Every time a vehicle is in for service, a conscious decision is made as to what part is installed on that vehicle. Our first call is to our local parts supplier, with whom we have a great relationship. But they do not always have what we need. In those cases, we move down the list to our second- and third-call suppliers. Only after that will we go to the dealer.
When this happens, we let our first-call supplier know about their lost sale, especially when it's a common part that we have replaced multiple times. We want to encourage them to stock the part so they earn the sale and we enjoy a better margin the next time around.
I constantly run into this situation with a simple gas cap. In the heavily populated areas of Illinois, we have mandatory centralized emissions testing, which includes a fuel cap test. Between this test and emissions failures on ODBII-equipped vehicles, we sell our fair share of gas caps.
The fuel caps on most vehicles today come with a tether — obviously to keep the fuel cap with the vehicle instead of abandoned on top of the gas pump, the quarter panel, deck lid or roof. But here's what I haven't been able to understand: I can't seem to locate a tethered gas cap in the aftermarket. My supplier tells me this animal does not exist. My customers like having a tethered fuel cap; that is what the vehicle was originally equipped with and it saves them money in the long run.
Last year while attending Industry Week in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to talk to a manufacturer's rep from a major supplier of gas caps. When asked about the lack of availability of tethered designs, his first response was, "If we put tethers on the caps, we would not sell as many gas caps." His second answer was, "The OEMs have some sort of patent rights that prevent us from selling the OEM-style tethered caps." I might be missing something, but this seems crazy to me.
As we approach Industry Week 2006, which opens Oct. 31, tethered gas caps are just one item on my lengthy itinerary. If you've never had the good fortune of joining 110,000 of your automotive colleagues in Las Vegas, Industry Week is the opportunity to see our industry presented in a way that would boggle your mind. From AAPEX and SEMA to CARS and NACE, it's a week packed with everything automotive at every level.
Whether we install parts or sell parts, we go to work every day and operate within our own little worlds. Taking the time to attend an event with the magnitude of Industry Week gives you the opportunity to see just how massive our automotive industry is and to gain an appreciation for how we impact millions of people every day.
In addition, the millions of dollars and countless planning hours behind Industry Week result in a plethora of training classes, industry forums and exhibitors from around the globe. You're guaranteed to come back with a greater appreciation and understanding of our industry, as well as a briefcase full of ideas to help improve yourself and your business.
And perhaps this year, I'll be able to track down that elusive line of aftermarket gas caps with tethers.
Chuck Hartogh is vice president and co-founder of C&M Auto Service Inc. of Glenview, Ill. and Vernon Hills, Ill., and is an ASE-Certified Master, L1 Technician (ASA).
