new Air Conditioning flyers

Watch for TWO new air conditioning flyers coming very soon


CARQUEST cooling link

Cool Tools flyer is due very soon






Another flyer - from Super Cool AC Chemicals is due out in a couple of weeks ( we have 50 coming rush via UPS for interim support

Grants

From Ken Niefer:

Apprenticeship Incentive Grants. Do you have any shops that currently employ apprentices? If so they (the appprentices) might be interested to know that they might be eligible for government grants for up to $2000. Details can be found at http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/en/goc/apprenticeship.shtml

Pennzoil is now on EQUAL to QUAKER STATE

The last time our PZO QSO rep ( Neil Laing )was in -- we noticed that PZO ( Pennzoil ) was NOT the same price as QSO for the popular items --we asked why and Toronto has corrected this oversight. Today ( April 30th ) you will find new price stickers on your way --for example 10-30 went from 4.49 to 4.19. Thanks to Toronto for understanding and the fix on a timely manner. Neil is in Tue May 1st fir another visit - lets see what we find with his help on this visit ..:-)

right to repair

write a letter to your MP


this link is from www.righttorepair.ca. You fill in your postal code and it will help you write a letter to your local MP from you that you can e-mail.

Shawn tells me the option to "print a copy" is broken ( as of now ) - we have forwarded on to AIA & they are looking at fixing it.

You also get a copy of the e-mail sent back to you.

Greg at Auto Barn has a good idea building in his head --he is thinking of offering a deal of 'something' for every letter that a shop sends --as this idea grows --hopefully he will share it with us all.

Pete from Petes Paint has told us that one local MP has ONLY received two letters - both from Petes Paint staff-- none from garages!!!!! All too easy to be lazy -- lets go !!!

How does your battery display look ?

So --- does your store use the display battery price signs ? Some do - some don't. Is it a coincidence that D&T does ( see pic's above ) and they have the best sales of the bunch?
Price your batteries -- grow your sales.

Nice job Matt for your display.

If other stores want their pic's posted --send similar pictures of your display to Greg H. Be CARQUEST proud of a good job.

new penetrating oil - pick it up and try it ?

new penetrating oil for us --been available in USA at CARQUEST stores for some time -- try it and see why others like it so much.

BLT - 16PB CANADA is line code & part number

Right To Repair - article of interest

PLEASEEZZZZZZZZ HELP !!!!!!!!!!! ( click on image to enlarge )

Staff Meetings

Most staff will shortly see a cheque for attending staff meetings. If you do not receive a cheque then you haven't been to any staff meetings or you are a shareholder. The Rules for these payments are as follows:

1. Each non-shareholder will be paid $10.00 per staff meeting attended.
2. If an employee is closing that night and needs to travel to another town to attend the meeting they will receive $3.33 per meeting but they cannot use that excuse two months in a row for not showing up.
3. If an employee has to travel to another town to attend the meeting (using their own personal vehicle) then they will be paid an additional $5.00 per meeting.
4. Payments will be made quarterly from now on.

If you have any questions please call me.

Anti Spyware

All staff please make sure that you are running an anti virus program on your computer as well as an anti spyware. You can download a free version of both from www.free.grisoft.com. Tell me that you have run a recent spyware test and the number of threats that were found and you will have your name entered for a random draw for a $20.00 gift certificate for A&P. I recently ran an anitspyware in the office and it found 67 threats. Make sure that all computers have been done.

Update - by Greg H -4-25-07 --- news flash---- Rhonda tells me that only Barry and Matt have replied to her so far --this is unacceptable. IF you want to continue using a Windows PC -- you must reply ...otherwise we will replace your terminal with a dumb green terminal and you will loose your internet access. So --if you want to use hi tech equipment--we REQUIRE you to understand your requirements to keep the system safe and healthy. Call me if you have an issue with this. Signed - Greg H

Red Tek -- sometimes

I have just heard that CARQUEST has stopped the plans to add Red-Tek - due to PEI banning the type of refrigerant -- so -- no fill in ordering opportunity -- work with Pete at Petes Paint for your re-orders.

57 Chev winner

here is link to name of winner for 57 Chev -- won by a Canadian !!



---CARQUEST.COM---

Montreal/St John Ordering

Please do not call Elsa for orders from other warehouses.It ties up her time for no reason.It is the same as ordering from Toronto except you have to choose the warehouse which is promted as soon as Toronto DC does not have.At this point is the same as ordering from Toronto except you answer choice 26 for shipper instructions(toronto dc shuttle).If you cannot remember this it tells you F7 for shipping choices,you then schroll down until you find the one you want which is #26.I always type in "ship with shuttle" in the order message block and your parts will show up in 2 days if ordered before 3 o clock.If you need help ask me and I will walk you thru it as many times as you need.Also remember that if you need to use Elsa for special orders, Linda is also available at Ext 3939 and is equally as good.

The PIG is getting HUNGRY!

I still have not received pig money from the following people: Brian I, Lynn D, Pete H, Neil H, Steve M, Jason H, Adam D, Ric B and Aaron H. You now owe the full $12.00, the discount period is over. Aaron H owes $9.00 since he just started back.

57 Chev winner

Overheard question from customer --on who won 57 Chev .... Doug McIntosh tells me that someone from Woodstock NB won - picture of winner taking delivery of car coming soon.

US equipment cat

Curious to see what the US CARQUEST jobbers have on their tool & equipment flyer -- the new one is now out --click the link. Give any feedback to your store managers and our new rep - Dave so we can get the new products up here in Canada on a timely manner -- but we need your input. Remember - this is in US dollars.

--USA Tool Flyer--

Keystone CARQUEST cat

new CARQUEST branded catalogues from Keystone are available for $5.95 ( first two free ) -- idea's ?

See your store manager and drive extra sales!

Suggest new items to DORMAN

At our last staff meeting Neil was showing a part from the dealer-- when asked if he had suggested it to DORMAN .... well ...

Look at the image (click to enlarge ) -- go to ---dorman products website--- and on the bottom left -- you will see a spot to receive e-mailnotices on new items -- and --- a spot to submit idea's for new products ....go try is -- please !!

Cruise announced for April 2008

CARQUEST has announced a cruise for 2008 for CTI participants and for Tech-Nets members. Some key points to remember when you are promoting the trip:

-when you plan a LARGE group like this - the ship rarely offers any deals ... if you are inclined to double check the price - you may always find it cheaper - this is just a fact
-for those who have never been on a cruise - putting the 'kids' in the room ... hmmm .... remember cruise ships have very small cabins - so when you add a kid or two- that makes it real tight - make sure you are all friendly to one another
-drinks are NOT included on a cruise - this is were they make the BIG BUCKS -- so if CARQUEST has some cocktail parties included - they are paying the big dollar again to the cruise company.
-want to plan your own flight -- suggest you plan to go a DAY EARLY ... if you miss the ship -- you can be in HUGE problems ...if you use the ships' air line ticket --they will do more for you - otherwise - go a day early and check out Miami
-there are many sites on the internet that offer ship reviews and message boards for travelers to ask and answer questions - one of my favorites is Cruise Critic Message Board for Carnival where you can search and just read what others are saying...
- what a GREAT way for our customers to meet others in the trade and have some good times -- John Sawatsky from MSJ went on this years cruise and was very happy with results.
-even with minimal rebates - your customers attend some 'on board' meetings - thus it is a business expense - a good value for all

Good luck in the promotion of the trip

Bounced Items

When you receive a call from the warehouse regarding items that were not received in your returns please make sure that you let me know. If you don't, I contact the warehouse to find out why you haven't received credit on something and you waste my time and the warehouses just to find out that the store was already contacted regarding it. When you receive an item back from the warehouse make sure you let me know. They normally send a RETURN CUS MERCH pack slip with the item, make sure you send it to me instead of keeping it or tossing it in the recycle.

If for whatever reason something doesn't get sent back to the warehouse but gets billed let me know about that too.

Let's save some time and money!

Group Health

I have the new application forms for the group health benefits. Please finish filling out the forms(you don't need to enter the income data I will do that). You will need to enter dependent information and sign the forms. Some of them have health questionnaires, please fill these out and sign them as well. Please have them back to me by Friday of this week so Hugo can pick them up on Monday.

Remember that once the benefits are in effect you can register on their online site to view details regarding your benefits. If you have questions let me know. If anyone is interested in using the site simulator CD let me know and you can borrow it.

Extra tickets available

see air conditioning course extra tickets if you have a trade account that could benefit from extra a/c knowledge

Cabin Air Filter Update

Dan lewis from CARQUEST writes .... "Make sure that when they identify a big time price drop they are comparing apples to apples. The numbers that were replaced went from 2 per box to 1 per box. So the Venture filter is one of those 90027C replaced 89868. To make a correct comparison they would have to cut the price for 89868 in half. Even so, the price went down 15%."

Ryan also spotted this yesterday - we will need to watch if we have the correct 'per car qty' in stock -- many more details to follow on this new sub-line

Cabin Air Filter FAQ

Please click on image and read in expanded view - very worthwhile --especially for explaining carbon vs particulate -- part of new PDF I will be send store managers --paper copy out soon ( or kind of soon ). Store Managers-- please pass on copies to staff as needed for new cabin air filter cat.

Cabin Air Filters - new supplier

I just finished reading memo on CARQUEST-LINK ( CQ-link for short ) on the new suppliers for Cabin Air Filters that Peter McNally posted on April 2 -- and sent off some questions of my own to Raleigh.

The I see a note from Barry asking why the e-cat doesn't work ... you need to read the article on the link ... then ...

Overview-- Wix didn't make the filter - they bought it from another supplier --so what CARQUEST is doing is to source DIRECT from the OEM supplier.

There is a transition from old to new that we have to understand -- see the images - click to enlarge

of interest --the Venture filter that Barry needs --will drop BIG TIME in price .... this should allow us to vastly expand our sales!!! try some examples on your own-- I have tried only two -both BIG TIME drops

E-cat -- we have to wait for the next DVD to come - before our new data comes -- but --do we have another opportunity? THINK /.. how can we get our hands on some EXPLORIS data .... as Exploris data is updated daily - not monthly .... any idea's ???? OK -I ear one lone voice out there with the correct answer-- sure-- use WEB-LINK and look up the part from the SUPER-STORE in Windsor --use their EXPLORIS data ,... and you know what .... here is the new e-cat data --see example

Does this make it any clearer? Comments welcomed..... via internet - or feel free to write them on the back of a $5.00 bill and put in my mail slot.

Trailing Arm Bushing

Saw a flyer from Base Auto - for a part that the 'normal' chassis guys don't have ( so they claim ) in Dorman ( well- for us it is Motor Mite MTM line ) -- # 31103.

I have added it for all three stores -- can you try to make a market for this -so we can get our turns and not have to return in 2 years after it has sat on the shelf - since NO ONE KNEW about it .... watch for these to come in ... and have salesman take out as what's new.

BAT CORE

Why is PETES PAINT so low ? If you look at the parts ledger for BAT-CORE ---for D&T you have 15 pages -- for Auto Barn you have 4 pages -- look at how many pages Petes has on BAT-CORE. Do Management & Staff at Petes support the new part # BAT-CORE like the other stores do?

Comments ??????????

Saturday, April 7th

Make sure whoever opens at the stores on Saturday remembers to change your EOD status. Otherwise EOD will not run Saturday night. If you have any questions please call me.

Keystone part numbers

Click on image to bring up larger version

A special case for Keystone --there are approx 275 stocking parts in KST keep in the CARQUEST warehouse in Toronto. These parts do NOT have the suppliers PREFIX used. When we originally heard this we knew it was a problem. They did it to avoid one problem - if a customer brings the part to the counter to buy it -the suppliers prefix is NOT on the part - and it was thought it would be easier for this reason.

BUT --and there is always a BUT .... on the example shown --how do we know a part is STOCKED apart from guessing ( typing in without the suppliers prefix) ...here is a K&N filter that D&T has set to be stocked as a K33 332087 but is in stock in Toronto as a 332087.

ONE WAY to help avoid this --would be if they would go thru the price file and CHANGE the description on the sku's that are duplicated by a stocked parts part # ....so a KST K33 332087 description would say either USE STOCKED PART or USE KST 332087 ...

Another way might be -- give up on the "special" part number and stock as the 'normal' part and learn the suppliers prefix --have a cheat list for staff- so they know that K&N starts with K33?

Decisions - Decisions - Communication - Communication - keep all the staff in the loop!

Worldpac sales update

Worldpac sales -- after D&T placed first for the calendar year 2006 -- it has been passed by the two stores for YTD (3 months ) sales -- Petes ( who finished 2nd last year ) has a fairly good lead and even Auto Barn whom finished a distant 3rd in 2006 sales has gone into 2nd place.

Lets see if D&T can pull up to the lead horses and make it an exciting race for 2007.

IPOD PROMO

The final draw for the ipod was drawn by Jerry Foster. Dwayne's Auto from Leamington won on invoice #B110136. Congratulations to all winners and thank you for all participants.

e-mail problem

Note - Rhonda & Greg Henderson seemed to have some sort of temp e-mail problem last week-- from Thur night and Fri thru to Monday morning. Not sure what problem was - but it looks like it is gone for now-- if you got an error for undeliverable e-mail - please re-send

Staff Training fr new technology --isn't new at all

here is a reminder that staff training has gone on long ago as well .... from youtube



Comments ?