Parts store pricing

[Broncojunkie]

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.

[MIKE'SVO86]

Not sure how many people use RockAuto but I compared what their prices were to AutoZone and Advance and it was half for some hoses. I used to have a really good independent store, but they got pushed out by AutoZone and O'Reilly's. Both stores are within a block of the old auto parts store. I had a really good Trak Auto too but that was years ago and all the Trak Autos got bought out too. Carquest got bought out by Advance. Murry's got bought out by O'Reilly's.

[Broncojunkie]

I use Rockauto some. You have to be careful about shipping cost, but you're correct. Prices are way better.

[qikgts]

Retailmenot.com... I almost never walk in and buy. I'll order online, grab a coke and then walk in and save 20% sometimes 30%. No sense in not taking the discounts.

Rockauto is definitely a go to when I plan ahead.

[Broncojunkie]

I've heard of retailmenot but never used it. Thanks for the suggestion. One thing I've noticed is that the parts stores tend to only put out coupons for ship-to-home orders. I think that's the dumbest marketing policy I could think of. If I'm ordering online and waiting for it to get here, I'm going to shop online for the best price. I sure as heck aren't going to pay parts store prices. It's almost like these stores are wanting us to shop at Rockauto lol!

[Ray Dog]

I have tried Rock Auto with mixed results. Sometimes you get what you pay for, got good from them, and got junk to.
American Auto Parts would not help find a part for me I needed over a weekend, but AutoZone checked local stores for me.
O'Rielly's gave me the right number but picked the wrong parts.
A local NAPA store gives me a discount from the days my ex brother in law who ran a carburetor shop set me up.
It's also close to work. But working online they automatically send me to the store close to where I live.
The common factor in it all is the man or woman that you deal with. Do they know parts, or just numbers?
And are they just sloggin through the day, or glad to help their customers.
So, to me price is only one factor.

[Broncojunkie]

Ray, funny you mention NAPA. I stopped by my local store a week ago with a buddy who was needing a part. I told him I stopped going there because of their attitude. He laughed and said it was probably just a fluke. The guy at the counter gave him an attitude and was anything but helpful. I just stood back and chuckled! If I drive another 10 minutes, the other Napa is much better. They also happen to sell auto paint there, so I've been there several times for that. They're much nicer and more helpful.

[OX1]

Ray, funny you mention NAPA. I stopped by my local store a week ago with a buddy who was needing a part. I told him I stopped going there because of their attitude. He laughed and said it was probably just a fluke. The guy at the counter gave him an attitude and was anything but helpful. I just stood back and chuckled! If I drive another 10 minutes, the other Napa is much better. They also happen to sell auto paint there, so I've been there several times for that. They're much nicer and more helpful.

Not a fluke to me. My local NAPA is all guys that don't care much if they help or not and are certainly in no rush whatsoever to do anything. Only go there if they are the only one that has a part or the deal is too smokin to pass up (rare).

[ukravit]

I call my local NAPA Never Any Parts Available, because that's how it ends up. I find something searching their online inventory and when I get there they dont really have it. Now I google the part numbers after I get them from Rockauto and check to see who says they have it and make my choice based on how soon I need it.

[graphicdesigner80]

Lately it’s been AutoZone.com with the 20% discounts & free shipping that’s getting my business. Rock auto works if you want Motorcraft or a brand the big box stores don’t carry. However returns are a pita. The best thing about returning AutoZone orders is you can just walk in and return it without any shipping hassles. It’s also a good reminder why buying in person at the store is a huge disappointment. Minimum wage workers that don’t care if you come back or not.

Between amazon, EvilBay, & NPD, it’s all online for me these days.

[webestang]

RockAuto for me unless I need something quick then I go to Advance, had a few problems with AutoZone. Forget NAPA, the ones here are Ford haters and the prices are way too high.
And like others I use, Amazon, eBay or LMR, American Muscle or CJ Pony.

[KevinVarnes]

I've purchased several thousand dollars of parts every year from RockAuto for probably the last ten years. I've always had good service and the rare times I've had issues I've never had any problem getting refunds. Yeah, it does stink to have to wait on shipping, but even with shipping and tax I'm normally well below the local stores. I don't even bother cross shopping on price anymore. Plus, when I buy from RockAuto, I know who the manufacturer is and I'm not left to guess who made this store branded part. The one exception I will make is replacement starters and alternators that will eventually fail. I will pay extra so I can just go to the store and exchange bad for new and be on my way that day.

People complain about shipping costs from RockAuto, but I find their shipping costs ridiculously low compared to what it would cost me. If you can play around with the parts you can usually get the shipping down pretty low.

I do not understand the parts store online coupons only applying to ship to home stuff either. I guess they don't want people to go to their stores? Advance used to have pretty good discount codes which helped them compete with RockAuto, but I've noticed that they have gotten pretty stingy with those in the last 3-4 years. Most of the discount codes on retailmenot don't seem to ever work.

I normally don't even bother with Amazon or eBay. Too many counterfeit parts out there and neither site seems to care about it. Their prices usually aren't better than RockAuto anyway. Unless it is obviously an NOS part or from an OEM dealer on eBay I'll stay away.

[silverfive0]

I've been using RockAuto alot lately too.....after a recent run in with my local O'Reillys I probably won't go back there anytime soon.....
My 83 T-Bird needed a lower radiator hose so I called them and asked them to order it (since we all know it wouldn't be in stock), was told it'd be there by 10 am the next day. Stopped by after work around 3 pm and go figure, they couldn't find it. After waiting 10-15 minutes, someone finally reports that the store they ordered it from didn't have it and cancelled the order. So I asked if it had been reordered? My answer was 3 blank stares from 3 different blank faces. I then asked if it could be ordered and when could it in, again? Was then told it'd be in around 4:30 from another store on the shuttle. So like an idiot, I paid for it and a couple gallons of antifreeze I went home and waited, at 4:30 I drove uptown and tried again.....it was the exact same scenario.....3 people looking for it and no one knew where it was!! Finally, one of the kids spoke up and said that they wouldn't find it because the shuttle truck wasn't there yet....I asked when might it be there? The smart mouth kid pops off "whenever he gets here"!!!! At this time, I demanded my money back....again with blank stares from behind the counter. I told them I wasn't making a 3rd trip to buy something I was already told twice would be there. They just couldn't understand!!

Now heres the real kicker to it all.....that Gates lower hose was $49 plus taxes from O'Reillys......I went home and ordered the same number hose along with a new t-stat, gasket, and radiator cap and with shipping it was all $47 and I got it 2 days later!!!!!

Whats really sad here is, I worked at a small family owned NAPA store in NW Ohio for almost 9 yrs and loved my job....we bent over backwards to get the customer the right part in a timely manner AND I actually worked at this local O'Reillys store when I first moved to Oklahoma!!! Customer service is a total joke anymore.

[Broncojunkie]

I think the napa store I complain about supplies most of the shops in the area. They don't get a ton of walk-ins and when they do, it's too much of a bother to go out of their way. I chalk that one up to poor management. The same annoying customer looking for a couple cheap trim clips might be the one spending $400 on a/c parts next week.

[NAVYCAT]

I have used Rockauto for years, yes a few hick ups but will keep going there and yep I dont all ways agree with the shipping costs but it is what it is

[richpet]

Helped a buddy recently by changing out the coolant expansion tank in his Chevy Spark.
AutoZone (my preferred place) was $92

AC Delco from AutoZone (needed to be ordered and at least 2 days out) was $60.

Went to Knechts and got it for $42.

This friend has very little expendable cash so had to go economy, and living out of town needed it done quickly.


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[dapetik]

I research all before buying. If it's a small amount more, I try local places. Online places sometimes bust you open on shipping/handling.