Is it safe to buy brake pads online?

As a car parts dealer or reseller, the chances are that you’re always looking for new places to buy brake pads online. One of the challenges businesses face when sourcing the right brake pads and rotors is that they cannot try before they buy – because of this, it can be daunting when buying brake pads, as you never know what you’re going to get until they arrive. Indeed, you may even be worried about placing an order that’s never delivered. To give you some peace of mind, we’ve put together some tips when placing your next order. 

Know what you’re looking for

Perhaps one of the most important pieces of advice we can offer is to know exactly what you are planning to buy. Gather the correct information on the types of brake pads you’re looking to buy in bulk – having all of the necessary product details to hand will ensure you place an order for the correct products. For example, if you typically specialize in Mini Coopers, then you should look for Mini Cooper brake pads you can use when repairing vehicles or reselling online. If you’re buying different pads for a number of makes and models, double-check your order before heading to the checkout to ensure you’re happy with the quantities ordered. 

Choose a credible partner 

As we’ve mentioned, one of the difficulties of ordering brake pads in bulk online is that you can’t see them face to face, so it’s important that you choose a credible supplier such as Frontech for your brake pads. Without a brick-and-mortar store, you have to use their website and correspondence to check you’re ordering the right brake pads and that they’re of high quality. Look for a brake pads manufacturer that has a proven track record and if you’re concerned about their quality or customer service levels, reach out to them and ask for a sample: if you’re placing bulk orders, they might be willing to send you one or two units so you can test them and determine their quality and performance before a larger order. 

Compare prices online

Although you should prioritize quality over price, it’s important to find a brake pads manufacturer that offers cost-effective products. After all, if you’re planning to resell them to your customers, then there needs to be a decent markup for you in order to remain competitive both on- and offline. If buying brake pads directly from the manufacturer, ask for a catalogue so you can see all of their brake pads, rotors, and discs before you buy and look at their stock. Some manufacturers will offer different pricing depending on the quantities ordered, so it might be worth placing a one-off bulk order for better economies of scale.  But remember that price isn’t everything: if the brake pads are too cheaply made, they won’t last, and this could result in customer complaints and your business receiving a poor reputation. 

Read reviews 

Something else that can offer peace of mind before buying your brake pads online is checking out reviews from other customers. If your brake pads manufacturer has been in the industry for a while, the chances are that they’ll have a presence on review websites like Google Reviews or Trustpilot where customers talk about their shopping experience. The better the reviews, the more confident you’ll feel in placing an order. Accept that no business is perfect: don’t let one or two negative reviews put you off, but use them as a guide and ask to see case studies from their larger clients for a deeper dive into their overall performance. 

Chat with the manufacturer directly

Finally, don’t be afraid to reach out to the manufacturer directly and start a conversation about working together. Let them know what you’re looking for, the size of your business, and the wants and needs of your customers, and you could forge a healthy business relationship. Having direct contact with your manufacturer has a number of benefits; not only can you ask them questions about their products, but you can share feedback and grow together. After all, the more brake pads and brake discs you need, the more the manufacturer will make! 

Frontech is a leading specialist in auto parts wholesale manufacturing with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. Click here to find out more and get in touch today.