A Rant! Trouble getting replacement part's for machinery.

[hockeyoligist2]

I'm industrial maintenance. Travel to 18 different sewer plants as needed. We have machines that are manufactured all over the world. When a part goes bad, I can't find a local resource for a replacement. By the way, my truck is my office.....

I spent a total of about 20 hours this week trying to get a part. Called the manufacturer's of the machine, " we don't stock the parts and it will be 3 weeks before we can get them to you", found the part manufacturer online (off work at home, no internet access in my truck) and called, "we don't have a distributor in your area." Called the closest distributor (200 miles away) and asked them if they had connections with someone local.......... Nope, but we can have it for you in 3 weeks after you set up an account with us!" If I try to buy from someone that is not on our vendors list it takes an act of congress.....

I finally found someone local, by accident. They could buy the parts from the distributor that could order the parts from the manufacturer...... I took it in to one of our suppliers (which I had called earlier) and asked them if they could come up with a replacement with a different brand. If it wasn't configured the same way I would have to do a lot of plumbing modifications, I didn't want to do that, but figured I would bite the bullet!

The counter guy pulled it up on his computer and said yea, we can get it through XXX distributor tomorrow, the same one I had called...............Why 3 weeks for me through the same distributor?

OK, long story I know.

Sorry, but I feel better now.

 

[ceb58]

Simple, you are one person buying one part. The mfg. will ship to there dist. quicker because they are moving more parts. Same goes for EC's if I have a repeat commercial customer calling to get something repaired or replaced and Jane Doe calls wanting a fixture changed I will get to my regular customer first then the fixture.

 

[eric9822]

If I try to buy from someone that is not on our vendors list it takes an act of congress.....

I have the same problem which is why I have two approved vendors that will buy anything I need from unapproved vendors. I have to pay an upcharge but at least I can get what I need.

 

[BryanMD]

parts is parts.

the OEM's like to set up this great mystique about how only they can supply the "correct" gizmo (sorta how only licensed JM's know how to wire up the motor) and you are stuck trying to wend your way through that maze. Good luck.

The best suggestion I can make is to acquire PAPER copies of every document you can get for the equipment you have to work on including the obvious stuff like exploded view diagrams but also (if you ask nice) the machine drawings too. Aside from castings there isn't likely to be ANYTHING in those machines that isn't available in a sslightly different (and often better) configuration through an aftermarket vendor. (oem? F 'em!)

Your best friend in this is going to be the old guy in the back room of a distributor or factory service company doing that sort of work.

 

[zog]

Switchgear and breaker parts, that I know, I stock over 5 million. But I also know some others like me for different equipment types, what is the equipment you are refering to? It's who you know

 

[nakulak]

mmmmmmm sewage plants.

 

[macmikeman]

One thing I have now learned from having critical items like expensive conduit bending machines that are now more than 20 years old is- Next time I buy something like one of these with circuit boards built in, is to order spare parts at the time I buy it in the first place. Later on what you will frequently hear is "we don't produce that part anymore and there are none in stock."

 

[wireguru]

I have the same problem which is why I have two approved vendors that will buy anything I need from unapproved vendors. I have to pay an upcharge but at least I can get what I need.

wow. how does one get in on that racket? Nothing better than making 20% for moving paper from one side of your desk to the other... :grin:

 

[eric9822]

wow. how does one get in on that racket? Nothing better than making 20% for moving paper from one side of your desk to the other... :grin:

I think it is idiotic but the bean counters up high swear up and down that limiting approved vendors saves money even when we have to pay handling charges to other vendors to obtain parts. I don't believe it but it's one of those things you learn to get used to when working for a large corporation.

 

[petersonra]

I think it is idiotic but the bean counters up high swear up and down that limiting approved vendors saves money even when we have to pay handling charges to other vendors to obtain parts. I don't believe it but it's one of those things you learn to get used to when working for a large corporation.

It does not seem possible but the bean counters are probably right. Every time the bean counters look at this issue they come to the conclusion that fewer venders is more cost effective overall.

 

[G0049]

parts is parts.
Aside from castings there isn't likely to be ANYTHING in those machines that isn't available in a sslightly different (and often better) configuration through an aftermarket vendor./QUOTE]

Back about 1970, I was a helicopter mechanic for Uncle Sam. We needed a throttle twist grip for a little observation chopper. When the ordered part showed up, after a 5 week wait, we egarly unwrapped it. Under 3 or 4 layers, each added by another player in the supply chain, was a beautiful orange and black box proudly displaying the "Harley-Davidson" name and trademark. Had I only known, I drove by a H-D dealer every day going to and from the post.