| Dekalb - 6/23/2025 21:14
I’m sure it can be frustrating, but so can the other end of the phone. I won’t get anywhere unless I have looked up the part number myself. I called one day and needed an idler. Gave the 20 year parts manager the number. He says don’t have it, I’ll need to order it from Germany. I said do any of your other stores have it? He says let me look….. oh yes they have 2 at the other store (30 miles away) ok so why did I need to suggest he checks the other stores inventory???
Deere really needs to study what Amazon and McMaster Carr are doing and go that way for parts. Eliminate the parts counter and just do direct shipping. I’m sure there are plenty of good parts folks especially in the states with heavy ag but most of them are a dying breed.
Always check other stores inventory. We have multiple stores within the company and if one doesn't have it the other 30 miles away may. We are good at getting parts brought in by the guys who live closer to those stores. They will meet up after work and exchange parts. Sometimes we have a salesmen stop in on his way in and grab a part for us. I've sent customers to other dealers outside of the company who had their parts instead of ordering it for them. Whatever it takes to get them up and running again. |
Things I've learned since becoming a parts counter man.
