Some Insight / Feedback

[Gahno]

Why not - flushing the brake fluid is a very important thing to do ...

Would you use a 500ml Dot4 everytime you flush? or 200ml ?

I can get a set of Bosch blades for less than 200 bucks from AutoZone. Are these a special kind of wiper?

Yeah it is the AEROTWIN they are like performance type wiper blades, I think the ones you getting from Autozone are the normal standard wiper blades Bosch ECO, I can get those as well they like R70-R90 each depending on size, only problem is the profit value too low on those I can't offer free delivery.
The AEROTWIN have longer lifespan and aerodynamically designed to have no resistance with the wind so should be silent on high speed, and it is designed with a curve that doesn't leave any gaps sits flat on the windscreen properly. They look like the Audi / BMW wiper blades. Check this image

One of my customers from last week he got his AEROTWINS for around R900 he paid like R400 from me. You can check with Autozone what their AEROTWIN cost let me know your findings

My online supplier suplies D3s for 10% cheaper than you, delivered. Maybe look at your margins?

Actually the D3S I am busy negotiating with my supplier I noticed they are more expensive on those. If you look at my D1S/D2S/D4S I should be reasonably priced, let me know how I price on the rest, willing to see how I can improve. I am using the same average mark ups across them all it is just the D3S I think my supplier is just more expensive. Busy negotiating on the D3's with my suppliers.

 

[ubercal]

With all due respect , i cant see your making money from this business venture.Bu the looks of it you going to be selling cheap run of the mill products.The market in SA is already flooded with cheap automotive parts.You can go to autozone , midas , goldwagen etc.However a niche market would be to sell high quality parts from overseas , but have stock available locally.Example i hate having to wait 2 to 3 weeks for a part from the USA.My 2 cents worth.

 

[Gahno]

With all due respect , i cant see your making money from this business venture.Bu the looks of it you going to be selling cheap run of the mill products.The market in SA is already flooded with cheap automotive parts.You can go to autozone , midas , goldwagen etc.However a niche market would be to sell high quality parts from overseas , but have stock available locally.Example i hate having to wait 2 to 3 weeks for a part from the USA.My 2 cents worth.

I get what you saying, and agree with you on the cheapie stuffs being flooded in SA, there is a reason why I chose Philips and Bosch and some of the globally known brands in Europe/US but not really famous here. I try to stay away from the cheap automotive parts, automotive parts is no joke it is a life threatening thing.

When you talk about the high quality stuffs from overseas what brands are you referring to? Philips and Bosch are global brands? or are you referring to the likes of Aisin, Denso, TRW, the popular global but nobody in South Africa knows brands? The old company I use to work at tried importing these premium brands but it never worked out, it was a big loss so it was quickly discontinued. South African market is still majority a price conscience country.

Regardless Thanks for your 2cents bro. Appreciate it, just out of curiosity what kind of part did you have to get from the USA was it a specific part that isn't available locally? Or was it just a specific brand you prefer? There are a lot of global brands in South Africa like NGK/SACHS/ATE/TEXTAR/FRAM/BOSCH/PHILIPS that are doing well that should be available locally.

 

[ArmatageShanks]

Website looks good, I know quite a few people who service their cars themselves including me, basic things plugs filters oil etc especially if its a older car.
Its currently very convenient to go to your local Midas or Autozone and get all the parts you need once off, if you can offer such a service whereby you can go and select your car make model and year and the website then gives you in a neat list all the parts you stock and require that would be awesome and people will definitely use it.

 

[ubercal]

I get what you saying, and agree with you on the cheapie stuffs being flooded in SA, there is a reason why I chose Philips and Bosch and some of the globally known brands in Europe/US but not really famous here. I try to stay away from the cheap automotive parts, automotive parts is no joke it is a life threatening thing.

When you talk about the high quality stuffs from overseas what brands are you referring to? Philips and Bosch are global brands? or are you referring to the likes of Aisin, Denso, TRW, the popular global but nobody in South Africa knows brands? The old company I use to work at tried importing these premium brands but it never worked out, it was a big loss so it was quickly discontinued. South African market is still majority a price conscience country.

Regardless Thanks for your 2cents bro. Appreciate it, just out of curiosity what kind of part did you have to get from the USA was it a specific part that isn't available locally? Or was it just a specific brand you prefer? There are a lot of global brands in South Africa like NGK/SACHS/ATE/TEXTAR/FRAM/BOSCH/PHILIPS that are doing well that should be available locally.

HKS , grimmspeed,cusco,perrin,cobb,nvidia,mishimoto,hella,kartboy,ebc , arp , etc

 

[Gahno]

Website looks good, I know quite a few people who service their cars themselves including me, basic things plugs filters oil etc especially if its a older car.
Its currently very convenient to go to your local Midas or Autozone and get all the parts you need once off, if you can offer such a service whereby you can go and select your car make model and year and the website then gives you in a neat list all the parts you stock and require that would be awesome and people will definitely use it.

Thanks for taking the time to check and respond, appreciate it. I am building the catalog as you mentioned.

HKS , grimmspeed,cusco,perrin,cobb,nvidia,mishimoto,hella,kartboy,ebc , arp , etc

ok I see what you mean now, we talking about two completely different markets, I am sure there should be guys interested that imports these performance parts. Probably just need to find them?

I actually have no clue when it comes to performance parts, never dealt with it before, so won't really even know where to start. But you did spark my interest will keep this in mind, I do have some contacts in Japan / US. Will chat with them see if they know anything. Thanks for your insight, and time.

 

[PhireSide]

The issue with holding local stock of expensive parts is that you need to be sure to move it quick enough to avoid making a loss. Best would be to stick to generic parts if that's the case.

No use in keeping a CAI for a 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX facelift model with the revised bonnet with struts (all made up but you get my point) if the part only fits three or four cars matching that spec in the whole country.

 

[Gahno]

The issue with holding local stock of expensive parts is that you need to be sure to move it quick enough to avoid making a loss. Best would be to stick to generic parts if that's the case.

No use in keeping a CAI for a 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX facelift model with the revised bonnet with struts (all made up but you get my point) if the part only fits three or four cars matching that spec in the whole country.

You pretty much summed up business 101 unless you make 1000% profit when you sell one of it. But that is kind of a rip off.