Cars don’t last forever, and the parts that make them break down even sooner. But that’s expected, considering how many moving parts are used. Wear and tear is the biggest reason why auto parts have to be replaced regularly. This has created a huge industry of auto parts that make a killing selling countless auto parts to drivers around the world.
We are going to look at what it takes to run an auto spare parts business, the factors that you have to consider, and the challenges that you should be aware of once you begin. If you have been thinking of starting your own auto spare parts shop in your own locality, then this article should help you get a good foothold in that sector.
Getting Started
If you have ever run any kind of business before then, you should find it a little easier to do this too because it is not that different. There are some important things that you have to take care of first to ensure that you increase the chances of success. These factors include the following.
Do Market Research
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/yktK2qaiVHI
Demand does not always mean that the chances of success are going to be high. There are a lot of car parts that exist, and you have to narrow it down to a niche before deciding on what to go with. This can only be done through market research. You have to know what is being ordered the highest by car owners in your locality. This can be determined by the models of the cars they drive. You can’t start selling tractor car lights in a town where everyone owns classic cars.
Another way you can collect data on what is needed the most would be to check online websites that sell auto spare parts. Note down the parts that seem to be receiving the highest number of orders and inquiries and use that to create your inventory. Asking around is another way of doing market research, and this can be done by talking to mechanics and other people who understand cars.
Create a Niche
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/qy27JnsH9sU
You cannot sell everything like a mall. It may sound like a good idea to have a hand in every type of spare part for cars, but that will only overwhelm you, and there’s a chance you may end up selling low-quality stuff. The best way to approach this would be to single out a particular nature of auto parts and to stock on that in huge numbers.
Use the market research data from above to figure out what is being demanded in huge numbers. When you create a niche, it is easier to make a name for your shop as you will be specializing in a particular set of auto parts, and it will only be a short time before people associate your brand with those spare parts.
For example, you can choose to exclusively sell classic car auto parts rather than mixing them up with spare parts for modern cars. Getting classic spare parts can be hard, and if you are able to supply that, everyone will know your shop since they will not have many options.
Draw up a Plan
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/X8H8vPcelPk
You cannot have a successful business without a plan. Nobody wakes up one morning and decides to draw out all their savings to set up an auto spare parts shop immediately. It doesn’t matter how well versed you are in running a business; every time you decide to start a business, draw up a plan first. So what exactly does a business plan entail? The following.
- Business Concept: Are you going to open an online shop, or are you going to set up a physical one? You have to decide the premise of your business as that will affect the money needed to go into setting things up.
- Budget Estimates: You cannot know how much money you are going to pump into the business until you draw up a plan that will show you exactly what you need. You will be surprised at the things your mind skips when you start writing down everything you need for the business.
- Target Market: In line with creating your own niche, you have to identify your target market. You cannot serve everyone unless you are a direct manufacturer. Therefore, in your business plan, clearly outline who your target market is so that you can now focus on finding creative ways of ensuring that you satisfy all its needs.
- Source of Funds: Where will you get your capital from? Are they from your savings? Are you taking a loan? Are you borrowing from friends? All these are the questions that your business plan has to address because you will eventually have to rerun the investment in the long run.
Find a Supplier
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/jHZ70nRk7Ns
To make profits, you need to find a supplier that provides you with high-quality auto parts at good prices that will help you nail those profanity margins without squeezing everything from your potential clients. When it comes to auto parts suppliers, you have to choose between two main sources that are explained in detail below.
- OEM: These are auto parts that are made by the car manufacturer whose spare parts you are selling. These are usually of higher quality as they are made in accordance with the standards of the cars they are made for. They will be costly to get your hands on, but you will never have to worry about returns since the likelihood of them misfiring is very low. The other advantage of sourcing your parts from OEM is that you can get bulk discounts.
- Aftermarket Parts: These are auto parts that are made by third-party suppliers who reproduce them using blueprints from the OEM. They are made using cheaper materials and are generally of lower quality but usable. Going with this should only be an option if you are short on inventory funds or if they are in high demand.
Register your Business
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/OQMZwNd3ThU
You have to register your business if you have any hope of seeing it thrive or you will be getting yourself into trouble with the authorities. Registering your auto spare parts business is not just a matter of following rules, there are some benefits that a business gets once it becomes registered and recognized by the law. These include the following.
- Registration enhances the credibility of your business since it pins down your address and other important details, and these are the things that customers use to gauge how credible you are. The legitimacy of a business is what makes people trust you with their money and questions.
- It is easier to get funding from the bank and other lending bodies if your business is registered. The registration gives life and identity to your business, and this becomes an asset in the eyes of the banks. No one will lend anyone money if they don’t have any proof of ownership.
- It helps you separate your business finances from your personal finances, and this protects you from losing all your money if your business event finds itself sinking in debts. This is the pitfall that so many promising businesses have fallen into in the past. Register your auto parts shop to avoid this kind of thing.
Recruit the Right Staff
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/-uHVRvDr7pg
You will never understand the importance of getting the right staff until you find yourself fighting for the life of your business despite investing everything in it. When running a physical shop for selling auto parts, you need to have staff around to deal with customer inquiries and help with the handling of orders. Never assume for a moment that anyone you pick from the road can do this.
If you chose to go down this road of owning a business, then don’t do things halfway. Get proper employees who are qualified in sales and customer care, and you will live to see your business flourish. Cutting corners by hiring cheaper help will only end up costing you in the end.
You also have to consider training your staff to handle your business in the way that you would like. This is how you will be able to stand apart from the rest of your competitors. It always pays to be different because that’s what customers always notice first.
Scout your Competitors
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/21GWwco-JBQ
Knowing where you stand against the people who are in the same line of business as you are very important. You will not be the only one running an auto spare parts shop in your locality. There will be other shops around that provide consumers with options.
To ensure you are a step ahead by knowing what your competitors are up to, their pricing, how they package their products, their marketing strategy, and everything in between. Once you have all this data, create a plan that will blow them out of the water and make you stand out. Remember, you are also a competitor to someone else, and they will also be looking for strategies for taking your clients away.
Manage Inventory
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/JwMGy1h-JsY
The worst bathing that can ever happen to a customer is them walking into your shop to get a particular auto part that they are used to getting from you only to find the stock depleted. Once you have established yourself and created a good reputation in the market, you have to live up to those expectations.
Manage your inventory at all times to ensure that you are well stocked for all the fast-moving auto parts. Once the stock gets to a certain threshold, get another order ready and have them supplied before the shelves go empty. Allowing things to be depleted is the fastest way to lose a customer to your competitor.
Marketing
Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/mockup-screen-smartphone-website-5226339/
Marketing is the pillar of every business enterprise. You simply cannot do without it. Marketing is what helps you get your name out there and announce to the world that you have finally arrived. There are many ways that you can try to boost your business with marketing, and some of the most prominent ones include the following.
- Try opening social media pages and use them heavily to spread information about your shop online. This should be linked to a website that displays all the wares like car engines and others that you may be selling. You could even open an online shop to cater to the needs of those who may be too far.
- Hold car shows if you have the space and use that chance to market your enterprise. You could have your logos displayed on every piece of merchandise. This will greatly boost your brand visibility.
- Use flyers and brochures to provide information about your shop and the exact type of auto parts that you are dealing with. This will be your calling card, and you can leave them all over for people who may be looking for auto spare parts to come looking.
Challenges of Running an Auto Parts Shop
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/xe-e69j6-Ds
There are some challenges that are associated with running an auto parts shop. The following are some of the ones that you should be aware of.
- An unreliable supply of auto parts could impact your business negatively and even lead to loss of revenue and customers. This is very common, especially when your suppliers either close shop or shaft to another location. Funding a new one could take you ages.
- High costs of taxes and licensing fees are another stumbling block that afflicts many businesses that try to start from scratch. Unless you have sufficient capital, you may find yourself sinking in debts.
- Competition from auto parts manufacturers who decide to set up shops too is another obstacle that you will most likely have to deal with at some point. This can be crippling since you simply cannot fight against manufacturers as they are the source of everything you’d to sell.
- Troublesome clients who don’t know what they want and rather than ask questions, they turn to rudeness. This is very common in most businesses that are run from physical stores, and you should have the right staff that will be able to handle some of this without escalating issues.
- Refunds and returns are also other challenges that you will have to deal with at some point too. Cases of people returning parts that may be spoiled are very common, and at times they may be from people who may have inflicted the damage on the auto parts but don’t want to own up. You should have the tools ready to deal with this kind of case.
Conclusion
Starting a business is a journey, and you should be well prepared for this if you choose to go down this route. Auto parts are too varied, and finding a niche may be the hardest part, but eventually, you will need to figure out a solution before you break any ground. For more information on auto parts and how they are made and supplied, check out the website and have any questions you may have answered by our team of experts.
