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By Clifford Auto Parts
In today's automotive market, more vehicle owners are focusing on preventive maintenance rather than waiting for major repairs. With the cost of new vehicles continuing to rise, drivers are looking for ways to extend the lifespan of their current cars, trucks, and SUVs.
This shift is creating new opportunities across the automotive aftermarket.
The Cost of Waiting Too Long
Many vehicle failures don't happen overnight. Worn brake pads, aging belts, failing water pumps, and deteriorating suspension components often show warning signs long before they cause serious problems.
Ignoring these signs can turn a relatively inexpensive repair into a costly breakdown. For example, replacing a worn timing belt is far less expensive than repairing engine damage caused by a belt failure.
As consumers become more aware of long-term ownership costs, preventive maintenance is gaining greater attention.
Technology Is Helping Drivers Stay Ahead
Modern vehicles are equipped with sensors and monitoring systems that can alert drivers to maintenance needs before a major issue develops. Oil life monitors, tire pressure sensors, battery monitoring systems, and diagnostic alerts help vehicle owners address problems early.
This has increased demand for replacement parts that support routine maintenance and scheduled service intervals.
Benefits for Vehicle Owners
Preventive maintenance offers several advantages:
Improved vehicle reliability Better fuel efficiency Reduced repair costs over time Increased resale value Enhanced safety on the road Many drivers are realizing that regular maintenance is one of the smartest investments they can make in their vehicles.
Growing Opportunities for the Aftermarket
As more consumers prioritize maintenance, demand continues to grow for filters, brake components, suspension parts, ignition components, cooling system parts, and other wear-and-tear items.
Repair shops and parts suppliers that educate customers about maintenance schedules can build stronger relationships while helping vehicle owners avoid unexpected breakdowns.
Looking Ahead
The trend toward longer vehicle ownership is unlikely to slow down anytime soon. As vehicles remain on the road for more years, preventive maintenance will play an even greater role in keeping them safe, reliable, and cost-effective.
For the automotive aftermarket, this represents a significant opportunity to support drivers through quality parts, expert advice, and reliable service.
Do you think today's drivers are becoming more proactive about maintenance, or are most still waiting until something breaks? Share your experience below.
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By Counterman
The
link hidden, please login to view (AACF) announced that more than $70,000 was raised during the Independent Midas Dealers Association (IMDA) Convention & Trade Show 2026, held April 19 to 21 in Savannah, Georgia, as Midas celebrated its 70th anniversary. This marked the second consecutive year AACF was the event’s official charity. Support from Midas and IMDA members highlights the commitment within the aftermarket industry to care for its own.
Midas and IMDA Support for AACF
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from Midas and the IMDA community in welcoming AACF back for a second year,” said John Kairys, executive director of AACF. “The opportunity to be part of this event and connect directly with franchisees, leadership and partners is invaluable. It speaks volumes about the culture of this organization and the genuine commitment to supporting one another across the industry.”
AACF Booth, Donations and Prize Drawings
Throughout the event, IMDA members, franchisees, suppliers and corporate partners visited the AACF booth to learn more about the foundation’s mission, contribute donations, and participate in prize drawings. The event also provided a platform for AACF leadership to connect directly with those who make up the Midas network.
Kairys joined Jeff Genuario, incoming IMDA president, and Adam Stranik, outgoing IMDA president, on stage to share the foundation’s impact and highlight real stories of individuals and families supported through AACF. “As we celebrate 70 years of Midas, it’s important to recognize the people behind our success,” said Genuario. “Supporting AACF allows us to extend that commitment beyond the shop and into the lives of our teammates and their families when they need it most.”
Stranik added, “The automotive aftermarket is built on strong relationships, and
link hidden, please login to view plays a critical role in supporting those within our industry facing unexpected hardship. We’re proud to continue this partnership and to see the incredible generosity of IMDA members make a real difference.” Funds to Support Aftermarket Professionals and Families
The funds raised during the event will directly support aftermarket professionals and their families facing life-changing challenges such as medical emergencies, natural disasters and catastrophic events.
“The generosity shown throughout this event speaks volumes about the character of this industry, and partnering with AACF allows us to extend that support beyond the shop and into the lives of those who need it most,” said Lenny Valentino Jr., Midas president and COO. “Our commitment doesn’t end here,” he continued. “We’ll continue supporting AACF and the people who depend on it today and always.”
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By Counterman
This March and April,
link hidden, please login to view and link hidden, please login to view are turning up the excitement with the launch of their 2026 spring promotion, The Ultimate Outdoor Adventure Sweepstakes. The experience will send 40 lucky grand-prize guests to the breathtaking Table Rock Lake of the Ozarks in Ridgedale, MO, for an unforgettable luxury outdoor escape. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Ozark mountains, winners will enjoy a five-night, six-day stay from September 15-20, 2026, at the award-winning Big Cedar Lodge, known for its world-class accommodations and scenic beauty. This all-inclusive grand prize package features luxury accommodations, travel, exclusive meals and receptions, VIP experiences, and curated outdoor activities designed to showcase the very best of the region.
Beginning March 1, 2026, and running through April 30, 2026, The Ultimate Outdoor Adventure Sweepstakes gives professional technicians the opportunity to win more than just the grand prize getaway. In addition to the grand prize winners, Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper will award at total of $25,000 in gift cards to 150 lucky winners.
Entries are simple and automatic: all qualifying invoices of $150 on MyPlace4Parts earn professional technicians one entry. In addition, bonus entries are awarded at the end of each day for every additional $150 increment, increasing participants’ chances to win.
“Once again, we’re thrilled to bring another unforgettable experience to our customers,” said Jim Holik, director of marketing at the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc. “These promotions are made possible through the incredible support of our manufacturing channel partners. Our goal is to provide customers with an experience they’ll never forget, and The Ultimate Outdoor Adventure delivers exactly that — luxury, excitement, and the very best of the outdoors.”
For complete details on how to enter and to view the official sweepstakes rules, visit
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By Counterman
The majority of our everyday sales come directly from our in-stock inventories. Our customers have an expectation that the parts and products they require for a wide variety of vehicle repairs will be waiting for them when they call or stop into our store locations. Inventory is our most valuable physical asset aside from storefront real estate, but it is the investment that arguably has the most direct effect on success.
The harsh reality is that no inventory, no matter how carefully curated, can fulfill every customer’s needs on every visit. We can blame the proliferation of parts categories or the complexities of today’s repair environment, even attribute it to the number of vehicle brands for which we provide coverage, but today’s inventory programs must provide a breadth of offerings unlike anything we’ve supplied before. Special orders are a necessity in today’s marketplace, and effectively handling this portion of our business is critical for our success.
Special orders come in many forms, from a simple out-of-stock situation that requires immediate fulfillment, to a request for a rare or hard-to-find component that may take an extensive search to source. For a warehouse-class mover, we will likely only need to place an order from our distribution center and wait for the next regularly-scheduled delivery window. These same-day and next-day orders still count as special orders, but aren’t the ones that really set us apart from the competition.
Finding “needles in haystacks” is where our special order skills are the most in-demand. Connecting a customer with a hard-to-find part often requires us to work outside of our usual warehousing system, which comes with its own set of unique challenges. When we work within our own familiar system, we usually know how long of a lead time to expect, what return and core policies may be in effect, and have an established framework for tracking and billing these items. Having a network of secondary or “one-off” vendors can complicate matters, but is critical for fulfilling many of the more “oddball” customer requests.
Setting clear expectations when providing “outside-the-box” solutions is essential to keeping customers (and your accounting department) satisfied. When we choose to offer an “outside part,” we assume some level of responsibility for that item in terms of warranty or suitability, and we must be able to follow-up if something goes wrong, sometimes at our own expense. Establish clear guidelines for how you’re willing to compensate your customer in the event that a special order is defective, damaged, or no longer needed. Your “occasional” vendors may have different terms from your primary suppliers, so be sure that a promise made can be a promise kept!
When it comes to billing special order parts, it is important to figure all associated costs when arriving at the final resale price. The purchase price of the item, any core charges, shipping fees (including costs associated with return shipment of cores) and even handling charges all contribute to the final cost, and need to be considered when calculating the resale value. Prepayment in full will help prevent abandoned orders and protect your bottom line, but does require you to calculate your total cost before completing the transaction. A best practice is to invoice the part separately from the charges involved in getting it to you. If you are forced to take the part back later, those separate “acquisition charges” aren’t automatically forfeited.
Considering that most special order policies offer limited or no refundability, it is doubly important that we get things right the first time! Your customer understands that you are going “above and beyond” to assist them in their search for the perfect product, but their appreciation for your efforts quickly disappears if the results don’t match the expectations which you have set.
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