Re: ordering parts over e-mail

[Chris Stephenson <cs_tscg@domain.elided>]

I usually keep quiet on this list, but this one struck a cord with me. I, like many
other people travel almost 100%. I am in meetings, on planes, etc at all times of
the day. I use email  and web commerce extensively because it fits my schedule. I
also own several collector cars. I have come to rely on this method as a primary
venue to determine parts availability, price and advice. Most of the vendors I deal
with return my emails within a day or two. If they don't, I simply do not do
business with them. If you offer email as a method of ordering or inquiring on
orders, you should take the emails you get seriously.  Otherwise, don't publish
your email address.

My .02
OK, I'm off the soapbox

Chris Stephenson
http://www.stephensonconsulting.com

Mastro Subaru Alfa Romeo Of Tampa wrote:

> I've been pondering a recent e-mail from a digester, letting me know
> that I had an attractive price on some parts but he bought them
> elsewhere because I, among the majority, did not respond to his e-mail.
>
>         In this case, I think it got lost in the shuffle, since I get 30-45
> mails a day, everything from real inquiries to Betty's Boobs Webpage
> offers. Some get lost due to the delete button.
>
>         Perhaps it would help if regular consumers were to shop as vendors do,
> back and forth. When we call each other, we either ask for "price and
> availability" or say "I want to order...." To the point.
>
>         Note the key word, Call. I take a person on the phone very seriously.
> Faxes are also high priority. E-mail, to me is usually a shopper looking
> for price to compare to someone else, unless I know them and they have
> purchased before. Answering mail is time consuming and frankly, has
> produced less fruit than the toll free phone, so I do it in spare time,
> which is tight at best.
> .
>         Keep in mind, I'm not complaining here. I think most others would agree
> with me. The idea is to get you what you need in the least amount of
> time and expense. Sometimes it's not in stock, because I can drop ship
> it faster, or it doesn't sell fast enough to justify tying up the money.
>
>         Philosophy lesson over, back to scheduled programming.
>
> AlfaBill
> --
> M a s t r o  M o t o r s -
> Wholesale Internet Parts for Alfa Romeo & Subaru
> http://mastrosubaru.com/parts.htm

------------------------------