Cross Canada - major changes almost done

With the help of Kevin in Toronto DC - and the pushing from Pete Heinrichs --we have MOST -- but not all changes in for BSL- CROSS CANADA. The exception pricing has been changed --see Greg H for details as we can;t post this here.

Soon --we will have ALL parts --the rad fan assemblies - the rads, the ac parts -- so when we get stuck -the data will be here and it make it SO MUCH EASIER for the counter staff to price and sell.

There is a new competitive position sheet - both Pete & Greg H missed seeing it on the link .... but it is here --that is an issue we have to take up with Matt Davis on how new announcements can stay longer before they are flushed.

Identifix

Identifix Update

Jeff Meyer from Identifix would like to set up an evevning with us (some time in December) to do a demo for our customers. After attending his demo in Windsor on Monday night, I can tell you first-hand that everyone there was very impressed with what they saw. They are offering a special from now until December 31. If a shop signs up before then, they get the first 6 months for $94.95(US) per month. If they are a TechNet shop the price drops to $84.95. This is a savings of $30 a month. In addition, if they are a member of iATN, they get their second month free. After 6 months, prices return to $124.95 and $114.95 for Technets. If you promote this demo to your customers, try to avoid talking prices until after they have seen it. We found several shop owners on Monday night who were ready to signup before they even knew what the price was.

GST Reduction

Please note that the GST rate is to be reduced to 5% as of January 1, 2008. Any questions let me know.

Wage Surplus Plan

This productivity plan has been in place since 1980. The basis of the plan is unchanged but we have slowly improved the base calculation. Originally it was a percentage of sales with a step scale for gross margin - and GUESS WHAT --that worked out to the formula we use to day -- 40% of gross profit is made available to wages.

If we pay more than 40% of gross profit dollars in wage surplus --there is NO claw back - you can keep it. But it is much more fun to have a BASE WAGES that supports a surplus at year end. This plan is designed to be a win-win issue -- most labour management issues tend to be a 'if you win - we must loose' issue .... we think this is a win win ( or is terrible mishandled it could become a loose-loose ).

At most monthly staff meetings we will tell you the year to date wage surplus your store has built up. We can compare to past years to give you a sense of where you are. We also give your manager a PRODUCTIVITY chart --showing how many dollars have been sold for the hours worked. This is MOST IMPORTANT - it helps see if the manager is planning staff hours correctly. If you have lots of idle time -- guess what -- you are burning your year end wage surplus bonus. If you see another company with staff always busier that your store - you are looking at staff who will have more wage surplus at year end.

This plan is a team plan - like the Tigers - you can have bad year with good staff - if is the way you all mesh together as a team.

Wage surplus allocations are set as a percentage of your base wage with some slight adjustments for common sense points ( like have you been there for a full year ). Allocations are reviewed by the office manager and ops manager and final year end allocations are reviewed by other store managers - to ensure fairness. Al staff except the ops manager participate in this plan.

You can have TOO FEW staff - your chart looks wonderful - but your ability to serve the customer will drop. The customer will become disappointed in your store and you will loose sale in the long run.

Another problem --when you know someone is off on vacation or similar and you call in sick - especially when you don't get a replacement - then the staff struggle to handle the level of customer service that keep customers coming back. Remember it is a team effort to make good bonuses.

This bonus comes from not wasting hours --when you go into a store and too many staff are standing around -that kills the bonus. There are times when we are quite - that is the time that great staff do something - from counting stock - cleaning up - solving that problem - or on some occasions - seeing if the manager will let you off early.

It is all common sense.

Profit Share Plan

A guide to new staff - our profit sharing plan. The short and sweet version. Each company of our group offers this. We have offered profit sharing since 1979.

15% of pre tax profits is set aside for profit sharing. Want more -- two ways - help the company earn more or show you manager you have done tasks and actions that warrant a larger piece of the pie.

Other store managers, the office manager and the ops manager also review you store managers ranking of you piece of the pie to ensure a fairness. Frank and honest discussion are the best medicine for improving your piece for next year.

Click on the two images to see the larger size - one is a block rating system and another is showing circles of how one good trait leads to another ( drawn in 1992 - and still true today ).

The more we can show staff that their ever action impacts on the profitability of the company - the more we can help work as a better oiled team to maximize profits and minimize waste.

Spend that bonus ?

In the next few days we will know the exact number for both profit sharing and wage surplus plans ... will you spend that bonus or save it?

See this link ...

power of compound interest

I had read an article like this ....
Start early
The earlier you start investing, the more time you leave for compound interest to take effect. Someone who invests $100 a month from age 20 to 29 and then lets their investments grow is likely to have more money at 60 than someone who invests $100 a month from age 30 to 59. Here is the link for this ( with British Pounds vs Dollars .... but you get the difference ... start early . do you think I can find that article I read - but this one gets the point across.

source for SEVERE duty creepers

Shawn needs a source for SEVERE DUTY creepers ( sound like they might double as engine movers for diesel shop? ) Call Shawn with your idea's - thanks

drum price drops

Pennzoil & Quake State is dropping prices on drums of oil - 5 types ( 10-30 5-30 5-20 15-40 & atf ). New price will be .10 cents more than bulk oil. Change is effective Nov 1 -- will take some time to work out details.

I do NOT think we can order from warehouse - but we have asked what they will do. You will need to order on bulk oil truck.

If this is a ONE SHOT deal - the drum will come here and the customer picks up.

If account will buy a couple of drums a year - then we can set up as a drop ship account and he gets the drum delivered direct to him ( so DON'T forget to bill the customer !! )

With 5-20 becoming more popular -this could be a good way for shops to cover more customer demand.

See Neil Laing for details

Motor Mag Top 20

posted links on CTI page for top 20 tools for our customers and how to read past issues of Motor Magazine - check it out

From Ken Niefer - NGK

NGK Tech Tip - Interesting tip from Andy from NGK. Gasoline now contains ethanol (has for a while) and because ethanol burns so quickly and so easily, your shops' customers may actually notice a decrease in their fuel mileage. To combat this you have to "slow down the burn" in the combustion chamber. This is done by installing a spark plug that is one heat range cooler than the recommended plug and by gapping the plug .010" narrower than the recommended gap setting (to a minimum of .035"). This applies to listings in the NGK catalogue for vehicles '05 and older. For '06 and up, use the plug and gap setting listed in the catalogue. This also applies to vehicles using K&N or other high-flow style air filters.

filter differences

Wix ( Affinia ) have plants in USA & China ( the Cdn plants are now closed ) --click on the image to bring larger to read what it says -- fyi

Better E-cat?

Here is something that I stumbled upon. A much more complete Blue Streak Catalogue. Check out http://www.smpcorp.com/ ; If you want to have a little fun learning how to navigate their e-cat enter the contest. The contest is only open to residents of the U.S. but it still worth while trying it.

CTI classes start Wed Oct 24 & Thur Oct 25

The CTI classes start this week--- Wed & Thur at room 320 in St Clair --- how to tune your Honda

Classes are OPEN to all staff who want to attend - and we are encouraging you to sit in on a few ... yes ...there are some ( many ) things you may not understand ... but

1) as you continue to go - you pick up the info and see how the pieces fit together
2) you are becoming obsolete if you don't start leaning the new tuning - how can your customers talk to you if you can't understand his terms

PLEASE confirm if you are coming with your store manager ( who in turn tells Randy )

see the CTI blog for the course outline ( click link on RIGHT hand side )

Regards

Greg H

Battery Core

A while back CARQUEST added the part # BAT CORE that we use for over the counter batteries to charge and credit back when the old core comes back.

1) Greg Guyitt notices that the core value has risen recently - let us know if you feel this is OK. Please bear in mind the HUGE increase in lead prices - reflecting in the core increase

Recycler prices have gone from $4.00 to $5.50 effective Oct 1/07 - fyi for a 'standard' battery

2) D&T should be proud of how they have used the BAT CORE number - and another store has been told to PLEASE improve their performance -- go to a 2.2 screen and type that part # in and see what you see... gaining profits or wasting profits? Who gains when a customer throws a battery into the 'back 40' - help the environment - help lead recycling - help your profit sharing

try a CARQUEST-LINK search

Sometimes we get set in our ways --and because it didn't work before --we ASSUME it doesn't work now. Good case in point is the search feature for CARQUEST-LINK. For a long time it was a very dreadful type search function -where you needed to search on the BEGINNING of the title. So if you wanted to find something - you needed to know the FIRST part of the title

Well - guess what --somewhere, at sometime - the search function has improved to where you search for a part of name as you would normally assume -- the example was for the word 'owners' .... go try the search and see what you find.

I am told that we are still going to have a 'google' type search where you can search for data contained within the item or article - but that is still some time away. We await this final improvement.

TLR Trailer parts - new Blister pac's

Morco trailer parts ( line TLR ) has blister pac's --the part number is the same - add a B to the suffix ( end ) of the part #.

We are awaiting Majid in Toronto to finish up and add the parts - we are told within a month ( we won't tell you how long they have been to get to this point ....but ... )

Soon -- we will look at updating our stock to the blister numbers.

Sample part # 1550135 -- shackle nut & Bolt
new # 1550135B --- is 6 bolts and nuts --the amount required for typical application. There is NO surcharge for the blister ( which is nice - as many companies have a 10 to 30% surcharge for the convenience and that inflates the price too hi )

ANOTHER CHANGE will be for items TOO BIG to fit into a blister pac ... eg. 1050025 single hanger kit ...the new part # will be 1050025 BX ...this is the same -- but with a customer friendly label with three languages and a bar code .... these extra labels will be available if we want to change from the old part to the new part. TLR 1050025 becomes 1050025BX


watch for the new #'s to arrive in 60-90 days

Product Feedback form

We are a better organization if we give quality feedback - and we are a lesser group if no one cares ands ignores the IMPORTANCE of good feedback to CARQUEST!

At the next staff meeting we will be looking at staff who have -- and staff who have NOT used the feedback form. After the normal meeting we will have some extra time for just staff who have NOT done a feedback form as staff training ...so you could save both of us some time if you ask your store manager to show you if you are unclear.

Once you have given the feedback - make sure you check back to see what they have done with your feedback ...click on the image to see a sample feedback -- you click on the word DETAILS to see the full details for each form submitted.

Worried that your feedback is not a NOBEL PRIZEWINNER ---look --- not every piece of info can be 'life changing' .... and if you make a mistake -- the IMPORTANT POINT is YOU TRIED .... even Barry Binds doesn't hit every ball thrown at him -- some he misses ---so don't fear ....and learn to understand that your customers are giving you clues on what you need to discuss with your store manager and what you need to forward to CARQUEST to get fixed and improved ... to help us all.

weblink vs j-con

I was looking up a new master cylinder for a 1995 ford f350 diesel in J-con which seemed like a straight forward listing.The truck was having a low brake pedal which the shop guessed was a master cylinder.I happened to look it up in Weblink and found a whole lot more info than J-Con told me.Look it up both ways and read the yellow bar in weblink.This was the exact problem we had,so we went with the 1996 listing and cured a problem.(4 sets of shoes to 1 set brake pads over a 4 year period)

Update -- FYI --this extra detail does NOT show on Exploris either -it is probably awaiting the next generation e-cat

This begs a further question --if we know of a helpful hint like this one shown -- WHO do we send the info to --?? We will see if the mechanism supports jobber input.

part description updates

Found out the reason-- we mentioned at the last meeting the end of day report showed the DESCRIPTION field in BDR was updated ...and we wondered who corrected it back to where we needed it ....

In fact --the update is waiting for the next parts source CD --then the changes will happen .... we changed the setting

BUT--we still have one change PENDING for BDR that will happen on the next parts source CD update --so when that happens I have a list I will get someone to update for the X lines we source from other vendors ( while we wait for CARQUEST to fix their BDR prices)

From now on-- updates will happen the day they are put in ...this will make it easier for us to see the lines that CARQUEST updates description so we can correct back to required.

If confused --see Greg H

CARQUEST DirectHit demo

Identifix is offering dealer demo in Windsor on Mon Nov 12. 1:00 session and 6:00pm session. Food is provided as well

Click on image to bring larger for details or see Store Manager or salesmen - they have e-mail copy

Clip-Light HEMI drop Light

The new ClipLight LED drop lights are now added into the Toronto DC data base ( so we get the data with the next Parts Source update - or you can force data by ordering using the F-10 screen in POS ). Blair McLaughlin is the new buyer for this and many other 'retail' type lines.

Dorman wall chart

We are trying to get 50 more of this window regulator wall chart. Stay tuned.

how many items are we limited on ?

These items are available to the USA CARQUEST Jobber in the CHM line code ( along with Starbrite marine products )


Supplier NUMBER Description

Reed Union NFS-05 NU FINISH SCRATCH DOCTOR
Reed Union NF-76 NU FINISH LIQUID CAR POLISH
Northern Factory Sales RW-126 NORTHERN EXO-COAT (RW0126)
Northern Factory Sales RW125-5 FUEL TANK PREP (RW0125-5)
Northern Factory Sales RW125-9 FUEL TANK LINER KIT (RW0125-9)
Northern Factory Sales RW0125-1 FUEL TANK LINER
Alvin 10101 REPAIR/PATCH COMPD.
Alvin 10102 REPAIR/PATCH COMPD.
Alvin 11102 HI TEMP PATCH COMPD.
Northern Factory Sales RW125-77 FUEL TANK CLEANER (RW0125-77)
Alvin 16001 AUTOMOTIVE GOOP
Alvin 20102 THINNER/METAL CLNR.
Eclectic 38000 SEAL-ALL 380012 - 1 OZ
Eclectic 38001 SEAL-ALL 380112 - 2 OZ

Some of these the writer is not aware of --but one caught our eye --we have been selling SEAL-ALL for many years and is a real problem to source --and yet it is available thru New Castle IN Warehouse ( provider of all small lines and service parts )

PLEASEZZE Toronto --how about more listings -- give us what you CARQUEST gives their USA jobbers .... lets play fair.

updated version in Next-Gen e-cat --- comments

some improvements to Worldpac next-gen e-cat have been realesed - they will load automatically when you start SpedDIAL. They are ....
+ Qty per car is displayed in part type and detail panel. Use numeric key to change order qty. Xfers qty to price and availability or quick order
+ VIN answers chassis range question when applicable.
+ Refine vehicle is scrollable; no more "lost" part types. Previousy, you had to resize the window but the scroll bar solves the problem
+ Catalog (sDNGC too) supports long notes. No more "
" in the middle of notes ( see image to explain this point)

Jay Cobb posted this on the forum in Worldpac

Dorman new product e-cat

Two of only a few new items for the Sept e-cat ( to view what is new go to 8-12 menu on J-Con and select 8 - View Bulletin Board ) are Dorman OE Solutions for steering knuckles and Dorman HELP Fuel Door Springs.

Can someone do some verification -- do you see these in our paper catalogues - or have me been missed on mailings
- do you see these in e-cat - if not it could be an oversight -or the fact that the Toronto warehouse has not yet decided if they will keep ....which is our next point
-do you see these part numbers in our JIF ( jobber file ) and/or Parts Source CD data file? If they are brand new parts it could take 45-60 days ( or LONGER ?? ) to get these parts added ...we will ask our Dorman Rep Fred Peters from ZPS to help.
- also see if you see the data in ALL LINES for e-cat --an option that we pay extra for in J-Con but is standard in Exploris.

Thanks for any feedback offered.

TPMS video test

we did a test of youTube video for a TPMS tool on the CTI blog -- see it ... (anyone from a VPN connection will have youTube blocked --we have asked to have this removed -- but -- will wait and see if it can be done --

See the CTI blog for more ..... remember how to get there ??

staff meeting changed

The NORMAL change that happens every year - is happening yet again ... the 2nd monday staff meeting ios moved to the 3rd Monday in Oct --since the 2nd monday is Thanksgiving holiday here in Canada -- see you on the 3rd monday

Fast & Easy way for Warranty Info--- NOT JUST YET -- but soon

We will eventually get a GREAT way to to verify warranty for various product lines. The USA Jobbers have it now -- and we have requested the SAME THING that they have ... seems only fair ....no?

Stay tuned

Picture # 1 is the look up box ( click on any image to bring up larger )
Picture # 2 is the results of the ACC line of compressors

I thought it was pretty neat -- and the 1-800 numbers are also handy ---sure wished we could get the same stuff that the USA Jobbers get --when they get it .... ah ...us Cdn Jobbers -- we are so much the typical Canadian .... quiet and meek .... damm ....

Month End/Year End

I will be in on Saturday for month end. Please make sure that you run off POS as per usual. Pete's and Auto Barn please send up all invoices to be put in order. Make sure that all receipting and returns are done before Saturday. Make sure part numbers are readable on the return slips I will be valuing them for year end. Any questions call me.

Payroll

I will be doing payroll tomorrow. If you have not done so already please forward all sick and vacation days and send in your time sheets.

From Ken Niefer

BRK H7204 combi kit fits '95 to '03 Windstar.Has anyone had complaints about one of the springs (grey onein the middle of picture) being too short? One customer hasput these kits on 2 different vans and said that particulrspring is about 1/4" too short and should have an additionalbend in one end. Will wait a day or 2 for comments beforedoing a product feedback form.kn

PAPCO - next pac bolts and screws

The picture shows the OLD STYLE and two pacs from the new style of packaging - Papco expects to have all converted and a NEW LAUNCH for mid-late fall

These parts are in our system --if you need something now-- order it

sample parts like 004-780 10 x 3/4 Philips tapping screw
002-045 Metric M 7 x 20 ( 5 to a pac )

Idea's ?

Salesmen -- see CTI Blog

Salesmen --see CTI blog for the downloadable poster and info for the customers right to choose his repair shop

Cross Drilled Rotors

What should we be doing with CROSS DRILLED Rotors?

Auto Barn stocks these ... fyi
XXX ROT55036EP CROSS DRILLED ROTOR
XXX ROT55039EP CROSS DRILLED ROTOR
XXX ROT55040EP CROSS DRILLED ROTOR
XXX ROT5580EP CROSS DRILLED ROTOR

What is your store doing?
How should we link ( or not to link ) ?
Who is the better source for cross drilled?

TPMS Cat posted on CTI blog

The 12-15-2006 copy # TPS C-266 is posted on our sister BLOG for the CTI guys --- go there and grab a copy for yourself --while we figure out why we never saw the paper copy ... hmmm ....

You do remember how to get there

TPMS signs & Posters

See images -- we are requesting that CARQUEST Toronto correct prices and we will be ordering some of these. Many customers do NOT wnat to pay for posters and signs -- but - there is a cost. Either they buy the product and we credit back the sign and poster cost as a percentage -- or they buy the REFILL KIT # 20497 on sale now for $194.95 --or they pay the NET COST -- we wantto partner with our customers to all learn and sell proper parts with 'Fit Form & Function'

The price for TPS KTI TPMSIGN should be $3.00 (us$) --so anything within the $3.30 we will find acceptable. The current price of $5.06 is NOT acceptable. Further we will ask that the prices get FIXED for the customers to our exact cost ( they are not as time of posting )

The price for the TPS KTI TPMPOSTER should be $5.25 (us$) -- so again - a 10% spread is acceptable ...the $current $8.74 is NOT. Again we will request that the prices get FIXED so the customer pays the same price as our NET COST.

We will have these on order once the prices are confirmed corrected. idea's to sell more ? See the other post about the MISSING CATALOG.

MOOG has to be MOOG for warranty

There is a memo out list this LIST (click here to download it ) of how to identify the MOOG product

Some are easy - like some products that show gold base ( see image ) or that have MOOG in letters on the boot --however two of the 4 items I tried did not exactly match -- K7241 has no silver base and K7267 has no #60144 stamped in product --for the stock I checked.

Please file this list and watch for updated lists as they become available.

CARQUEST UNIVERSITY is back on line

the CQ University is back on line --see your store manager --we need test subjects to try some courses.

Other jobbers didn't know of this being back on line --seems to be a guarded secret - or some one just forgot to tell us all

Comments on courses.?????

Eventually we will get your OWN user name and log in --so you can take courses and remember where you left off --for now it is a shared 'thing' with the rest of your staff from each single store

---Click Here to go to web site---

moog adjusting sleeves

On moog inner tie rods for intrepids lhs concordes the shops prefer to use es3608s because it has a nut so they can adjust them. The number listed is es3528s.Link to the new number already done.
Joe Brown

Sample e-learning courses for Techs

You have access to sample courses >>>

click here

for CTI participants. Note -- if you are also a TECH-NET shop -- see your sales rep- as you have some of these courses paid for thru Tech-Net.

the above will also be posted on the CTI blog for our customers to see

Shawn Hedley new Tool Manager

Shawn Hedley has accepted the position of Tool & Equipment Manager at the Toronto D.C. Shawn has spent the past fifteen years at our Joint Venture store in Bolton, the past seven of which, as the store manager. Shawn has a great deal of experience and knowledge about CARQUEST, our programs and our culture. He has spent the past month working with Dan Lowry to gain as much Tool & Equipment experience as possible to help him in his new role.

Dan Lowry is going to a JV store as a sales pro (rep)

Lost Links to BDR to X Line Rotors

We lost the links form BDR to our X Line rotors --but very quick reaction by Greg Guyitt solved this -- a call to Greg H and they are now back in our system. We loss links when CARQUEST updates the description filed -- in 95 out of 100 times they leave the description field alone - but when they do update -- we can lose any of our unique data.

We will have to check the end of day for Description fields better - a new years resolution by GH.

Since we keep monthly copies of our data in Excel -it is easy to grab and update
Here are the numbers affected.
53002
53004
5346
5356
5362
5371
5372
5373
5382
5386
5397
54010
54070
54079
5474
55014
55018
55034
55036
55038
55039
55040
55054
55066
55093
55094
55095
55097
5578
5580
80008

End of Month

End of Month is this Friday. Please make sure that the POS terminals get run off. Do not run them off again until Wednesday, September 5th. Make sure that whoever opens on Tuesday, September 4th changes the end of day status. Any questions call me.

Learning Center url

We have been having a problem with the URL ( web address ) for the new CARQUEST Learn Center -- now know what we are doing wrong

Wen you want to bookmark the site -- you will need to type or paste in just this ..... http://tigi.learn.com/independent


If you bookmark looks like this ---it will cause you problems
https://tigi.learn.com/login.asp?sessionid=3-5CCF8A66-7F50-48A5-99D5-5BC5DF8EDDAC&lcid=178418&requestedurl=learncenter%2Easp%3Fid%3D178418%26page%3D1&secure=true


See your store manager for user name and password -- so far each store shares a user name and password --eventually we will get individual user names and passwords -- but t his may take years more than one might think it should.

Christmas Party

I have tentatively booked our Christmas Party for this year at Colasanti's. It will be Saturday, December 15th. The menu is an evening buffet, there will be a DJ. We will have to share that night with other companies. The winery is out of our budget for this year. If anyone has strong objections to this location or the night please let me know ASAP.

Locking Hubs available

Just a gentle reminder that WARN locking hubs are available --see pages 285 in the old 2005 Service Lines cat ( or page OH 58 in 2007 once we get our store copies ( long story )). It seems there is no -e-cat for this just yet --working on

Auto Barn stocks one # UJ 51303

Sudbury store collapes !!

Sudbury store collapses !!

Talking with Moe from Sudbury --his one store collapsed !! Well - his steel shelving collapsed. What happened was the Rotor section collapsed and the resulting domino effect brought down the rest of the steel shelving and some walls that it was secured to!

THIS is important. We continue to add sku's one or two at a time --and we continue to add weight to this ever growing line. I am asking Managers to review the BDR line and to make a plan on to how to EXPAND BDR to other areas so we do NOT have an excess amount of weight on any one area.

To be discussed at next manager meeting.

As a side note --I am somewhat disappointed with CARQUEST --I feel that almost all jobbers will have a fair exposure to this problem and they should be sure to remind other jobbers of the peril to staff safety and to the extra cost of replacing all the shelving that is destroyed when it collapses. I will forward a note to Matt Davis and Steve Gushie.

Payroll

I will be doing payroll on Tuesday, August 28th. Make sure that all timesheets and vacation/sick days are handed in before then. Remember that I will be off on Wednesday, Augsust 29th and in on Friday, August 31st.

Non Smoking Vehicles

In order to avoid having to put non smoking stickers on the vehicles Ryan has asked me to draft a letter for all employees to sign, stating that they acknowldge that all vehicles are non smoking. I have made letters for all the stores. Please make sure that all employees sign these letters. They will need to print and sign their name. Return the letters to me, I will keep the originals here and I will forward copies to the stores to keep on file in case the Ministry stops in. I will also give you copies for each of the vehicles to be kept in them, in case anyone gets pulled over. Any questions let me know.

CTI stand alone TPMS course offered

Please check the CTI blog for details click here for details

Click ---- click here for enrollment form ------ for pdf form to enroll tech's

How many can you sign up?

This is a repeat of a course we offered last year --there are MANY SHOPS who did not attend - but need to know this data - these NEW shops are the shops we are targeting --will you help us?

expand your knowledge thru books

I saw this Globe & Mail article ....


EVERYBODY HATES THEIR BOSS

Here is the Amazon.com page --the reviews for many books are almost as good as reading the book ( and quicker & less money , too). Many reviews are very impressive in their summaries.
Amazon.com's reviews

I also saw an interesting book linked to the above - wow - the title says it all --- curious ?
look at the title of this book - this is original !

I hope we have few who say these happen in our work environment ... ?
Bob Sutton's List of The Dirty Dozen Common Everyday Actions That A**holes Use
1. Personal insults
2. Invading one's personal territory
3. Uninvited personal contact
4. Threats and intimidation, both verbal and non-verbal
5. Sarcastic jokes and teasing used as insult delivery systems
6. Withering email flames
7. Status slaps intended to humiliate their victims
8. Public shaming or status degradation rituals
9. Rude interruptions
10. Two-faced attacks
11. Dirty looks
12. Treating people as if they are invisible

Anyways -- we have strived to have a professional and successful atmosphere - but we have to keep checking with reality to make sure we haven't slipped up somewhere along the line

Open for comments ....

want a video ?

Try this ..... enjoy

engine assembly screensaver

Brake Shoe cores

Question-- 9 out 10 brake shore cores are NO BIG DEAL --and the cost to recycle them is nearly the cost to buy a new core. For example you have to price in the following:
- dollars tied up in core values
- cost to pick up cores
- cost to write core credits
- cost to pack and ship cores

BUT --there are some cores -as the example in the picture - a parking brake RING SHOE or shoes like 795 with special levers attached --where maybe there is some justification for a BLENDED LINE -- most are new cores and a handful are rebuild-able cores -- much like we are going to for the CV program.

Opinions? As a point - the 781 core adds $20 at the supplier lever - that works out to $30-$40 at the garage and end customer level.

Battle of the Glass Cleaners

Petes has challenged D&T to a duel to the death -- who's glass cleaner is better ... Petes is PROFORM PF513. And the winner is .... >????

Auto Barn seems oddly quiet on this

See previous post for Glass cleaner

Dormantraining.com

Have you enrolled in DormanTraining.com yet? Click click here to enroll. The training code is 'carquest'

Let Greg know if you have any trouble signing up ---good training

Menu Board available

Chris Allinotte at ext #3044 has these menu boards available --part # is TRM PM-MB05ECAN. ken has ordered one.

Any other customers have an interest --open to ALL customers and special pricing is $269 for August ( our deal )

new products - 3M

Greg Thompson ( our 3M rep) writes ....

1) The 3M Car Care line has been around for approx 10 years. Starting next year, we will be re-launching the line with completly new packaging and a new marketing program to try to put us in the Maguires league for retail car care products for the home consumer. If you can wait until the early part of 2008, I would recommend it. Nice packaging and some marketing to help do some pull through on the product line. Ièm looking forward to this launch.

2) We are launcing a number of products in September, including the wheel weight system, that are focussed on the mechanical market. Once they have been launched (mid Spetember), I will contact you and set up some meetings
to make that all of your stores are up on these products. We also have a product for cleaning around the base of the studs on the rotors that makes doing this job faster and easier than ever before.

Stay tuned for more details

Web Sites

We have been using the following web sites a lot lately both for information and parts ordering.
www.mevotech.com It is the most up to date and makes up for a lot of info not in JCON

www.eurorotor.com Helps make information easier to understand,plus we have have ordered a lot of late model rotors that World had in stock that we did not even have a listing on.So much for being first to market.If you want a good example look up pads and rotors for a 2005 chev silverado 1500 in j-con.You will have to go thru 4 pages of confusing information to figure out what parts are required.If you go to Euro Rotor the only thing you really had to know was,Is the truck 4 wheel disc or disc/drum.

Greg Guyitt

Special Order parts from Replex - BSP Bravo

We are adding a fair number of special order parts for the CARQUEST line BSP ( made by Replex Fasa ). For example the shoes BSP SLS 795 are now in our system - but they are NOT in the CARQUEST DC system. We have made sub-line #3 for all special order parts. Since we use a special billing schedule logic for BSP-- we have applied this same logic to these.

The 795 are a unique set --as some suppliers will have a CHEAP price -- but they do NOT give you the lever and PIN --and the PIN is the part that Greg Guyitt from Auto Barn tells me that the shops can NOT GET OUT to replace the shoes -so the cheap set is returned and the proper set is ordered and much time is lost by all.

We have FRI BS795 -- but we feel our customers deserve an option to the premium set - this we have waited LONG ENOUGH and have added this and will be adding more as the days go on.

NOTE --the CARQUEST DC will be calling us and saying --hey -- you ordered a BSP SLS795 - that is not a good part --at which time you ask them to 'special order it' for us.

We have made Toronto special order dept - AWARE that Replex is readily available from their Toronto warehouse --the sad fact that NO OTHER CARQUEST jobber has forced the issue until now. Replex warehouse is south of 401 close to Dixie Rd - in case you wanted to know --we added the data into our Plaxo address book as well - in case you need a phone #.

I understand that CARQUEST is still reviewing what additional #'s to add - but we asked for these in Jan 07 - and we feel we have waited long enough. Watch for more numbers to be added --we will LINK using the standard '@BSP 123' from either blue or red shoes so they show up in e-cat

can anyone beat this ? for a glass cleaner

I have had several professional cleaning ladies tell us that nothing seems to work better than RAD GC1 glass cleaner. Only D&T Auto stocks. We have tried AC Delco - they lost ...who is next to challenge the QUEEN of glass cleaners?

CARQUEST DirectHIT demo's #2

Jeff Meyer from Identifix gave us an update - he has signed J&J and Jerry's Auto to CARQUEST DirectHIT. Jeff says average demo takes 30-40 minutes and that the shops --INCE they realize that Jeff knows what he is talking about --really stay and listen and learn for that length of time.

I hope that all salesmen are getting some FACE TIME with our version of DirectHit --each store has one access point - so you can be a kinda knowledgeable user. our job is to NOT be an expert --and definitely NOT TO PROVIDE FREE ACCESS for shops - so think first.

Jeff Meyer can be reached at 866-698-1976 ext 2055 if you have questions.

Jeff is also demo'ing to Essex accounts as well.

ANN is not working

ANN is 'Automatic New Number' -- we have this set up for parts with movement code of 4 or better on major lines. So when something turns from say --a 6 to a 4 - Toronto will automatically send.

However - we have noticed that ONLY store # 1 is having the stock level properly set -- store # 2 and 3 are being ignored ... so an example of CFI 84073 -- it was returned by Petes ( as one would expect - since stock level is zero ) and was sold by A Barn before it could be returned --- but will not re-order.

We are asking that this be foxed asap --- stay tuned for details

new product from A&I Farm Products

Click on image to bring larger - these are in somewhat limited supply a times - as sales exceed stock -- are you getting your sales ?

SCE catalog only on line

If you want to see what else might be available in gas cans etc -- you have to use the on line catalog for SCEPTER

Here is a link

Scepter Catalog

missing NEW Fuel Injection cat ?

Check to see if you are missing a new fuel injection catalog - as pictured here. Three copies have been sent to each store today ( Thur ) from Greg H after one store didn't seem to have the new paper catalog ... -- review catalog and see how many new parts are now available for this section. We have to grow this section of our business.

Wanna Get Good at Dorman?

Go to this site and regsiter. Dorman Training
Use your main buyers name for 'training code'. If it fails, see Greg Henderson for assistance.
When you log in, next time, choose a category line, take the training, check out the resources and take the test.
When you build up points, go to the webstore and see what you can get.
Have fun.
Fred

check out the larger coverage in BP bulbs in CLB

a while back we added a great many bulbs in CLB for the Blister Pac ( BP ) series --take a minute and see what you have -- we are trying to get even more coverage -- make room and sell lots

how to tell thermostat temp from the part #

Did you know that the LAST number in a thermostat is the temp?

30206 --is 160-169 degree range
30208 -- is 180-189 degree range
30209 -- is 190-199 degree range

Shop Appointment pads now available

Shop appointment pads are now available as part # CQ CQ29E at our cost of $2.85. See CARQUEST LINK for more details

Pennzoil Quaker State tech line

We have updated Plaxo to show the Cdn line for TECH HELP down to Houston --this way they know you are Cdn ( eh ! ) and will give you the Cdn part #'s. Neil Laing says they are very good.

Plaxo now has the phone # --- what else can we improve to make your job easier ?

parts can drop in price - check this example out

I have 80,000 part numbers and prices from USA --and doing comparisons on US to Canada prices ...came across this one ...


ECC 71-4623 ---- ford has CRASHED the price due to hi warranty rates ...and CARQUEST has worked with Wells ignition to match. Go to your parts ledger and see the price these where selling for -- and compare the price now -- Price drop happened July 7th ...so your June copy of the 2-20 report will still have old prices .... who says feedback forms don't work. Info from Peter McNally.

CARQUEST DirectHIT demo's

Jeff Meyer - Ont area sales for Identifix just called and said he has Tech Tire and Dwaynes scheduled for a CARQUEST DirectHIT.com demo.

If the sales go thru ( or is it just for the demo only - not sure ) we get a credit of month months service for our account - so we will save a bit of bucks - and our customers see the POWER of knowledge.

If you know of any other shops who would like a personal demo -=- Jeff will handle --contact Jeff at jmeyer@NO_SPAMmpifix.com ( just remove the NO_SPAM letters ---I posted an e-mail address for myself by accident -- boy--do I get a lot of letters telling me I have wond $1000000 from Nigeria ...yeh --I can do without that grief ). Jeff is at 1-866-698-1976 ext 2055 as well

Now --we need someone from Essex for the demo .... ?

benefit claims

This is a very fast note ( done from home ) -- remember that the time is FAST approaching for claiming drug costs from the OLD drug plan -- and the new drug plan company will NOT cover it. If you have old drug costs -- get them into the old drug plan company - hate for you to lose money due to sloppy habits. Rhonda is off this week-- if you have questions -- get them answered asap next Monday.

smoke machine video's

Check out these video's on smoke machine

RED 95-0001

REDLINE Video's

we have also posted a similar note to the CTI training blog --- hope you get to check out the CTI blog from time to time to see what else we put here

WPC prices should better match

we have over ridden the JV billing schedule for World Pac and this should make it easier for you ( for all customers except retail customers using billing schedule #2 ). You should find all other billing schedule customers now match the web price to the j-Con price *** except*** guess there is always an except --- where WP have just changed a price in the last 45 days and our J-Con has NOT been updated with the monthly CD for data. Ties should go to the web based speedDIAL as being the one to use.

Remember that the 'wholesale' price is slide over to the RIGHT hand of the 2nd gen e-cat -the LIST and Cost show to the left.

We have reported this to Angela for her consideration to see if they want to correct all the standard billing schedule - this is a case of they didn't understand how speedDIAL and J-CON ( or exploris for that matter ) are connected.

You need to pull the number back into J-Con for retail sales and anyone with BS#2 accounts.

Another issue --we noticed that price field # 2 is very much screwed up in Canada ( but the couple of prices we checked on USA systems seem right ) --we have asked that this be corrected..

want test examples -- in descending order of being really screwed up ( full list available ) --so if you see something that is JUST HUGE price difference in BS#2 to another billing schedule -- use common sense until we can get this fixed.

WPC L203026309 CONTROL ARM BUSHING
WPC L1030125632GER SWAY BAR LINK
WPC A701025940JLB ENGINE MOUNT BRACKET
WPC L203028834JLB CONTROL ARM BUSHING
WPC L103063224JLB SWAY BAR LINK
WPC A700019882JLB ENGINE MOUNT
WPC A804095405ELR INTAKE MANIFOLD GASK
WPC R3000184823JLB HEATER CORE
WPC L105076266 SWAY BAR BUSHING
WPC L202617978AFT BALL JOINT LOCK PLAT
WPC F4010111807KAE VOLTAGE REGULATOR
WPC A700065023 ENGINE MOUNT
WPC J600049641JLB TRANSMISSION MOUNT
WPC A700026230JLB ENGINE MOUNT
WPC F201038991BOS DISTRIBUTOR CAP
WPC A303013947FEB CYLINDER HEAD BOLT
WPC F402013745 ALTERNATOR BRUSH ASS
WPC N100041571NOR BRAKE DISC
WPC H3000130880BSL CATALYTIC CONVERTER
WPC S104011547FEB CARBURETOR DIAPHRAGM
WPC G104064071JLB EXPANSION TANK CAP
WPC L204666996FEB CONTROL ARM SPACER
WPC H300049532BSL CATALYTIC CONVERTER
WPC G503036616CAL AUXILIARY FAN SWITCH
WPC G403134872ISH THERMOSTAT GASKET
WPC N202049723TRW WHEEL CYLINDER
WPC G500061819VMO AUXILIARY FAN ASSEMB
WPC G500028154VMO AUXILIARY FAN ASSEMB
WPC L202025517FEB BALL JOINT
WPC M505067181JLB IGNITION SWITCH
WPC G1000170499VMO ON DISPLAY
WPC C501064205BOS OXYGEN SENSOR

VIN decoder for WP SpeedDIAL

Hello

looking for feedback on decoder used by WP for VIN's

Thanks

2nd Gen e-cat for WP is here - have you tried it

This slipped by me - have you seen the update for the 2nd generation for WorldPac e-cat?

here is what they say it does:
Changes include
- Navigation in the Detail panel is improved
- Double appearance of Vehicle Search is fixed (certain key strokes while in Models field)
- Improved timing for Make field
- Keyboard focus problem resolved

To turn on your NEW version -- go to VIEW and preference pane - or there is a spot right on the main page.

Looks like your truly is the LAST person to know of this - no counter time and I guess it shows. Appreciate hearing your feedback on what you think of the improvements .... hint ... this is IMPORTANT ....hint .... for some future changes rolling down the pipe line.

the forum is also turned back on - we will hope it stays on -and some of the malcontents keep their beefs and cheap shots off the board --stay positive and work for change with enthusiasm & pride.

Summer Staff Party

The plans for this year's summer staff party have been cancelled due to no interest. Thank you Ken for trying to get something going. We will try to plan something for next year.

Staff Meeting

Don't forget the staff meeting on Monday, July 9th is in Essex. Please make arrangements to car pool if necessary.

UPDATE ( by GH ) - due to heat - only salesmen and managers required for meeting ( posted Monday 9:13 am ) - Abe, Shawn & Ryan told -- and asked to make sure others are told asap as a courtesy.

Group Health Benefits

If you have any claims to make dated prior to May 1st, 2007 make sure you get them in to Equitable now. You have a 90 day grace period to make claims since we switched companies. Anything dated after May 1st needs to go to Manulife. Any questions call me.

CFI Connect

Have you tried CFI Connect ? Neil reminded me and I am reminding you. Neil thinks it is too complex to register -- prove him wrong and set up a user name ( your e-mail address ) and password ( try to standardize a low security password for sites like this) for yourself --

Comments ??

Missing parts -- do NOT show in WEB-LINK

We can FORCE parts to show in e-cat in J-Con by taking another part and changing description to reference a 2nd part --good case -- 2003 Front Pads for Grand Cherokee. We have taken the FRI-RMD945 and changed description to @BSP MDL945.

This works -- until Toronto DC decides to update our descriptions -- luckily they don't update all that often. in J-Con the parts shows --BUT -- in web-link it doesn't ...we are trying to see if there is a fix for this.

Of course the normal fix --would be to get the supplier to FIX the DAMM e-cat data -- but in this case REPLEX-FASA the supplier for BSP Bravo pads and shoes is very remiss on doing even just an acceptable job --in fact they rival MEVO-TECH for being REALLY BAD on e-cat. People have been told - again --lets see if we strike any 'nerves' with this challenge to at least be acceptable for e-cat data.

In the mean time -- PLEASEZZE -- make sure you tell your trade customers we may have a price fighter line of pads that they can not see in web-link --and to call us. You can see many of these in J-con -- but your customers using WEB-LINK will NOT see the patches -- we patently await the proper fix to the e-cat data and forced links will no longer be required.

Missing parts -- do NOT show in WEB-LINK

We can FORCE parts to show in e-cat in J-Con by taking another part and changing description to reference a 2nd part --good case -- 2003 Front Pads for Grand Cherokee. We have taken the FRI-RMD945 and changed description to @BSP MDL945.

This works -- until Toronto DC decides to update our descriptions -- luckily they don't update all that often. in J-Con the parts shows --BUT -- in web-link it doesn't ...we are trying to see if there is a fix for this.

Of course the normal fix --would be to get the supplier to FIX the DAMM e-cat data -- but in this case REPLEX-FASA the supplier for BSP Bravo pads and shoes is very remiss on doing even just an acceptable job --in fact they rival MEVO-TECH for being REALLY BAD on e-cat. People have been told - again --lets see if we strike any 'nerves' with this challenge to at least be acceptable for e-cat data.

In the mean time -- PLEASEZZE -- make sure you tell your trade customers we may have a price fighter line of pads that they can not see in web-link --and to call us. You can see many of these in J-con -- but your customers using WEB-LINK will NOT see the patches -- we patently await the proper fix to the e-cat data and forced links will no longer be required.

Note --this was note posted - found and put on web- GH -

New Child Tax Credit from Federal Government

If you have a child(children) under the age of 18 and they live with both parents fulltime you can claim a $2000 tax credit per child. Any portion that is unused by one parent can be transferred to the other. If you want to claim this please ask me for the forms. This is effective July 1st, 2007.

new GM bulb

Shawn asked me to see what status is on 3757 exterior bulb -- used just on GM Colorado's ( so far ) and has reverse ends to more normal 3157 series

Stores have levels set on CLB BP3757NALL -- should be in in a week or so -- I had to ask Peter McNally to set levels ( St John has 12 that they special ordered in )

Any other problem you would like to solve ?? Ask now .... together we can make our service even better for our customers.

RELINE smoke machine

Stores have DVD of redline smoke machine ... did you know they use a less expensive oil to make smoke -in fact it is BABY OIL. The outright price is $1199 ( it is 64.21 on lease for 24 mths) and this is VERY MUCH LESS than all other smoke machines.

Who is for making smoke signals ?? # RED 95-0001

tensioner book and 'Pulley Pal'

See Image --the book is a total waste of paper and the trees it came from --but the 'pulley pal' -a plastic guide looks handy ...we will try to get some more- stay tuned

Payroll

I will be doing payroll on Wednesday June 27th. Make sure all time sheets and vacation/sick days are sent to me before then.

Red Ceramic Pads - FRI RCD

Greg Guyitt was the first to bring it to my attention that Red Ceramic pads have FINALLY made it to the warehouse. FRI RDC such as RDC729 or RCD1028. We have set the stock depth and have added 99 part numbers into the system - watch for them

Managers --look at your order that will go in tonight -- any parts with mvt code 4 or higher added as a test --add additional sku's as needed

We await someone in DC to re-set description on sub line 12 to reflect the new usage.

Caliber Oil Filters

Since Wix is having problems supplying CFI-84073 oil filters, we have ordered Fram PH10060 from Keystone. We have re-numbered them to CFI-84073 to make things easier.
Barry

AC crimp fittings - found

You have a MISSING catalog in your stores mail slot -- CTC # C272 -- on pages F1 thru F20 and again on pages 350 thru 390. A rough update --- we need more info on the hose - will update once one of you find it and report back -- any part you need -- send me a note and I will ask Peter McNally to up stock

Hose is listed on page 554

Who can become an expert in this sub-line ( #10 in CTC ?? )

Filter Quotes

Jeff Kuchma is REALLY asking your help --if you have a fair size fleet type account --call him and he will help you quote on tenders and do whatever it takes on fleet surveys etc -- don;t forget to use the resources we have available.

PLEASEZZE

how to UNDERSTAND and sell more TIMBREN products

Both Petes and D&T have yet to sell one item in the line TIM for Timbren products.

Timbren web site


click and read thru the FAQ's --how can YOU become smarter on this product ?

There are THREE new small flyers
#145e Suspension Enhancement Systems
#117e Guide to SAFE RV'ing
#103-4e Snow Pro's Specify Timbren

and a NEW 2007 Catalogue that you should look thru # 170 ( if you want to order more thru Kim in cat dept or call 800-828-7404 ext 3041

ps - a comment was made that a sale was made - they referred to the 2-20 report-- BUT --I looked at the 6-4 sales by line and I see NO SALES in TIM ---so what's up ? Sttill - if a sales was made or not --the fact remains --sales SUCK -- we could do better ( and sine our companies where the ones to PUSH for Timbren ( ask Shawn ) -- we need to much better ---we got the line in CARQUEST --now we need to do something with the line ( added GH )

Staff meeting cancelled

General staff meeting cancelled due to key people missing

Make up meeting for SALESMEN + AR + Managers will be week following ( Monday June 18th ) -- salesmen and managers are requested to confirm attendance asap.

Appreciate Rhonda's effort in seeing this problem

Mevotech yet again - missing e-cat on CV Boots

Greg in Essex warns all countermen -- CV Boots for almost every vehicle are missing in e-cat -- we are trying t see when this error will be corrected.

THINK --when you are using e-cat -- please.

Compressor Sales - -Be Careful!

Consider yourself forewarned. If you are selling an air compressor that requires 220 volts, be sure that a customer performs a line test to verify their voltage first. We sold a Devair compressor a year ago that has now fried the motor due to low voltage. Neither Devair, Baldor or CARQUEST will warranty this because it is not the fault of the unit. If your customer has this condition you will have to order from R.K. and specify a low voltage motor. They have an exclusive from Baldor on this motor. Good Selling!

Fenco special rebuilding option

FENCO is available as an option for special rebuilding -- this was verified by Peter McNally today. Elsa knows all about what FENCO can do and can handle the parts for you - return to Fenco and they will contact her for a PO

This was asked by Ryan -- thanks for the question.

CARQUEST Direct Hit ( Identifix ) user names

Hello

we have updated the users for Identifix CARQUEST DIRECT HIT - so we can see who uses ... click on the image to see it larger and see who is looking at what - this data is available when you click on the search all vehicles at bottom left of main page (call me if you are confused -- it is easy once you have done it once )

E-cat problem on CV shafts

We have yet another problem with Mevo tech line - ETN CV shafts this time -- but it apprears to be OUR problem on how to handle "REPLACED BY' parts.

On the J-Con image -- note the sign '>' ( greater than sign ) --indication this part is REPLACED BY something --in this case the new shows and the rebuilt is being swapped out by the NEW a second time.

ON the WEB-LINK image you will see the CORRECT parts - showing BOTH new and the soon to be obsolete rebuilt. Rebuilt sku's will exist only for the most popular parts where price is too much of an issue.

If you use the ALL LINES button - you can see the raw data in Mevo Tech -but it won't price as the line prefix is wrong -- ( or guess and drop the prefix N for New )

We have made Brain Wiggs aware of this problem -- thanks to ABE for spotting this and bringing it to our attention.

Identifix ( CARQUEST Direct Hit )

details have been posted to the CTI blog on cost of CARQUEST Direct Hit ---see CQCTI.blogspot.com

jeff Meyer ( 866-698-1976 x 2055 ) is our sales support guy -- works 9-5:30 est

If you sell a subscription -- PLEASE make sure Rhonda knows and tell Jeff Meyer - so we get the FREE month for our referral !!