PUBLISHER'S CORNER


Buying Online TONY CORPIN, PUBLISHER I


don’t know about you, but I seem to be buying more products and services through the Internet such as airfare, shoes, clothes, office supplies, flowers for Valentine’s Day and even groceries. Using mobile devices and Wi-Fi at home, the office, in the car or elsewhere, seemingly every product or service is now available at your fingertips for


a quick purchase. With free shipping and returns becoming more of an industry standard, why wouldn’t you buy online? Today’s online buyers are overwhelmed by today’s deluge of online information. Virtually


every business problem, process, product, and service, no matter how obscure, seems to have garnered at least one blog post or forum comment. One could debate the quality of this information, but not the quantity. Would you agree? Most business searches turn up thousands, if not millions, of results that include product


descriptions, news articles, videos, webinars, images, white papers, free trials, presentations, blog posts, Facebook comments, tweets and so forth. Whatever your question, chances are someone online already has an answer. You might be able to find industry specific informa- tion on the STN Facebook page, Twitter and STN Social, so be sure to follow us. Tere are numerous companies that offer online part purchasing and coupons codes


for first-time buyers. For example, did you know that some A/C and bus parts companies offer a 10-percent discount to STN readers? Also, companies offer to clients an email that includes a deal of the day. One lift and hoist company recently offered an end-of-the-year blow-out special on mobile column lifts. More and more companies are willing to offer school districts the opportunity to save mon-


ey and time by using an online portal to buy products needed for everyday operations. Have you ever purchased bus parts or equipment online and taken advantage of these discounts? In this month’s maintenance survey, STN asked readers if they use online part purchas-


ing. Te results showed that 69 percent of respondents said they have yet to purchase parts online, while 31 percent said they had. Tis is an opportunity that must be explored further. According to a few industry dealers around the country, online sales of used bus parts


have seen significant year-over-year growth. Dealers offer a great way for users to search online for a specific product category, model, price and more potential options. It might take a little extra time to hunt for that coupon code or daily deal, so make sure to explore all the independent parts distributors and OEM dealers to see what they have to offer. Keep an eye out for those email specials, too. Tere are plenty of offers pertinent to your business that are above and beyond two-for-one sandwiches at the local deli or deals on spa treatments. Are you embracing the power of the online purchasing? If not, you are likely missing out


on information and cost savings that your operations desperately need. Online parts pur- chasing can be one of those areas that you can take to your administration that shows your team is doing its part to provide more efficient and cost-effective services. With budgets being extremely tight and increased financial accountability you can’t afford to not to shop around and to take advantage of these special offers. 


82 School Transportation News March 2013


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