If you’re not using your co-op funds, you’re basically setting free money on fire. As the year wraps up, Parts Managers across the country are sitting on dollars that could help their departments hit goals, clear out old inventory, and get ready for a stronger new year. Here are three smart, simple ways to use your co-op money before it expires.
1. Use co-op dollars to take the first step toward selling online
You’ve likely heard about the push to sell parts online, whether from your GM, OEM, or even other parts managers. What you might not know is that your OEM may actually help cover the cost of getting started.
Co-op funds can often be applied to:
- The startup costs for a parts web store
- Signing up with an eCommerce platform like RevolutionParts
- Fees for catalog or marketplace integrations
- Marketing expenses, like digital ads or promotional campaigns
Why it matters: Selling online doesn’t mean replacing your counter or wholesale business. It’s a way to add revenue without adding headcount. Starting now means you’ll hit the ground running before the end of the year.
Ask your OEM co-op program manager or a RevolutionParts rep if getting started online qualifies. Many programs approve it and the process is simpler than you might think.
READ MORE: OEM Parts Pricing Guide to Maximize Gross Profit
2. Get into digital marketing
If you’re not selling parts online yet, digital marketing might seem out of reach, but it’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to use your co-op funds before year-end.
You can launch digital campaigns that drive more traffic to your counter, phone, service department, or parts webstore (if you have one). Your OEM likely covers campaigns like:
- Google Ads for local keyword searches (e.g., “OEM brakes near me”)
- Facebook and Instagram ads with special offers or promo codes
- Display ads targeting nearby repair shops or DIYers
Why it matters: 70% of parts buyers start their journey online, even if they complete it at your counter. Running digital ads helps you meet those buyers where they’re already looking.
Plus, with tools like call tracking, promo codes, and online order tracking you can directly connect ad dollars to walk-ins or phone sales and prove the ROI to your GM.
RevolutionParts offers co-op-compliant digital marketing services built specifically for parts departments. Our in-house team knows the industry, understands your OEM’s rules, and can launch fast.
READ MORE: The Parts Marketing Playbook Every Manager Needs
3. Clear out obsolete parts inventory (and get help doing it)
If you’re like most Parts Managers, there’s at least one shelf in the back room you’d rather not think about. That’s your opportunity.
Co-op funds can support inventory clearance efforts like:
- Targeted email campaigns to local shops
- Promoted listings on marketplaces like eBay or Amazon
- Social ads featuring discounted or hard-to-find parts
Why it matters: Clearing out dead stock frees up space, improves cash flow, and helps you walk into the new year with a clean slate.
Use your DMS to identify obsolete inventory, then ask a RevolutionParts rep how to list those parts automatically and use a cost-plus pricing strategy to put those niche parts in front of eager shoppers all over the country.
READ MORE: Step-by-Step Guide to Sell Obsolete Parts Online
What to do next
Co-op funds are one of the most underused resources in the parts department, especially for managers who aren’t yet online. But they don’t have to be.
Whether you use them to test a digital marketing promo, start building an online presence, or finally clear out aging inventory, what matters is that you act before they expire.
These funds are here to help you grow. Don’t let them go to waste. A few smart moves now can set you up for a stronger, more profitable start to the new year.
See How Easy It Is to Use Co-Op Dollars to Launch eCommerce
Use your co-op funds to sell online, move inventory, and hit year-end goals without lifting a finger.
