I make more money for them than they stand to lose through me giving out a few trade price discounts

there are a couple of people who regularly demand a discount, claiming my predecessor used to look after them, etc etc

I explain to them
1: He's not here anymore
2: I'm not him
3: The customer is giving my predecessor a bad name by going on about how he used to get discounts, I know I dont want to risk my job or future re-employment because some douche couldnt keep his trap shut

the ones who really become annoying fall victim to the old joke of "RRP is only the RECCOMENDED retail price..... there's been a couple of people who have really annoyed me who have ended up paying more than double the regular mark up..... my biggest markup was 75%

[bingoTE50]

Most spare parts companies like Auto Pro etc give out loyalty cards that will save you 10% , join on line . Whilst not trade price - better than nothing.

[drew`SEVNT5]

Originally Posted by Interceptor

I'm the resident parts ********** at a local car dealer

I've been ordered not to give trade price to ANYONE who doesnt have an account, if i get sprung, I end up paying the difference

I've had more than a few people whinge about it, and they cant comprehend that theres no way i'm going to give them a discount when they earn more than me!

On the flip side, the DP and manager know that I'm not going to give a discount to just anyone, so good friends and friends in associated industries (read: suppliers and account holders) who work for a company where they could simply get thier parts through thier employers account get given trade pricing

Also, anyone in the emergency/armed forces (apart from a couple of the local cops) who is smart enough to come in wearing uniform doesnt pay full price either.....

DP and manager also know I make more money for them than they stand to lose through me giving out a few trade price discounts

there are a couple of people who regularly demand a discount, claiming my predecessor used to look after them, etc etc

I explain to them
1: He's not here anymore
2: I'm not him
3: The customer is giving my predecessor a bad name by going on about how he used to get discounts, I know I dont want to risk my job or future re-employment because some douche couldnt keep his trap shut

the ones who really become annoying fall victim to the old joke of "RRP is only the RECCOMENDED retail price..... there's been a couple of people who have really annoyed me who have ended up paying more than double the regular mark up..... my biggest markup was 75%

Really? Sounds like a ********** of a place to work for...

Been front & back counter at a few places, and as long as you didnt sell stuff at a loss, I the employee had discretion as to whom got what...

That policy of 'having to pay the difference' really stikes me as quite odd, and quite...well, mean.

[Biggav]

Originally Posted by platinumXR

I used to get asked "Oh can I get trade price on that?" and I'd say "Sure, can I just get a look at you're MVIRC quickly?"....."My what?"..."sorry mate, trade price is for tradespeople...."

Used to love the place used to work at get people all the time come in and ask that question now only thing that was the clincher of actually getting it was:
1, if you made us "work" retail was put in place of trade & if you REALLY made us "work" for it then was retail plus 20% - hence no trade for you, its not hard to know what year of vehicle and what your vehicle is that you drive day to day.
2, we knew you or of you then would give you trade if not 20% above cost

best one was taxi drivers always asking of taxi discount many times i asked them to give a business card with their number on it so i could get a discount next time i wanted a lift home they would always say no cant do that then you say to them you just got your answer sorry.

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by drew`SEVNT5

That policy of 'having to pay the difference' really stikes me as quite odd, and quite...well, mean.

yes, but as an employee, its not my position to alter a price that my employer sets, and doing anything to reduce his profits could be considered as theft

[cs123]

Originally Posted by ratter

Not really directed at anybody specifically, more just an observation that so many non mecahnical trade people expect or demand trade prices when they are not in the trade.

People try to negotiate on any purchase. If you don't ask you won't know.

[pottery beige]

I've use the same part's joint for year's.. Gotten to know a few of the bloke's over time.. Never asked for trade price... Alway's seem to get it though...........

[partzkid]

I work on a pretty simple basis
1. Someone from the street = full rrp
2. regular customers doing the odd bit of work but arent mechs = between rrp and trade
3. mech shops/mech doing yarders = trade discount
4. mech working on their own cars = better than trade
example, where else do you know you can get 355mm and 330mm fpv rotors
slotted and drilled like originals for $800 all up for all 4
5.then comes my staff = cost on their own car, anything else plus bout 10% on cost to make it worth getting it in

all prices are at my discretion, hey the advantages of being the manager

if someone from the street rings/comes in if they want to buy enough stuff then i will knock a bit off to make myself look good/help start a relationship

I always have to keep in mind that first impression you make on someone can be the difference between you making that extra 50 bucks this one off time or that same person coming back and spending god knows how many $$$$$$ the next time

partzkid