Wondering why we don't carry K&N anymore?

*JUST AN FYI, This was in an e-mail that was sent to me by a good friend. This thread has nothing to do with my affiliation with Rock Auto*

K&N recently sent us a violation of policy notice. We simply dropped them from our lineup because we will not gouge our customers just so K&N can make more profits. The link to K&N's "New Policy" is located by following this link:

http://www.knfilters.com/dealer/kn_map_policy.pdf

Basically, they are trying to make distributors sell their products at a "Minimum" price...and have wrapped it up in a bunch of legal mumbo jumbo...

All the information I have shows me that this is in violation of the Sherman Act, and K&N is no longer offered by us.

Just an FYI, Rock Auto No longer carries K&N either.

and have wrapped it up in a bunch of legal mumbo jumbo...

I don't see that as legal mumbo jumbo. It's real plain English, "they have a minimum price policy, no if ands or buts"

I got to admit there is a disconnect between their application of "goodwill" and my idea of it. And I am knowledgeable of the business sense of "goodwill"

This ought to get posted on all boards.

I'd like to hear what's out there that people feel might be QUALITY alternatives.

Well, The mumbo Jumbo is that since price-fixing is illegal, they have wrapped this policy in a bunch of noise about how it's a "minimum" price, not a "fixed" price, and the penalty for non-compliance is not refusal to sell to us but refusal to allow us to use their "intellectual property" (their part numbers, their brand name, etc.). Even though they clearly state that they will tell distributors that we cannot buy from them at all.

I think it is pretty sad. Quality filters that come to mind for me are AEM Dri-Flow, and some of Injen and Advanced Flow Engineering's products flow just as well, and are just as easy to use.

I like the Dry Flows myself.
http://www.aempower.com/ViewCategory.aspx?CategoryID=93

"This policy does not determine, control, or influence the price at which dealers sell K&N branded products"

and

"Dealers are entirely free to set their own prices for K&N products."

Are completely contradictory to this:

"In the event that K&N determines that a dealer has violated this policy, then K&N will attempt to send a notice of policy violation to the dealer. If the dealer does not take appropriate action to remove the offending material within a period of time defined by K&N, then K&N will suspend the dealer and notify distributors that the dealer is not permitted to purchase K&N products, directly or indirectly, until further notice from K&N."

I really don't like this now...and I'll have a hard time buying K&N from now on.

and I'll have a hard time buying K&N from now on.

We agree on that. Thanks for the info and link for alternative brands.

No Problem, Just doing my part!

Actually what I see is that they are just setting a minimum advertise price. They want all their sellers to advertise at the same low price. They do say that you can charge as much or as little as you want for their products in the store or over the phone to a customer. Well at least that is how I read it. I don't think it is right of them to do that but hey it is their products so they can set some rules.

Santana

Hey this goes along with the k&n deal chargin a min price or a set price.

I was in my loc. Autozone to get a filter and plug wires and went up and they didn't have the wires. So I asked them to find a store that did and I went there. When I got there I told them what I needed and they pulled the parts. When I went to pay the store I was at was about 15% to 20% more then the first store. I called him on the price diff. And he gave it to me for the price at the other store.

I later talked to manager I kno at another store and he told me that all the autozones was that way. They set there price for the area and not for what it realy cost.

Now when I buy my parts I check nline and check 3 or 4 differnt areas befor I buy to get the best price. The only autopart store I have found that don't do this was NAPA here in columbus ohio.

My point here is watch where you buy and check online or call other stores to find the best price and then go to the closest store and get then to match the price.

Have fun and stay cool