Auto Care Insider Volume 101 - 16

MARKET INTELLIGENCE 2016 PURCHASING TRENDS STUDY - TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT ACCORDING to the 2016 Purchasing Trends Study - Tools and Equipment report, the majority of tools and equipment purchasing decision-makers used the Internet more for researching information, and less for purchasing tools and equipment. The report also indicates that the decision-makers routinely sought product technical specifications, warranty and price information on automotive-related websites, but ultimately purchased their tools from mobile vendors and full line parts jobbers. This was because of uncertainties and concerns about Internet suppliers' return policies, warranty and fast delivery. Regardless of where the tools were purchased, USE OF SUPPLIERS FOR PAST TOOL PURCHASES Traditional Suppliers for Past Tool Purchases 2014-2016 (Average Ratings) Mobile vendor Full line parts jobber Internet seller 2016 2015 2014 Catalog Hardware retailer Tool jobber/warehouse distributor Retail parts store Manufacturer 1 2 3 Source: 2016 Purchasing Trends Study - Tools and Equipment 16 AUTO CARE INSIDER | VOL. 101 4 fast delivery, warranty and return policy formed the top three influential factors driving the buying decision process. This report is a nationwide survey that gains insight into current and future purchasing decisions of professionals who utilize shop tools and equipment for automotive repair. The analysis and presentation of the data was compiled in conjunction with the 2013 through 2015 Tool and Equipment Purchasing Trends survey to provide a historical trend. The report covers topics including factors influencing tool purchasing decisions, reasons for purchasing tools online, concerns over tools purchasing decisions and more. 5 Mobile vendors have consistently remained the most frequently used suppliers of tools to repair shops. Repair shops purchased tools in the past frequently from mobile vendors (3.44 mean), but infrequently from retail stores (1.97 mean) or the manufacturer (1.89 mean). The full line parts jobber (2.87 mean) and Internet sellers (2.47 mean) were the next most frequently used tool suppliers. While mobile vendors have consistently remained the tool suppliers of choice, the gap is closing between mobile vendors and full line parts jobber. The report also reveals an increasing interest in Internet sellers as tool suppliers. (Respondents rated how frequently they used traditional suppliers for past tool purchases. The mean ratings were based on a 5-point scale, where 1= infrequently and 5 = very frequently.)

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Auto Care Insider Volume 101