Roadmaster --coming soon ( well- sort of soon ?)

Roadmaster leaf spring suspension helpers are coming soon (not tomorrow -- but some time in the future -- so in the meantime we can get ready and understand what they are and how they work


Click here to see the USA web site --there are some video's

There is a Cdn agent and importer (that CARQUEST is bypassing as a house account status ) - he has a web site as www.activesuspension.ca and I have asked if we can use him for special orders to save time - otherwise special orders come from CPI warehouse in New Castle, IN.

This is under CCH line and is in sub line 10 - we will try to see how long it will take to get the numbers in the system and to see when they start showing up in e-cat.

Coincidentally --this is part of the NEW trailer & towing catalog that Peter Marki-Zay mentioned to me earlier ...that we knew nothing about ... it turns out that Peter McNally is HOLDING this catalog (for whatever reason - we have asked why ) ... just like a good soap opera .. . drama ... intrigue ...

brake rust remover from wheel studs & rotors

Got a good idea ( brillo pad type discs that quickly remove rust and crude from surfaces ... then someone gets the idea to make the center HOLLOW so it goes over wheel studs --and ....tad daaaaa -- a new product is born

The biggest problem is getting the part numbers added in a TIMELY MANNER --- the salesmen have a flyer (another sore point) that we had to make here -- since CARQUEST feels they are too busy or ??? to help with small salesman aids ....

Good selling .... which one is better ?? OTC or 3M --the battle is on !

NUTS to Nuts

Ken at D&T is telling us he has a lot of resistance to customers objecting to paying for TOO MANY nuts and bolts when they only want one ( or a few ). Greg Guyitt at the Auto Barn had a GREAT reply --if we had single bolts & nuts --we would give every one away --and we just can;t afford that.

To supplement the Handi-Pacs we sell in the $2.99 range we have added as a test a limited number of sku's in the 001 thru 005 series

We called Bill W. at the Toronto DCV and have arranged to have all the OLD style packs REMOVED and credited - so we should ONLY get the new style pac -- if you do get the old ones-- return them for credit att: Bill W at the DC.

See the image for the most popular sku's in bolts -- I have the complete card for all sku's - drop me an e-mail if you want a copy.

We are offering a special IN STORE ONLY price for pick up ( no delivery ) sales only --see Ken N for details

everything you wanted to know about oil dry but didn't know who to ask...

check out this web site --the new supplier for oil dry to CARQUEST

MOLTAN OIL DRY

The older clay CARQUEST was sourcing had some filler that made it look like it absorbed faster - in fact this filler made the final product mushy -- then CARQUEST went to MOLTAN - but sourced the cheapest version in clay ...whoops ... mistake -- they quickly upgraded it to a better grade .... and with NO FILLER

The new OD 8818 that no one wants to try ... hmmm ... actually sucks up way more than the clay --- a 15 kg bag of clay absorbs 5.4 liters of oil .... the 15 # bag of OD 8818 absorbs 10.5 liters of oil ..... why are we fearful of OD 8818 ?????

Payroll

I will be doing payroll on Monday, April 28th. Please make sure time sheets and vacation/sick days are sent in before then.

want to grab an image off your screen ?

So - you have a customer who wants to see an image of a part that you have up on your screen ( actually happened just now with Ken at D&T Auto Parts using Speedial ) and he wanted to know how to capture the image and e-mail

On the Mac's it is built in and is an EXTREMELY handy feature -- but as far as I know on Windows there is nothing that allows you to select a specific part of the screen you wnat to GET ...a part from this ...... gadwin print screen - free utility

Update ---don't forget to set your preference to rectangle ( and not full screen ) -so you can select the size of the image you will grab and ignore the rest .... you draw this rectangle by clicking and dragging your mouse - see the size of the file you get ... you can also down size with a zoom option when saving --it takes some time to play and understand the option.

Warranty info updated on CQ-Link

take a minute right now --and load up your CARQUEST-LINK and look at the warranty info by any specific line - this is an improvement over what they have had - and better matches what is available to the USA Jobber

Comments??

click the image to see a sample for air compressors. A prize to the first person who finds a 1-800 number that is NOT set up to work from Canada ( yep - it does happen --nothing we can't get fixed, though )

We spotted this on the USA site ...see original link from Sept 2007 - click here

Acetylene - major changes

This is a late breaking news -- there will be more info to follow - stay tuned .... Acetylene (click here for the tech stuff)production is being halted on April 30th. Just ONE company in Canada seemed to be the main producer (Petromont in Quebec) and was using a petro base to make.

So -- what's next -- the acetylene will be TRUCKED into Canada from various states (eg Penn ). These plants typically use a calcium carbide (also sued for making bombs --so don't buy a house next to this plant ... they are also very DIRTY plants --and oh yeh --calcium carbide catches fire if you truck it in the rain ...this just gets worse )

Our Linde rep - Tim will be by to explain the options and a polypropylene based product called HandiGasPro and what adjustments are required for best use in cutting & welding.

Stay tuned

Special Orders

If you need broken qty's of products that are normally 10pacs,12 pacs etc try Windsor first,If that does not work you can have Elsa check other company stores.A good example is wheel studs when a customer does not need 10.We end up eating a half box of that we will never sell and lose return rights for broken package.It takes 2 days as she has to have them pulled back to warehouse.The number I was looking for they had 7 different stores with partial box.I also had her check for a caliper that Cardone did not have and got the Georgetown store to cardinal to me overnight.Use this service and avoid dead inventory(dead $$$$$$$$$$)

Jay - new sales rep

I would like to announce the hiring of Jay Christie in the position of Account Executive for our independent stores in South Western Ontario. Jay joined CARQUEST on March 31, 2008. Jay has over 13 years of experience in the automotive industry. His most recent work experience placed him in the position of Mechanical Business Development Manager for Tirecraft in South
Western Ontario. Jay brings a great amount of experience and knowledge that will be an asset to our independent store group.

signed -- Doug McIntosh

ps---we have been asked by CARQUEST to remove the photo - until they give permission to post - OK -- will re-post once ( if ? ) permission given

Last tech course for the year --make it a GREAT ONE

Hello

--this post is in the CTI Blog --- have YOU attended a CTI course this year -- why not come sit in on this one ??

Well--the last tech course for the 2007-08 is coming this April ( 23 & 24 ) .... with only a shop management course to round out the year. We thank you for your co-operation and attendance and hope that you have found these courses helpful in making you a better tech ....

ADVANCED DIAGNOSTIC CHALLENGE 2 nights Apr- 23,24

This course will challenge you to apply the skills you have learned or the processes you currently use to solve case
studies of documented broken vehicles. CTI MINDS-ON TRAINING techniques will be used to display the data from each
vehicle so all students have access to the information needed to solve each problem. By practicing problem solving in the
classroom, the technician is better able to recognize the patterns in data when faced with a similar problem in their bay.

Mark your calendar

better than OEM

the Dodge mini van 'better than OEM' serp belt fix -- just a reminder

# TEN 38342K and TEN 38379K

They take a special replacement belt ( that is not really well marked in e-cat ) DK series

Grab a kit and have a look-- covers 96 thru 2000 , 3.0 - 3.3 & 3.8 engines --these kits are listed in BELTS --not in TENSIONERS. I learned the hard way.

fuel filters with brackets

It is our understanding that BOTH our RED and top quality BLUE line of fuel filters have OEM fit form & function --including all BRACKETS. Other fuel filter lines do NOT have - in an attempt to make one sku fit more than one application.

Appreciate any feedback on this - how can this help our sales ?

staff meeting changed

we will delay the staff meeting ONE WEEK to Monday April 21st ...there is a conflict as Monday 14th has a evening meeting or store managers and salesmen in London

THANK YOU for you effort to make things better

Yep - you bet -- a big fat THANK YOU for all the people who have taken the time to report known problems ( or even possible problems ) in pricing , supply, quality or what-ever ...

Click on the images to see it in more detail

We have a couple of staff we would be more appreciative if they could spot the problems as well- then take the time to write them up. I think the biggest skill is knowing when you SPOT a possible problem --once you have that skill-- it is just making a note and writing it up when you have a chance. You can do all the writing you want-- but if you can't spot the problems you lack at special skill.

Thanks to all who help make CARQUEST a better place.

ps- note every single note will produce a victory in the battle for change -- sometimes it takes more than one BULLET to gett heir attention. Winners never quit -- quitters never win.

Work Party Summer 08

Our staff summer party has been booked for Saturday June 14th @ the Cottam Hall so keep your schedule open. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up, i'll send out all the details closer to the date.

Mandy

TLR --almost here

If you look up Oct 18, 2007 -- you will see this post ... boy ...do some things take longer than others to get done -- well - after numerous phone calls--the data is in the Toronto DC --w e will get it on our next Parts Source update disc and there will be a rolling change

BX = item in BOX
B = item in blister pac --=- these are suffix's

Here is re-print ....


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

What's new in the Bahama's

Besides $10.00 Pina Coladas and $7.00 beers heres a rundown of what is coming from Carquest and a few hightlights from the meetings.
Day 1
Trade show with Carquest nascar driver Kasey Mears signing autographs.A lot of lines that are available in the US but not in Canada.Akebono was on hand and are going to be our new brake supplier for Gold pads.This is another move to get OEM stuff in a Carquest box.I also heard rumblings of consolidation of blue and reds to eliminate rmd and bmd???????????.
Day 2
Meeting
Use more product feedback,they claim someone looks at every one now.
Carquest is wanting us to push our cutomers to use voice of the customer
Rick Hendrick(owner of Hendrick racing 5,24,48,88 Nascar)spoke about teamwork.He also owns 68 car dealerships
Exploris and worldpac should be linked in 2008
Exploris version 46 next quarter
Version 47 (with multi store fourth quarter)
Heard many complaints regarding exploris.
New Carquest produced catalogue to be tested 2nd and 3rd quarter
Weblink two to be released in 2008
Platinum rewards available probably 2009 to all trade customers
Day 3
Meeting was a lot of motivational type speakers as well as Temple Sloan III.Carquest USA has a bunch of new National accounts not in Canada as well as some that are not in our areas.
All in all it was a pretty hectic few days as the Hotel was very large and the meetings were at opposite ends from where we slept.
Day 4
A little relax time,a $100.00 breakfast,a $60.00 pizza and a couple of those $10.00 pina coladas

ROL in Bankruptcy Protection

ROL Mfg is in the Cdn equiv. of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

TO BE SAFE -- you might want to double line some of the most sensitive items in flange kist where you might only keep ROL ... until the dust settles

Just what did Greg do ??

A few of you asked what did I REALLY do at the 'racing school' -- they call it more an 'advanced driving school'

Photo #1 is SKID CAR where they can adjust the amount of traction to the front or rear wheels - causing UNDERSTEER
or OVERSTEER
- really an eye opener. Another safety item that I didn't get a photo of was the WET BRAKING area - how to control in wet conditions with & w/o ABS - also a tremendous exercise

Photo #2 is exercise to get you to LOOK AROUND - not just thru the front window -- you will see the sun screen is up - so no front view --we are doing wide S turns forcing us to look sideways when going straight. Another exercise was to make us run the race track backwards ( no - not in reverse ) - after multiple times thru the course on a clockwise they reverse --so all the entry points for the turns are NEW - really makes to LOOK AROUND for the next turn - this was really hard.

Photo #3 is typical race track - they had standard 400-430 HP C6's, Z06's - they have a handful of these extra go-fast cars and one Calloway supercharged vet - that was awesome in the straights - the supercharger whine is intense. The 2nd car (red) is the Callaway.

The hardest part --the 'heel-toe' downshifting - by far

All three days are a real test for your heart.