10 Reasons to Buy Truck Parts Online
Published on
July 8, 2021 at 9:00:00 AM PDT July 8, 2021 at 9:00:00 AM PDTth, July 8, 2021 at 9:00:00 AM PDT
Why E-Commerce is Here to Stay
Let's face it – physically going to the store and shopping is becoming as outdated as writing letters. The convenience of Amazon and other e-commerce websites make it all too easy to find exactly what you're looking for – and usually more – right from the comfort of your own couch.
Committing to new earbuds and weighted blankets (worth it) through e-commerce are one thing, but what about truck parts? Can the experience of going down to the local parts shop be replaced with an online experience? The answer is yes and absolutely. U.S. e-commerce grew 44% in 2020 thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic, and now that the benefits of shopping online have been fully realized over the past year, that number is expected to have continued growth.
1. Part Information at Your Fingertips
Gone are the days when you need to write down specs and product information to bring to the store – or just use your best guess at which part you need. When you shop for truck parts online, all you need is the part number you're looking for or at least a few words to plug into a search engine.
From there all the specs, measurements, features, and benefits for multiple parts across several brands are easily accessible so you can be sure you're making the best buying decision for your company.
2. Easier Ordering
Buying truck parts online is now just as easy as ordering anything off of Amazon, eBay, or the other popular e-commerce sites that you use every day. Simply find what you need in the parts catalog, click to add it to your cart in the quantities you need, click the Place Order button, and you're done!
Not having to visit a physical truck parts store within restricted hours or wait on hold to call in an order saves you time and, in the long run, money. And we all know in this business that time and money mean everything. When you realize on Memorial Day that you need to order a new Delco Remy starter and everything else is closed, e-commerce is there for you.
3. Readily Available Cross References
Cross-references can be golden tickets to finding the part you need at a price point you want and from a brand you can trust. If the exact part number you're looking for isn't in stock in a physical store, the staff on hand may not be versed in cross-references to get you another part that'll get you back on the road.
But with the cross-references you need readily available online, you don't need to guess at the accuracy of the part you picked instead or wait for the exact part number you're looking for to come back in stock. With the crosses right alongside the part specs and other key information, buying truck parts online is less intimidating than it used to be.
4. High-Definition Images
One of the hesitations for many parts purchasers when they consider buying online is not being able to physically see or hold the part. But today's high-definition images make it possible to get as much of an up-close-and-personal approach as you would if the part were right in front of you.
Many truck parts brands such as Horton, DriV, and more, now have high-definition images available for most of their catalogs. Many are also starting to offer 3D images to make your product selection process even more accurate. If you're the type of person who needs to count the splines on your Dana Spicer friction plate before you buy, no worries – with modern e-commerce, you still can.
5. Fast and Easy Order Status Updates
Another inconvenience that goes by the wayside with e-commerce is the uncertainty of your order – was it received? Has it shipped yet? When will it arrive? Rather than pacing the shop floor waiting for a phone call, an email, or fax if you're an OG, with e-commerce you can simply log in, go to your account, and check the status of your order.
With modern e-commerce websites, you'll get notified as your order status changes during the fulfillment process. And with the supplied tracking numbers, you'll still be able to track your parts even after they leave the warehouse.
6. Warranties, Core Returns, and Questions, Oh My!
Not every order is clear-cut; there will be times when you have questions. What happens if you need to replace a part under warranty that you bought online? What if your part has a core that needs to be returned? What if you've got a question about your part that wasn't answered online?
Don't let these situations stop you from becoming comfortable with e-commerce. The e-commerce truck parts sites that are worth their salt have clearly established customer service teams and returns processes for cores and warranties. And just like with a physical store, e-commerce sites have real human beings on the other end who are trained, experienced, and ready to get you back on the road.
7. Related Parts You May Not Have Considered
It's happened to all of us at one point or another – you buy a replacement part but forget the other gaskets, clamps, o-rings, or other parts you may need during the installment process on your vehicle. Wouldn't it have been nice to have a gentle reminder that there are other parts you need to remember?
What's nice about shopping online is most e-commerce sites are built to tell you exactly that via related parts that appear alongside or underneath the item you're looking at. The "people who bought this usually also buy this" tips on Amazon also apply to truck parts e-commerce sites, and it can be a handy feature that saves you even more time.
8. Promotions and Deals
It's always nice to find a coupon in the paper or the mail, but you could also be missing out on online savings. E-commerce sites for truck parts regularly feature promotions, deals, quantity break pricing, coupon codes, and other ways to save while you keep your shop stocked and your trucks up.
There's no need to wait for Black Friday or Christmas in July to look for savings; with many e-commerce sites including ours, they happen all year long!
9. A No-Hassle Shopping Experience
When you shop at a physical store, it's easy to get frustrated by sales clerks that won't leave you alone or wandering around the store without being able to find what you're looking for. E-commerce makes your shopping experience faster, easier, and you only have to talk to another human if you absolutely want to.
You can browse parts, brands, categories and shop for as long as you want to without pressure, and if you need to walk away from your shopping cart, it'll still be waiting for you when you come back.
10. Rewards for Being a Loyal Customer
Buying truck parts online can be a one-and-done situation, but it's worth it to find an e-commerce site you like and stick to it. Why? Just like with any rewards program at your favorite retail store, your loyalty will get rewarded with special offers, new product updates, newsletter information, and other perks that don't get advertised to the general public.
Is there anything better than finding a coupon in your email that you weren't expecting, all because you ordered from the same online store a few times? Loyalty gets rewarded in our industry, especially online.
E-commerce is constantly evolving and is now at a place where your shopping experience can be the same - if not better - than the time you spend at physical parts stores. Make this the year that you bring your trucking needs into the 21st century. Don't just take our word for it – create an account today and discover the difference for yourself.