hello, i would like to chime in on this conversation. i can't speak for all dealers but most invoicing and quoting software allow you to use a generic part number or generic item name like "forklift parts" in order to produce a quote without the actual part number being used. we use this feature to quote someone we think might just need a part number to shop us around. i do however provide part numbers to customers who have a history of buying from us. they need them for the PO's they have to generate to place an order with us. looking up part numbers is time consuming and requires a large reference library ( manuals, Cd's, etc..) that don't come cheap. since we are one of the largest independent parts only operations in TEXAS we have to have access to all makes not just one or two particular produce lines like a dealer. if your in the business you have to invest money in reference materials no way around it. however, if you don't mind waiting a day or so for a response SMH does have a part number look up service but you need to do enough volume for them to offer it to you for free. we use it only when we can wait. otherwise i just call or email my dealer contacts and they give me part numbers and prices in return for my business. they know i don't wast their time shopping them around for a few dollars less. i need fast and accurate quotes and after 10 years in the parts business all you need is a handful of reliable dealer contacts to do your job.

It's nice to see that people are finally agreeing that it unprofessional to expect someone to waste their time when you have no intention of buying the parts from them.
If the person requesting the free information felt that it as a "normal" practice, they would ask for the part number first instead of dead last, almost as if it is an afterthought!
Most of them finish the conversation by saying "Oh by the way, you wouldn't have the part #, would you?

The only way to get around this is to tag the original part number with your own number so the customer can only buy with you. It is a bit laborious at first but it saves you doing all the work and letting other people benefit from it.

The real issue is who really wants to serve the customer and who wants to screw the competition.....We talk to several dealers who continually discount to their competitors....Why? Do you think that because you treated them well that when the customer needs new equipment that the competitor will recommend yours?

Looking up specific part numbers is a very laborous act. Doesn't matter if you have the software or not, most dealer parts people won't look up parts for even their own lines...just too lazy...

For the original poster I have found the solution for those software buggers
I create a number in our system, it will resemble a OEM number, we see the SMH number they only see ours and can reorder as often as they want.
If they want to compare with other vendors they wont even get a price so they are locked in to us for the order.

I do that with a customer who is logged on to SMH
and he is a happy customer.

dealer support is our best asset, I never use SMH as part number resoruce becasue it is important we have correct information. My company contracts with SMH as a supplier so soetimes they are the best value for us.

As a buyer with access to multiple vendors, our rule of thumb is to give the order to that special one who does all the leg work and faxes the parts pages and prices from his software. We know what it is like to have wasted time and apreciate and compliment that salesman. We will only order elswhere if the back order creates a problem with our customer.

As a seller we work very hard to stock the parts our customers need and give rapid concise answers asap. The result is we build up ongoing relationships. NB truck down situations are almost never faxed or emailed , it is 99% of the time a phone call.

crownd,
Just for thought - With too many "unpaid performances requests" you will find that less & less vendors will respond to your requests - everyone's efforts (in cluding yorus) are directed to make a living.
As a lift truck sales guy valued my time at $75.00/hour. This was time I had contact with customers and working on their projects - no driving time or suff like that. When a prospective customer that I or our company have never dealt with would call me as ask me to send him via fax or e-mal & needed it pronto but not allow me the opportunity to present my company, our products, myslef or the opportunity to survey his application first - I would decline or give them a "high" ball park $ as I knew all he was looking for was second or third quote to satisfy a "coporate rule" & had already made up their mind on what to they were goind to buy. Strange as it may sound I did get soem new customers when I took this approach because the prospect sensed & appreciated I was not just another "me too".

Just because a supplier researches and supplies part numbers does not guarantee a sale. I am required to obtain at least two quotes before I issue a PO number.

We all have the same pressure to keep prices down. Our philosophy is that if you ask someone to go through the process of researching part #'s then that is where we but them from.

SMH is just one resoucre for parts informaton. As an end user I am presured by budget demands so we tend to look for the best value. My experiance with SMH you learn what to buy and what not to buy from them this can impact the "value aspect".

Well, SMH got tired up looking up part numbers for free and losing the sale to other suppliers. Now if you call or e mail them for a part #, they supplier your with a customized, computer generated part. So it is an issue in our industry. Personally. if someone called and told me up front that all they wanted was the part number and had no intention of purchasing the part from us, unless they couldn't find it elsewhere, it would save us all a bunch of time.

we fix and sell lifts in Tn would like to know places to get parts and paint etc

we fix and sell lifts in Tn would like to know places to get parts and paint etc