YACT: Anyone have luck bargaining with the guy at the parts counter?

[NutBucket]

Just curious. Once the guy just randomly gave me 20% off some plastic body clips (that were $5 each!!). I've always thought about it but never done it. What brings this on is yesterday I went to go get some parts for my swap; driver side motor mount, front torque mount, PS pressure line and a thermostat/gasket. Ended up being $340 before tax. Guess they just know they've got you buy the balls unless you're willing to wait on mail order. Stupid expensive Honda parts

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
Just curious. Once the guy just randomly gave me 20% off some plastic body clips (that were $5 each!!). I've always thought about it but never done it. What brings this on is yesterday I went to go get some parts for my swap; driver side motor mount, front torque mount, PS pressure line and a thermostat/gasket. Ended up being $340 before tax. Guess they just know they've got you buy the balls unless you're willing to wait on mail order. Stupid expensive Honda parts

Yes. I always ask for a deal, and almost always get a 10% discount or better.

 

[bernse]

Some stores give no leeway to the counterperson to price, others give them lots.

Be nice, first off. Don't act like a know it all... even if you do know more than the guy. That'll more likely than not get you pegged as a knob and you may get charged even *more* if they have the ability.

Also, say your with some company but will pay cash. Most places will give you wholesale on that alone, which could be anywhere from 5-50% off retail depending on the product.

 

[Ronstang]

Don't work on Hondas.....that is the big problem. The parts you speak of for a Mustang would have been easily under $100.

 

[radioouman]

Both my Dad and I have gotten deals at the parts counter at the dealerships. In fact, in one case I pointed out that it was the manufacturers fault, and the parts guy gave me the part at cost! (It was a $50 part!)

However, now that I am living in Columbus, OH, Saturn Southeast rapes me every time I go in there. I needed a simple plastic pin and grommet fastener and they charged me $4.95!!! I design these stupid fasteners at work, and we sell them for less than $.05! Talk about mark up!!

 

[zixxer]

there's a specific person I ALWAYS go to at the nissan parts counter. if someone else is working i leave and come back later. he gives me 5% above cost on dealer parts..

 

[iamwiz82]

$340?! Jesus, your Hondas dont need work often, but when they do, it costs more than a years worth of my repairs.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
$340?! Jesus, your Hondas dont need work often, but when they do, it costs more than a years worth of my repairs.

Well, the motor mounts are original so 12 years and 150k miles. The thermostat I couldn't get from kragen/autozone since their listing was wrong (completely wrong size). The power steering line I could have gotten from salvage but since it is under a lot of stress I'd rather buy it new. Actually, the only reason I need it is because I need it to match the pump on my new motor. I was supposed to have been able to use my old pump, bracket and hose but it didn't work out that way.

 

I recieve the standard 25% discount on all the parts I buy because I purchase parts every single day.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Roger
I recieve the standard 25% discount on all the parts I buy because I purchase parts every single day.

And being a mechanic doesn't hurt either

 

And being a mechanic doesn't hurt either

Automotive Technician buddy.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
$340?! Jesus, your Hondas dont need work often, but when they do, it costs more than a years worth of my repairs.

Well, the motor mounts are original so 12 years and 150k miles. The thermostat I couldn't get from kragen/autozone since their listing was wrong (completely wrong size). The power steering line I could have gotten from salvage but since it is under a lot of stress I'd rather buy it new. Actually, the only reason I need it is because I need it to match the pump on my new motor. I was supposed to have been able to use my old pump, bracket and hose but it didn't work out that way.

I bought a brand new PS pump, a remanned steering box, remanned starter, and hoses for less than $200

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Roger

And being a mechanic doesn't hurt either

Automotive Technician buddy.

Alrighty, you can be the Automotive Technitian and I'll be the weekend mechanic. Although, tomorrow isn't the weekend but I'll be working on my car Course, you'll prolly get some question when the car won't run right (crossing my fingers and praying to the factory service manuals can only go so far)

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Roger
I recieve the standard 25% discount on all the parts I buy because I purchase parts every single day.

Yep, I even get mt Mercedes Benz parts at 10% over dealer cost because I service the Parts Managers 1957 T-Bird.