I used to try and buy things locally, as opposed to ordering online. But I'm pretty much fed up with getting burnt at the parts stores. I get it. Brick and mortar come with added expense. But there's a certain point where they're just laughing at their customers.
I had to buy a fuse tap in a pinch. It was $9. To make matters worse, I screwed up and got the wrong one. By the time I figured it out, I had already installed it. I sucked it up and bought another one... so I'm in $18. The day before, I picked up a simple headlight connector ($12) and a small pack of basic butt connectors ($8.50). If I hadn't already collected a bunch of basic connectors over the years, it probably would have cost me over $100 in cheap Chinese bits that probably cost less than $2 to manufacture
The same fuse tap on ebay is $4.49 for 3... and that includes shipping. The butt connectors and headlight connector, also a fraction of the parts-store price.
I should buy a bunch of random stuff like this and set up a box trailer across from the parts store. Electrical connectors, cleaning supplies, adhesives, hardware, filters, headlight bulbs, wiper blades, etc.... all half of what the stores charge and I'd still double my money.
Sorry for the rant.
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