Why is it always AFTERmarket?

Automakers tend to cater to the vast majority of car buyers. The typical car buyer is middle class, practical, and needs reliable and confortable transportation for them and their family. True auto enthusiasts are NOT your typical car buyers. So how do we get what we need out of our vehicles?

Where there is demand, there is an answer. The auto industry has found that there are millions of auto enthusiast out there with varying degrees of obsession. Some are into the electronics, some into the speed, and some into the appearance. And others of us can't get enough of all of the above. Anything that makes my car more unique and more personal is a plus for me. Independant companies began creating upgrades and add on options for the most popular vehicles. These upgrades became so popular, that they started offering almost all the options for just about very car application available. These parts are refered to as the "after" market.

Aftermarket auto parts and accessories are created specifically for a certain vehicle, or as a universal add on such as a spoiler. They can range from wheels and tires, body kits, lighting accents, dash trim kits, performance upgrades, and vertical lambo door conversion kits. There is almost a limitless option of accessories out there.

The options are vast, but unfortunately, so is the quality. You will find a wide scale of prices when searching for auto accessories, and the quality will usually reflect the price. For example, if you are searching for an air intake to put on your car, you can find them ranging from $30 to over $300. You will have to do some research to figure out which ones to buy, so look into the craftsmanship like what materials are used and how it is put together, and the performance such as dyno test runs and experienced users. Read reviews as well. Reviews are a great source for getting the consumer pulse on a particular product.

One thing that may be lacking in the aftermarket is "customer service." I use the term customer service because this is the one the customers are using to describe the "lack" of service they are receiving. Aftermarket parts are "usually" not kept in stock and have to be shipped from a distributor warehouse. This can make the customer feel like the transaction takes longer than it should. And when an item is on backorder, watch out! It could take 2 weeks or more to get the right part. Many times inventories aren't accurate enough to catch a backorder before the actual order is placed. Is there a solution to the madness?

Maybe. Maybe not. Ebay has become one of the largest and fastest growing markets for auto parts and accessories. Many of the items listed are ones that are "in inventory" and can create a faster transaction for the customer. Other times the items listed in eBay are an extension of a website, which is not "on hand" inventory. A lot of negative feedback can result from slow transaction time, and negative feedback results in lost customers. So how can consumers and suppliers get on the same page? Real time inventory is difficult or impossible to do because in most cases, a dealer is not the sole reseller of a product line. With other dealers buying from the same manufacturers, it's very difficult to foresee items that are placed on backorder before they happen.

One thing that many resellers are doing is offering a live help center for its customers. They can either call and talk to a representative, or exchange messages through an IM system. This will allow resellers to check product availablitiy before the sale and estimate more accurately a shipping date and arrival date, as well as inform the customer of any backordered items.

Internet sales have long been a hands off environment for customer service, and there is a long way to go before it is fully understood how to provide a good shopping experience. The benefits of lower prices and loads of options may make up for the lack of personal attention for many. Every reseller is "committed to customer satisfaction" but a lot of the factors that influence that may be out of their control.

Majestic Modifications is hoping to bridge the gap between the customers and the products. We are in phase one of our project, which is to create a dynamic and personal shopping experience. We are making strides to create an enjoyable online experience, and for our customers to get the most updated information at the time of order. We will be showcasing the updates over the next few weeks. In the meantime, stay TUNED!