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I hear loads of people mentioning TPS , can I ask if they are specifically trade as the only times I have called them they won’t deal with me.
Have you got to specifically be in the motor trade ?

Some will trade to public but not many anymore. You can always try the VW parts desk or I use a VW specialist who’s happy to order bits from tps for me.

Depends on the branch. When they ask if you are trade, I always just say, 'Ive ordered from you many times before, so should be okay'. Never had any issues. they are usually nice people and helpful even if they end up unable to sell to you. I think it definitely matters how you handle it, and how much stuff you are buying.

If you call up sounding uninformed, without part numbers they are wayyy more likely to say no, as not worth the hassle.

Ok il try my local one again as I do have all the part numbers I need , out of interest where do you guys get your parts info from and what’s the best parts database commonly available , thanks

I use ilcats vw

Yeah as far as i know TPS is trade only, garages and workshops. well at-least the ones that's close to me. I would go directly to VW

LLLParts.co.uk for good prices most of the time - Good as a guide.

Browse the catalogue / images
https://www.lllparts.co.uk/catalogs/vw/RDW/CA

TPS are a business specifically set up to supply parts to VAG and the motor trade - motorfactors/repair firms. They really are not geared up to handle private customers hence the name TRADE Parts Suppliers!

However if you are lucky (and considerate about choosing the right time to visit) I have found some outlets are nevertheless happy to assist private buyers provided they visit when they are not rushed off their feet.

Having lived very close to one of their outlets for several years, it was very obvious that before lunchtime most branches are totally over-run as that is precisely when they are inundated with rush orders for parts from VAG dealerships who urgently need parts to fix/complete work on customers vehicles already in their workshops.

This morning peak period was very obvious by the almost daily swamp of vans and courier vehicles jamming their official parking area and indeed many adjacent streets whilst couriers queued up to hand over an order list and collect parts which mostly had been pre-ordered and pre-paid for on-line by VAG Service Departments etc.

What is also clear is that occasionally there would be a short lull in the chaos - typically just before midday and that is when I found I never had any issues obtaining parts. Even then, I usually found a short queue waiting inside to collect parts, hence the counter staff really do not wish to serve time-wasters.

They simply want to be able to quickly locate, retrieve and hand over parts from their inventory, collect payment and serve the next customer.

What really helps therefore is if you do your research on line to identify all the specific parts needed. Only then arrive with a printed list of the parts required. I always made sure the list included the Registration, model/make and VIN details and was able to pay by card.

On more than one occasion I observed counter staff quickly declining to serve private buyers. In each case their general lack of preparation meant it was obvious they were private buyers. Indeed some assumed that the clearly busy stores department staff would be happy to provide several minutes of free advice and then buy nothing,

If advice is what you need - it is easy please visit the main dealer parts people, and indeed they can usually get exactly the same parts the next working day.

100% this ^... Also pleeeeease follow this advice or may ruin it for all of us if they implement a zero tolerance ban on private sales

I use 1 of 4 TPS branches depending on where I maybe going that day. However all 4 of the ones I know off are strictly trade only.
No account no service.
Not sure how non trade people are able to use TPS without an account.
I’m guessing it’s buying at the counter.. but what if parts are on back order / not in stock or if you need to return a part for a refund?
How do they Handel that, how can they credit an account if you don’t have one.
And I can also say that if you are buying the odd rare part, then you might as well just go to the VW parts department. You will not be getting any discount at TPS if you buy one part every few months in fact, it’s probably more expensive than VW.
TPS it’s not very cheap. If you are buying one part, you will actually get the parts cheaper online.

it 100% depends who is asking. They clearly serve some people without trade accounts.
I have also found them to pretty much cheapest for service parts. I'm sure prices vary for other items though.

Finally got the tps account sorted , they said you don’t specifically have to be in the motor trade you just need to have a business which is trading , all sorted

I used tps for some service bits the other day and I didn't need an account. They just did it on a trade cash account no business needed

Mbgasplumbing wrote: ↑Sun Jan 22, 2023 7:36 am Finally got the tps account sorted , they said you don’t specifically have to be in the motor trade you just need to have a business which is trading , all sorted

That's interesting. My Caddy is owned by my (non-motoring) business, so they would potentially allow me to open an account?