Hyundai Parts Online

I noticed last week that the Hyundai Parts Online website

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has beentaken down. ("THIS SITE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.") It was up and running as of late May, and was always very useful for checking whether parts were available without bothering the dealer parts guy. Plus you could get a ballpark figure as to how much a part could cost.

Anyone know whether this is a permanent decision by Hyundai USA?

Bob

Reply to
Bob Bailin
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I'm thinking it was permanent. The online catalog recently began displaying a message to the effect of "not suitable for retail customer viewing."

Reply to
hyundaitech

I e-mailed the HMAService website webmaster, and he stated that he was aware that the Parts Online site had stopped operations. He also stated that the Parts Online site was independently operated from the HMAService site, and that he no further information. It's really unfortunate, as I ordered a number of parts on the site, and had them shipped to one of the local dealers. However, my main and closest local dealer did not participate, and in fact, they were a little bit perturbed the site even existed. Perhaps, this was driven by the fact the prices they charge for the Hyundai OEM parts are higher than those listed on the Parts Online website! I don't know, it's only speculation. Another possibility is that an insufficient number of owners used the site to order parts. If this was the case, I'm sure the overhead costs were too high to maintain the site.

I felt it was a wonderful service provided to Hyundai owners, and really created a sense of family, plus underscored Hyundai's support of its customers and owners. I hope this is not the beginning of Hyundai's move to being less customer-oriented. I hope the HMAService site, and the online self-performed service log are not the next to go. If so, I will consider another manufacturer. I'm in the market for another car now to add to the 2006 Elantra. I was strongly considering a Sonata, or waiting for the rumored Hyundai-equivalent Kia Carens/Rondo, but I may take a step back if I see an erosion of customer-oriented support and marketing.

Reply to
Don Allen

I wasn't aware you could purchase parts from the site. When you did, who received the money?

Reply to
hyundaitech

You would basically put an online order in to the dealer you selected. That's probably why they killed it.... no money made directly.

Reply to
Bob

That and dealers getting upset when people ordered crazy parts and never showed up for purchase.

Reply to
hyundaitech

The dealer that Hyundai shipped the parts to, or the dealer who had the parts in inventory. Obviously, Hyundai still made money on the part, but the web site made nothing. It's interesting - the preface of the URL was dcs//. That's the same host or web site that was used for Daimler-Chrysler training when I was employed at a Dodge dealer. Perhaps all of this has something to do with the sale of Chrysler???

The dealer that I worked with on several stock orders was totally unaware of the site. The Parts Manager thought it was great, but obviously someone else didn't. My guess that its offered service was underutilized by Hyundai owners, and it became simply too expensive to host.

Reply to
Don Allen

--------------- TRY BATTERIES ------------------

I HAVE A 2004 ELANTRA GLS, AND THE BATTERY IS almost impossible to replace and service!

IF you can find one in stock outside a dealer, where they're EXPENSIVE!

Hyundai DOESN'T want you even try to:

1) Check the fluid level in the cells.

2) Check the body and terminals for corrosion.

3) Remove the old battery and install a new one.

These tasks are almost impossible for the average motorist BECAUSE THE BATTERY SITS IN AN ENCLOSED, SEALED CASE! You can't see much less inspect the cell fluid levels. And half of the bolts under the hood on the driver's side have to be removed to free-up the battery.

See, Hyundai wants you to go to a HYUNDAI DEALER, where a battery costs $90, plus up to $50 more to install it. And at most Hyundai dealers I know, you have to leave your car for an entire day -- then hope it's ready when you return in the late afternoon or early evening.

"Aw, we're sorry, but you see we got real busy and couldn't get to yours. But tomorrow!"

AdvanceAuto Parts, AutoZone, Olympic Auto Parts, and Batteries Plus sell the same battery for $52 to $69, some including free installation.

Only problem? They can't get a sufficient supply of them to keep 'em in stock!

And that's what your conniving, inscrutable Hyundai folks want -- to force you to spend more on a new battery than a normal car owner would expect. Parts companies list the Elantra batteries as "special." And that they are!

Additionally, the OWNER'S MANUAL has neither a diagram or instructions for accessing and servicing your Hyundai Elantra battery. Just a one- paragraph entry that says, in effect, Be careful when servicing the battery."

I've had my 2004 Elantra GLS for 3 years and the battery is already shot. Needless to say, with problems also with the air bags, brakes, power locks, and engine noise and vibration, I've bought my last Hyundai product!

My advice to Hyundai? Hold up on building those factories in the U.S. Too many one-time customers could make for sluggish, then anemic, sales.

------------------------

Reply to
StoneMeThenBurnMe

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has been > taken down. ("THIS SITE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.") > > It was up and running as of late May, and was always very > useful for checking whether parts were available without > bothering the dealer parts guy. Plus you could get a ballpark >

figure as to how much a part could cost. > > Anyone know whether this is a permanent decision by Hyundai USA? > > Bob

My question is: Are batteries hard to replace in 2004 Elantras?

I have a Sonata and it uses a battery that no one carried. I went over to Sam's and looked through the inventory until I found one close to the same size. It so happened that it had many more starting amps but who cares. The tech at Sam's installed it, first time he had seen a car battery, too. It has worked great for a couple of years now.

Only take your car to a dealer as a last resort. Have you ever seen a poor car dealer owner? They make their money on the service department.

Went to the dentist today for a cleaning and I bet all dentist are rich.

Also, I will not buy another Hyundai.

Reply to
southluke

With all due respect, the Elantra battery is very easy to replace. It's easy to access and easy to remove. You simply need to understand the removal process.

Reply to
Don Allen

I suspect that the reason the Hyundai dealers did not want the existance of this site was that the parts were not marked up unreasonably like $24.50 for a gallon of anti freeze and $9.75 for a quart of transmission fluid. $2.75 for an aluminum gasket to go on the oil pan drain plug when changing oil. Oh yes, that in addition to the $100.00 an hour for labor to put in a $27.00 air filter that they allow 30 mins labor for. It can be done in 38 seconds including opening and closing the hood. Little things like that, you know.

Reply to
What

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