Frequently Asked Questions about PartsVoice

Why must I log on? (All users)

PartsVoice has two groups of users, those who use the service for free to search for parts and those who pay to have their inventories listed. These paying subscribers have access to reports and additional services.

Because we have created new and more comprehensive reports for subscribers, usage data is more important than in the past. If one user ID and password could be used from multiple locations, the data wouldn't be trustworthy.

Additionally, there are settings that only the administrator account for each subscriber should have access to. The way we have implemented user IDs and passwords allows the administrator to create additional user accounts that do not have access to the administrator functions. This safeguards the dealership's data.

How do I log on? (All users)

Type your user ID and password in the spaces provided, bearing in mind that both are case sensitive. That is, "Password" is not the same as "password". If another user is logged on with the same user ID and password, that user will be logged off when you log on.

In most cases, you will be logged on automatically when you return to the PartsVoice site, even after closing the browser. We accomplish these persistent connections by updating a "cookie" on your computer.

Why do I have to tell you my postal code? (All users)

We use postal codes to determine your location so that when you search for parts, the first dealerships you'll see in the list are those that are closest to you.

How can I retrieve a lost user ID or password? (All users)

If you remember your user ID, but not your password, use the Lost Password link from the login page.

If you cannot remember your user ID or if your e-mail address has changed, you'll need to call 866.913.5214 between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

How do I search for parts? (All users)

Begin by selecting the manufacturer, then enter the part numbers that you want to find (up to three at a time). If you are a PartsVoice subscriber, you may also specify preferred dealerships and we'll display them first even if they aren't the closest dealership.

What if I don't have the OEM's part number? (All users)

Choose the Search by Description option for a form that you can fill out to provide our Parts Lead Generator dealers with information they'll need to find the parts you're looking for.

Required fields are marked with blue asterisks. The VIN field is not required, but providing it will result in a faster response time for the search. After filling in the information, click Find Dealer to locate a dealer. Select as many dealers as you would like to receive the request, then click Submit. You will receive a confirmation that acknowledges your request has been submitted and you should then receive a response from a dealership that stocks the parts you need.

What information is in the results pane? (All users)

The list contains the following information:

• Quantity available for each part on your list. If you see *, the part is not in stock and x means that part number does not exist (this may indicate a typographic error. If the dealer's inventory file is more than 30 days old, we show ST in the quantity column.
• Inventory update date. We update most inventory files daily, but some dealerships submit files manually, so their files may be older. More recent update dates indicate more reliable data.
• Distance in miles from the dealership to the center of your postal code.
• A link to contact information including dealer name, city, state, phone number, and e-mail. If the dealership has a website, the dealer's name will display as a link that will take you to the website.
• Supersession results. If the part has been superceded, you will see Yes in the superceded column. If you want to see search results for superceded part numbers, click on the Yes.
• When the part searched on has an equivalent part number provided by another manufacturer, you will see an entry in the Equivalent column. We show GM-Delco and Ford-Motorcraft cross references.

How can I find a dealer? (All users)

To find a dealer, fill out at least two of the fields in the form. The more fields that you complete, the more restrictive the search will be. To see a list of all Ford dealers in Ohio, select Ford and enter Ohio in the state field. If you narrow the search by listing Columbus in the city field, the search will omit dealerships in the suburbs. Click the Search button and the system will return a list of dealers based on your search criteria. The list contains contact information including dealer name, city, state, and phone number. If the dealership has a website, the dealership name will be a link to the website.

A dealer I want to buy from isn't on PartsVoice. What can I do? (All users)

We will be happy to work with you to get a dealer's inventory listed. You can take two actions that will help: First, call the parts manager at the dealership and recommend that the parts department list its inventory on PartsVoice. Then, call 866.913.5214 between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

Why does PartsVoice use cookies and what are they? (All users)

Cookies are small text files that contain information that help the browser navigate the site. If your browser is set to a higher-than-usual privacy setting or if you use a program to block cookies, you'll need to tell the browser or the other application to accept cookies from PartsVoice.com.

The procedure for doing this varies from one browser to another. Here is how to make the change for Microsoft's Internet Explorer version 6.

Click Tools on the menu and select the Internet Options item.

• Select the Privacy tab.
• Click the Edit button near the bottom of the pane to open the Per Site Privacy Actions dialog.
• In the text field labeled Address of Website, type www.partsvoice.com and then click the Allow button. You will see "partsvoice.com" in the Managed
• Websites text box. If you ever want to remove PartsVoice.com from the Managed sites box, select it and then click the Remove button.
• Click the OK button on the Per Site Privacy Actions dialog and then click the OK button at the bottom of the Internet Options panel.
• If you're using a different browser or an application to block cookies, the procedure will be similar to that described for IE6.
  
  

Why is my cookie not working? (All users)

If the site is telling you that cookies are not permitted, but you know you've turned them on, something else is prohibiting the site from modifying the cookie.

You may be running software that interferes with cookie usage. There are many filtering and blocking software packages and some of these also filter cookies. Such applications may interfere with the proper operation of this website. The application should allow you to accept cookies from specific websites and you'll need to add "partsvoice.com" to the list of sites the application accepts.

Your machine may also be behind a firewall or proxy server that prevents cookie transmission. This is most likely in a corporate environment. In this case, cookies will be blocked regardless of how your browser is set. Resolving this problem will require that you contact your systems administrator to have the firewall or proxy server permissions changed to allow cookies from this website.

How may I administer my account? (Subscriber benefit)

PartsVoice subscribers can manage their preference settings. If you have a strategic partnership with a particular dealer, you can choose to see parts from this dealer first, regardless of proximity. PartsVoice subscribers who list discount parts can also set their discount here.

Preferred Dealers

To add preferred dealers, select Search Preference from the secondary navigation under Administration.

• Identify a PartsVoice dealer by filling out at least two of the fields in the form. The more fields that you complete, the more restrictive the search will be. To see a list of all Ford dealers in Ohio, select Ford and enter Ohio in the state field. If you narrow the search by listing Columbus in the city field, the search will omit dealerships in the suburbs.
• Click the Search button and the system will return a list of dealers. Click the checkboxes of the dealers that you wish to add.
• Click the Add button to add the dealers to your search pattern.
• The dealers you've added will be in order by proximity. If you wish to arrange them in another sequence, use the menus and then Add the new sequence.
• To remove dealers from the list, click the checkboxes of the dealers that you wish to remove and then click Delete.

Client Reports

PartsVoice provides several reports for clients. A Search History Report shows all parts that a user has searched for. A Parts Marketing Report shows parts that have been advertised to others who were searching for parts. Additional reports available to subscribers include the Most Frequently Searched Parts Report, and reports that show the most and least commonly stocked parts.

Discounted Parts

Dealers that list discount parts will use this section to manage that information.

You may change the discount percentage at which you list the parts, set a discount percentage (above or below dealer cost, above or below list price, at dealer cost, or at list price), or you can set the discount to "no discount".

To change Discount preferences, enter the discount percentage, discount type, and price. These settings will be displayed in the locator. If you want to indicate a discount, but not the amount of the discount, select the Call for pricing check box and leave the rest of the form blank. This generally reduces response. Click Submit to send the changes to PartsVoice.

What is a Parts Marketing Report? (Subscriber benefit)

This report is a detailed list of parts that PartsVoice has advertised from your inventory to buyers who were searching for parts.

When you create the report, you will have the opportunity to specify a date range. We will also ask for an e-mail address. The report will be generated and sent to the address you provide as an Excel spreadsheet.

What is a Search History Report? (Subscriber benefit)

This report lists parts numbers that you have searched for. Ensuring the accuracy of this data is one of the reasons PartsVoice now requires each user to have a unique ID.

When you create the report, you will have the opportunity to specify a date range. We will also ask for an e-mail address. The report will be generated and sent to the address you provide as an Excel spreadsheet.

What is a Most Frequently Searched Report? (Subscriber benefit)

This report lists parts numbers by manufacturer with the greatest number of searches conducted by all users worldwide. This report is useful in showing parts that are in high demand, possibly because they are unavailable from the manufacturer.

We will ask for an e-mail address when you generate this report, which will be generated and sent to the address you provide as an Excel spreadsheet.

What is a Least Commonly Stocked Report? (Subscriber benefit)

This report shows part numbers that are in your inventory but that are stocked by the smallest number of your franchise's dealerships. This report is useful in analyzing parts for possible phase-out.

We will ask for an e-mail address when you generate this report, which will be generated and sent to the address you provide as an Excel spreadsheet.

What is a Most Commonly Stocked Report? (Subscriber benefit)

This report shows part numbers that are not in your inventory but that are stocked by the largest number of your franchise's dealerships. This report is useful in analyzing parts for possible phase-in.

We will ask for an e-mail address when you generate this report, which will be generated and sent to the address you provide as an Excel spreadsheet.

May I list some parts at a discount? (Subscriber benefit)

Subscribers may list discounts. See Discounted Parts in the section titled "How may I administer my account?" If you're not yet a subscriber, or you'd like more information about this program or our Cash Discovery Program, call 866.913.5214 between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

What is the Cash Discovery Program? (Optional service)

The Cash Discovery Program helps dealerships by matching one dealer's idle stock with another dealer's needs. Parts that are idle at one dealership are often still selling elsewhere and our patent-pending application precisely matches inventories, then recommends transactions that convert the selling dealer's idle stock to cash while providing needed parts at a deep discount to the buyer. For more information about the Cash Discovery Program, call 866.913.5214 between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

What is the source for parts pricing in the Discount Parts Locator? (All users)

Prices shown may be based on the manufacturer's price tape or they may have been provided by an individual dealership.

I'd like more information about PartsVoice. (All users)

If you're interested in learning more about PartsVoice and our other products and services, look over the Product pages from the menu at the left. If you want more information about any of our products, click Request More Information and fill out the form. We will contact you to follow up on your request. You may also call 866.913.5214 between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

I still need help! (All users)

If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to e-mail us at support@partsvoice.com. If your need is more urgent, call 866.913.5214 between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, Eastern time, Monday through Friday.