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.