Ecp rant

[matchless]

Well,
ordered a new air filter for my Mazda, picked it up yesterday, and today tried to fit it....its the wrong one.
Lucky for me, I deliberately ordered from a branch that is open on a Sunday, its not local, but it gives me the option to exchange over the weekend.
Went back today, none of the correct one in stock, but can get it for Tuesday, which I declined as I wont get to the branch before it shuts during the week.
I asked how can his data base know a) its the wrong one, b) what is the right one and c) how is it different to the online data base?
His answer said it all...the online one isnt that accurate!.
Did explain the two people getting refunds/exchanges yesterday whilst I was there.
This may have been said on the forum before, so sorry if this is going over old ground, but if they get a filter that wrong,what chance do they have for major parts?

[Vossy]

I think things at ECP will get much worse very soon now that the the top management has changed, they are looking for cuts and that is never good for any business.

ECP

[MSS]

Originally Posted by matchless

Well,
ordered a new air filter for my Mazda, picked it up yesterday, and today tried to fit it....its the wrong one.
Lucky for me, I deliberately ordered from a branch that is open on a Sunday, its not local, but it gives me the option to exchange over the weekend.
Went back today, none of the correct one in stock, but can get it for Tuesday, which I declined as I wont get to the branch before it shuts during the week.
I asked how can his data base know a) its the wrong one, b) what is the right one and c) how is it different to the online data base?
His answer said it all...the online one isnt that accurate!.
Did explain the two people getting refunds/exchanges yesterday whilst I was there.
This may have been said on the forum before, so sorry if this is going over old ground, but if they get a filter that wrong,what chance do they have for major parts?

I hope you feel better for having had the rant.

I suspect the two databases are in fact a single database, but the agent view of the database displays a lot more information about alternative fitments on a single model. This is a common approach with databases.

Personally, I am pleased for you that your problems in life are so little that an occurrence such as this requires a rant on a public forum.

In my life, an occurrence such as this would not even register on the "rant justified/needed" scale given the scale of my life's problems.. I envy you.

[matchless]

Originally Posted by mss

I hope you feel better for having had the rant.

I suspect the two databases are in fact a single database, but the agent view of the database displays a lot more information about alternative fitments on a single model. This is a common approach with databases.

Personally, I am pleased for you that your problems in life are so little that an occurrence such as this requires a rant on a public forum.

In my life, an occurrence such as this would not even register on the "rant justified/needed" scale given the scale of my life's problems.. I envy you.

Yep, made me feel a lot better, as this was put out as an (obviously insignificant) heads up to fellow forum members re the risk involved using a major spares supplier and the issues that could cause.
Not so sure the database explanation is valid, as it uses a registration number to call up the details of the car, with engine type etc, etc. So the online one should be correct, unless the database is different between online and in store (no alternatives given online, except makes of filter).

[Eddy600]

Been there done that with my Peugeot partner when the brake discs and pads given where incorrect and didn't have the correct ones in stock, I tend to stick to local motor factors, but occasionally get oil and bits when a good discount is on.

[matchless]

Checked the ECP site,
there are two fitment types now showing, even though my registration shows its a Diesel, it gives you the Petrol and Diesel fitments and sizes.. I may have selected the wrong one! although I am sure there was only one offered before.
My bad if thats the case.
No more rants or posts...clearly too old.

[wullie480]

This ain’t a new thing I remember years ago repairing a friends golf and the factors offered him a choice of 4 types of brake pad even with Reg details they couldn’t tell him which ones it would be and as he didn’t have the old ones to match ended up buying all 4 and returning the 3 that didn’t fit.

I think all the reg does is pin point make model it’s then up to buyer to select which part is right.

For instance I’m looking at new tyres for my insignia vx-line which comes as standard with 19” or 20” alloys, yet on the websites with reg details or flags up tyres from 16” all the way up to 20” asking you to select which size you require it’s quicker just to search by size.

[rusdee]

I've never had any problems with them until I had to change the discs an pads on the daily focus, it wasn't until I'd stripped the old ones off that I found out the ones they'd sold where far bigger, luckily I had the 75 to drive 30 mins round trip to epc but the proper ones cost £5 more than wrong ones

[victorgte]

Far too common now. Ordered 2 air filters for my ZR and Rover 45. ZR was correct but the other was for a Honda Civic 2015!
Oil filter was for a Honda too.
Called the cutomer service number and got an apology for the "mis pick" and the promise of another one sent out. Never got it.

[Dallas]

On the website you will often see a yellow banner which states...
'There is more than one choice of part for your vehicle. Please select the correct 'Air Filter' by checking the 'Fitment Detail' tab'.

My wife used to work for Unipart Bristol Street Rover, she was one of the sexy delivery girls who would deliver thousands of car parts each week to the garages throughout Dorset. She would be at the forefront of some of these unhappy customers, but with a quick smile and cheeky wink she would have them smiling again. A wrongly ordered part was neither the customer or retailers fault, it was usually a problem of the part supplier manufacture specification or year of vehicle which had changed. These small errors in the database get corrected once flagged, its certainly not worth losing sleep over, there can often be human error on both sides.

The car manufacture certainly doesn't make it easy for these guys, constantly changing and updating certain parts during production. Different spec, part supplier or manufacturing year will have an effect on part production along with different models made for other countries etc, the mind boggles.

I've worked in retail for over 25 years, and product codes can be a complete nightmare, especially when you are dealing with several brands and a number of different suppliers. The car part data catalogue is no different, these car part retailers certainly don't have an easy job. Whether it be aftermaret or OEM, these part codes need to be cross referenced/interchanged from part manufacture OEM or not OEM. Specialist software is used to magically deliver millions of part codes to the retailers database in some sort of understandable order.

I have respect for ECP, they have always made sure I have received the correct part. They do advise a quick phone call to your local store if unsure of part code, they do have a more in depth database than what's available online. I have found if there is more than one part code available for your car, they will often make sure you have ordered the correct part by double checking their database, this can easily be done instore on collection.