35
wolk after sales experts
03.07.2015
00119955
Interview with Dr. Friemel (Daparto) (2)
Antti Wolk: As the managing director of a price comparison portal you have a very good insight into the price development during the recent
years. Has the price detoriation become palpable over the last years?
Dr. Friemel: As a price-comparison portal, we basically see the added value for our customers on the buy-side in the opportunity to very quickly
compare prices and to also directly choose the most attractive option. Without having explored this topic in any more detail, we can see a
certain decline prices.
Antti Wolk: How would you explain the low prices in the Internet?
Dr. Friemel: These prices can be explained by the fact that many companies offering online now have reached a certain size and purchasing
volume. They experience both purchasing price advantages and also find alternative sources for supply for needed parts. Significant price-
improvements with regard to the German market can be achieved especially with foreign suppliers.
Antti Wolk: Consolidation is an issue that continuously occupies the market. Today, you have 120 different vendors on daparto.de. In the future,
do you see more or less providers in this market segment?
Dr. Friemel:
The parts-market is a market like any other at the end of the day. In the 15th year of Internet mass availability, the market seems to
have become somewhat mature. This will certainly lead to a consolidation of the active market participants in the mainstream. Apart from a
few major players, smaller vendors for certain product groups or brands will find and retain their market niches. Whether this will involve
individual companies or rather certain brands who make use of already existing technologies in order to pluck the different customer-
segments, I can not foresee.
Antti Wolk: How do you see the future of classical small businesses that have started up as Ebay powersellers and become big this way?
Dr. Friemel: At daparto, we also have a colorful mix or merchants, similar to Ebay. This ranges from Tier 1 suppliers to the smallest shops.
Especially for small vendors it will become increasingly difficult, because, among other things, a good data base, as offered by TecAlliance
with TecDoc, for example, is required for a successful aftermarket, is required. Data providers have raised their licensing costs, which will
make things more difficult for small enterprises in the future.
