I'm envisioning a sort of "LendingTree" where members post a specific part they are looking to purchase and then get offers from various vendors. This would cut down on having to find all the vendors who might sell a given item and getting separate quotes. I personally find that to be a nightmare, as I'm not overly familiar with what ALL the different vendors sell and this might make shopping a bit more pleasant for newer members or infrequent visitors.

Remember folks: When vendors compete, you win.

Discuss.

It'd also lead to people asking for "price on AMS downpipe" and then posting every vendor's quote. Vendors wouldn't like that.

you mean vendors might have a problem with open competition? Noo way! In any case, it would be optional. As a vendor, you'd probably know most of the other vendors' prices on items which you compete in. And if you gave someone a quote in this forum, you'd have to weigh the risk of having your quote posted against the potential reward of an easy sale.
Just another option is all I'm proposing.

I guess I'm just a bit "over" the "race to the bottom on 300 dollar items", as the amount of wiggle room between Vendor X and Vendor Y usually washes out in the shipping costs, or lack there of.

When you're directly comparing the exact same items, and not "I need an Intercooler help!", the amount of variation, I bet you'll find, is going to be surprisingly... slim.

That said, it's a decent idea, I just don't think it'll garner much in actual "savings" for people.

In addition to savings, this would also help with a question I've run into, which is "Which vendor carries which exact items and has them in stock"

luckily for ams they dont have to price drop that downpipe cuz people are gonna contiune to buy it.its a very quality piece

Dare I ask which items you've actually had issues finding, outside of some JDM bling bling piece of shit that only one person in the USA is going to stock anyways?

Honestly. Because outside of "Varis Front Lip With 2x1 Weave made in Japan but not new Japan, Old Japan, where real JDMers get their bling bling", I cannot fathom what you might actually have issue with finding, with the power of Google. ESPECIALLY if you're looking for a SPECIFIC item, and not just "hay guys i need an exhaust can u plz quote me one thxs"

Now, stocking issues, sure, I can envision that, but if you can't easily ascertain stock of an item with a quick phone call, to me, that screams "do not buy from this place".

hotdog, you have good points, but different people have differing shopping methodologies. So for those folks who would normally procure quotes from multiple vendors, this could offer a welcome shortcut. Anyone else have an opinion on this? (not to try to shut you down of course, Mr. Hot-diggity-dawg)

I dont get it. So you want to start a thread saying I'm thinking of buying an exhaust and expect every vendor to jump on the thread and fight over your sale? I think vendors have better things to do with their time.
What happened to spending time visitng each and every vendor's site and doing some good old fashion homework to get what you want? I guess people consider this overkill but I visit the site, look at the company history and any other info they have on their operations. Call the shop/store up and talk to them. The guy on the phone just might happen to have a deal or coupon code for you that he wont give to some random online order.

All- we do have the WTB forum in the non-merchant marketplace (http://www.evoxforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=16) and I know that some vendors keep an eye on it and will post in the appropriate threads. This allows for offers of both new and used parts.

Although I see Irmerm's point, having used pricegrabber and such on various occasions, this might not be the best venue. If you are looking for a Sony XXX videocamera and want the best price, that's fine. but when looking for an Exhaust, or a set of cams, people are going to have different preferences and wants. add in the vendors reputation and customer service into the mix and it will make things really complicated.

Irmerm, I'll give you the same comment my boss gives me "Figure out how to make it work FOR us, instead of the other way around." And by "us" I mean the customer.

I see this as wasting a lot of Vendors time. Why not use the tried and true method of just emailing or PMing them and get a direct quote. That way the vendor knows you at least took the time and initiative towards being a potential buyer.

I could see it going like this: I post up that I want to do a 2.5L build. Hit me with your best offers. I mean the variables are endless. Even if I would guide my desires, the amount of work to piece and price is a big undertaking. The vendor does the leg work, hits you with a package price, then you decide, nahhh, too much money involved, change this, I can get that part cheaper there, etc. etc. Hell, even an exhaust system has tons of variables (material type, sound, weight, tips, cost, shipping).

You wasted the vendors time at that point, probably multiple vendors. Usually you decide on a shop or company you like based on reputation etc., then work extensively with them involving tons of time with the payoff to the vendor being a labor intensive sale hashing it all out. If you really want to beat down every vendor, just take your own time and energy doing the research and price shopping on your own IMO.

I would NOT participate in that format if I was a vendor.

Hell, just look at HOTDOG's thread and all the time he has put in with his vendor. Not to mention all his own time getting to the point of actually deciding what parts to buy.

Most vendors that sponsor the site, just post up their best price anyway. They certainly want to make a sale, but more so, they also want to make a LIVING.

Ok, so maybe it's not the best idea. I wasn't envisioning it as a place to put "Offer me an exhaust", but rather something like "WTB: <specific part>".

The main reason I suggested this is because I know we have a lot of vendors and I don't really know who sells what. Maybe we can update our vendor list (we have one, right?) with parts categories they carry.

Ok, so maybe it's not the best idea. I wasn't envisioning it as a place to put "Offer me an exhaust", but rather something like "WTB: <specific part>".

The main reason I suggested this is because I know we have a lot of vendors and I don't really know who sells what. Maybe we can update our vendor list (we have one, right?) with parts categories they carry.


I have a hard enough time getting vendors to answer a PM. I doubt it'd be any better in a thread, etc.