CHICAGO – A new breed of Do-It-Yourself motorists are changing the way their vehicles are being serviced. BIY (Buy-It-Yourself) consumers are saving money on auto repairs and maintenance by purchasing the necessary parts themselves and having their local technicians do the installations. Using the Internet to find the best prices for the parts and accessories they need, these astute BIY drivers are keeping their cars and trucks running safely and efficiently, extending the life of their vehicles and saving considerable money, according to JC Whitney.

JC Whitney & Co, a direct marketer of automotive parts and accessories, has recently noted the rise of this new trend among its customers.

“It’s a trend that’s really picking up speed,

“ said Tom West, CEO and president of JC Whitney. “It’s no different than a bride buying a diamond online and having her local jeweler set it.”

The savings can be dramatic, according to JC Whitney. As an example, the company said the owner of a 2001 Ford Mustang saved almost $70 on a new radiator buy ordering the part themselves. A national auto parts store quoted the part at $186.99. JC Whitney offered the exact same part, including shipping, for  $117.04.  Another example: A front oxygen sensor for a 2002 Chevy Malibu was priced at $139.99 by a national service chain, and JCWhitney.com’s price for the identical name-brand part, delivered to the customer’s doorstep, was $80.98 – a savings of more than 40 percent.

Comments (10)

Comment by: Bruce 6/30/2009 10:20 AM

I recently purchased a fixer upper. Home not car. Almost every contractor that I have used has bought their supplies at one of the national Home Centers. As long as I pay for supplies as they need them they don’t mark up the cost. I bought all of the appliances and lighting fixtures. The point is I was buying their technical skill not their skill at purchasing product. This is how the skilled and savvy contractor competes with the national guys.

Comment by: Moe 6/30/2009 10:19 AM	It sounds to me like this issue hits a little too close to home for some folks

Comment by: Moe 6/30/2009 10:11 AM	It sounds to me like this issue hits a little too close to home for some folks

Comment by: d. ramsey 6/29/2009 7:42 PM	I work for a national chain, if any of my good shops see this they raise their labor rates and don't guarantee anything. I really don't think smart consumers do this just cheap, foolish ones who think their getting A GOOD DEAL.

Comment by: Richard B 6/29/2009 3:14 PM

I don't doubt that this practice has a great deal of appeal to JC Whitney, Autozone, Advance, or O'Reilly. They get to sell more technical hard parts to the BIY customer and not have to worry about installation. I don't believe it will be widely accepted by installers (particularly the good ones) as it will affect their profitability by eliminating parts markup. No one who understands the math believes that an installer can provide the facility, equipment, expertise, training, and warranty by charging $75 an hour for labor. That rate would have to double to make BIY business to make sense.

Comment by: ? 6/29/2009 3:10 PM	Since when does the bride buy her own diamond?

Comment by: mb 6/29/2009 3:06 PM	There is a shop, just down the road, that is just about out-of business for installing parts he did not make any money on installing. Go see him. You will be helping my business, and everyone who is trying to make an honest living.

Comment by: unknown source 6/29/2009 2:46 PM

I love the old "steak and restraunt" analogy, as old and as played as it is. The restraunt doesn't charge me $16 for the steak it paid $8 for and another $90 per hour to cook it. And if for some reason the steak isn't right, the restraunt will make me another one or discount my bill. When is the last time you did after on of your misdiagnosis? I know the answer, never! Shop owners aren't worried about the quality of the parts or the warranty, they are just worried about not being able to mark up the parts 50-100%. Start passing on some of your savings to your customers like everyone else in the supply chain has had to and you won't have any problems.

Comment by: Doug Collie 6/29/2009 2:27 PM	The warranty issue should be enough that any a reputable repair shop would shy away from installing parts that are carried in. Poor part quality can easily be perceived as poor repair/labor quality. The average consumer wouldn't know a good quality part if it bit them.

Comment by: Steve Baltzer 6/29/2009 2:22 PM	I did the same thing a few years ago, bought and A/C compressor, twice, had a shop install them. The first one failed in 2 days as did the second one. I had to pay install labor three times because the shop didn't buy the part, I did. Bottom line, no savings.

 

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