Is everyone paying retail for their mods?

[TxShepS4]

Looking to have some work done on my car (suspension/exhaust/chip in the next couple of days), but everyone is charing retail for the parts. Is this consistent with everyone else's experience?

[astris]

Definitely not paying retail. What parts (companies) you looking to get. Maybe I can recommend a shop.

BTW are those your current cars?

I love the 69 z28. My dad had one with a 302 that would wind to around 10,000 rpms.

[TxShepS4]

Well, I can probably find some shops to sell me the parts for less than retail, but the 2 or 3 places in Texas that I would want to take my car to have it all installed all want to charge retail and they say, to protect themselves, they will not install any parts brought in by the customer. It also sucks because then I have to pay sales tax as opposed to buying it all from the internest--tax free.

No, those are not all of my current cars--just the Z71 and the S4 right now.

[S4audi_SD]

They're being selfish and are trying to take advantage of you, honestly i wouldn't do business with them. If you bring in the same NEW parts that they would have sold you, there should be absolutely no difference, they're just trying to make money on both sides.

[TxShepS4]

Oh, I was looking to get the full APR exhaust and the Stasis Track Sport suspension---I have to decide on wheels before I can get the brakes, but I plan on doing those too.

[astris]

That really sucks. My local shop does not charge retail and I can bring in anything I want.

Don' see why they would care if parts were purchased somewhere else. Especially if it is something they carry and its new in the box. They make more on labor I assume. Sounds like they are just trying to take more of your money.

I would understand if it is a product they don't deal with, but otherwise that is really weak.

I belive I said it before, but anyways... definitely go with Matix Integrated (http://www.matrixintegrated.cc) especially for Stasis stuff.

[aussie_s4]

Did you trade your '04 M3 for the '05 S4 ?

[TxShepS4]

No, I sold the M3 back in July, bought a Z71 Tahoe because I am moving up north for school and needed something that "worked" in snow, then decided that I could rationalize an S4 up North because it is all-wheel-drive AND fun.

[Gzo17]

Originally posted by TxShepS4
Well, I can probably find some shops to sell me the parts for less than retail, but the 2 or 3 places in Texas that I would want to take my car to have it all installed all want to charge retail and they say, to protect themselves, they will not install any parts brought in by the customer. It also sucks because then I have to pay sales tax as opposed to buying it all from the internest--tax free.

No, those are not all of my current cars--just the Z71 and the S4 right now.

How do u like your new S4 compared to the M3??

[TxShepS4]

It's really too difficult to tell yet. I only have 100 miles on it and really haven't gotten the car much above 3000 rpm's. Initial impressions are that it a) feels more "torquier" driving around town and b) it's a lot smoother and it doesn't have the problem shifting into 2nd gear that M3's do (M3 is notchy when shifting into second). Other than that they are both nice cars, but completely differnt looks.

[JetBlue]

Just tell them that if they want your business they need to match the prices that you find. Tax is tax and is probably similar to what shipping will be for most parts. One of the shops will agree.
MO

[TxShepS4]

Ok, the 3 or 4 places I have talked to about APR exhaust are saying that everyone pays retail for APR products. Any thoughts?

[Jrunr]

I am trying to get a Rennen exhaust and rear bumper for my '05 A4. I am also trying to get some H-Sport sway bars and a FMIC. WHat places can you get this stuff from? Hopefully BELOW retail. Thanks!

[jeremy@matrix]

Hey guys, Jonathan, Kris, et al,

Some shops don't like to install items they don't sell b/c they're not familiar with it or b/c it can be a headache dealing with used items. Here is our policy; while we prefer that the customer buys the parts from us, we do install customer supplied parts. However, we offer no warranty on work when the customer supplies the parts. Too many times in the past customers have supplied parts they've purchased off the net and half the parts are missing(hardware, etc), items don't fit like they should b/c it's been modified by the previous owner, etc. Of course when things like this happen it is a big headache. We still install the item, clean it up (as anything we touch is done right not thrown together), but it may take more time than initially expected. Of course we explain to the client why the job took longer.

Anyways, that's my $0.02 on that.

On paying retail, it's an aggressive/competitive market. As you know there are TOO MANY internet only shops out there who simply whore items out of the backyard shed, yet you have REAL businesses like us with REAL overhead, REAL rent, REAL facilities, etc, who are competing for your business as well. And as a REAL "brick-and-mortar" business, we obviously have to make money or else we won't be here to serve you, answer your questions, help you make the most educated choices on products, etc. Quite simply, since we have REAL expenses(rent, insurance, inventory, etc), it's harder for us to whore items out b/c we have those expenses to pay.

We ask that you support those shops that support you. Why? Because if you purchase a part from Jim's Backyard Parts Depot, there's a good chance that if you have an issue with the component, need expert technical help, installation advice, etc, they're not going to have a clue...or worse yet, they screw you over, take your money and run. If your purchase items from real "brick-and-mortar" shops like ourselves, we will be able to offer post-purchase support, the fastest customer service as well as the highest level of technical expertise in the industry. Just ask customers like Kris(Astris), MattD, Jonathan(TxShep), etc....

Sorry the rant but it needed to be said.

As always, let us know if we can help you in any way. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you!

Best regards,
Jeremy

[jeremy@matrix]

Oh, I forgot, one more thought.

As far as staying true to retail pricing, it also upholds the value of the product. (You all like to purchase high quality products, right?)
Let's take the example of a wheel.

Wheel X retails for $239. Say a distributor's cost on the item is $180. Shop 1 starts selling the item at $239. Shop 2 comes by and starts selling the item for $220. Shop 3 then starts selling it for $200. Well, Shop 1 doesn't want to lose business so they start selling it for $190. Yet, Shop 2 and 3 both don't want to lose biz either so they start selling lower and lower as well. Eventually, the wheel is offered at $180"retail." Well, of course the wheel is now being sold at the distributor's cost. What business wants to sell an item they make no money on? So, eventually you have less and less good shops selling Wheel X b/c there is no money in it. Then the only distributor that is selling Wheel X is Jim's Backyard Parts Depot who is reknowned for screwing customer's over(sound familiar?).

Who wants to deal with Jim?