POLL: How did you buy from FCP?

[matthew1]

I hope I wasn't loud. (I'm the only admin. No moderators were loud, at all.) I posted about the sponsorship loss like I do for every advertiser when they go a different direction with their ad dollars, like this one viewtopic.php?f=4&t=88979 from 6 weeks ago.

FCP got wayyy more attention because more users bought from them. Volvooempartsdirect.com by contrast wasn't as involved in the forum and the "fabric" of Volvo ownership as FCP.

Also I posted this "How did you buy..." poll to help me understand MVS users' habits on using sponsors. I was alarmed. The first sponsor loss... it sucks but it's part of business and I'll work to fill that spot again. The second (FCP) within 6 weeks... was alarming. I think the car forum as a major way of DIY Life is fading. Facebook and the others are just too strong.

I'm not going anywhere, and I'll continue to run MVS like I always have. But the landscape has fundamentally shifted and I can't make a half a living from MVS any longer.

Thanks for your comment, wrybread.

[June]

OEMPD and FCP are two completely different animals! OEM Parts Direct would not likely be popular by most on here as most hate Volvo dealers and Genuine Volvo parts. Probably even the corporation itself. Reading some user opinions on here makes me wonder why they even own a Volvo. Where as FCP has tons of non Genuine Volvo parts. The whole "OEM" not being the blue box is misleading in my opinion.

Of course the difference of opinions is what makes MVS fun reading! You have owners like me whose car is 99% Genuine Volvo (Redline oil instead of Castrol -1%) and those who would die before using a genuine part. Being as the fan base on here loves FCP and their variety of non-genuine Volvo parts, I can't imagine why they pulled their funding... maybe they are in financial trouble unrelated to MVS?. I guess if things get tight you may consider having a fundraiser?. June

[WhatAmIDoing]

Jason from FCP got in touch with me. He was very helpful and we worked some things out. I would like to redact some of my previous comments as a gesture of good faith. FCP does care about their customers.

[prwood]

Just a few thoughts on the way I buy parts.

I have a Volvo dealer with a great parts department about a 10-minute drive from both my house and my workplace. I can usually run out and back on a break from work with time to spare. The staff are friendly and helpful, and I get a small discount on most things. Most of the time I use them for small stuff like bolts, gaskets, clips, etc, particularly if it's on short notice.

Everything else I order from FCP. The primary reason I order from them is that due to living in New England, I'm close enough that even when I pay for the cheapest shipping option, it comes overnight. Their prices aren't always the cheapest, but they're also not the most expensive, and I appreciate the OE options they offer. I've also gotten a lot of use from their DIY videos. I usually get to their site by typing 'fc' in my address bar and letting autocomplete do the rest.

I've clicked on the sponsor links on MVS a few times, but usually don't remember to do it when it actually comes to making a purchase.

[gmh]

I recently shopped for a Valeo a/c compressor at these 4 vendors. Prices (a week ago) were:
IPD $393 sale $354 free shipping
eEuro $356 sale $316 $18 shipping
RMEuropean not available
FCP $522 free shipping (OEM Volvo $506)
Perhaps there is a reason FCP's price on this item is so high. The lifetime replacement offer does not tempt me for this large a difference in price as this part should long outlast the car.
P.S. I ordered from eEuro.

A few days after my post FCP’s price was reduced to $391. Probably would not change my decision as Eeuro also offers a lifetime warranty. As others have said FCP does care about their customers and are paying attention to this forum.