The car parts business is very competitive, with several local motor factors all competing for the business of independent garages like us. We spend in excess of £10000 a month on spare parts, oils, antifreeze and tools, so we’re regularly offered ’sweetners’ from suppliers to use them the most.

Much like a GP or consultant at the local surgery might be offered some decent ‘gifts’ from a drug company, that he or she might perscribe that particular brand of drug to patients, in preference over another brand. We have similar offerings, although ours are a little less tempting than the odd free holiday!

Say for example, we have a customer with a VW Golf that needs a new catalytic converter. Now, this’ll cost us around £100 and we have a choice of  4 different, but similarly-priced suppliers.

Let’s say that when I’m about to order, I’m feeling a little peckish. Well, I might phone GSF car parts in Farnham, as with every order over £50, I’ll get a free packet of mini McVities Digestives! Then, when my part arrives, I can nibble on a high-calorie and sugar-laden snack that’ll ruin my strict diet! Now, say I’ve got a party to go to that night (as if!) and I have to take some ‘tinnies’ – well, I’ll order from Euro Car Parts, as I get a 6 pack of Stella for every full exhaust with Catalyst we buy.  Recently,  one of the motor factors was offering a Kit Kat with every set of brake pads.

Whilst these offers are often very tempting on the spur of the moment, they’re aimed more at the actual technician than the owner/manager. I’d much prefer them just making the parts cheaper in the first place, or simply actually delivering them within a reasonable period of time. Although a little pack of biscuits makes a tempting little snack, if I have to wait 2 hours for it (and my exhaust) to arrive, by the time it does come I’m often too annoyed to eat them!

With the rising cost of living these days, a far more useful service would be free pint of milk with every set of spark plugs, a free bag of strong white flour (I make my own bread!) with every air filter, or 6 eggs with every can of oil. That way, I’d be able to do my weekly shopping whilst going about my daily business of buying car parts. Then, my wife would be happy when I’m late home, as I’d be carrying a useful bag of groceries!

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