Calling all the FLM SUV Owners who need Tissues

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It seems that yet another thing my local Ford dealers can't get right, using a catalog
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While waiting in the parts counter line, 2 people were inquiring about the tissues that you can get that are perfectly sized for the console holder in Ford Explorer/Expedition/Excursion and there L/M stablemates. The parts counter guy sympathized with them, but lamented that he hasn't seen them in years either.

Then at my local Walgreens, I saw a different set of people with that glossed over look of confusion, staring at the paper products, so I inquired, and sure enough they were looking for them too.

Now, being the person I am, of doing more with less, and not taking "It's not available" for an answer.

I thought to myself.....
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10 minutes of research yielded me the Rotunda Dealer supplies catalog. (Where much good Ford info is hidden)
Why what's that on the splash page
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"Kleenex® Facial Tissue Junior is great on the go or in tight spaces. The quality you know in a smaller box. White tissues. Fits Ford, L-M SUV tissue holders"
Some Toyota, GM, and Honda/Acura products also have a tissue holder

Rotunda part # 164-R1352, 48 boxes to a case for $39
Also known as, Kimberly-Clark Kleenex 21195 Facial Tissue Junior on Amazon.com

So, there you go.
For the record, I don't own said vehicle(s). I just have a intolerance for the word No I guess?
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When I go back there for the 3rd time in almost 3 weeks because my stupid gasket order hasn't come in yet, I'll correct them.

ALLERGY SUFFERERS UNITE!
.....with moderately less dashboard clutter

(sighing intensifies) Now I have to redo the Cam Synchronizer in the Taurus again this weekend.
 
My Dad's 1966 Oldsmobile 98 LS had a "drop down" panel in the front seat back which revealed a hinged, lighted make-up mirror flanked by a tissue dispenser and cigarette holder.

It never held a tissue or even one cigarette. Kira
 
The front seat backs of my Xj12 have drop down, burled and inlaid wood trays, with cupholders, so the rear seat passengers can dine in comfort.

Pass the Grey PouPon, please.

edit: We have an Expy, and I didn't even know it had tissue holders.
 
FWIW the Rotunda stuff is not listed in the catalog. You have to have different access to go to the Rotunda catalog to look up tools and things like the Kleenex boxes.

I had a customer scream and yell at me because I have to order those by the case and it takes a couple weeks to come in. I told them they were the only ones who ever come in for it, so they could buy the whole case since I was not going to be stuck with extra inventory on hand. Actually my job would be in jeopardy if I ordered a case of something and only sold one item from the case.
 
I can understand customers wanting them available, but I also understand the parts people not wanting to waste time on tissues. That may be putting it a bit harshly, but like bdcardinal mentioned, the tissues may not be worth the trouble for the parts counter.

Since it was so easy for you to do the research online, I have to wonder why the other customers didn't? Most people are quite aware of Google, but seem to be unable to use it to research their vehicle a little. I can understand the thinking that the parts guy can do the research from the customer's perspective, but they have a lot of other things going on. I rarely have 10 minutes free to go looking for something like tissues. If I have time to kill, I will go on wild goose chases...if I have a line of customers, or more likely, shops blowing up my phone...not happening, sorry. A body shop on the phone with a VIN# in hand and an exact list of the parts they need will get priority.

I would be more willing to go on wild goose chases for walk-ins if they would be patient and understand that I may have to call them back after I have had time to look into it. The problem is, people come in expecting you to know every part on their vehicle off the top of your head, and then get mad when you don't just whip out exactly what they are looking for and give them a discount on it. People who are patient and willing to leave a phone number or e-mail will get a response. People who just expect me to know every little part on their 10 year old car probably won't get much consideration. I deal with four brands...and one of those brands is ALL of GM including the occasional Saab or Saturn customer. Sorry, I do not know everything about every car those brands have offered off the top of my head, so some things will require some digging. If the customer has no patience for that, I have no patience for them.

Parts is a business few understand until they are in it. Today I had to deal with a guy flipping out and cussing up a storm because some $4 trim piece had been discontinued on his Monte Carlo. I had to deal with trying to explain to at least three walk-ins why parts are discontinued for their 20+ year old cars. I had to explain to someone why the plastic folding tonneau on their 11 year old Avalanche had faded in the sun. I also had to explain to one guy that if he wants Moroso valve covers, he needs to go to Summit or Jegs. I had to explain to one lady wearing a cow bell why the OE fuel pump the shop had just installed in her car was more expensive than an Airtex from the parts store. That was just today. You have to deal with a lot of [censored] from walk-ins in a parts department, so I can see why the Ford dealer didn't really give too much of a [censored] about a box of tissues.
 
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Actually my job would be in jeopardy if I ordered a case of something and only sold one item from the case.


Can't PIPP Kleenex.
 
Originally Posted By: punisher
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
Actually my job would be in jeopardy if I ordered a case of something and only sold one item from the case.


Can't PIPP Kleenex.


I miss PIPP, they discontinued it. We have to stock the top 100 or 300 (i forget) part numbers and then we get a larger percentage to return. You still only get ~85% cost to return a part, but we get something like 3% total monthly cost to return. And people wonder why we don't allow returns on special order parts and require a prepayment.

I got to do a couple PIPP returns to the 48 warehouse in Rancho Cucamunga.
 
Understood 100%

This is about the last thing anyone in parts would need to be caring about. And it is well and truly a #firstworldproblem

If you've had the experienced I've had in the past at this dealer, and many others, you might see why I'm moderately embittered.

About this whole "My job's in jeopardy if I order a case of something and only sell one" Now I'm a reasonable person, and I know how a parts spend can affect a dealers cash flow. But if a "CASE" of damm tissues, $40 for 38 boxes, so just above $1.20 a piece. If that's gonna cramp keeping the business open, then you might be needing to look for a better job. If you sold them for $3 a piece (a fair price), thats 100%+ markup, what's to complain about? Thats profiting, and keeping a customer satisfied?

I sure hope no one like myself with one of them Ford crossbreeds comes in (Hint, I DO from time to time)
(My Villager, VG30/33E) comes in for the loss leader "Works" oil change. If you don't keep FL822/839's on hand, what are you gonna do when you find out you don't have the filter? Hope I don't do the next OCI and see that the different brand filter I put on is still there? We see this from time to time on this forum. Think of all the things you can't upsell because you don't have it in stock.

This dealer (Dana Ford Lincoln 13C301)
-Tried to upsell me a fuel filter on my Taurus, I inquired at the parts counter, Not in stock, would be at least a 3 day wait.
-I placed an order on FordParts for pickup on 6/23 for 2 o-rings I need for my Taurus's Intake manifold
YL8Z9J469AA & 87072S91, things you might need if you do a Cam sync on one/fix common vacuum leaks.

......I'm still waiting for them to come in, on the 27'th and 30'th they told me "They're coming in from Detroit"
This is also a dealer that didn't understand that a PCM reflash that stated it was covered under emissions warranty, refused to do it. The labor OP's .4 hrs, Do you HONESTLY think they're going to do it for that now I'm out of warranty.
 
I've dealt with Ford parts departments for decades and I swear that the first things that they teach the parts employees to say are: "We ain't got it", "There's no such part.", or It's no longer available".

I once called one dealer to ask about a part. They "didn't have it." I called another and their online inventory showed that the first dealer I called had it. It turned out that they did- they just didn't know it.

A couple of years ago I really got exasperated with their rank incompetence. I use a proprietary Ford synthetic transmission oil in my Mazdaspeed and I was changing it later in the week. I went to the web site of my closest Ford dealer. Their parts department page is configured so that you can send a message to the parts desk. I asked if they had the fluid in stock and gave them the part number. I received an e-mail response within two hours, advising me that it was in stock. So... After I drop my son off at soccer practice I drive over to the dealer. I tell the parts guy what I want, he types it into the inventory computer, and tells me "We don't got it- it's special order." I explain that I received an e-mail stating it was in stock and he says "That's your problem! You shoulda called instead." So the next day I had to find it at another dealer.

And people wonder why I don't own a Ford anymore...
 
Originally Posted By: michaelluscher
Understood 100%

This is about the last thing anyone in parts would need to be caring about. And it is well and truly a #firstworldproblem

If you've had the experienced I've had in the past at this dealer, and many others, you might see why I'm moderately embittered.

About this whole "My job's in jeopardy if I order a case of something and only sell one" Now I'm a reasonable person, and I know how a parts spend can affect a dealers cash flow. But if a "CASE" of damm tissues, $40 for 38 boxes, so just above $1.20 a piece. If that's gonna cramp keeping the business open, then you might be needing to look for a better job. If you sold them for $3 a piece (a fair price), thats 100%+ markup, what's to complain about? Thats profiting, and keeping a customer satisfied?

I sure hope no one like myself with one of them Ford crossbreeds comes in (Hint, I DO from time to time)
(My Villager, VG30/33E) comes in for the loss leader "Works" oil change. If you don't keep FL822/839's on hand, what are you gonna do when you find out you don't have the filter? Hope I don't do the next OCI and see that the different brand filter I put on is still there? We see this from time to time on this forum. Think of all the things you can't upsell because you don't have it in stock.

This dealer (Dana Ford Lincoln 13C301)
-Tried to upsell me a fuel filter on my Taurus, I inquired at the parts counter, Not in stock, would be at least a 3 day wait.
-I placed an order on FordParts for pickup on 6/23 for 2 o-rings I need for my Taurus's Intake manifold
YL8Z9J469AA & 87072S91, things you might need if you do a Cam sync on one/fix common vacuum leaks.

......I'm still waiting for them to come in, on the 27'th and 30'th they told me "They're coming in from Detroit"


The Kleenex was an extreme example, but idle inventory (anything that has not sold in over 9 months) negatively affects the parts department. We are not allowed to do returns to Ford if our idle inventory is too high. That is why so many parts are special order, parts that sit on the shelf and collect dust are bad for business. Plus that is the dealer owner's money sitting there not doing anything for him. As for returning parts to Ford, we only get back 85% of cost, so we try to not return things.

As for the parts you ordered, I have the 9J469 in stock, but if I had to order it, it would have come from Ford's Memphis warehouse on FedEx. The standard part number I don't stock due to lack of sales history. It would have come from the Rancho Cucamunga warehouse overnight.

We do not participate in fordparts.com. It requires a monthly software subscription that ends up being around $700 a month. Also if people order special order parts they looked up on their own and then they are wrong, the dealer does not get an allowance to return them to Ford. We have had a few people come in screaming saying they ordered on fordparts.com and they were here to pick up their order. I usually point out that the dealer on their paperwork is another one, which most of the time never ends well.

Retail parts is usually never a money maker for a dealer. Yes there is profit, but for us it is less than %10 of total department sales. Our wholesale and back counter (where I work) makes up the vast majority of our sales and it requires a lot less work. I don't have to have someone call me all sorts of names for asking for a VIN or an axle tag number to look up their part. Having someone say "they are all the same, you should get someone working here who knows what they are doing" when they are looking for an axle seal usually results in me throwing a seal for a F450 on the counter and responding with "all the same right?" Also Ford makes parts obsolete because it does not make financial sense for them to continue to produce it. There is no such thing as a 7 or 10 year rule, especially when a bunch of vendors went under after GM and Chrysler went BK and got to not pay their vendors.
 
Originally Posted By: michaelluscher

I sure hope no one like myself with one of them Ford crossbreeds comes in (Hint, I DO from time to time)
(My Villager, VG30/33E) comes in for the loss leader "Works" oil change. If you don't keep FL822/839's on hand, what are you gonna do when you find out you don't have the filter? Hope I don't do the next OCI and see that the different brand filter I put on is still there? We see this from time to time on this forum. Think of all the things you can't upsell because you don't have it in stock.



They would probably put a Promotive (Purolator) or some similar brand on.

Off topic, but I have to ask, you mentioned doing the cam synchro again? Is the mileage in your sig out of date? If not, that's a lot of cam synchros for the miles. My Ranger is on its third, the first lasting 60K, and the second about 80K.
 
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
They would probably put a Promotive (Purolator) or some similar brand on.


I have the FL-822 and FL-839 on the shelf behind me. If it is a filter we don't have and the customer is waiting, we get it from O'Reillys. If it is a used car, only the cheapest will do, so Microguard it is. A customer car will get Wix, or Bosch, or ACDelco depending on what it is and what they have.
 
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Off topic, but I have to ask, you mentioned doing the cam synchro again? Is the mileage in your sig out of date? If not, that's a lot of cam synchros for the miles. My Ranger is on its third, the first lasting 60K, and the second about 80K.


Interesting story behind this.
It's out of date as Milage to date is 49.5k

The original one was making noise starting around 38k, so I finally did it 3 weekends ago.
Bought a Richporter Technologies FD32, it showed up in a Duralast box. Begrudgingly put it in, I got a very disconcerting Valve noise, even though I lined everything up perfectly, and pre oiled it all. By the 3rd replacement they sent me, I got the right part. Now to do the swap again. I'm planning to do it this Saturday, But since the upper plenum has to come off, I want to change those last two o-rings in there when it comes off.

.......It's been a month
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I'll be there In a day or two to pick it up from a inspection, The Works, and a idler pully redone under CP warranty on the condition that I pay list price for the belt, which they didn't replace first time. Hopefully this should shut the belt side of the engine up. Once I re-do the cam sync, starting the thing up cold in the morning won't be embarrassing anymore.

Then I can move on to it's other problems

....The pothole damaged rim and MXV4 (oddly they passed this)
........The rough idle (coincides with the ~13 to the gallon it gets?)
...........The poor brake pedal after a panic stop (think I cracked a drum that was machined too thin.)
.............The cooling fans that vibrate the thing like a ancient turboprop

Kill me now............
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I see.

I just checked their stock

No 839, No 2007, 1 FL-822.

To be fair, it's not a common vehicle, and not many are going to Ford dealers for oil changes, but two coming in one day is a good possibility, and all it takes is someone to drop that filter while walking back to the bay, and you've got two customer vehicles that are stuck. I'd personally keep 3 or 4 of each "Orphan" filter, mainly because one day, your gonna open up, look out the service drive, and there's gonna be a line for LOF's.

These vehicles will most likely be
A SVT Contour
A Villager
A old HO Escort
A EXP
Some 80's Diesel thing
Something that'll take a FL-1A

Which'll catch you all off guard, as what, 90% are 400s/500s/820s/910s
They do have 11 FL-400S's in stock, which sounds a shade low, but is a good amount I guess?

You sound like you've got it all together, and are well stocked enough to cater to any reasonable request..............You moving to NYC soon?
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This dealer recently renovated, and moved into an all new building, the new corporate look.
I hope they improve from the days of me standing in a 90 degree busy hallway between the showroom and the waiting area leaning on a window being told
"We've gotta order you the $20 wiper blade specials, I'll have them next Tuesday"

...I'm hoping my car will be ready this Friday or Saturday, when I go to pick it up, I do hope my order's in. Do you have any explanation as to why it's taken a month? Would it have been faster if I'd just ordered it from the counter?
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