Volvo Parts Department

Jan 10th, 2006, 19:43

Hello there folks,

Firstly may i say what a great website and community you have here.

Secondly, ill start off with a bit of background, Ive worked at a Ford Dealership here in Plymouth for 3 years, In that time ive had alot of experience with facing customers, and taking part in events put on for the public etc. Mainly alot of trade experience. Ive now been accepted at a Volvo dealership here in Plymouth, and my role will be in the retail area.

What im wanting to find out is what you would like to see on offer when you walk into your local Volvo parts department, ie items/parts on display, product demo's, upgrades, clothing etc.

Im hopeing that you will help me with my research, I thank you kindly for all replys in advance!

Regards,
James

Paul Wildsmith · Jan 10th, 2006, 21:21

I've invariably found Volvo dealer parts departments are staffed by very helpful people, so I hope you will continue the tradition! I pop into Plymton every May when on holiday in Devon, usually having found the excuse to need some small item, so yes - a tempting display of interesting bits and pieces is nice to see. However, the Volvo prices for many eg: clothing items are exborbiant and this may well be more of a deterrent. Otherwise, my main area for improvement is having the screen used to locate parts etc.. more convinently located so I can see it more easily. Good luck!

Jan 10th, 2006, 21:50

Excellent.

No doubt from time to time i will do a special promo on items like clothing, Eg. 10% off. Gotta shift this stuff LOL

Hopefully i will pick up the Volvo stuff like i picked up the Ford stuff!

I plan to have the parts screen on display so when im advising customers they can see what im looking at and desicribing and trying to sell to them!

I look foward to your visit

James

Peter Milnes · Jan 11th, 2006, 00:23

I wonder if you happen to have, somewhere in the darkest recesses of the dealership, an item which appeared on page 135 of the 1989 Volvo Travellers Guide, under "Towing & Stowing". It is called a Caravan Spoiler and is depicted fitted to the rear of a 740/760 estateand at the bottom of the previous page (134) fitted to a 740/760 saloon. I used to have one of these excellent accessories and would love to get hold of another to use on my 945 when towing my caravan. As it was an official Volvo accessory there should, somewhere in the system, be a stock of them. My original item cost £30 at a caravan dealer near Salisbury. If you can help I would be grateful.

All the best, Peter.

dave r · Jan 11th, 2006, 15:53

Hi James and welcome to the club, I've got to agree with Paul on this one, a display of Volvo goodies is always tempting but I am invariably put off by the retail prices. If you could manage a decent discount and a mail-order service it would be a start (I'm being cheeky, sorry) Best of luck with the job, hope it all goes well. Keep in touch.
Dave

Jan 11th, 2006, 16:15

i try and avoid volvo parts departments as i always feel when i walk out ive got something very big inserted up me that wasnt there when i walked in!

Jan 11th, 2006, 20:49

Thank you for all your replys so far!

Peter,
I dont work at Volvo yet, i start in February. Once ive got all the books etc i will have a look for you and let you know.

Dave,
Thanks for the welcome. I totally know what you mean about retail prices, but end of the day retail prices are retail prices for a reason. There are plenty of indipendant/back street garages that charge you retail prices aswell as labour.

I plan to adjust a few prices making them appeal to custoemrs, like i mentioned earlyer, having a 'Sale' on bits and bobs, and doing bundle deals etc.

I cant see why i cant post parts of to members of this great club, that would be something i might bring in at a later date. Stay tuned on that one!

Chow,
Thats the whole reason i want to change the experience of coming to your local Volvo dealership, well, Stratstone Volvo in Plymouth anyways!

I look foward to reading more of your replys

James

GorgeousGeorge · Jan 12th, 2006, 10:29

james

i posted this in the shoutbox but got swamped by the "banana brigade"...

all that "volvo for life" merchandise that was about, i was looking for a t-shirt for ages, could not get one from dealers by me and ended up ordering it from the states...

so i'm sure youll find a market here for that sort of stuff.

stratstone just took over becklands in birmingham, is this the a new dealership or the old riders one ??

anyway, good luck in your new position

cheers

scott

Jan 12th, 2006, 20:38

Scott,

Riders was baught out by Stratstone who are owned by Pendraggon PLC.

Thats the kinda stuff im going sell. I knew there was a market for it at our Ford dealership but no one ever marketed it!

Thats something defo confirmed for Volvo

Thanks for your comments

tj101c70 · Jan 12th, 2006, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by FocusOwner

Scott,
Riders was baught out by Stratstone who are owned by Pendraggon PLC.

mmm.. not quite right,, Riders Group (Cornwall) sold their Plymouth Volvo dealership,

Jan 10th, 2006, 19:43	#1
FocusOwner Guest Location:	Volvo Parts Department Hello there folks, Firstly may i say what a great website and community you have here. Secondly, ill start off with a bit of background, Ive worked at a Ford Dealership here in Plymouth for 3 years, In that time ive had alot of experience with facing customers, and taking part in events put on for the public etc. Mainly alot of trade experience. Ive now been accepted at a Volvo dealership here in Plymouth, and my role will be in the retail area. What im wanting to find out is what you would like to see on offer when you walk into your local Volvo parts department, ie items/parts on display, product demo's, upgrades, clothing etc. Im hopeing that you will help me with my research, I thank you kindly for all replys in advance! Regards, James

Jan 10th, 2006, 21:21	#2
Paul Wildsmith Register Keeper Last Online: Yesterday 21:53 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Bristol	I've invariably found Volvo dealer parts departments are staffed by very helpful people, so I hope you will continue the tradition! I pop into Plymton every May when on holiday in Devon, usually having found the excuse to need some small item, so yes - a tempting display of interesting bits and pieces is nice to see. However, the Volvo prices for many eg: clothing items are exborbiant and this may well be more of a deterrent. Otherwise, my main area for improvement is having the screen used to locate parts etc.. more convinently located so I can see it more easily. Good luck! __________________ Paul VOC 90's SPARK

Jan 11th, 2006, 00:23	#4
Peter Milnes Premier Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2014 00:01 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tonyrefail	Items for sale at new Plymouth dealership I wonder if you happen to have, somewhere in the darkest recesses of the dealership, an item which appeared on page 135 of the 1989 Volvo Travellers Guide, under "Towing & Stowing". It is called a Caravan Spoiler and is depicted fitted to the rear of a 740/760 estateand at the bottom of the previous page (134) fitted to a 740/760 saloon. I used to have one of these excellent accessories and would love to get hold of another to use on my 945 when towing my caravan. As it was an official Volvo accessory there should, somewhere in the system, be a stock of them. My original item cost £30 at a caravan dealer near Salisbury. If you can help I would be grateful. All the best, Peter.

Jan 11th, 2006, 15:53	#5
dave r VOC16743 Last Online: Jan 8th, 2017 15:34 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Peterborough View Photos By: dave r	Volvo parts dept Hi James and welcome to the club, I've got to agree with Paul on this one, a display of Volvo goodies is always tempting but I am invariably put off by the retail prices. If you could manage a decent discount and a mail-order service it would be a start (I'm being cheeky, sorry) Best of luck with the job, hope it all goes well. Keep in touch. Dave __________________ '07 V70 T5 and '99 V40 1.8 XS also 1970 Morris Minor Traveller. Previously: '92 940s retired @ 195k, 87' 240GL retired @ 250k with terminal metal moth.

Jan 12th, 2006, 10:29	#8
GorgeousGeorge Bostin !!! Last Online: Aug 22nd, 2019 19:07 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Monkhopton	james i posted this in the shoutbox but got swamped by the "banana brigade"... all that "volvo for life" merchandise that was about, i was looking for a t-shirt for ages, could not get one from dealers by me and ended up ordering it from the states... so i'm sure youll find a market here for that sort of stuff. stratstone just took over becklands in birmingham, is this the a new dealership or the old riders one ?? anyway, good luck in your new position cheers scott Last edited by GorgeousGeorge; Jan 12th, 2006 at 10:33.

Jan 10th, 2006, 21:50	#3
FocusOwner Guest Location:	Excellent. No doubt from time to time i will do a special promo on items like clothing, Eg. 10% off. Gotta shift this stuff LOL Hopefully i will pick up the Volvo stuff like i picked up the Ford stuff! I plan to have the parts screen on display so when im advising customers they can see what im looking at and desicribing and trying to sell to them! I look foward to your visit James

Jan 11th, 2006, 16:15	#6
chow Guest Location:	i try and avoid volvo parts departments as i always feel when i walk out ive got something very big inserted up me that wasnt there when i walked in!

Jan 11th, 2006, 20:49	#7
FocusOwner Guest Location:	Thank you for all your replys so far! Peter, I dont work at Volvo yet, i start in February. Once ive got all the books etc i will have a look for you and let you know. Dave, Thanks for the welcome. I totally know what you mean about retail prices, but end of the day retail prices are retail prices for a reason. There are plenty of indipendant/back street garages that charge you retail prices aswell as labour. I plan to adjust a few prices making them appeal to custoemrs, like i mentioned earlyer, having a 'Sale' on bits and bobs, and doing bundle deals etc. I cant see why i cant post parts of to members of this great club, that would be something i might bring in at a later date. Stay tuned on that one! Chow, Thats the whole reason i want to change the experience of coming to your local Volvo dealership, well, Stratstone Volvo in Plymouth anyways! I look foward to reading more of your replys James

Jan 12th, 2006, 20:38	#9
FocusOwner Guest Location:	Scott, Riders was baught out by Stratstone who are owned by Pendraggon PLC. Thats the kinda stuff im going sell. I knew there was a market for it at our Ford dealership but no one ever marketed it! Thats something defo confirmed for Volvo Thanks for your comments

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)