Why should you support your local authorized performance parts supplier?
In today's speciality parts marketplace, it is often difficult for the customer to know where they should spend their hard earned money to upgrade their vehicle. Customers already know how to define the following issues: best price, availability of parts, customer service, and support after the sale.
However, there is one key factor that many people overlook when choosing a company to purchase from: is the company an authorised dealer of the product/s you are buying?
Why should you, the end user care if the shop is an authorised dealer or not? Why should you consider paying a little extra to purchase from an authorised distributor?
Firstly, suppliers offer a warranty on a product only after it is proven that the product was bought through an authorised distributor. Imagine buying that several thousand pound body kit or turbo system from "just another dot-com or non registered company and having the bumper crack or fall off or the manifold crack or the turbo blow up after 4 months or worst of all to find out your part is a copy and not made by the original supplier. Then when you call the supplier and find out that you'll have to pay for the repairs or buy a whole new item.it wont make your day,
If the part you are after seems really cheap and a bargin please ask the supplier if it is a genuine part or a copy part as a lot of copy parts we have come across are very poor and do not fit correctly, do yourself a favor and buy quality parts the overall look of your car will be one hundred times better
The manufacturer won't even consider helping you if they have no idea how you acquired the product. The product could be used longer than you say, could be stolen, or could have been bought via the "grey market". Suddenly the little bit of money you saved doesn't seem so appealing after all.
Also remember this:
As an authorized distributor we spend a lot of money with our suppliers so we can often help with the decision of whether the manufacturer will replace the item or repair it free of charge. As we have a consistent relationship with these manufacturers we are going to have a lot more influence over their warranty decisions than a "dot-com" or non registered company that the manufacturer has never heard of or spoken to and gains no benefit in helping them. It is always nice to have a conversation with someone that actually knows what they are talking about rather than ordering from a computer screen that cannot answer your immediate questions or offer you a better alternative.
Next, manufacturers offer service, support, and technical assistance only after it is proven that the product was bought through an authorized distributor. We understand that not everyone needs backup on everything they purchase. But often you may have a few questions that would be best answered by the people that made what you bought. It would be nice to know they will talk to you if you do need assistance. While manufacturer provided technical assistance is not the most important reason to buy authorized, it certainly has its value.
Finally, authorized distributors of a product are more likely to be around in the future and it is worth asking the company how long they have been in business as this will let you know how good they are when you may need assistance. Becoming an authorized distributor is no walk in the park and it involves a lot more than a phone call. While every manufacturer has their own individual requirements to become an authorized distributor, most of them have some requirements in common.
These include:
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The company must make an opening purchase.
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The company must have a physical business location where customers can purchase the manufacturer's or suppliers product. In other words it can't be run out of their house or a corner in their friend's business.
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The business must be proven, have good credit, a solid reputation, and excellent references.
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Some manufacturers go as far as to fly to the companies location and do a personal inspection of the facility before agreeing to authorize and sell.
What does all this mean to you? It means that an authorized distributor is a more established business, is a full time business, and is set up to best serve the customer. Many "dot-com" or part time performance companies are run out of a spare bedroom or garage. Most of them are box shifters as they are known . Most of these "shops" aren't shops at all they are operated in the spare time of the owner and may have no product insurance . Everything else comes before you: his or her other "real" job, college classes, homework, or their kids screaming in the background while you are trying to get your questions answered.
If you don't know if the company you are purchasing from is an authorized distributor, simply ask. Or better yet, call the manufacture and ask them!
MGS Motorsport is proud to be an authorized dealer/distributor of the products we carry. We have a 1000 sq.ft. facility in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian that anyone is welcome to visit. Selling and fitting performance parts is our livelihood we will give you 100% support should you need it
If anyone has any comments or questions, or believe there is something we should add to this explanation, please write or use our submission form and let us know!
Thank you for choosing MGS MotorSport as the source for your performance and styling needs!
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