Content sponsored by: Heritage Parts
Today you can easily access almost anything you want or need on demand – food, entertainment and services are all just a click away. Why should ordering replacement parts for your kitchen equipment be any different?
The answer? It’s not different – not anymore. Gone are the days of calling the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and waiting days for parts to ship. Now you can order parts on demand 24/7 with a few clicks of your mouse, and be confident that in-stock parts will ship same day to help you get your equipment up and running again as soon as possible. Plus, when you order from a consolidated parts provider, such as Heritage Parts, you can buy parts from multiple OEMs with one order and one invoice. That’s the convenience of one-stop shopping.
The next time a piece of kitchen equipment breaks down, follow these easy steps to find a replacement part fast, so you can get up and running again in no time.
1. Gather Equipment Information.
To properly identify the part you need, you should first locate the manufacturer name, the model number and the serial number of the equipment in question. This information can be found on the equipment’s identification tag, typically located on the back of the unit. If you don’t find it there, try looking behind the kick plate or inside the doorjamb.
The model and serial numbers may be engraved or simply stamped onto the identification tag. If they’re stamped on, they can wear off in places and become illegible. That’s one reason why it’s a good idea to keep an equipment log, a notebook or spreadsheet where you can document the model and serial numbers of every piece of equipment in your kitchen. However, if you don’t keep an equipment log or the identification tag has worn down, all is not lost. Simply write down as much information as you can. Better yet, take a digital photo of the tag. You can send the photo to your parts provider and let the parts specialist identify the equipment for you.
In addition to the manufacturer name, the model number and the serial number, you should also gather any relevant information regarding the voltage, phase, gas type and wattage rating if applicable.
2. Identify and Order Parts.
Once you’ve gathered all the relevant information, it’s time to order the right part. One option is to order directly from the OEM. It’s important to note, however, that some manufacturers won’t sell parts directly to end-users, and those that do often require factory-minimum orders. What’s more, if you have multiple parts to order from various manufacturers, you have to contact each OEM separately, racking up shipping fees and administrative handling fees in the process.
Another option is to order from a consolidated parts provider that has partnerships with the top OEMs. Such existing partnerships enable the supplier to sell parts at discounted retail prices. They also allow customers to order one part from one OEM or multiple parts from multiple OEMs, all with one order and one invoice. Many OEMs aren’t focused on selling parts directly to end-users, which means shipping can be slow – it’s simply not a priority for manufacturers. Parts providers, on the other hand, can focus on identifying and shipping parts as quickly as possible.
For added convenience, a consolidated parts provider often features e-commerce, so you can order parts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Online tools such as Heritage’s Expert ID360™ utilizes high-definition images and state of the art viewing technology to provide 360 or 720 degrees of rotation, adding greater confidence that you have the right part. However, if you’re looking for something old, rare or foreign, or if you’d just like some assistance, you can contact a parts expert who’s familiar with your business and your account.
3. Receive and Replace Parts.
When you receive your part and make the replacement, remember to record any relevant information in your equipment log. If you order all your parts from the same provider, the company might even keep track of historical information for you. Heritage Parts, for example, retains detailed order records for all customers to help anticipate preventive maintenance and upcoming repairs.
Heritage Parts has the largest inventory of Genuine OEM parts in the country, and boasts more than 99 percent parts identification accuracy and same-day shipping from 10 distribution centers across North America. Ordering parts from Heritage is the fastest way to get the right part for your equipment to minimize downtime and ensure customer satisfaction.
You should expect the same convenience and speed from your parts supplier that you receive from modern, on-demand services and one-stop shopping websites. Call 1-800-458-5593 to speak with your dedicated parts expert, or visit HeritageParts.com to order parts anytime.
