Auto accessory distributer for my business

[RolandJ]

I am looking to expand my business and offer more services. I own a hand car wash and want to offer more aftermarket accessories basically any after market part. Anyone know of some suppliers . Thanks

 

[mwilson]

Roland,

What are you considering for additions??



Give me an idea and I can offer a few suggestions. There are several suppliers right now with a broad range of trinkets that don't require a huge purchase of any particular items.



The last you need is too much backstock. Run on their inventory, not your own.



Also, you should find one with a low prepaid freight policy.



For example, I have vendors that offer prepaid freight with a purchase as low as $500. 00 all the way up to vendors that require $4000. 00 or more before paying the freight.



Mike.

 

[RolandJ]

I am looking for one that doesnt require alot of backstock. I kind of want to be able to order part for customer with in a few days. As far as what I want to sell. Pretty much anything . I know that is vague but any aftermarket part. Floor mats, vent shades performance accessories order something from a book tonnau covers hitches Kind of depends what my options w suppliers. I tried working with Keystone but the require to much back stock.

Roland,

What are you considering for additions??



Give me an idea and I can offer a few suggestions. There are several suppliers right now with a broad range of trinkets that don't require a huge purchase of any particular items.



The last you need is too much backstock. Run on their inventory, not your own.



Also, you should find one with a low prepaid freight policy.



For example, I have vendors that offer prepaid freight with a purchase as low as $500. 00 all the way up to vendors that require $4000. 00 or more before paying the freight.



Mike.

 

[HBarlow]

I have used a small shop in Lubbock for years where the owner cuts and applies window tint film which is very popular in Texas. He is one of the most skilled available.

He expanded to sell and install aftermarket accessories including trim items, running boards, window vent visors, floor mats, etc. Last time I was in his shop I looked at some of his product catalogs. Don't remember now who published the catalogs but they were good quality and popular items.

I suggest you visit a shop or shops in your area and look at their catalogs. Remember the names and return home and contact those companies to talk to them about becoming a retailer/installer yourself.

 

[NIsaacs]

In this day and age of online sources it's hard to sell something you don't have in stock. If you have to order it, why not the customer ordering it himself and save the middle man. The tax savings will usually pay for shipping.



Nick

 

[mwilson]

In this day and age of online sources it's hard to sell something you don't have in stock. If you have to order it, why not the customer ordering it himself and save the middle man. The tax savings will usually pay for shipping.



Nick

The trick is to find a supplier that will let you mix and match for example.



Instead of having to order a dozen vent shade kits for a quad cab Chevy, you want to be able to make that dozen by ordering some for a quad cab, some for a crew cab and some for a regular cab to make that dozen.



Then you don't get stuck with stuff that doesn't move and that you can't return.



Also allows you to tailor your inventory to the vehicles in your customer base.



Mike.

 

[RolandJ]

There aren't many shops in my area that I can goto and find catalogs to look at. That is why I wanted to sell stuff at my place.

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

Try Keystone Automotive Operations - they're the biggest supplier of accessory/performance parts to speed shops, etc. Their HQ is in Exeter PA, and they are owned by drag racer Joe Amato. click here



Not to be confused with Keystone Automotive Industries, a supplier of LKQ parts.

 

[RolandJ]

Charlie, Thanks. I tried them and they require a large buy in to get started.

Try Keystone Automotive Operations - they're the biggest supplier of accessory/performance parts to speed shops, etc. Their HQ is in Exeter PA, and they are owned by drag racer Joe Amato. click here



Not to be confused with Keystone Automotive Industries, a supplier of LKQ parts.

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

Hmmmm... . Maybe Summit Racing? They have a wholesale division, though I don't recall the name. Jegs probably does too. Speed shop prices on many items are already so un-competitive with online shops that without a buy-in to get the good prices, your selling prices may be out of this world.



It's been a long time since I was in the speed shop business. There was a distributor called American-something. American Performance Distributors? I think they were out of the Norfolk VA area. G&M Performance was one. G&M-something, anyway. Possibly out of Baltimore. There was another one. I'll try to think of it.



Automotive Engineering is (was?) a distributor here in FL and has (had?) their own shops. Murray's Speed is another here. Both operate outside of FL, but I don't know how far.



Good luck... .



kevin

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

BTW, sorry, I missed or forgot the part above where you'd already tried Keystone. :duh:

 

[p-Bar]

You need to go to the SEMA show in Vegas usually at the end of October you can make all your contacts there. It's a fun show way too much eye candy there though.