I get that fact that Alliance is a parts assembler and they may change what they do, based on feedback from owners and suggestions from the assembly line. So I simply ask this. If you order the parts for your builds, why can't that knowledge and relationships with vendors, be duplicated in a parts operation...THAT IS OPEN 24/7?
Fine, you haven't or can't predict how you may change your designs, assembly, or parts used. I guess that is why CAT just eventually settled on manufacturing almost everything on their equipment. However, at the very least, Alliance could dump their ENTIRE parts database online and let the customers research the parts. How many changes are really being made in a year?
NOW...here is the important part where I am sympathetic to Alliance. Most companies may buy a part from a manufacturer (Wholesale). Then if they sell it to a dealer as a retail item.
However, (Alliance)...will change the part number internally. There are a few reasons why. Many times, it is because the part provider has several locations that it ships from and the bar codes and even the part number may be different. So receiving will scan the many different barcodes and it will roll up into a single part received. Some part providers are not as organized, nor willing to give a timely updates to the changes they make. This also complicates the "User Manual" side. Having "Alliance part numbers" is way easier to tie these complications together. The end result, is that it makes the jump into a parts dept a bit difficult.
So I now want to offer, perhaps a different solution. Alliance only buys so many parts in a given year. Knowing technology and having companies that were retail, why couldn't the parts database be organized by MODEL...and then YEAR? Your website does it. Why add the element of VIN number? It is obvious, that tracking by VIN is not working. I know the bean counters charged the parts to a model being built each year. The boast of tracking by VIN number is a managers way of evaluting the workforce. The person who is not a DIY type will never use it. However, this forum is screaming for it. The data available MUST INCLUDE the manufacturers part number. The parts providers websites are train wrecks, more often than not...LIPPERT.
If Alliance doesn't see something like this in their immediate future, then they should make the handshake between the "Parts provider" to the "DIY" user. So far, I see them "in the way" of passing on that relationship. Not to mention that Alliance controls the warranty period with the "parts provider". The parts providers would be making a lot more money, if "repurchasing" their product was easier. I am of the opinion that Alliance wants to make a percentage on the parts side as they grow. This forum will work against them as others find another path to fix what they own. Seems like a critical decision for them. Either Alliance gets HUGE like their competitors and follows the same old RV play book, or they live up to their marketing and make a difference. If your corporate debt is in line, it is not a bad thing to get good with your product support. Right now, it is looking like debt/growth is wagging the tail of this dog. Keep telling us how many new buildings you are building. Sounds like debt borrowed to make more products that you are currently not making easier to service. But what do I know? I have only dipped my toe in this for 1.5 years so far.
