Word Of Mouth Built Parts Business

2020 - Volume #44, Issue #5, Page #35

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Rick Stair has customers in all 50 states, often grouped by area. The list keeps growing as he expands his list of products, adapts to changes in the industry, and satisfies new customers.
    “It’s amazing how many customers will have the same zip code,” says Stair. “Customers talking to neighbors is where new business comes from.”
    People increasingly rely on neighbors for recommendations and online businesses for parts because of how the industry is changing. With nearly 50 years experience in ag parts, Stair has seen plenty of change. He literally grew up in the business, not yet in his teens when his father bought an Oliver dealership in 1971. By 1981 he was the parts manager. When the dealership sold in 1992, he continued working in dealerships, finally setting up Rick’s Ag Parts.
    “It used to be that a specific model tractor used a single part for 10 to 15 years,” recalls Stair. “Now various models may use various parts all in the same year, making it hard for a dealer to know what to stock, so many don’t stock at all. They call or go online to order the part to be delivered in a few days.”
    Stair notes that as parts managers retire, there is less and less help for customers needing parts for older equipment. “At age 60, I can’t believe I’m considered an old timer,” says Stair.
    Stair brought his experience and supplier contacts to the new business, initially specializing in Fiat-made Oliver and White tractors. In the past 10 years he expanded to Massey Ferguson, Ford New Holland, Fiat Hesston tractors and New Idea parts. Recently, he added pto driveline-related items. He also sells paint, seats, roller chain, accessories and lubricants.
    Hay and forage equipment has become a growing part of his business.
    “Hesston and New Idea items are our most common requests, but we sell plenty of New Holland, Case and Deere hay equipment items also,” says Stair.
    One reason for Stair’s growth in sales may be his user-friendly websites. While packed with brand names and items, there is also a searchable database. You will also find something not found on similar online stores - tips for searching. They include how to word a search, use of double quotes, keywords like, and search filters. Following the tips makes it easier to find a part.
    He offers links to brand parts websites, including Case IH and AGCO. He also scans some hard to find parts books; however, he finds less need for that today.
    “Most of the catalogs are available online, or my customers have acquired their own,” says Stair, adapting to those new realities as he has in the past.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Rick’s Ag Parts, 874 Ridgecrest Dr., Wooster, Ohio 44691 (ph 330 466-2164; info@RicksAgParts.com; www.RicksAgParts.com).

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Word Of Mouth Built Parts Business TRACTORS Parts Rick Stair has customers in all 50 states often grouped by area The list keeps growing as he expands his list of products adapts to changes in the industry and satisfies new customers “It’s amazing how many customers will have the same zip code ” says Stair “Customers talking to neighbors is where new business comes from ” People increasingly rely on neighbors for recommendations and online businesses for parts because of how the industry is changing With nearly 50 years experience in ag parts Stair has seen plenty of change He literally grew up in the business not yet in his teens when his father bought an Oliver dealership in 1971 By 1981 he was the parts manager When the dealership sold in 1992 he continued working in dealerships finally setting up Rick’s Ag Parts “It used to be that a specific model tractor used a single part for 10 to 15 years ” recalls Stair “Now various models may use various parts all in the same year making it hard for a dealer to know what to stock so many don’t stock at all They call or go online to order the part to be delivered in a few days ” Stair notes that as parts managers retire there is less and less help for customers needing parts for older equipment “At age 60 I can’t believe I’m considered an old timer ” says Stair Stair brought his experience and supplier contacts to the new business initially specializing in Fiat-made Oliver and White tractors In the past 10 years he expanded to Massey Ferguson Ford New Holland Fiat Hesston tractors and New Idea parts Recently he added pto driveline-related items He also sells paint seats roller chain accessories and lubricants Hay and forage equipment has become a growing part of his business “Hesston and New Idea items are our most common requests but we sell plenty of New Holland Case and Deere hay equipment items also ” says Stair One reason for Stair’s growth in sales may be his user-friendly websites While packed with brand names and items there is also a searchable database You will also find something not found on similar online stores - tips for searching They include how to word a search use of double quotes keywords like and search filters Following the tips makes it easier to find a part He offers links to brand parts websites including Case IH and AGCO He also scans some hard to find parts books; however he finds less need for that today “Most of the catalogs are available online or my customers have acquired their own ” says Stair adapting to those new realities as he has in the past Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Rick’s Ag Parts 874 Ridgecrest Dr Wooster Ohio 44691 ph 330 466-2164; info@RicksAgParts com; www RicksAgParts com

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