XAS-299-SS14 Seafoam Intake Cleaner

Matt was watching Two Guys garage and saw a new Seafoam Spray cleaner with an INNOVATIVE curved straw that hooks up to the air intake. CARQUEST Canada does NOT have this in our system ( quell surprise ? ) - but AutoSense does ( XAS-299-SS14 )

This product has been written up by Matt and a sample stock level set for all stores -- adjust your level as you GAIN knowledge and start selling more

We are looking for a youtube video link for this product. Thanks Matt

Direct Deposit

We will be switching to a direct deposit system for payroll. I have sent letters out for all staff to sign authorizing the company to directly deposit any monies owed into your bank account. Please get these letters back to me ASAP along with a voided a cheque. If you have any questions regarding this please let me know. I hope to have this ready for the January month end cheques but it may not be until February.

Problems with our BRAKE SHOES ?

We just sent you a copy of the reply from Peter McNally -- basically saying a couple of problems -- but no BIG DEAL --that is not you seem to be telling me ...

1) we want you to report back to peter.mcnally@gpi.com on any problem --- give complete details

2) if you need a 2nd source - remember that Auto Sense has the SERVICE GRADE shoe --use the shoe # and SG as a suffix

WATCH applications --like the 98 Dodge Mini-Van where we use the 703 base number and Raybestos uses the 714 base number -- but apart from some popular sku;s like this -- 95% of all numbers share the same base number

Auto Sense is DROPPING the Satisfied ( Private Branded Auto Sense line # 791) line of pads & shoes from the warehouse.

DELPHI #AF10058 = MAF 64-2100

The new replacement module for various GM's in Mass Air Flow Sensor is DELPHI #AD10058 - it is in stock at Auto Sense ( Delphi#832 ). The equiv, number in CARQUEST is MAF 64-2100 -- it is available in USA but we wait for Canada to get the data into the system for us .... and wait ...and wait .... and wait ( am I repeating myself ?? -- does the frustration show ?? )

This link will show you the quick video link from Delphi ... CLICK HERE ......

The video link below is a TEST to see if I can have the video play on this blog page ( lets see what happens )

Payroll

I will be doing payroll on Wednesday, December 29th. Please make sure you send in all timesheets and any sick/vacation days before then.

Thanks.

CC Marine in EXPLORIS Data

CC Marine ( line XCM ) is now in Exploris data for our 3 stores - this is approx 20,000 parts. Note --any existing manually written up part number is in the system -- store managers have been requested to MOVE stock on hand to the new part # ( located in PN#1 ) from the old part # ( in PN#0 ) -- most old part numbers we written with out dashes - see the problem ....

Stores are encouraged to set stock levels on the fast moving parts.

Is it time to set a CATALOGUE out front for this line for customers to 'wander thru'.

Having all the parts in allows us to consistently price parts .... this is the 2nd LARGE line - we also have approx 64,000 parts from A&I Farm parts also in our system. ( line XAI ) -- luckily we had fewer manually written parts in XAI to cause problems. Stores are encouraged to set a ORDER PROFILE so you can run PO's for both XAI and XCM.

WALKER DIAGRAMS

WOW! Ken tells me that WALKER diagrams are now showing in next gen e cat.

Custom Flyer Deadline---See GregH's post

In order to receive both the Jan and Feb bonus cheques at the January staff meeting, you must send me a copy of the flyer you did before noon on January 6th. If it is not received by then you are SOL in terms of receiving both cheques.

CC Marine in EXPLORIS Data

we have sent the CC Marine data ( approx 20,000 parts ) to be imported into our EXPLORIS ( NexPart by WHI ) system ... will have a few bumps to solve --for example all existing parts were entered with dashes missing ( for the most part ) ---so we think we have a way to work around that ... we will leave existing data in PN code ( sub line ) 0 ... and add all new data --the whole line into PN#1.

Once in --you will need to go thru the PN#0 and pull out any stock on hand and order point and add to the PN#1 part number.

We expect these parts in the system in 2 days ... you can run a preview report for XCM PN#1 --if a LOT OF PARTS show up-- guess what -- you are ready for the change....

I am told by CC Marine that all parts are sold as EACH --- they have no cases of grease we have to order in 10 pac's ?? ( etc) -- if you find something --you will need to adjust the buying rules in the F-8 screen

New prices due April 1 for the next season-- but you have the data to play with and learn with .... think boating.

HBW - line review

We are trying to do a quick line review on HOBART especially for welding supplies.
-will try to get stores the catalog we have been requesting for months
-cleaned up some billing schedule problems - for example we average the cost in each sub line then compare our margin suggested by Toronto ... some glaring mistakes .... we think we need lower margins to help us sell this line
-asked the class-o-gram dept in Raleigh for extra attention or line on the accessories.
-trying to figure out if there is any factory rep help ( either to call on us or at least via phone help)

Your comments on Hobart for the next week will really help

Create your custom Flyer

You probably know that you can create a custom flyer in eKeystone ... did you know that you can also do that for A&I Farm Products and for SMH Fork Lift Parts ?

See images --- log in and make one --as a test --- PLEASE -- pick something you feel you could sell - because we will ask you why you picked what you did .... make up the flyer ( hint --add your name to the flyer ) and send a copy to Rhonda and you bring a copy to the Jan staff meeting ( meeting tentatively scheduled for Auto Barn - and Feb at Petes - FYI )

Why send a copy to Rhonda --she will be SO IMPRESSED you learned how to do it --she will have BOTH your Jan & Feb bonus cheque ready for you ( can help to pay Christmas bills ). If you decide to not participate - oh well - maybe you are independently wealthy or you dislike learning new things .... the latter is the bad part --as we bonus ORE on people who continue to LEARN new things...

BONUS POINTS --if anyone can find anything similar available from CARQUEST ...

starving for KNOWLEDGE - while CARQUEST pockets $$

Somethings are just not fair -- the policy for CARQUEST to get suppliers to STOP calling on jobbers ( in return for special discounts of CASH in lieu of service ) sure makes sense for the head office-- but it can have an effect of SQUEEZING the knowledge out of the jobber chain.

We push hard to get more info -so we can keep the staff up to date - but we have to continue to use the internet as a LOW COST way to get the knowledge across ....

For example - got an oil additive with ZINC in it ??/ --- watch the video --it will kill your convertor ....



We do NOT block youtube -- oh sure there is 90% junk on it -- but there is also 10% really worthwhile stuff -- use common sense and learn how to search for the data on youtube .... please limit the junk side to your personal time

Count Cycle List - explained one more time

We have set up a count cycle for a number of years -- time to dust off some of the facts and see who is clear.

1) we use Google Doc's to list - handy way for ONE PLACE to be updated - you may have a VIEW or an EDIT ability - if you need an EDIT --as your Manager to change your permissions

2) the MONTH number is the calendar month - NOT our fiscal year month - just to make it easier on staff - who can remember fiscal month #7 ?? but with luck and some fingers you can figure out that 7 is JULY. To make sure - we have added some names and the header now says CALENDER MONTH ( was just Month )

3) if managers are running TOO TIGHT on their hours planned ( productivity ) and are NOT getting counts and other required work done --we will ASK for OVERTIME to get the work done on a timely basis ... inventory counts done well-- are an essential.

Stick On Wheel Weights - PLO

as more and more wheels are non-steel -- more stick on wheel weights are required. We had visit from PLO sales rep - Jim.

Here are popular sku's that we have ADDED for all stores - note - PLO seem to have two part numbers ... just enough to really cause confusion

Part#1 .......Part#2 .......Box qty.......Description ........
47042 .....312-30 ....... 30 ........ low profitle 1/4oz 3/4" wide
47046......312-52......... 52 ..........low profitle 1/4oz 3/4" wide

47044 ..... 412-15 ....... 15 ....... 1/2oz x 3/4" wide
47047 ..... 412-30 ........ 30 ...... 1/2 oz x 3/4" wide

47048 .... 314-30 ........ 30 ....... narrow 1/4 oz 1/2" wide
47041 .... 314-60 ........ 60 ...... narrow 1/4 oz 1/2" wide

47049* ... 512-15 ....... 15 ....... 1 oz segment x 3/4" wide ( note - CARQUEST has missed adding this part - we have asked them to correct - may take some time ..... the 512-15 is available thru Auto Sense warehouse.

We put BOTH size boxes in --let see what becomes popular - smaller shops may want smaller qty - but larger shops could prefer the larger qty box.

A&I Farm Equipment - all data in EXPLORIS

a few years ago CARQUEST and A&I Farm Equipment tried to get their dat into the system like we have done with eKeystone Speed & Custom --that attempt with A&I ( and also with Landn Sea Marine ) crashed and burned for a variety of political or otherwise reasons....

Anyways --we had not forgotten and to get A&I ( and a few others like SMH Fork Lift Parts & some Marine line like CC Marine ) has been a slow simmering passion.

Well - guess what - we finally figured out what to do --and once the dust had settled --it is not that much of a problem
--- it is fairly east to log in and download the file
--- we STRIP the extra prefix of 'A-' from their numbers ... that way it matches the existing parts we had in the system
--- --- for the geeks -- we used this formula .... =RIGHT(D2,LEN(C2)-2)
--- --- --- the above formula kept leading zero's and didn't allow excel to change some numbers into dates
--- we stripped out all parts with a description on SUB BY xxxx ( these are obsolete numbers
--- we stripped out all parts with zero cost

when we were al said & done -- we have approx 64,000 parts for the line --- now -- go quote some tractor part and see how all parts price using our normal sliding scale ( something we have asked CARQUEST to do for three years ... will little success )

Shock Catalogue

I have shuffled the order of shock priority in Activant E-cat. The Raybestos complete struts show first followed by KYB then Shk. I eliminated some junk in KYB. Let me know if you find any issues