PARTSGATEWAY BUYERS GUIDE



Sourcing parts on PartsGateway is a very enjoyable experience saving you time, money and lots of hassle. We pride ourselves on finding the best deals around or unearthing a part for an older vehicle where others failed.

PartsGateway delivers a happy trading platform where 1000's of transactions are performed every day. It is important to note however that PartsGateway is a network of sellers. You are not buying parts from PartsGateway but a seller who uses the site to connect with buyers. We want both parties to operate in a safe, secure manner.

Please take 5 minutes to read our guide to ensure a successful and safe buying experience.

Choosing The Right Quote

  • Look beyond the cheapest price. Do your research as everything has a market value. If it's considerably cheaper than others, maybe it's too good to be true.
  • Look at a quotes warranty period. Whilst others could be cheaper, a longer warranty gives added value in terms of peace of mind.
  • Check the supplier's location. It might be local to you so you could inspect the item and save on postage costs.
  • Read the suppliers feedback and not just the rating or number of feedbacks. The views of other buyers can aid buying decisions. If they have an Ebay presence, we will show their Ebay feedbacks.
  • Look at the length of time they have been trading on the PartsGateway site which is displayed as "Member Since". If they have an Ebay presence, we will show their Ebay feedbacks.
  • If a supplier has no feedback, this could simply be down to being a new trader on PartsGateway. Seek assurance by messaging the supplier or calling them with questions about their quote and trading background. This can alleviate or confirm your doubts.
  • Only suppliers registered with the site can access your contact details. If you receive a call from a supplier, ALWAYS take note of their company name and the person you are speaking to. It is advisable to cross reference the company name with the quote supplied in your My Gateway account so you can review their company profile, feedback and terms of trading.
  • ALWAYS read the suppliers terms and conditions prior to ordering. Each supplier has their own trading conditions so pay particular attention to their returns policy, who pays for the return postage and whether any admin, handling or restocking fees could be deducted.

Document All Discussions

  • Every quote has a message function so you can ask the supplier questions about their offering. The suppliers contact number is also displayed should you seek a quicker response or prefer to speak to a person. ALWAYS document what was agreed over the phone by using the message function so the quotes message history is accurate. This will help you massively should an issue arise.
  • Do NOT use external email to communicate with the supplier. Any questions or responses must be done via the "Message" function on the quote so it is appended to the history.

Get the parts right - First Time

  • Suppliers on PartsGateway use your vehicle registration details and their extensive knowledge to quote as accurate as possible. They have not physically seen your vehicle, had access to any maintenance records, nor will most have access to main dealer databases. Using the message function on the quote to confirm part numbers, compatibility or sending/requesting images (again via the system) will massively reduce the risk of wrong parts being dispatched.
  • If you are in doubt about the part you need, seek advice from a reputable garage prior to ordering .

Delivery is estimated - not guaranteed

  • Suppliers are often at the mercy of 3rd party couriers and other factors could also delay dispatch. ALWAYS allow a reasonable time buffer between ordering the item and booking your car in to get it fitted.
  • If delivery time is a major reason for choosing a particular supplier, always message them prior to ordering to confirm when the item will be dispatched, the most likely date it will arrive and request a courier tracking reference. If you get a verbal confirmation, always document this in your message history.
  • Note that working day is Monday-Friday. Saturday delivery is usually extra (if an option at all) and goods ordered Friday PM and Sunday PM will normally be dispatched on Monday.
  • If a supplier estimates delivery as "Next Day", this does not necessarily mean you are paying extra for next day delivery.
  • Always check their terms and conditions for same day dispatch order deadlines which could delay the sending of your goods.
  • If a reasonable timeframe has elapsed and you have not received the part, call the supplier on the number displayed on the quote and update the message history.

Choosing the right payment method

  • Paying for your items by credit or debit card gives you added protection under section 75 of the consumer credit act.
  • Most suppliers accept online orders either via SagePay or PayPal. This is the most secure way of paying compared to over the phone. SagePay technology ensures your details are encrypted and cannot be accessed. SagePay account holders also have to go through stringent checks. Paying with PayPal has the added advantage in that they can help you to get your money back if there is a problem.
  • WARNING. If you choose to pay via a bank transfer, cheque, cash or services such as Western Union, you do so at your own risk. Your bank will not help you to recover any monies in the event of an issue.

Receiving the goods

  • Most suppliers insist on you inspecting the goods prior to signing as received. Should the items get damaged in transit, the supplier can then submit a claim against the courier. If the courier refuses to wait, ensure you sign as "received but not inspected". Also check for visible damage on the packaging as this will give you an indication of internal damage.
  • ALWAYS check the suppliers terms and conditions for reporting damaged or faulty items. Some insist on being notified within a fixed timeframe.

If an issue arises

  • Should the item you purchased be wrong, faulty , damaged or no longer required, your point of contact is with the supplier, not PartsGateway.
  • Refer to the quote you received, check their returns policy and call the number displayed. ALWAYS update the message history on the quote with the problem and outcome of the conversation.
  • If you cannot contact the supplier over the phone, use the Message function to make the supplier aware of your problem.
  • Never return the items without the supplier's knowledge. You could incur return postage fees should your claim breach their terms and conditions.
  • If you have made reasonable attempts to contact the supplier to resolve the issue and this has been documented in your message history, you can raise a support request and PartsGateway will endeavour to help. Simply go to http://www.partsgateway.co.uk/faq.php and select "I have an issue with the supplier".

And finally... always leave feedback

  • If you are happy with the item and supplier, please shout about it! We all love a pat on the back and your comments could persuade others to choose your supplier. You will receive a feedback request usually within 3 working days of your order being placed and this contains just a few questions which can be completed in under a minute.
  • In rare cases, problems can occur and feedback is there to document such events. Negative feedback can make others aware of your problems and warn the supplier poor service only damages themselves in the long run. Leaving Negative feedback should always be a last resort and not a threat. Prior to submitting your comments, make the supplier aware of your issue, update the quotes message history and give them a chance to respond. You are less likely to resolve your issue once your negative comments have been made public. If you have resolved your issue but still wish to leave negative feedback, ensure your comments are accurate, to the point, and not personal.