WAL Cat Converters

Just to confirm we did indeed see the price reduction for WALKER on PN code 4  Cat converters

Fuel Pump Info

At yesterdays road  show - the Delphi rep mentioned the Fuel Pump Info web page.  I found it interesting that Spectra was also a member of this elite group of fuel pump manufacturers -- check it out.  Click on the above above

IT'S A GIRL!!!

Congratulations to Adam and Angela.

Lauren Elizabeth

6 pounds 9 ounces

March 23, 2010

things you can do - and things you can't -- and things your shouldn't

I have been criticized over the years for ONE word in a large communication.    Not what I  said - but how I said it ... and it comes down to ONE WORD some one takes offense to.    That can be OK - but if you ignore the issue and fixate on the word -- how will we ever get things to be better?

Here is such an example - posting it here for all the world to see - and let history be my judge.

How many times do we talk to reps and  they say --buy - is it difficult to get parts in to CARQUEST's system ( referring to Canada ).

Here is such an example - the rep tells  us that he has request that CARQUEST add this part in 3 different e-mails over the past year ... PER 31870 --a gasket maker required to handle ATF fluid in Chrysler products ( USA part # 81180)   Point --we see it is added in the Raleigh system. Point - we are ordering it from Auto Sense - they added it.  BUT --with out it being in our system --it is VERY DIFFICULT to figure out how to add it into our new EXPLORIS system.   REALLY REALLY DIFFICULT!

So when we write in and use the term 'bull-shit' --it was used as a term of frustration not as a swear word.  In fact I personally do NOT believe that bullshit is a swear word.

see this link ...


But if I were to swear - I might try these ....

Here is my reply back to CARQUEST ... and I stand by my words  ...
BULL-SHIT is not swearing in my books --- get over it.

BULL-SHIT shows the amount of frustration that builds when you ask for things and are ignored - rejected or ??

In this case I have a rep that claims he sent PER 31870 new sku request in THREE TIMES to get added -- this is typical of what I hear from other reps who try to get the parts added in a timely basis.  If this problem was controllable at our store - that  person would have been fired ...so in light of the term BULL-SHIT ... it is the lesser of issues.

We are here to give OUTSTANDING SERVICE to our customers -- anyone who stands in the way of our goal will not have our 100% respect ...  improve your companies level of service and the swear words will all but disappear ... you have my promise ... but ... CARQUEST has to IMPROVE FIRST.

FIRST TO MARKET --that is not a claim I said --that is a claim that CARQUEST has made to me ---now --stand up and get it done.

ECC by Wells - tech tips on YOUTUBE

I see if you search youtube.com for WELLSTECH you will find a bunch of video's -- have not had any time to try them --telling you as FYI

Click here for search of WELLSTECH

Payroll

I will be doing payroll on Monday, March 29th. Please have all vacation/sick days reported and all timesheets sent in.

Thanks.

Top AC tech ?

This popped up on my Google alert for the work CARQUEST .....

Note sure where if there is a 2008 or 2009 --will ask

Dorman Spring 2010 Dealer ONLY- NOT cat available

The Spring Dealer ONLY ( wrong --we got it ) CATALOG is out --click this link to see the cat if you don;t have it yet --we have orderd a case for each store. We have also called Glenn Schaefer and expressed our INTENSE displease at the attitude they take in Toronto CARQUEST regarding this MOST VALUABLE selling resource. If you will remember we have fought with many at Toronto on this issue ... why they can;t get it straight is way beyond us. This has been a great help for a few years - the length of dispute is most annoying to us jobbers who just want to sell product and give GREAT customer service.

Remember anything that CARQUEST is TOO SLOW at adding to our computer system is available thru various other sources - like Auto Sense. I will add the Dorman data to the google doc's for Auto Sense asap. They have just released 700 new sku's in Dorman.

========================================

Late NEWS FLASH

CARQUEST will support the Dorman sales flyer

95% of all numbers are in system ( however - some sku;s might be limited in stock initially

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Velocity Surcharges

If you have a line that you want velocity surcharges turned off on - tell Greg H - there is an easy way to do this

-- BUT ( there  is always a ' but ' ) --

we want to TRACK the lines and make sure all 3 stores are identical.  So - drop me a note and we will review and talk and more off than not --do what you ask.  Butyou have to talk to me with your IDEAS ... or I never know.  The line CFL has this updated as of 3-17-10 ... happy St Patty's day.   ps this was called movement  code surcharges in the older J-Con.

CARQUEST TV spot

Youtube link to new CARQUEST TV spot playing -- we are getting the USA play times ( and will post here as an edit ) .  This is also playing at times on Weather Channel ( cable ) and A channel ( Ch # 16 ) for Stargate Atlantis & a few other's

We were hoping that with the change to a paperless warehouse we would no longer have to check the stock order off manually everyday. The accuracy is supposed to be 99.9% That doesn't seem to be the case. Last Week 4 out of 5 orders had errors. It may be just growing pains but for now keep checking off your orders.

New TOOL & EQUIPMENT rep

We have sent an e-mail to all staff on this as well-- Ian Marcotte - at (800) 462-5592 x 5741 is your contact for tool & equipment items ( try to have item over $1500 if you can ) -- he also handles all REPAIR PARTS for above equipment. I asked Ian for a photo - but none exist --so I substitutes this photo while we wait ....

TOOL & EQUIPMENT rep --- Ian Munster ( err - Marcotte )

Just spoke to Don at Windsor Mazda, questioning an invoice that we received from them. I asked him why we were billed at LIST price. He said that they no longer offer discounts of any type to anyone that doesn't spend at least $16 000 a year with them. I guess that would include us. Please let your trade accounts know that we will not be buying from Windsor Mazda and if they deal with them directly they should be prepared to pay list as well. In the meantime, we will try to find a different dealer who is a little more interested in selling parts.

KN

Mobil One - now available

CQ has finally added the Mobil One oil --using line ESO. Anyone who figures out what else they are doing with this line - let me know -- as subline 0 is Esso Oil ??? and sub line 1 is Mobil One oil ...margins are very skinny ... this is also available from warehouses like Auto Sense.

ESO	456625 **	Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-40 1L
ESO	550731	Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W-20 1L
ESO	311066	Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W-20 5L
ESO	564899	Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W-30 1L
ESO	460887	Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W-30 5L
ESO	314692	Mobil 1 Synthetic TD 5W-40 1L
ESO	314807	Mobil 1 Synthetic TD 5W-40 5L
ESO	382301	Mobil 1 Synthetic 10W-30 1L
ESO	460870	Mobil 1 Synthetic 10W-30 5L
ESO	382240	Mobil 1 Synthetic 15W-50 1L
ESO	008843	Mobil 1 Synthetic 15W-50 51L
ESO	011645	Mobil Super 1000 5W-20 1L
ESO	012321	Mobil Super 1000 5W-20 5L
ESO	011652	Mobil Super 1000 5W-30 1L
ESO	012543	Mobil Super 1000 5W-30 5L
ESO	012154	Mobil Super 1000 10W-30 1L
ESO	012550	Mobil Super 1000 10W-30 5L

* Note: ESO part numbers are the last 6 numbers of the UPC on the bottle.

** product available soon ( refers to Mobil 0-40 weight )

new Auto Sense web based ordering

We are expecting that the majority of KEY STAFF will know how to order from the NEW WEB BASED order screen for Modern Sales ( Auto Sense ). I have asked the Managers to update their user name & passwords for log-in into Plaxo ( it seems that this IMPORTANT part gets missed ) so you can find you info in case you forget ...

I quickly had a look - at how to order catalogues on line -- wow -- if CARQUEST could only get their act together to do something this IMPRESSIVE ... we live or die by our ability to get timely knowledge - and our ability to organize our catalogues is a KEY POINT that I have been critical of in our stores for some time -- CATALOGUES are important. And with more vendors going to on-line cat's -our ability to maintain a good system of bookmarks is equally important.

NO ONE likes to LOOK STUPID in the eyes of our customers- organize our catalogues and on line resources --- a good spring cleaning project --see the attached image on a line from Auto Sense we have requested more info on ... impressive ordering system for catalogues ( oh - did I repeat myself --I hope so !!! )

OMI Glass Bead

new line OMI ( Opta Mineral ) recycled glass bead - two numbers 483550040 for the 20-30 grade and OMI 483550050 for the 30-60 grade. I have asked Neil to review with Pete ( now back from his vacation ) and test in Petes Paint - available to any store who wants to try. Line has been added to our monthly cycle count list in Google Doc's as well

CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS

I have been getting complaints from customers about their invoice copies not being signed. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THEM SIGN BOTH THE STORE AND CUSTOMER COPY. Deb and I are also having to reprint alot of invoices for customers that are suppose to be sign and mail. Please make sure that copies are being left here to be mailed with the statement.