[Q] Reliability of Supercheap Special Orders

[Citroënbender]

Not a whinge!

I’m tempted by a low price they’ve got on something at the moment, it’s a special order. That’s fine in the sense that I don’t need it right away.

What I’m wondering about, is how well they typically fill their special orders. Anyone have recent experience of estimated vs actual times, and how much following up was required (if any) to keep an order moving?

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Not a whinge!

I’m tempted by a low price they’ve got on something at the moment, it’s a special order. That’s fine in the sense that I don’t need it right away.

What I’m wondering about, is how well they typically fill their special orders. Anyone have recent experience of estimated vs actual times, and how much following up was required (if any) to keep an order moving?

Last week. Two sets of Bendix rear brake shoes, one in stock the other special order, took 3 days. No follow up, they rang me.

[PG2]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Last week. Two sets of Bendix rear brake shoes, one in stock the other special order, took 3 days. No follow up, they rang me.

Very similar situation a couple of weeks ago. Ordered two front wheel hubs, took 2 days.

I have ordered a number of 'special order' items over the years and not once had a problem.

[Citroënbender]

That’s good enough to give me confidence. Order placed.

After having a “Sparesbox Experience” I’ve been a bit more cautious on some retailers who promise big things.

Edit to add, my second Supercrap online order ever, the first was in January 2016. Surprised they haven’t deleted my account!

[smoo]

Same story with rokwiz and PG2, special order arrived within a week with email and txt message saying it was in store waiting.

Sparesbox I ordered an alternator for my Falcon on November 8th.
Said ETA was Nov 18th, it didn’t turn up until December 9th, useless. I don’t think I’ll bother with them again regardless of pricing.

[ute83]

I've had two six litre oils on order for about four weeks now. I'm not in a hurry but....

[Citroënbender]

Oh no; that’s 48 oil-weeks of delay… I wonder if presenting it like that would put a rocket up them.

[aussiblue]

Always arrived within a week or so for me here and often the next day; even the TQ-95.

[Franco Cozzo]

From a supplier perspective, they're pretty good, basically as the store makes an order it'll come to the supplier network right away.

The only thing is they use crap freight company, used to be Toll which caused a lot of dramas because how shitful they were, however I have been out of the game since 2022 so its possible something may have changed between then and now.

[swamp]

hi
Remember SC is not a trade supplier , some parts prices heavily reflect this . Delivery times are average . I generally only get oils , some shop consumables ,various detail supplies from them but nothing to specialized .

[Citroënbender]

They had a special price on something which Repco would have probably slightly bettered on trade, but as a foreign order I’d have had to pay 10% over our cost (workplace rule, it’s fair enough). So it was simpler just to order directly and lock in a decent price - 35% off RRP.

That wholesaler resumes on January 2nd, so the wait isn’t likely to be too bad.

[hawke]

I needed a clutch throw out bearing for my 55 year old Lotus that uses a Renault 16 engine/transmission. I couldn’t find one in Oz from any of the specialist suppliers. Some in Europe for €95.

However, my local Supercheap found one - and had it the next day for only $65.

PS - I wouldn’t buy anything from Repco if they had the last one on earth.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by hawke

I needed a clutch throw out bearing for my 55 year old Lotus that uses a Renault 16 engine/transmission. I couldn’t find one in Oz from any of the specialist suppliers. Some in Europe for €95.

However, my local Supercheap found one - and had it the next day for only $65.

PS - I wouldn’t buy anything from Repco if they had the last one on earth.

They've got a very large supplier list on their books, and they can order in anything that their customer wants, basically you just need a motivated crew at your local branch who send out a few emails or make some phone calls to their suppliers and they'll leverage the skills of the staff at their suppliers to get you what you need.

If the supplier is shit then that can cause issues on your end but SCA head office is very good at making a big song and dance if you drop the ball as their supplier.

[arm79]

For me their special orders have always been very reliable and timely.

Quickest option is to pickup in store rather than post. Have most stuff in 3 business days then. I'm often left stunned at the speed of it all. Might be a little longer during this period though.

I'll be getting them to price match some calipers today and will follow up with a delivery into store.

A couple have been along the lines of your Sparesbox experience, but they were due to crap with the supplier. One item was Mackay during their recent dark period.

If its a brake booster with R at the end of the part number, don't bother. They advertise these products, take your money, but can't supply. So they'll just leave you hanging. This was an epic near 6 month adventure.

Granted if there is a stuff up, whether it be their fault or yours, they are very good at saying sorry and making reparations.

[Citroënbender]

That was a good result on the release bearing.

Work has three local agencies; Repco, Bursons and a reinvigorated Auto 1 all vying for impromptu supply requests. I’m sometimes surprised that Supercheap aren’t trying to get in as trade suppliers too, but I’m sure it’s a considered position they hold.

[arm79]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I’m sometimes surprised that Supercheap aren’t trying to get in as trade suppliers too, but I’m sure it’s a considered position they hold.

They've long been in trade as far as I'm aware...

https://trade.supercheapauto.com.au/

But their store stock model doesn't lend itself to the on demand supply like Bursons or Repco. Unless you plan ahead that is.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by arm79

They've long been in trade as far as I'm aware...

https://trade.supercheapauto.com.au/

But their store stock model doesn't lend itself to the on demand supply like Bursons or Repco. Unless you plan ahead that is.

That's news to me, they were primarily retail customer focused as a business model, a competitor to BAPCOR's Autobarn.

Good to see another option on the go though for the trade, they might not do deliveries from their stores I assume ala Burson/Repco, which is a thing for the industry.

I'm somewhat interested now in all these positive SCA experiences, I've signed up for their trade account and I'm going to go test my local branch with a special order over the counter.

A Kenworth wiper blade assembly, that I know they can source from one of their suppliers that I know the supplier part number for, but is out of the scope of their usual business

[arm79]

Well, bugger me. Turns out you can get a Supercrap Trade account with a jewellers ABN...

Must be just need an ABN for a trade account and that's it.

Trade pricing is crap though...

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I'm somewhat interested now in all these positive SCA experiences, I've signed up for their trade account and I'm going to go test my local branch with a special order over the counter.

A Kenworth wiper blade assembly, that I know they can source from one of their suppliers that I know the supplier part number for, but is out of the scope of their usual business

I can't see their offerings going outside the standard. Just a discounted price over retail. But then I don't go looking for anything out of the ordinary, that might be more in your wheelhouse.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by hawke

I needed a clutch throw out bearing for my 55 year old Lotus that uses a Renault 16 engine/transmission. I couldn’t find one in Oz from any of the specialist suppliers. Some in Europe for €95.

However, my local Supercheap found one - and had it the next day for only $65.

PS - I wouldn’t buy anything from Repco if they had the last one on earth.

Totally agree, when it comes to these pratts.

As for Burson's, I pulled up outside to order said shoes, (Supercheap supplied) and there's a sign on the door account only, computer system down, closed to retail.
This seems to be my experience with Burson's in general, there's always something wrong at their store.

ps Supercheap gave me a trade cards years ago, when they stuffed up one of my retail buys. No ABN given same as Jaycar.

[Citroënbender]

Yes, as we don’t triage repairs at all (bit of a sore point to me) it behooves a supply model of “We need it yesterday!”. So a non-immediate delivery isn’t so ideal.

I hope this can be changed slowly, it will help sanity, productivity.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

That's news to me, they were primarily retail customer focused as a business model, a competitor to BAPCOR's Autobarn.

Good to see another option on the go though for the trade, they might not do deliveries from their stores I assume ala Burson/Repco, which is a thing for the industry.

I'm somewhat interested now in all these positive SCA experiences, I've signed up for their trade account and I'm going to go test my local branch with a special order over the counter.

A Kenworth wiper blade assembly, that I know they can source from one of their suppliers that I know the supplier part number for, but is out of the scope of their usual business

recently bought three sets from Graham Thompson Kenworth at Shepparton 610mm length ones for cabovers.
Could have bought more.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by arm79

I can't see their offerings going outside the standard. Just a discounted price over retail. But then I don't go looking for anything out of the ordinary, that might be more in your wheelhouse.

For the sake of it, I'll go find out if they'll do it, pricing vs buying the same item through Kenworth and the lead time.

Will have to wait until early next year because I know the supplier is closed, so SCA staff won't be able to call to chase up supplier.

It's an interesting test for them, if they do it and how competitive they will be on pricing and the lead time vs the established businesses.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

recently bought three sets from Graham Thompson Kenworth at Shepparton 610mm length ones for cabovers.
Could have bought more.

Curious on the pricing, 1362060DC04 or alternatively old part number 1362060GA04 are the genuine part numbers that suits all the modern cab overs, 16.5mm saddle, bolt through design to secure it on the arm.

Unsure if same for old versions

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Curious on the pricing, 1362060DC04 or alternatively old part number 1362060GA04 are the genuine part numbers that suits all the modern cab overs, 16.5mm saddle, bolt through design to secure it on the arm.

Unsure if same for old versions

Same as Twin City Kenworth, Wodonga price here. D part no shown identical to my original ones (1976) on the truck.

https://www.truckparts.com.au/genuin...62060dc04.html

The only reason they have a G instead of D in the part no. is the K100E through to 108's have a slightly taller windscreen 610mm sweep part no.

K100C 600mm sweep.

600mm is the standard norm now.

[arm79]

Supercrap price beat... Don't leave home without it.



$268.80 discount. She actually priced each caliper $32 under the competitors offering.

Merry Christmas to me.

Now we can time delivery of item to store.

[Citroënbender]

You did very well!

[foxtrot3]

Hi. Another thing is our local supercheap will pricematch the supercheap online price once the adds go online, it means I can pick up specials on my way home if they have it on the shelf on Friday after work instead of ordering it online and waiting for it to be delivered to the store for pickup the next week. Cheers MD

[arm79]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

You did very well!

As did Supercrap.

Just got an email saying ready to collect. A little under 3 business days arrival into store, not bad.

Only complaint from me is I wish I got the alert about an hour or so ago. When I was in town.

Cant win them all I suppose.

[Citroënbender]

Arrived into store today. I picked it up already; no damage, correct item. They threw in a single fruit Mentos.

Quite happy with timeframe and pricing, appreciative of those who shared experiences of their online orders with Supercheap.