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Obviously the OPE industry is in extreme conflict. With the current announcement of OEM owned/distributor run All Service Centers plus the previous problem of National Chains who repair the discount store units the independent dealer is getting close to the point of extinction. Times past there were family owned independent food stores, pharmacies, gas stations with repairs, hardware stores, and other retail operations which have now been virtually eliminated with the onset of the box super stores.
Dealers are becoming more aware of what this economic climate means to their individual businesses and have started looking for answers. The other large Associations that are in place today have more emphasis on the Ag side of business than the OPE side. Our smaller regional Associations do not speak with a loud enough voice for the OEM or distributor to pay significant attention to our needs or problems. With the onset of entertainment power products, compact equipment, diesel operated or water cooled engines dealers need to diversify and become more educated in order to survive a dwindling market.
In this, NIDA proposes the following to help all dealers not only advance, but survive.
- Education. Training not only for Technicians, but also for counter help as well as the dealer for business practices and procedures.
- Encouraging diversification. Different products on the market require repair and service. A consumer will not blink twice on a “sport related” item’s cost, but will balk at a simple tune up on a mower. There are so many products that need service including generators, compressors, pneumatic tools, airless paint sprayers, pressure washers, compact equipment, motor sports equipment etc.
- Identify and promote after market outlets so dealers can be more cost effective in their repairs. In this also provide information for obsolete parts and or clearance of overstock parts the distributor will not accept for return.
- IDEA opened the door with their passing a bill equalizing warranty payments. We need to push to do the same for Association Health Insurance privileges as well as sufficient warranty payment for all time involved in exacting repairs.
- NIDA is working to obtain as many members as possible from all quarters. There is power in numbers, we need to handle this power properly to be respected as well as heard.
- All involved in the independent dealer service industry do not believe the OEM owned/distributor run service centers will survive because we KNOW the business and its problems. We do however need to increase the professionalism of our dealer base so when that time comes OEMs and Distributors will be more confident in our services and rely on our shops.
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