Belts and hoses, being common repair items, are stocked fairly well at the shop level, as far as fast-moving SKUs are concerned. On average, shops that responded to the Counterman Professional Automotive Repair Technician Survey (P.A.R.T.S.) say they perform six jobs per month requiring belts and hoses. Forty-seven percent of shops keep these parts in stock, and when it comes time to re-stock, they rely on an average of three different sources.
Jobbers by far are seen as the biggest source in this category, as the chart here illustrates. As the number of SKUs has increase in this category, however, shops cannot stock each and every belt and hose. This is why a source’s ability to have the parts in stock, fast delivery and competent counter professionals are paramount.
