Did Turner buy ECS Tuning?

[LowR3V'in]

for sure blunttech for online parts.

[LateFan]

Just received a nice box of bits from our pals at Blunttech. Timely shipping and equal prices to everyone else.

No box decorations however.

[thefrog1394]

Last time I ordered from ECS, I ordered a bunch of little stuff. One small item (I think it was a screw?) got back-ordered and they held my entire shipment for 3 weeks so they could ship it all together. All to save the $3 for shipping of said item. They could have at least emailed me about it asking if I wanted to cover shipping, but no, no communication what so ever.

The ironic thing was, the shipping was free.

Yep, this happened to me enough a few years ago when I owned an e46 that I swore them off for anything I needed quickly and started ordering from Pelican Parts and BMA. It was kind of hilarious that shipping from California was faster than getting parts from down the street in Ohio. I once even begged to pick a part up locally that they had "in stock" and had delayed shipping on for some small gasket in order to get some work done over the weekend and they refused.

[UNHCLL]

Once again, nothing against ECS directly, however the profits from my parts dollars will be supporting fellow enthusiasts and their businesses (BluntTech, Guten Parts, Ireland Eng, Bimmerworld, etc.), NOT going to have those dollars go to a investment firm intending to corporatize my hobby.

So, you don't utilize SSF or WorldPac at your place of employment for your own parts?

[digger]

if you arent competitive on price and visible to the common person then you're a goner unless you sell niche products

[LateFan]

I hate to say it but you are in the minority there.

Nope, he's not - that's where I'll be spending my money as well.

I do understand your frustration though.

[dude8383]

Once again, nothing against ECS directly, however the profits from my parts dollars will be supporting fellow enthusiasts and their businesses (BluntTech, Guten Parts, Ireland Eng, Bimmerworld, etc.), NOT going to have those dollars go to a investment firm intending to corporatize my hobby.

I hate to say it but you are in the minority there. ECS wouldn't be who they are today if it weren't for the sales that they achieve...

I know it because I sell parts to locals and have an ebay store. Time and time again I get lowballed because people are friggin ruthless. They simply don't care if you're just trying to put food on the table. Retail is a savage business and I'm tired of it. It's disgusting to get offers of 50% off of the listing price thinking that one would accept.

[SkiFree]

If there are those who somehow believe the idea that ECS just stepped in to buy BavAuto's inventory after hearing they were "going under"..... well, hey you do you.

So today's announcement...… the finishing stroke of a controlled PR campaign to minimize PR fallout by distracting people from what actually happened (a buy-out just like Turner and Pelican). Marketing students, if you want a good case-study in corporate PR, it doesn't come better than this. I've done enough in corporate marketing to call it like I see it.

Once again, nothing against ECS directly, however the profits from my parts dollars will be supporting fellow enthusiasts and their businesses (BluntTech, Guten Parts, Ireland Eng, Bimmerworld, etc.), NOT going to have those dollars go to a investment firm intending to corporatize my hobby.

[zaq123]

Did Turner buy ECS Tuning?

So before we villify or make claims it's maliciously or subversively planned... it may be prudent to wait until real details of the situation emerge.

does it really matter? Business model of 21st century....look what Amazon is doing. Small guy has to realy find his niche or he stands no chance. Bavauto really struggled with e-commerce and it's totally understandable why. Catalog order days are long gone....

Let's face it, if small guy can't offer competitive prices, they will have very hard time. In the end of the day, people will try to save $1 and risk a possible hassle. Shitty packaging, messed up orders....don't worry, paypal is offering buyer protections (is this why a middle man paypal is doing so well)?

[UNHCLL]

Haha, never saw this coming... nope. This isn't "spur of the moment", this is "pre-planned to appear "spur of the moment"".

There's some simple facts, which are well known for anyone local in New England.

1)Their "showroom" has been empty/devoid of product for a long time.
2)The move to make "show and shine" an every-other year event was an indicator that the expense of the event was unsustainable vs revenues
3)Bav has had financial challenges since they built their large facility years ago.
4)They were slow to advance with the changing times (E-commerce)
5)They did not issue discounts, to anyone. Commercial, wholesale, resellers, etc. So that eliminated a whole market "segment" of clients.
6)They were over extended, creditors came calling and said enough is enough. Maybe management (ownership) thought they could still "make it work" right up until they couldn't.

The founders of Bav had other companies, also housed within the same warehouse.

When the bank(s) knew they were calling the note(s), it's not hard to envision they are going to proactively identify purchasers to take inventory off their hands immediately. (Cash in, vs. holding cost) So who do you call to take the inventory??? Probably an equity firm (parent company) with multiple wholesale outlets (IE: ECS/Pelican/etc.).

So before we villify or make claims it's maliciously or subversively planned... it may be prudent to wait until real details of the situation emerge.

[jeffnhiscars]

It's rare that a business will close its doors "spur of the moment" as you don't run out of cash in a day. It's months of stretching payables, renegotiating with banks, shaving expenses to the bone etc etc. if it was a buyout it was poorly handled as you don't tell your employees youve sold if youre going out of business if you.

If they voluntarily shut it down, as in they were in control not the creditors, it more likely means they were losing money, had a good run and decided to call it a day rather than to put more cash back in the business. In that which case it makes sense to call ECS and sell the inventory and then probably the real estate and move to the Caymans.

[zaq123]

Did Turner buy ECS Tuning?

A lot of states started to do a reciprocal sales tax on online purchasing regardless if the business has a location in the state it sells too. I know ECS are collecting it, FCP not yet as well as some other smaller vendors. I hate to say it but Bmw dealer’s prices are looking very competitive now...if one buys OEM.


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[e30RS]

Horrible, I did not need to read this thread. Loved buying from Turner solid customer service in my experience. My experience with ecs has been decent but we shall see going forward.

[agent]

I doubt it. Still way too many players in the arena.

[dude8383]

I wonder if any sort of anti-trust litigation will be in the pipeline...