owner thomas hirschfeld in his workshop in feldgeding near munich.
thomas hirschfeld’s master mechanic business has built up a loyal customer base. When it comes to purchasing parts, the company not only relies on its local wholesaler, but also makes clever use of the possibilities offered by online procurement.
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Abstract
An estimated 15 percent of his parts are ordered online by thomas hirschfeld via the alzura tyre24 platform. favorable purchase prices, fast delivery and the supplier’s good service are strong arguments for buying online.
On days like these, the phone in thomas hirschfeld’s office just won’t stop ringing, and when you look out of the large office window down into the workshop, it’s clear that the team once again has its hands full. "We are in the middle of the changeover season, so everyone is in a particular hurry", explains thomas hirschfeld, owner of the independent repair shop of the same name in feldgeding near furstenfeldbruck, germany.
The fact that the six-man operation has no problem with capacity utilization is of course good news. "We get many parts quickly from our wholesaler, which is also important because my employees can’t stand around waiting," argues hirschfeld, explains the entrepreneur who opened his business in 2003. The company offers its customers comprehensive equipment with several OE diagnostic testers as well as a multi-brand diagnostic system hella gutmann (mega macs 77) in conjunction with the calibration tool for the sensors of driver assistance systems.
He is supplied several times a day by his wholesaler, whose product range, delivery reliability and speed he does not want to do without. In addition to his basic parts supply for day-to-day business, hirschfeld also uses alternative purchasing sources – wherever it makes sense to do so. "We service the vehicles in a fleet of vans. i can usually plan these jobs well and then it makes sense to use the online channel for procurement. the price advantage is an argument in its own right," explains thomas hirschfeld, argues hirschfeld. As a premium customer, he regularly uses the B2B platform alzura tyre24, which has grown up in the tire business and has also been supplying automotive spare parts for some years now.
Good for plannable work
hirschfeld orders around 15 percent of his spare parts online, using several sources: "this makes sense for maintenance work that can be planned and for standard parts that are needed again and again." for the fleet’s vans – which belong to a regional fleet operator – he has all the fast-moving items in stock anyway, including oil filters, seals, intercoolers and brakes. "online ordering also makes sense when it comes to repairing older vehicles where the customer does not necessarily want to replace the original part for cost reasons." if the customer is not in too much of a hurry, hirschfeld will make him an attractive fixed-price offer – and then he can compare prices on the internet. "I can get the shock absorber online for half the purchase price, but I’ll accept the slightly longer delivery time", tells us the automotive professional. If he orders from alzura tyre24 in the afternoon, the part will be there the next day, depending on the supplier – delivery is overnight by parcel service.
Alzura tyre24 as a pure online marketplace is not responsible for the organization of logistics. the part will be shipped by the seller and the supplier listed at alzura tyre24 is also the contractual partner of the buyer. This also means that in the case of incorrect delivery, the return runs through the seller. "It rarely happens, but if a part does not fit, I contact the supplier." in case of problems alzura tyre24 helps and steps into the mediator role. the only exception: through its subsidiary alzura trade, the company has entered into fulfillment and then also takes care of the delivery processing for suppliers who wish to do so. And what about the range of parts and availability?? "If i don’t get a part from my wholesaler, i’m sure i’ll get it via the online platform", knows hirschfeld from experience. At alzura are 2.000 suppliers from all over europe listed – sometimes the delivery time is a bit longer if a part has to be ordered from abroad.
Best price guarantee
alzura tyre24 offers different packages for its customers: premium customers like hirschfeld automatically receive buyer protection for 59 euro per month, a best price guarantee and they benefit from reduced handling fees as well as prioritized shipment. From 20 euro order value you pay no delivery costs. below this price only 3,90 euro delivery fee will be charged. in the basic-account for 22 euro per month orders from 60 euro are free of additional delivery costs. Below that, there is a handling fee of 6.90 euros per order.
master car mechanic hirschfeld particularly appreciates some of the platform’s functions, such as the order history, which lists all purchases at a glance, and shipment tracking directly on the alzura tyre24 site. to see the delivery status of a shipment, he does not have to go to the site of a logistics service provider first, but sees the delivery progress immediately. This works thanks to a sub-interface with DPD, which works in the background at alzura tyre24.
with a click of the mouse, hirschfeld shows us his daily shopping list: a catalytic converter for an older customer vehicle, a steel rim for a renault master, shock absorber springs, some tire sets and a barrel of antifreeze can be found there along with a few other small parts. Also popular: the end user calculation, which calculates the calculation with working values and margin after up to five customer profiles. This allows a quick quotation at the push of a button in a customer meeting.