From aftermarketNews/Counterman staff reports
Editor’s Note: Today, we begin a new weekly feature brought to you by the editorial staffs of aftermarketNews and Counterman. Each week, The Pulse will provide insight into buying, sourcing and brand-loyalty habits of counter professionals and professional technicians.
When it comes to sourcing AC Compressors, 44 percent of professional technicians say jobbers are their primary source, according to an annual survey conducted by Counterman magazine. Jobbers have dropped slightly as the primary choice for technicians looking for AC compressors. In 2005, 47 percent called jobbers their first choice.
Fourteen percent of professional technicians name retailers their first call, and 12 percent go directly to their WDs.
When asked why they chose jobbers, or other options, as their first call, 44 percent of the technicians surveyed said their primary source had the best sales reps. Twenty-three percent said they chose their primary outlet due to availability, and another 23 percent valued fast delivery. In 2005, availability was the main reason technicians relied on their first call, with 37 percent of technicians selecting this as their primary motivator.
These and other statistics can be found in the Professional Automotive Repair Technician Survey (P.A.R.T.S.), produced annually by Counterman magazine. Seven years ago, Counterman began surveying repair shops annually to determine when, how and why they source specific automotive parts and products. The resulting data, published every Fall, offers perspective on how sourcing and brand-loyalty trends have changed.