140 replies to this topic

[randomdude]

Would getting wastegate actuators for various turbochargers i.e. 13g, 15g, 16t, 18t, 19t be out of the question? Just curious, I know the 16T straight flange actuator runs about 300 from the dealer and I'm sure a few people wouldn't mind upgrading to a stronger wastegate actuator....who knows how efficient they are w/ 100K plus miles which most of us have....

this. bumping his post for an answer.

[FCPGroton]

Would getting wastegate actuators for various turbochargers i.e. 13g, 15g, 16t, 18t, 19t be out of the question? Just curious, I know the 16T straight flange actuator runs about 300 from the dealer and I'm sure a few people wouldn't mind upgrading to a stronger wastegate actuator....who knows how efficient they are w/ 100K plus miles which most of us have....

Sorry for the delay. I will have Nick look into this. We typically leave the upgrades or mods to a IPD.

[--Aaron--]

Sorry for the delay. I will have Nick look into this. We typically leave the upgrades or mods to a IPD.

While choosing to go with a stiffer actuator may be an upgrade to some, I'm sure others would look at it as a repair/renewal....replacing their tired, worn out actuator. Just a thought....I bet a new one would make a heck of a difference compared to one 100K + old.

[v4lve]

3rd time was a charm on the ScanTech PnP switch

[TaskMule]

Welcome. I've been buying parts through Nick/FCP for many years now, and never once had an issue. I'm very glad to see that you are growing, especially given the current market conditions in your country. All the best, and keep up the good work.

[jdlc]

LOL Very good point.

yes, you can always call us or email me scottd@fcpgroton.com

Hey guys,

Here's my story, good and bad.

I've bought parts from fcp Groton thru the years, on-line, thru egay, in their Groton store (I believe the gentleman I dealt with is Nick's uncle). I do get discounted parts from our local dealership but most of the time, online retailers provide good value - whether fcp or their competitors.


I got straight answer when I was shopping for t-belt components late last year. (That's a hint for you noobs, lol, ASK question, or forever hold your peace if you receive parts you don't expect/want).
When I saw an offer for a good t-belt componenents kit at egay, I asked what the brands are, and finding out that the tensioner is a no-name brand, I asked for oem AISIN. I got it for additonal amount and came out with a good deal still - INA rollers, Contitech t-belt and serp belt.

My only gripe is that the tensioner roller I got has the issues that have been long been raised by Made in Japan - a minor inconvenience for me because I'm aware of it, but could have been a disater for a noobie. As it happened, I've replaced t-belt on P1 FWD (850/X70) twice already, so no biggie.

Found the link, btw: http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=104436

Now I'm up for another PCV/T-belt/Radiator for my newly acquired T5M, can't wait for the discount for supporting member deal! I hope I can combine that with the on-line $10 discount I got for answering a survey the other day, lol.

OrleeC

[FCPGroton]

Now I'm up for another PCV/T-belt/Radiator for my newly acquired T5M, can't wait for the discount for supporting member deal! I hope I can combine that with the on-line $10 discount I got for answering a survey the other day, lol.

OrleeC

Keep in mind, we do have to stay in business. I will throw it out there- what is a REASONABLE VS Discount we can offer? What are the requirements? Tiered?

[NEU]

Hello, when I try to select part for my 2000 v70R I get nothing. Sometimes I don't even get the option for a 2000 R, only 2004-07 R. I think you still need some tweaking to the website...

[--Aaron--]

Keep in mind, we do have to stay in business. I will throw it out there- what is a REASONABLE VS Discount we can offer? What are the requirements? Tiered?

The most typical is 10% for supporting members and 15% for lifetime supporters. IIRC.....Don't quote me on that, but discounts from other places are very similar to that.

Would it be possible for the discounts to be applied to your Genuine Volvo and OEM parts? I think the aftermarket parts are already fairly priced and this would leave everyone with another great source for Genuine and OEM parts. aka less room for belly aching lol

I ask that because 90% of us don't show much interest in aftermarket stuff......OEM yes, Genuine sure, especially when there's discounts involved. Aside from wanting to spend as little as possible most of the time, a little discount here and there sure does say alot....to me anyways.

Also, usually we have to PM the Vendor for a discount key.....obvious but I just thought I'd throw that out there.

[Gage]

Welcome to the site. Been using FCP for a while to maintain my Volvos.

+1

Welcome and im sure ill be giving you more of my cash soon

[TurboS60]

Keep in mind, we do have to stay in business. I will throw it out there- what is a REASONABLE VS Discount we can offer? What are the requirements? Tiered?

50% is pretty reasonable
Nahh... 15% for everyone and ditch all the aftermarket stuff

[Che'_Moderator]

3rd time was a charm on the ScanTech PnP switch

Did you use the alignment tool to install it?

[v4lve]

Did you use the alignment tool to install it?

Yes

[Cal3thousand]

Remember actions speaker louder than word. When I have read threads that show price comparisons between Factory Volvo Dealers who sell genuine at the same price others sell aftermarket for, honestly who you going to buy from. Thank God for Chill's Sig if i never saw it I would be lost.

Oh I hear you... I just got a 70R bumper for a steal at DW and I'm goin back for more! hahhahaaaaaaa

But, still... good to see FCP make the effort here. I'm sure DW's popularity also plays a part in this change in ethos

[FCPGroton]

Oh I hear you... I just got a 70R bumper for a steal at DW and I'm goin back for more! hahhahaaaaaaa

But, still... good to see FCP make the effort here. I'm sure DW's popularity also plays a part in this change in ethos

We just learned of Darryl Waltrip Volvo when we signed up on VS. Frankly, the markup on Genuine Volvo Parts is so marginal, it would not keep a company like ours in business. It is much more of a hassle to source Genuine Volvo Parts. We do it as a courtesy for our Volvo owners- we do not do it for BMW, Audi, VW, Mercedes, Porsche or Jag.

There was never a change in ethos of our company. Same people, same principles. We just experienced growing pains and we didn't have enough time to devote to other areas.

[FCPGroton]

Hello, when I try to select part for my 2000 v70R I get nothing. Sometimes I don't even get the option for a 2000 R, only 2004-07 R. I think you still need some tweaking to the website...

Site, def needs some tweaking! We are working on it. Let us know what drop-downs need to be consolidated/tweaking.

We started on a few models, but it's an extremely arduous task. We changed the S80 and XC90 so far.


Thanks for the input

Edited by FCPGroton, 04 March 2009 - 06:25 PM.

[NEU]

Thanks for the input

You're welcome.

[betterthingstodo]

Maybe I'm in the minority here but I'm more of a loyal customer than a 'where and how can I save a few bucks kind of guy'. I tried to order parts from FCP in the past but got turned off by poor customer service – maybe that was when you were feeling major growing pains.
Now I have a supplier that I email my parts needs, he sends me back a price and I call with my credit card. He answers questions and seems genuinely happy to have me as a customer.

I like what you are doing here I think it's a great sign that you are trying to be involved and move in a positive direction.
BTW you mentioned that you're moving to web 2.0 what does that mean for the customers? I was always under the impression that was a comment made to imply more of a social networking approach, but I'd be interested to hear what you have planned.

-Rob

[FCPGroton]

Maybe I'm in the minority here but I'm more of a loyal customer than a 'where and how can I save a few bucks kind of guy'. I tried to order parts from FCP in the past but got turned off by poor customer service – maybe that was when you were feeling major growing pains.
Now I have a supplier that I email my parts needs, he sends me back a price and I call with my credit card. He answers questions and seems genuinely happy to have me as a customer.

I like what you are doing here I think it's a great sign that you are trying to be involved and move in a positive direction.
BTW you mentioned that you're moving to web 2.0 what does that mean for the customers? I was always under the impression that was a comment made to imply more of a social networking approach, but I'd be interested to hear what you have planned.

-Rob

Oh Boy, I may get a little bit of heat by saying this. You state, "He answers my questions and seems to genuinely happy to have me as a customer." Well, I say "They work with me, understanding the demands they put on me and seem happy to have me as a vendor" - is that so wrong, after all we are human too.

Straight up we got abused by a majority of the customers- being screamed at, yelled at, cussed out, demands here, demands there- and those demands unreasonable at best. It's something I wouldn't tolerate in my personal life, but required to take the abuse in a work environment. Life was miserable for a couple of years and we aren't the type of people who complain. There were a small handful that actually appreciated the work Nick and myself put in and complimented us, but that was few and far between. If it wasn't for those customers, we would have probably left the game a while ago. We just ask people to treat us how they would like to be treated.

You guys all want Genuine Volvo Parts, but unfortunately there is no magic button to make them appear overnight. It takes months upon months of compiling spreadsheets with Sku's, product ID's, taking images, HTML for the website, List Prices, Linking them to vehicles, finding weights for the products, then keeping up with the price changes Volvo makes every 30 days or so (and while we are feverishly trying to get this done everyone wants their products shipped out the same day and delivered tomorrow!)

The invitation is open for anyone on this board to come down on a Monday or Tuesday and just experience first hand what our operations entail. Maybe you will get a better understanding of what is required from us.

WEB 2.0

To me when I think of Web 2.0, it is the new generation of web design. Not only are the web pages a little more crisp and concise, but websites are beginning to integrate the social media and social networking aspect of the web. We have a blog, we network on Facebook and Myspace, we not only have images of our products, we will now begin to have videos on You Tube. Web 2.0 establishes inter-human connection, because after all, most of us are all humans. Here is the latest from our graphic designer on our Web 2.0 which has been 2 months in the works http://www.fcpgroton.com/content/newfront.php

A more technical description is found here
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oreilly/ti...-is-web-20.html

[Pops Racer]

Glad to see you guys are in.

I've got many parts/kits from you.

My big issue is I live in CT! Sale tax and shipping can be prohibitive - especially when the taxes and shipping for a dipstick tube seal is more than the cost of the part. Way more. It was cheaper and easier to drive to my indie mechanic and get one from him.

That being said, I'm down in E.Lyme every weekend during the summer, so I can drop by and pick stuff up, no? My indie mechanic is also in E.Lyme, so it all fits nicely.

Good luck in your re-org. Hopefully VS discounts can mitigate some of the taxes and shipping. You def have what I need when I can't find it elsewhere.