Classic Alfa Suppliers List

G'day all,

As a newbie to Alfa ownership, for the last couple of weeks I've been frantically diving into the internet at every opportunity searching for suppliers of 'this' or manufacturers of 'that'. What I've found however is that there seem to be very few online suppliers for Classic 105 / 116 / 'other series' / Alfas. So far, I have uncovered the obvious ones, Alfaholics, Highwood, Classic Alfa, RE-Originals, and most of those have rudimentary forms of e-commerce facilities, which is good. Not great, but 'good'.

I personally would like to see them all move to modern e-commerce platforms and have images for every product they sell with part numbers and proper descriptions, but I always want for things to be better than they are. Why is that?

What I'm wondering is whether we could pool our collective supplier knowledge and form a 'sticky thread' that is always at the top of the forum which lists all online suppliers with links to their sites and a description of what they offer.

Also, I suggest that we should encourage other lesser known suppliers to get online and build their businesses, to share their knowledge and inventory with the owners who want to get to know and transact with them. Moving to an e-commerce platform is not expensive these days. The biggest hurdle is photographing and writing descriptions of products. But what do we have kids for anyway?

What do you guys think? If I'm barking up the wrong tree or this has been discussed, or done before can somebody point me in the right direction. Otherwise, I hope I can get your support and make this an even better resource for us all.

Cheers,

Chris (....trying not to sound to evangelical about e-commerce)

Chris, I think if you want E-commerce facilities there is ClassicAlfa which is a pretty good resource. There is also Centerline in America which has a good pdf catalougue you can download. Centerline Alfa Romeo (888) 750-ALFA

However I don't personally think E-commerce is the way forward for old car bits. Unless you are just buying consumables like filters and pads there are so many anomolies between models - or even within the same model - that it is usually best to do that old fashioned thing and talk to someone first, although I appreciate that might impact your phonebill more than mine!

Personally I find Chris at Highwood excellent for a quick bit of advice and prompt delivery. He also charges postage in proportion to what he's sending which always annoys me a bit with ClassicAlfa where it's a flat fee even if you just want a gasket.

One last thing I have found useful in the past is if you don't know what the exact part reference is you need, take a photo, email it and say "I want one of these"!

e-what? One of the pleasures in owning an older Alfa is the fact that you get to talk to knowledgeable individuals ( as mentioned in RicksAlfas post) who not only sell you the bits but can give you valuable advice at the same time. When I order bits for the S4 I don't even look at the site, I just make the call with the workshop manual open on the relevent page and that's it!

More photos and descriptions would help and I have a few "new" original seals, etc that have Alfa packaging and part nrs and I would like to be able to identify them properly.

However, I doubt that justifies the cost/effort for a seller!

I agree that more photos do help, but talking to the guys is still the best bet. I've just ordered a recon alternator from Alfaholics, I spoke to them direct and from the conversation we figured out exactly which of the multiple choice of alternators mine was and hopefully I will have one which is a direct replacement and won't leave me stuck for a cable or a spacer or something... mind you time will tell.

I do think having a priced up parts list on line is important though, one of the big four in the UK doesn't do this and I find myself rarely buying anything from them for that reason alone.

Originally Posted by 73GTVJim

More photos and descriptions would help and I have a few "new" original seals, etc that have Alfa packaging and part nrs and I would like to be able to identify them properly.

Have you tried just putting them into Google
e.g. "Alfa 60568766" (it's an oil pump in case you were wondering!)

Failing that, look out for a genuine parts book on Ebay. If you are desperate to know what some are, send me a PM and I'll have a look in my book.

Originally Posted by VeloceMitch

I do think having a priced up parts list on line is important though, one of the big four in the UK doesn't do this and I find myself rarely buying anything from them for that reason alone.

I know exactly who you mean and I don't use them either for the same reason. Why bother when all the others make it so much easier?!!

I' glad there is some discussion and interest in this. I feel, particularly as I live in Australia and the cost of phone calls and Time zones is prohibitive, to do as a number have suggested and 'talk to the guys'.

Two things:
1. If I know what I am after and don't need to talk to anybody? Why should I waste their time and mine with a needless conversation?

2. If these suppliers have taken the step to go online with, in most cases, at least rudimentary shopping facilities, does it not indicate that they have some desire to capture online sales? If this is true, should they not endeavour to present their products in the most favorable manner to encourage visitors who have gone so far as to enter their online shopping areas, apparently with some intention of spending money now or in the future, to make the next step with confidence and pull out the credit card and spend?

I know this is what I want. I have suppliers here in Oz that are helpful and carry stock but the point is I often don't get time to talk to them during business hours and end up going online and searching after business hours. If someone can give me their home phone numbers and convince them to take my calls after hours, perhaps I'll concede there is no need for this facility.

Until then, I think there is a strong argument for better online shopping facilities. It may not effect some members on this forum, to not have this technology but I'm sure I'm not alone. Not to mention, the added sales it would bring each supplier who moves forward and offers a good online service, i.e., good navigation and categorisation, good images of products and correct part numbers with competitive pricing. The volume of new sales would assist in offsetting the initial cost of migration.

I'm not trying to ***** anybody off here, just start some discussion that may lead to better facilities for owners and suppliers.

Now, what about that Sticky thread for our favored suppliers?

My $0.02 worth.

Chris (....the evangelist)

I've just found the Centerline Alfa website and thank God!

How easy do these guys make it for a customer to find what they're looking for and put their hard earned down? It really couldn't be easier.

Between the PDF catalogue which is descriptive and thoughtfully produced and the online shopping facilities, Centerline Alfa will be getting all of my business until the other guys catch up.

If they want to make it that easy for me to use them, I'm going to!

Chris ( ....feeling much better now.)

PS: ....and 'no', I don't work for them.

Originally Posted by christo65

Chris ( ....feeling much better now.)

After a quick glance through the centreline Alfa website, my first impression is there is no where near the range that the main UK people have. I can see an advantage on a totaly web based ordering system for buyers with a geographic issue though.

Mind you after a few wrongly ordered componants you might like to speak to someone direct again. It's so easy to get mixed up with compatibility on these cars.

christo,

If you've found Centerline, your next step is to go to IAP (International Auto Parts). They're the two biggest/best-known US suppliers. I know I've posted about both of them in the past, although those posts may have disappeared that last time a portion of the database got dumped.

What you're calling for may be a useful idea, but there are business problems with implementing it within this website (and no I won't elaborate on what those are). If you're determined to find a similar list there is a sticky over at AlfaBB that might be of interest.
--Toronto

Originally Posted by christo65

1. If I know what I am after and don't need to talk to anybody? Why should I waste their time and mine with a needless conversation?

Do you really, really know what bit you want? The age of these cars is such that things change - even at the factory different parts would be fitted to cars next to each other on the line. I always "knew" that my Spider was a 1969 model but I've since found out it is in fact a 1968 with a later engine. Caused a few days delay on my suspension rebuild when I'd ordered the wrong rear arm bushes. One call to Max at Alfaholics and it was all sorted.

I understand your timezone and phone call cost issues but I find a quick chat with these suppliers always adds to my knowledge.

Thanks guys,

You all make rather valid points and I appreciate the interest in this issue. It is enlightening to hear that Alfa built cars in the same manner that most other Italian manufacturers of the era did. I'm going through the same hassles with my '75 Ducati.

I will take a look at IAP and thanks for the tip.

Would it be too much to ask for a link to that thread on the other forum? Thanks in advance. If it's better etiquette, you could PM me and we could do it off list.

Best wishes,

Chris (....feeling like Homer Simpson)

Let's just say you wouldn't be wasting your time trying here or here.
--Toronto

Thanks TS, you're a bloody legend.

Translation: (That's Aussie for 'a top bloke' or 'a great guy')

In other words, ya blood's worth bottlin'

To Cosmo,

Well yes, I would know exactly what part I wanted if I had it in my hand, identified it in the parts manual and then found it online with a matching part number and a picture, wouldn't I? Yesss... I really really would.

Why the compulsion to avoid the inevitable? e-commerce is here. It's great and it ain't going away. The suppliers who get it right will win the lion's share of the business in the long run. That's all there really is to it. I merely propose that it would be good if they started the migration path now to avoid the rush.

Cheers,

Chris (....evangelising again) (...is that a word?)

Originally Posted by christo65

Well yes, I would know exactly what part I wanted if I had it in my hand, identified it in the parts manual and then found it online with a matching part number and a picture, wouldn't I? Yesss... I really really would.

Well it's nice to have the time to take everything apart and then order the bits, I don't always have that luxury And are you sure you want the exact same part? Again referencing my suspension rebuild - how did I choose between a standard bushing and the same in poly? Most bushings are available in both but for a road set up only certain ones should be changed for poly.

Why the compulsion to avoid the inevitable? e-commerce is here. It's great and it ain't going away. The suppliers who get it right will win the lion's share of the business in the long run. That's all there really is to it. I merely propose that it would be good if they started the migration path now to avoid the rush.

Let's not get off on the wrong foot, I'm not arguing with you here at all. It's just that we're not talking about buying books or DVDs from Amazon. In the small world of classic Alfa parts dealers there should always be be specialists who will be able to trade on knowledge and experience rather than flogging it cheap on the internet. I'd prefer to give those specialists my business as it is better for everyone in the longer term.

Originally Posted by Cosmo

In the small world of classic Alfa parts dealers there should always be be specialists who will be able to trade on knowledge and experience rather than flogging it cheap on the internet. I'd prefer to give those specialists my business as it is better for everyone in the longer term.

Agree 100%.


I can appreciate if there are no specialists in your country it does make things different though. We are very lucky here that we can ring up a number of people who on the whole are very friendly, honest and genuinely helpful.

Originally Posted by christo65

Thanks TS, you're a bloody legend.

Translation: (That's Aussie for 'a top bloke' or 'a great guy')

In other words, ya blood's worth bottlin'

No worries, mate. (How's that? Close enough translation into your lingo? )

I do agree with what the others say about being able to call suppliers on the phone and take advantage of their experience. Both Centerline and IAP have people who will talk to you and answer questions, and I've relied on both as I can phone them toll free. I don't think they'll give christo that option.

Living where I do, I am familiar with the problems of finding decent suppliers, so I also appreciate christo's needs, even though I'm personally partial to actually dealing with live people. I will say one of my favourite suppliers runs a tiny little business out of the States and the business is run with no faxes, no credit cards and certainly no Internet site or e-mail. A mailed cheque or money order is the only way to pay (unless you're able to pick the parts up in person and hand over cash). The service is absolutely reliable and the quality of the parts that they have (and they don't have everything) is superb.

It just depends on what I need, how quickly I need it, how rare a part it is and how much I'm willing to pay as to which supplier I use at that particular time.
--Toronto