RE: Wierd question from Holden Spare Parts

[ROCCO]

I email a couple of spare parts departments close to home (i.e. SE Melb) about pricing on supply and install of front Fog Lamps for the AH...any way one of the spare parts departments said yeah no probs can provide price but they want to know my VIN number first....WTF?? Why would they need to know that for?? Any ideas?

[sooty]

Maybe so they know which model eg. MY06?
Maybe they have slightly adjusted the fittings or something.

No idea really, just guessing.

[MatsHolden]

I email a couple of spare parts departments close to home (i.e. SE Melb) about pricing on supply and install of front Fog Lamps for the AH...any way one of the spare parts departments said yeah no probs can provide price but they want to know my VIN number first....WTF?? Why would they need to know that for?? Any ideas?

So they can confirm that it is for your car and that you aren't going to palm them off to make a profit. Standard practice.

[R3N]

lol... making a profit from dealerships? now that i want to see!

[MK]

same thing happens to me each time i order parts from Opel Poland, they ask for my cars identification number. they explained it to me that this way they can supply me with the most correct part i am after

[NXA-16H]

I email a couple of spare parts departments close to home (i.e. SE Melb) about pricing on supply and install of front Fog Lamps for the AH...any way one of the spare parts departments said yeah no probs can provide price but they want to know my VIN number first....WTF?? Why would they need to know that for?? Any ideas?

I've been asked this question every time I've approached McGrath at Liverpool for parts. It appears it's standard operating procedure with some dealerships.

The only possible reason I can think of, is to ensure the part no. in question actually fits your AH Astra.

You see, not all AH Astras or XC Barinas or TT Zafiras etc have the same part numbers. It depends on the year and month your car was actually built.

For example, the B-model Vectra went through a total of THREE different Clocksprings, or "Airbag Squibs" as the pommies call it. Therefore, there were also three different Airbag Control Modules.

The same situation applied to catalytic converters in the Zafira.

Although if you do some research, you'll discover that many part numbers are actually shared (and compatible) with other vehicles.

For example, A Vectra Steering wheel with radio controls and the accompanying airbag clockspring from the UK is actually compatible with a TS-Astra SRi, as well as a TT-Zafira.

Who knew??? Not ****ing Holden, I can tell you.

So if you get something from Vauxhall or Opel, don't be surprised if the flunkies at Holden Service Dept refuse to install it for you. Even if the part is genuine.

Why, I hear you ask? Because they're so shit scared of something going wrong with the vehicle if they DO install it... Just because a Vauxhall or Opel Number doesn't match-up with their own databank.

NXK-43Y

[MatsHolden]

lol... making a profit from dealerships? now that i want to see!

I know, pointless really. Not all of them do it. Only the tight ones.

[stevedee3]

...they want to know my VIN number first....WTF?? Why would they need to know that for?? Any ideas?There may be slightly different versions of the parts. The parts catalogue will often list a range of VINs that a particular part fits. I don't think it's part of anything sinister.

[tuzinski]

So they can confirm that it is for your car and that you aren't going to palm them off to make a profit. Standard practice.
so what if i walk in and ask to buy a sri sticker for my car they will say "sorry you dont have a sri so you cant have a sticker..."
kinda beats the propose of a business

[MAD-16V]

Very common place for this to happen nowdays.
My boss has an xr6t and he wanted the guage pods from a typhoon - So he calls ford - They want a genuine typhoon vin or they wont supply the parts.

[poita]

same as any HSV, and also same as the turbo calibra

[USC]

HSV and FPV wont sell parts to non HSV or non FPV owners in order to preserve the look of their cars. Customers pay premium for them.

Re: VIN number. Dealer has to make sure they have the exact part for your car. Dealer actually orders the part from HOlden warehouse or from Opel in Germany and they cannot return them if parts are wrong...thus stuck with excess stock. Getting your vin number, they can match the exact part for your car from their computer software and if there are any errors, Holden warehouse will accept an exchange or return.

[ROCCO]

ahh ok sweet....just thought it was weird thats all as i have bought a bit from these guys and this is the first time i've been asked.

[Shaun]

So they can confirm that it is for your car and that you aren't going to palm them off to make a profit. Standard practice.

Nothing to do with that at all. REPCO and small workshops can still purchase parts and add mark up to them. How the hell do you think they stay in business....

Now to the TRUTH of why they asked for your VIN number:


Its to do with Microcat (holdens electronic Parts System) will pin point what part is fitted to your vehicle.

Theses days as a Vehicle is built they are added to the parts system . Certian build codes are used as they roll down the line and this then BOM (Bill of Meterials) .

Supplying them a VIN / Chassis Number will help them find the exact part fitted to your car. In some case there can be up to 30 different options and when they enter the VIN number it will filter out what wasnt used at the time of build.

Different markets may have different options and thats another way of the correct parts being used on your vehicle.

[USC]

Just to clarify: Not only Holden have this computer software. Microcat is sometimes wrong as I have experienced with my astra. It showed that a part was only made for the wagon but it was actually present in all models(hatch and coupe).

sometimes they dont need your vin number for parts like oil filter, spark plugs, or parts they know are the same across all models.

[bornwild]

Just to clarify: Not only Holden have this computer software. Microcat is sometimes wrong as I have experienced with my astra. It showed that a part was only made for the wagon but it was actually present in all models(hatch and coupe).

sometimes they dont need your vin number for parts like oil filter, spark plugs, or parts they know are the same across all models.

I reckon the VIN numbering system is put in place for things like facelifts and stuff where some parts may get tweaked to the extent that they're not compatible with other pre-facelift models?

[Shaun]

Just to clarify: Not only Holden have this computer software. Microcat is sometimes wrong as I have experienced with my astra. It showed that a part was only made for the wagon but it was actually present in all models(hatch and coupe).

sometimes they dont need your vin number for parts like oil filter, spark plugs, or parts they know are the same across all models.

Thats not always the case about Oil filters. the Astra Diesel uses a different Filter to whats used on a 1.8 ltr or the Z20LER and Z20LEH.

Also its Romoured Holden will be dropping Microcat in replacement for a GM system that will cover all vehicles world wide.

[Wraith]

I email a couple of spare parts departments close to home (i.e. SE Melb) about pricing on supply and install of front Fog Lamps for the AH...any way one of the spare parts departments said yeah no probs can provide price but they want to know my VIN number first....WTF?? Why would they need to know that for?? Any ideas?

I think Shaun's correct with his explanation, they most probably want to make sure they give you the correct item...

IF it were a HSV, they ask for the VIN because they're NOT supposed to sell HSV parts to non HSV owners !!! however flash the cash and most still do LOL.

Now if you don't mind me asking which Sth East spares division were you dealing with, PM me if you don't want to list them here, reason I ask is because I get most of my brand new Holden bits also from a Sth East spares dealer, which I've come to know very well and they look after me very well price wise - if it's the same one, I'll talk to my contact there for you and get him to 'look after you' ;)

[daiflu]

The two Holden dealers I use (one near home, one near work), never ask for VIN numbers, one asks me for rego sometimes, but I can't remember it lol.
I have had this problem with the Mazda dealer I used in the past.
They would always ask me for the VIN number. A couple of times I got away with "oh The cars not with me at the moment, it's getting painted etc.." Then one time the guy flat out refused to sell me any parts until I gave him the number. I asked why and his response was as above; They want to make sure they have the right part. I told him, if it's the wrong part, I'll still pay for it. Still wouldn't sell, so I gave him the number; "Sorry, I can't sell you parts because your car is an import" Dickhead!
Anyway, I found myself another dealer who doesn't ask questions and have since bought 1000's worth of parts. They even give me discount :)

[USC]

The REGO number is linked to your VIN number. I personally would not buy a specialised part if they dont match it with my VIN number...once you buy it, its yours and you cannot return the part!

Shaun: re oil filters..thats why I said "sometimes":p