Thoughts on Canadian vendors

[2-Short]

Hello All,

I have owned my TR now for 8 years, and have been a Buick fan well before that, having a 455 Skylark. Being a Buick owner I have just gotten accustomed to ordering parts that I need direct from the US, meaning I would have to deal with the exchange (which wasn't that great for a while), and dealing with customs and shipping. I am sure alot of you have been in the same situation.

My question is why hasn't there been a successful Canadian vendor in recent years?? I know for years National Performance was a supplier but haven't heard about them in a while. Maybe there are others, but I haven't heard of them in these forums.

Is it a case that the market isn't big enough to support a vendor ? I can guess that to be successful, alot of buyers expect their parts to arrive in due time and at a reasonable price. Maybe this is why there aren't many Canadian Buick vendors as it may be difficult to compete with the US vendors who not only stock but also manufacture their parts making getting parts to customers quick and economical for them.

Starting a business is difficult in any market. But it seems in the Buick community, vendors are not easily made but easily broken.

So in your opinion what would it take to have a successful Canadian vendor for Turbo Buick parts ?? Are there even enough Turbo Buicks to support a Canadian vendor ? At what stage of parts buying are most of the Turbo Buicks in Canada at (meaning are most cars untouched or already heavily modified) ??

[c&cgn]

I doubt there would be enough business for a TR specific vendor. They would have to have another market(s) to sell their products to.

Only way they could do it is if they could sell the same products as the US guys and at the same, or better (landed) price as if we bought it direct. It would be great to see though. It would be nice if we didn't have to mess with the border.

[mike85gn]

Yeah, a TR vendor in Canada would need to have other markets as a source of income, such as domestic performance or forced induction or something of that nature. It would be nice, but Cottons and Conleys and Precision and ATR have all been good to me.

[Just a Six??]

As a Canadian Vendor you would have to be the same or cheaper in cost than the US guys! How do you get the parts cheaper in order to make a profit? Buy 10 of each & sit on em forever? Plus shipping from say Toronto to Winnipeg is not free either. What about warranty issues? It would be impossible to make money without other parts for other cars! Seems like a lot of work for the return? Would be nice to get local though!

[Darkside87]

:applaus: National Performance of Toronto is Very Much So, A part of the Buick Community; As a matter of fact my last 3 TR's were built there, I've loved every one of them- I had to sell the 87 GN a few yrs ago b/o a monetary slump, Then the weather/elements got to the Turbo T's body, and now I have an :goldcup: 86 TType that they built for me in 2 weeks- using my posi, turbo and numerous other items off the old and onto the new- I couldn't be happier, I can honestly say "I Love my TR" and she drives like a "Bat-Outta-Hell (of course no 8 sec. one like his - to fast for my driving experience); and as usual not a day goes by that a perfect stranger dosen't compliment my car.
Some may chime in and say otherwise, but as the saying goes "You can't please some of the people EVER!"
As I see it, National Performance- Ken in particular, is Honest, Helpful- will gives tailored to your dreams technial advice even if you don't order your parts from him and is unboubtly experienced with our cars; He has been in the Buick go fast business for some 12 yrs and has professional relations with all the US vendors- including a professional discount that he passes on to his customers which in turn saves you the customs expenses and headaches.
I hope I didn't overstep my bounds sounding like an advertizement; Its just that he is too quiet so I took it upon myself to let the newbies know about the shop.
Safe & Happy Motoring,
Max
Darkside87

[Racetronix]

Racetronix= http://www.appliedlanguage.com/flags_of_the_world/small_flag_of_canada.gif :arco:

[Black-Jacket]

i remeber the used to be a guy out in oshawa area that did some decent work, i forget his name, used to deal with him when i work at a partsource down there

i see you done work on the cars from 2 fast 2 real

[Black-Jacket]

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[Black-Jacket]

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[WSLN 6]

Racetronix kicks ass! I always give them my business when I can. Especially if they have a double pumper ready soon.........wishful thinking?

[Black-Jacket]

www.campbellautomotive.com