No DIPSTICK ?

Greg Guyitt mentioned a GREAT NEW PRODUCT from OTC OTC MLR-9336a

- new Chrysler APPROVED Transmission and Transaxle Dip Stick for
vehicles without factory installed Transmission Fluid Dip Sticks. Special Dip Stick
must be used to ensure proper Automatic Transmission Fluid Levels.

Specifically designed for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep® and Volkswagen vehicles with
NAG1, 42RLE, Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) and 62TE Transaxles.

CARQUEST ( as of 10-18-10 ) does NOT have the part # in their system - but Auto Sense does ( out of stock as one of you bought them all - but will get more ) -- expensive - but that is what it takes until someone like Dorman can figure out the way to make them and avoid any legal issues. -- Good catch Greg.

Worldpac now in Activant

Just noticed this press release .... CLICK HERE .... Activant now supports Worldpac e-cat ... WOW.

Steps -

1) call help desk and have them turn on MCL control - this file allows you to add and drop line sin your Activant e-cat - see image

2) ADD Worldpac as image show

3) do testing - I see the line - now we will test to see if a stocked part properly prices etc - stay tuned for details -- how do we GET OUR part number to properly show ?? Details at 11.

Carquest Credit Card

The CQ credit card program is now discontinued. All cardholders were to receive a letter advising them that the program was no longer being continued and they were offered a free set of wipers. The customer needs to bring the letter into the store in order to receive their free set of wipers. Please bill the wipers to the store use account and attach the customers letter to the invoice and send it to me, I will handle getting the credit back from the warehouse. If you have any questions please let me know.

Rhonda

Keystone staff meeting

Yesterday held a good and informative staff meeting with Jason from Keystone. Some area's of interest - the older ( non-CARQUEST ) web site has the ad slick builder ( Jason will try to get CARQUEST marketing to OK this on their site ) handy for making a statement stuffer or in-store reminder ( or junk e-mail - but use that with caution ). Other area's of interest were the growing RV products.

Since Keystone is priced in USA dollars then converted to Cdn --we run into the issue of strong currency moves --had the attendees pick their GUESS on the exchange rate at the next staff meeting (the 3rd not the 2nd Monday in Oct due to Thanksgiving) -with prizes and bragging rights to the winners.

name	$1cdn to USA		or $1 US to Canada
Ken	$0.982		$1.018
Matt	$0.976		$1.025
Shwn	$0.998		$1.002
Jason	$0.970		$1.031
Pete	$1.020		$0.980
Chris	$1.015		$0.985
Neil	$0.940		$1.064
Joe	$1.032		$0.969

Links for currency .... Yahoo-click here - 5 year chart and Yahoo-click here - 5 day chart

Understanding the complexity of currency exchanges might help improve our sales and re-assure the competitiveness to our customers

WEB LINK 2

We are getting a user account in WEB-LINK2 for the Windsor super store --in case we want to 'play' and learn WEB-LINK2. Remember when we HAD TO USE WL1 to order from Windsor super store when they want Exploris before us ( and we keep J-Con ) --it was a great way to understand what OUR CUSTOMERS SEE when they order from us.

Click on the image - this is what the customer will get for a 45 day test FREE period --and what the costs are ( in USA $ ... but the dollar is getting pretty close right now ). Once we get your stores user name we will tell your store manager -- and he can set up some time to PLAY

PLEASE make sure you see the RED LINKS --- so you see that Labour is different that TIRES on the costs to keep the data ... and try it for your CAR to see how many recalls and FLUID SPEC's ( that is a FREE ONE after the test )

CLICK the images to make BIGGER

CARQUEST Road Show

Nov 2 Windsor Holiday Inn on Huron Church Diner at 6:30 and meeting at 7:00 pm. Please see you manager to arrange rides ( and reduce your carbon footprint ). The standard bonus is paid for all staff as a thank you for attending and learning more.

Please mark your calendars

new source for ECU or sensor rebuilding

got a flyer from www.BBA-reman.com -- added the info into Plaxo --if anyone tries them and likes them -- would you tell us at the staff meeting? Ryan has this flyer ( assuming Petes & Auto Barn also got the same flyer )

They rebuild a lot of European ECU & other electronic sensors. We pay via company credit card.

Cole Hersee is available - thru Auto Sense

Just a reminder that Cole Hersee is available thru Auto Sense warehouse. Line # 163

Motorvac Video

After viewing this short video -- youtube links another 12 related Motorvac video's - have a look and learn

Christmas Party

I have booked the Christmas Party for Saturday, December 4th. It will be at the Kingsville Golf Course again this year. Once I have final details I will send out invitations.

October Staff Meeting

Please remember that the October staff meeting will be on the third Monday of the month due to Thanksgiving. It will be held at D&T, October 18th. If you cannot attend please let me know ASAP.

Thanks.

Indian Status

For those customers that you may get that have Indian Status please use account 500. I have set up this account to charge only the federal portion of the HST since anyone with Indian Status is exempt from the provincial portion. If you have any questions please let me know.

adding new line in XAS #139 Primewire Extension cords

We are adding top 15 sku's in Primewire extension cords into our system and set a stocking level on top 6. Like to thank Jake at Petes Paint for time to cross and order in samples. The part numbers should be in our system mid week Sept28-19th 2010.

Note the 25 ft cord is 25% less money - so our customers will get a far better value for their dollar. and the 50ft cord is a whooping 63% less money ( note - the 50 ft comparison is close - but not exact - the CQ has a 3 outlet end and the XAS has a special 'lock' - both good feartures ) - truly amazing price differences. But the AVERAGE savings for our customer is over 50% when we average all 6 sku's .... holly cow batman ...

A strong letter of protest has been sent to CARQUEST Canada over their poor values in this line. We continue to review other lines to bring better value for our customers - we want customers for LIFE --not just one time at a rip off price ( to never return again ). You are asked to report other lines you feel our value may be lacking - please.

do we change or they change ?

We have asked on CARQUEST OIL ( and Steve Gushie - Pres of CQ Can, has also asked ) to have the part number of the END of the box - not the side of the box ...

Look at Anti-Freeze images ....same DUMB THING

Until we get the supplier to change - the staff should stack and display SIDEWAYS so we can see the part # -- right ????????

Payroll

I will be doing payroll on Tuesday, September 28th. Please make sure that all timesheets and vacation/sick days are sent in before that.

Thanks.

see these posts on sister blog

a couple of posts on the sister blog you should know about

Click here for one

and for the other

Thanks

New WELL ( ECC line ) web site

here are some link for the new WELL IGNITION web site

Salesmen -- take note that there is a newsletter signup page for you & your customers. There is alos video's - trouble codes and many other help & training features ...check it out ...share it with our customers

Links here ---

announcement in Jobber news

New WELLS site

Existing CARQUEST ECC site

News via e-mail subscription page

WEB LINK # 2

Here is the roll out for Canada ( 1 year behind USA ) for Web-Link #2 --the attached image shows the Mitchell1 wiring diagram ( Mitchell1 is an extra cost but free for 45 days to test out )

See your salesmen for more details as they learn about WL2

Keystone info night

Jason McDonald from Keystone is coming Wed Oct 6th ( 6:00 to 8:30pm ) for an info night on Keystone. If you have any special requests - drop an e-mail to Jason &/or Greg H. Please mark your calendar for Wed Oct 6th - at D&T Auto

Staff Meeting

Please remember that the staff meeting on Sept 13th is at Auto Barn. If you are not able to attend please let me know.

Thanks.

Optional E-cat's

We recently got access to the Wrenchead e-cat for CanUsa & Northwest ACDelco - handy to see what others do with e-cat.

In the recent SKF memo about activant foul-up ( quell surprise ) I noticed the SKF on-line e-cat as www.showmetheparts.com. ??? who ???

So I registered ( free is good ) and mentioned it to our stores as a possible backup for some weird item --they seem to have many odd ball vehicles.

Free registration at show me the parts

ps - parent company called Vertical Developments .... http://www.verticaldev.com/affiliations.html

LOOK at some of the vehicles in the pull down box ..... !!!!!

More DORMAN problems

We see LOTS of cases where the DOR and the MTM line are used for the same AC bypass pulley -- it would appear that MTM is correct --to TOP that mistake -the DOR line has really hi prices ---so -- please -- try to remember the bypass pulleys are in MTM --we will attempt to get the mistake fixed asap

new Oil line - April Super Flo

CARQUEST releases a new line - ASF --and tells us NOTHING. We have called the company ( click here for their web site and images ).

We have added the contact names into our multi-store Plaxo address book and might have Louis from April Super Flo update our 'cheat sheet' on oil that Barry started a while back

While Louis says they have very little name recognition in SW Ontario - they have a good brand name in Northern Ontario & the Maritimes.

Watch for more details ... we might be successful ... even if CARQUEST is tardy on details.

More details
--April Super Flo is a 30 year old company, established in Eastern Quebec. We started serving Maritimes and east part of the province with high quality, competitive industrial, farming and automotive motor oil. We are now getting in the Ontario market.
--We got more than 250 products. 34 are in the Carquest system so far. The other ones will be set up as "special order products" pretty soon.
--We guarantee and we are the only one company stating that all of our products is made with 100% pure, virgin base oil. No recycled.
--We meet and surpass all the OEM certifications and approvals.

sometimes you can't believe EXPLORIS ?

was looking up a part that Jake sole -- I could find it --then I want back and could NOT see the part - then I went to POS and found it --then went back to Inventory screen and didn't find it --then ... well --you get the idea -- maybe you should NOT BELIEVE Exploris ( Nexpart ) when it says it can't find the part.

This error sent to Raleigh - ? have you noticed this ?

*** Update *** message received from Raleigh -- ONLY the main screen will access non-sku parts --if you are in one of the related screens they do not access the non-sku data ---- OK --thanks for that tid bit of info --I wonder how many MORE trivia pieces of info we have yet to uncover ...??? smile

2nd test - to make training video easier

This is a slightly modified version of the original--making the screen as large as possible

Test --for training on Exploris

Here is a QUICK ( and a bit rough ) test on how we could use video to train staff on Exploris. Your comments are welcomed - hopefully you cut some slack on the guy trying to learn something new ( smile )


You should see London South as our 3rd option --it is being changed as I write this. The idea of OTHER SOURCES --if the Warehouse doesn't have it --and Montreal doesn't have it -- try this 'other source' --assume that all 3 stores will have an approx noon for cut off to have them bill it and send it on the RETURN SHUTTLE back to the Toronto DC.

Like most things --there is a LEARNING CURVE for this - and we amy have to adjust our thinking or facts stated.

eKeystone 2 week Promo catalogue now available

Something NEW -- click the RED PROMOTIONS Button ( see image ) --then click on the treasure chest - then you will download 19 meg PDF file -- can you save somewhere to avoid you having to download 19 Meg every time !!!

Points -- some very good savings on selected items
------- once we get Peter McNally to OK this--we can get the printed paper copy - hopefully we can clear the political hurdles before the next flyer -- this sale flyer only lasts 2 weeks and runs once a quarter
------- there are other types of specials that we will have access to - watch and when you see something NEW -- tell your co-worker and maybe Greg H

BIGGEST POINT --for this flyer --we MUST call to get the sale price --

Additional Point -- Jason McDonald is working on an evening to learn meeting -- Wed Oct 6th --at D&T Auto -- we may have additional factory reps ( too early to tell ) - anyway you have it --it will be a great evening of learning - hope all staff will schedule time to attend.

CIR Clips for hub bearings

Thanks to Jeff Hackney for posting on the CARQUEST Message Board (requires registration ) the need for C clips for hub bearings - and thanks to Ian Williamson for pointing us to the CR-SKF Kit that Auto Sense keeps ( see image on this thread ) --the kit is low tech - and for this it is OK -- keep the price down -- a laminated C lip application guide with the most popular sku;s in BOLD that are included on this kit.

Note -- is you bought the 12 sku's ( in pairs ) outside of the kit -the cost would be approx 50% more -- so if anyone is large enough to handle the kit -it is a good way to buy them - Store Managers can set their own local SPECIAL PRICE for salesmen written orders ... part # is XAS - 360- CIR KIT 1

Tried to get a dealer price for 2000-2009 Ford Focus cilp - they do NOT have it separate - we would sell for $approx $6.

Ryan to get an extra price comparison. Will update post at that time

2nd Image is the e-cat listing with ALL LINES showing the SKF data for C clips (remember - our E-cat will NOT price - as we add a prefix to the part # to represent the Auto Sense line code - in htis case XAS - 360

- will ask Raleigh one more time -- we thing they should have this data as well.

inspect returns

Matt found a rotor -- rather he found a USED rotor in the order coming from Toronto. So some store has sold it -- then the customer returned it to that store - in return they returned it to the DC --and they in turn sold it to us --and NO ONE noticed ... HMM ...

Good catch Matt - at least we didn't send to our customer like that.

It takes two days - it used to take 2 years

Just a reminder -- the PRS ( Product Resolution System ) is making changes ( measured in hours and days ) for what used to be measured in MONTHS and some times YEARS.

The example below if the up and coming rotor for the 2010 Caravan - in a couple of hours it was changed from a slow mvt code to a mid-range movement code ( and that will have cascading effects ) --then it was transfered to the person who sets re-order levels ( two days latter - more stock on order )

We sure hope that you are using PRS ... this example came from an OUTSIDE purchase made by Auto Barn - that when we looked into the note -- thought there should be a PRS done. This part is also stocked as a sample XAS-121-AS xxxx rotor in all stores as a 2nd line ... and a chance for more staff to understand how the XAS 121 line works ( since it uses Raybestos not Aimco part number system )

NOTE -- MOST jobbers in Canada do NOT have access to PRS or even know of PRS

Staff Meetings

Mark your calendars - Aug held at Petes and Sept held at Auto Barn

Payroll

I will be doing payroll on Tuesday, July 27th. Please make sure all vacation/sick days and timesheets are sent in before then.

Thanks.

how to add a vehicle

very surprised at how FEW people know this -- on the help desk

try it out - how to add vehicles on charge accounts --works well for farmers or commercial fleets or your own account ...try it

canceling a sourced item

Thanks to Ryan for grabbing this image -- a note went around to all staff via e-mail earlier reminding you that if you answer the question wrong -- your on hand count will also be WRONG.

VENDOR DID NOT HAVE ITEM - just like it sounds - you order - you bill customer - but we can;t supply - we never got it - and it will NOT go back into our stock

ITEM REFUSED BY CUSTOMER - we order it - we get it ( and receipted into stock ) - but we can;t complete the sale --credit back to customer and the part goes back into our stock ( and hopefully we are returning )

new Grote LED seal Beams

Talking with Doug Lester ( our LTG sales rep ) - he comments on the growing popularity of the HI POWERED LED Seal Beams

#63821-5 spot
#63831-5 flood

The image shown is # 63861-5

We have asked why CARQUEST still doesn't have these numbers in the system - but if you need -- Auto Sense has them in stock. Farmers who like to combine at night --will LOVE these as they can have light and not KILL their alternator in the process

Product Resolution System

When you are sending in PRS (feedback) please make sure that you are NOT using Internet Exporer 8. For some reson when you use IE8 all they receive is a blank page. Please use an older version of Internet Explorer or Firefox or Safari.

Keystone return POLICY

at a recent staff meeting some people said - Keystone retuen policy -is within 30 days -- no handling .... DEAD WRONG

Had Jason from Keystone call me back on this -- see this >>>> click here for return policy

We are on a sliding scale - call Greg H for any further questions

Tale of 2 Carquest stores

We have a customer that drives 25 minutes to get his BMW parts from us. It started when he called us about a rad overflow bottle for BMW. We said no problem and got it in the next day from worldpac(10 in stock). When he picked it up he said he called 5 other jobbers including a CQ store and was told dealer item only. We were the only ones that actually looked. He has since been back 3 times for other parts. Make sure we are looking and asking others if you have to say no.

PRS works - if YOU use it

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click here for great news

Payroll

I will be doing payroll on Monday, June 28th. Please make sure that all vacation/sick days are reported before then and timesheets have been faxed to me.

Thanks.

Auto Tranny RTV Sealant

The Permatex # 31870 is now in the Canadian system ( we wrote to Toronto to point this out - that USA had it but they FORGOT ? to add in Canada )

All our stores have it - Walker RD has it - too bad the super store store has yet to add.

Be on the look out for more parts that CARQUEST Canada is slow to load.

Timbren suspension training - 2010 version

Click here to see the 2007 and 2009 posts on trying to keep you as smart as we can

click here for 3 minute video -- Front Axle kits

Click here for 3 minute video for rear axle

If this is new to you --you missed an e-mail from March 10 that was sent to you all -- this is SO WELL DONE - we reaLLY wanted you to see it ... now - if we could only get more suppliers to do the SAME THING. Most suppliers are really missing the mark on short training video's like this.

updated VPN required for Thur AM

nearly all staff have been sent an e-mail with an attachment detailing the new VPN update required for tomorrow ( Thur June 17 ) -- please allow an extra 10 minutes -- maybe your store will appoint someone to load the updated software ( see your manager ) - either way -- you will want to allow an extra amount of time to get your terminal up for business.

See Greg H or the help desk for more details

Little SUPID THINGS we have to manually correct - Done Deposits

There are a handful of stupid things we have to MANUALLY correct in Exploris --while we await to see if CARQUEST understands out issues.

One is DONE DEPOSITS .... Click Here to see Dec 2009 request

The Issue --the Done Deposit LOOKS FAR TOO MUCH like a completed invoice to someone walking by. We have requested that they do a SIMPLE CHANGE to help avoid the confusion - but there is a LONG LIST of other things that also have their attention ... and it might not appear that our concern ( that we fail to GET PAID for the item ) is not being repeated by enough other jobbers.

Greg at Auto Barn recently wrote his staff ( e-mail dated 6-8-10 ) to remind them of their obligation to SCRATCH OFF the word INVOICE and to CIRCLE the amount owing ... a very similar action to the line on Wish #6007 to use the word COD and not INVOICE

PLEASE -- all staff -- we fully support DONE DEPOSITS -- but need the awkward wording we are stuck with corrected manually until we can get CARQUEST's attention to FIX this very potential profit robber.

New TLR Morco ( R Thibert ) Trailer Cat

All stores should have received a new Morco ( Line TLR ) catalogue. This line is now under the R Thibert umbrella. We are still awaiting Toronto to convert many of the 7 digit Morco part numbers over to the various lenght R Thibert part numbers. This has been dragged out for month = but we hope that Toronto will finally get it done --as the confusion in ordering is significant.

Of note--the BLISTER PAC part numbers are staying as they are - and as the older stock runs out at Toronto more sku;s are being switched over to the blister pac. The blister pac numbers has a B in the suffix of the part #

The catalogue ( see image ) has no holes --see how you can properly file away --and PLEASE -- Mark with line TLR so others can remember.

new line - XAS- 725 Viking

Greg G from Auto Barn has requested the VIKING line from Auto Sense be added as an X line import into Exploris. This line will be in the system in a few days ( for all parts that the Barrie DC has flagged as ACTIVE -approx 400 of the 1400 sku's )

Look for more data at the next staff meeting on WHAT'S NEW from the guys at AB.

Their web page is .... CLICK HERE for Web Pages On the web page at the top is a link to download the PDF cat --or you can request a paper cat thru the Extranet - a very handy way to order Cat's --we hope that CARQUEST might take notice and improve their awkward ways.