DTI Unveils New Service for RV Dealers

This month DTI, the industry's largest RV appliance parts distributor, took the wraps off a new program designed to make parts management for RV dealers a whole lot easier. DTI has dubbed the new program appropriately, PartEase.

DTI president Hal Fowler explained, "Our PartEase program is going to absolutely manage the dealer's parts inventory for him - at our expense. What this means is that we will put the product in the dealer's store; we will guarantee that the items stocked will cover 85% of his needs; and anything that is not in that inventory that the dealer needs we will ship to him freight free so he will have it in his hands within 24 hours."

This is only the latest in a series of programs DTI has developed to help dealers manage their parts inventory and aftermarket store operations. Fowler added, "Our goal is to continually develop programs that will ultimately provide service through the dealer all the way through to the consumer. We are totally committed to our dealers. DTI's personnel and management create at least two programs a year to better service our dealer so he can better service the consumer. In the past we set up stores for dealers, developed the microfiche program, gave dealers tech service on the spot, and provided guaranteed delivery within 24 hours on our "guaranteed in stock" parts lists. One of our major developments was the creation of the Magnifinder© computer program which manages a complete database of parts and technical information for the dealer - and it can be updated daily. Also, we have been able to help the dealer identify what unidentified parts he already has and what that part fits. So our PartEase program is simply an extension of what we have always tried to do - take care of our customers."

DTI goes into the dealer's store and puts the program in place. The PartEase consultant completely sets up the stock, trains the parts manager and assists the dealer in disposing of inventory he doesn't need. And the cost for the service is a $15,000 annual commitment for parts which he would probably have to buy anyway, but the program itself is free.

Jess Fowler, vice president, said, "The $15,000 represents parts purchases over a year. The initial stocking order is right around $8,800, and that's if they had zero parts in inventory, and then the rest of it is restocking orders. So the $15,000 represents 365 days, then they get the Magnifinder free which is part of the program.

"That's right," Hal added. "If the dealer had absolutely nothing it would cost about $15,000 and he would have 85% of the market completely covered. And we take it over from there and manage it for him. He has no worry at all. He has no risk. Because if any part of that $15,000 is not moving or not being used, we take it back and give him something that he is using."

Missy Fowler, DTI's general manager, said, "Let's face it. Most dealers have some parts in stock so it won't cost them $15,000 just to sign up."

Another important aspect of the PartEase program is the bar code compatibility and it's incorporation into the Magnifinder programming. Missy said, "We have a bar code scanner now that is going to be included with our Magnifinder for our PartEase customers and it reads all bar codes. We will have the 85% of our parts that are moving in this industry, the parts most needed, bar coded.

"That will make it easier because when the PartEase part is sold over the counter to the customer, it is scanned so the dealer has all the information they need to reorder the part. Actually, the part is automatically reordered as soon as it's out of inventory. All he has to do is scan it and it's back in his stock, all within 24 hours - guaranteed"

Jess said, "That makes it a lot easier for the dealer to control his inventory. The biggest problem a dealer has had in the past is actually reordering that part once he has sold or used it. So the bar code function makes it automatic. Then once a day, all the dealer has to do is transmit the order via fax or phone to DTI and the replacement part is on its way."

Hal Fowler believes that RV dealers are better managers of their aftermarket parts and accessories businesses than they were only five years ago. And he is convinced that the PartEase program will help make that part of their operations even more professional. Hal said, "It is to the point where dealers are business like. And now what we're doing is offering them a program to totally guarantee what they have in their parts inventory is right.

"The beauty of PartEase is that it takes all the risk out of the dealer's hands. He doesn't have to worry about any extra parts over in the corner; he won't have an over abundance of inventory; but he will be able to service all his customers with any appliance parts needs right now. We're excited about it."

For more information about DTI's PartEase program call 1-800-289-0919.