Parts Buyers Guide

Find-a-Part Ltd handles many hundreds of thousands of requests per year, and the vast majority of transactions that occur as a result are fairly straightforward. Unfortunately, problems do arise in a small amount of cases and in fact the minority of problems do not involve Parts Quality. As the Oldest Established Recycled Vehicle Parts Location Service in The World our Name "Find A Part" and our reputation is very important to us and indeed our Suppliers. This guide is here to explain how you can protect yourself by knowing what you are buying and which is the safest method of payment, and to help in the unlikely event that you have a problem with a supplier.

The Number 1 Rule.
Never ever sign a delivery note or delivery sheet without "Visually Checking the Parts Being Delivered". The most complaints ever received came as a result of people just signing a delivery sheet without reading the Small Print which in effect says "I sign to say the goods arrived in good condition". By doing this the "Receiver" is in effect virtually negating any way for themselves or the Supplier to do anything if the goods have been damaged in transit. If it is damaged "Do Not Accept It" is the rule. Basically it is "Not the Parts Suppliers Fault" is someone has backed over a "Drivers Door" with a forklift "Yes it has happened" and despite the tell tale tyre treads on the packaging "The customers Son signed the delivery Sheet". Even though the Supplier "Without an obligation to do so" collected and refunded the customer the courier still won in court due to the "Received note being signed" Many of our suppliers have been with us since we started and they are proud of the fact that "We do not even have a complaints file for them"

Make sure it is "The Real Find A Part" that you have used.
Many customers complain to us even though they have not used our  companies services. This is especially so with Internet Placed Parts Requests and is a result of various "Parts Location Services" basically using the terms Find A Part of even FindAPart somewhere on their sites. This actually results in many tens of thousands of people per year using a search engine and being presented with a confusing list of "Find A Part" Links. Pleased be assured that our Supplier members know that if a Parts Buyer has a genuine complaint with one of our Suppliers we wish to know. There are some clear indicators to how we operate that may help you determine if you used our service.
1. If you went on line and did a stocktype search "It was not the Real Find A Part"
2. If you were sent a text code to your Cell / Mobile asking you to enter a code "It was not the Real Find A Part"
3. If you suddenly ran out of credit on a pay as you go cell / Mobile due to receiving Parts in stock messages "It was not the Real Find A Part"
4. If you suddenly found that your cell / Mobile charges included costly Parts in stock messages "It was not the Real Find A Part"
5. If you were requested to Phone a Breaker / parts Supplier on 09 Number to discuss your parts quote "It was not the Real Find A Part"

We have been Finding Auto Parts since 1978 and The terms "Find a Part" "Find-a-Part" and "FindAPart" are registered trademarks of Find-a-Part Ltd we are totally up front about our service and proud of our very low level of complaints.

Know What You Want To Buy and Fill out our Form Correctly.
Do not be vague. For example its no good asking for an engine, without telling us the fuel type, or the engine size and many of our Suppliers will ignore such limited information requests. Genuine problems can occur if there is a miscommunication between buyer and seller, especially when buying over a distance. Our Suppliers and their staff are very knowledgeable on Vehicles, their parts and for example the year the manufacturer changed or upgraded a vehicle or a part. They do however need a starting point so try to be as clear as possible. It is especially important that you have the information we need at hand if you are phoning our Parts Location Call Centre on our 09 Numbers. As stated previously we are totally up front about our services and Calls to our 09 Numbers Cost £1.02 per minute from a BT Land line (other networks and mobiles can be considerably more, calls may be monitored for training purposes). Call center staff are trained to be as quick as is reasonably possible so have your details ready before calling.

Know Who You Are Buying From.
It seems obvious to say this, but in a small number of instances, people have contacted us because they need help,  but do not know who they have bought or ordered the part/s from. Always find out the Suppliers Company Name, the staff members name and the land line telephone number when they contact you.

Use The Safest Method of Payment.
Find-a-Part has always recommended that all purchases over distance should be made using a credit card, or Visa debit card. The reason that we recommend these payment methods is because credit card companies provide charge back facilities, which provides a good fall-back if you are unable to resolve an issue with a supplier. Bank Transfers, cheques and Maestro debit cards do not offer this level of protection. A good guide to the Visa Debit Charge back process can be found here , and details on your rights under the Consumer Credit Act can be found here.

Suppliers have rights as Well.
Do not forget however that the Suppliers have rights to so if you have a problem put it writing.

These organizations can help if you experience problems

1. Contact Consumer Direct - Tel: 08454 04 05 06. This is a consumer interest group that deals with consumer inquiries and complaints.

2. The Association for Payment Clearing Services publishes advice for cardholders. You can find their key facts here.

3. The Office of Fair Trading deal with complaints received from consumers against Companies.

4. For issues regarding faulty goods and your rights, please refer to the Sale of Goods Act - quick facts for further information.

5. For legal help and proper explanations of the law you may also contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau who can give you advice about your rights under the current law.

6. To find out what sellers have to provide you as a distance selling customer, consult the Distance Selling Regulations from the Office of Fair Trading.

Are you a breakers yard / dismantler? Call our sales team on 01362 656472 to sign up.
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