Auto Parts from Amazon

[The Critic]

I purchased a set of Centric 100 series OEM brake pads from Amazon. Starting in 2011, Centric began packaging these pads in their own box, as opposed to just slapping a label on the pad manufacturer's box. Additionally, when this change took place, Centric also began including a shim kit and a hardware kit with every box, which is excellent for older cars that no longer have the original pads.

The Centric 100 series pads I ordered from Amazon had a production date of June 2009. Therefore, these pads had been sitting on the shelf for a long time, and obviously did not have the shim and hardware kits that I was looking for. After discussing this with Centric, I was told that Amazon was not a direct distributor of Centric parts, and therefore Centric was unable to help me.

So the lesson learned here is, if the part that you are purchasing has had some running production changes, Amazon may not be the best place to make the purchase. It is quite possible that parts sold by Amazon are very old stock. Additionally, it is also possible that Amazon is not an authorized distributor for some brands (DEI, anyone?) they sell, and therefore warranty issues may arise.

YMMV.

 

[rjundi]

Amazon seems to be a free for all. Especially cables or chargers that are label OEM but come(direct from China) and are clearly flea market level quality(junk) knockoffs. Had a hard time getting an apple connector and finally resorted to direct order from Apple. I cannot stand cheap cables.

Was Amazon doing the transaction or the actual parts send? It makes a difference as third parties can use their system for better exposure.

 

[MarkM66]

"I was told that Amazon was not a direct distributor of Centric parts"

"It is quite possible that parts sold by Amazon are very old stock."

So, you didn't buy parts from Amazon, you bought parts sold on Amazon.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Originally Posted By: MarkM66
So, you didn't buy parts from Amazon, you bought parts sold on Amazon.

Exactly. Not everything sold by Amazon comes from Amazon. There are a lot of other companies that do business through them, sort of like eBay without the bartering.

They do make it pretty clear as to where your stuff is coming from. I personally don't buy anything from anyone but Amazon if I have the choice.

 

[JHZR2]

Yeah I only buy through amazon.

But it seems their customer service is good, what do they have to say if you tell them this is NOS that doesn't have the shims and stuff that centric claims they include?

 

[NHGUY]

The new Centric pads have a dark box and say "PosiQuiet" all over it.

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: MarkM66
"I was told that Amazon was not a direct distributor of Centric parts"

"It is quite possible that parts sold by Amazon are very old stock."

So, you didn't buy parts from Amazon, you bought parts sold on Amazon.


Actually, Amazon does sell them directly. I don't know if the OP bought from Amazon or a 3rd party seller, though. Amazon sells that part number both ways.
http://www.amazon.com/Centric-Parts-100-...words=100.06350

Strangely, Amazon isn't considered an "authorized retailer" for some of the items they sell. There are several tool brands where this is the case. It appears Amazon buys the products legitimately from wholesalers, but doesn't go through the process with the manufacturer of becoming an "authorized distributor." I think a lot of retailers are actually like this, they sell items legitimately, but haven't gone through the process of becoming an "authorized retailer."

This may not be a problem with Amazon, per say. Whoever Amazon bought their parts from may have come across some old stock in their warehouse. I think we've all seen/received parts that have been sitting on a shelf for a while.

But, I purchased some brake parts last year from Amazon and they were quite "fresh," so to speak.

In April 2011 I bought the CT-3 pads for my Sonata from Amazon. The pads were marked with the date 08/07/10, so they were about 8 months old.

 

[JasonC]

I purchased some Centric pads and rotors earlier this year from Amazon. No problems and everything was current production.

 

[Virtuoso]

I won't order brake parts from Amazon anymore. At least, not for a car I need as a daily driver. I took the risk once and it burned me. The pads failed after less than a year and ruined one rotor. If I would have bought them in town, I could have had replacements the same day, but alas, I took the chance.

I also had a rotor show up with some shipping damage to the "hat" portion. Not bad, and I'm sure it's structurally sound.. but if I saw it at the store I would ask for a different one. That's what you get when a seller tries to stuff two rotors in one "If it fits it ships" USPS Priority box.

Lesson learned.

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: Virtuoso
I won't order brake parts from Amazon anymore. At least, not for a car I need as a daily driver. I took the risk once and it burned me. The pads failed after less than a year and ruined one rotor. If I would have bought them in town, I could have had replacements the same day, but alas, I took the chance.

I also had a rotor show up with some shipping damage to the "hat" portion. Not bad, and I'm sure it's structurally sound.. but if I saw it at the store I would ask for a different one. That's what you get when a seller tries to stuff two rotors in one "If it fits it ships" USPS Priority box.

Lesson learned.


I've always had very good service from Amazon. Did you try to exchange the damaged rotor? I'm sure they would have taken care of it.

I will continue buying most of my parts online. Usually it's way cheaper than local places (but not always), and you get a much larger selection of brands.

 

[paulo57509]

I've always had good customer service from Amazon as well.

I purchased an inexpensive compass from an outside of Amazon seller to throw in my tackle box. The compass was so bad that it wouldn't repeat its bearing. I just pitched the thing into the trash and chalked it up to my foolishness.

Through the review I posted, Amazon contacted me and told me that my money has been refunded - no questions. They didn't even want the item returned.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: MarkM66
"I was told that Amazon was not a direct distributor of Centric parts"

"It is quite possible that parts sold by Amazon are very old stock."

So, you didn't buy parts from Amazon, you bought parts sold on Amazon.

No, these were sold by Amazon. There was no 3rd party seller involved.

 

[Virtuoso]

I would have, but I needed these parts like... now. So it's my mistake going through a route that would take a few days (or more) to resolve.

 

[paulo57509]

Originally Posted By: paulo57509
I've always had good customer service from Amazon as well.

I purchased an inexpensive compass from an outside of Amazon seller to throw in my tackle box. The compass was so bad that it wouldn't repeat its bearing. I just pitched the thing into the trash and chalked it up to my foolishness.

Through the review I posted, Amazon contacted me and told me that my money has been refunded - no questions. They didn't even want the item returned.


Edit: I forgot to mention the shim issue happened to me at Autozone. Bought a set of pads and the shims were missing (every pad set I've ever bought for a Honda came with shims). Autozone's response? They show me the generic image of brake pads on the screen and tell me, "See? They don't come with shims."

I drove a couple of blocks down the street to O'Reilly's. Their pad set came with shims.

I bought a few sets of shim kits from Rock Auto just in case this happens again.

 

[Zako2]

Originally Posted By: stephen9666

In April 2011 I bought the CT-3 pads for my Sonata from Amazon. The pads were marked with the date 08/07/10, so they were about 8 months old.

First time I see a brake pad with GG friction rating. Are these good?

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
The new Centric pads have a dark box and say "PosiQuiet" all over it.


Those are the 104/105/106 series. The 100 series are OEM pads (not OE) but are now packaged in the dark box as well.

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Yeah I only buy through amazon.

But it seems their customer service is good, what do they have to say if you tell them this is NOS that doesn't have the shims and stuff that centric claims they include?

I requested a return, and the system gave me a prepaid return label. I will reorder from the local Centric distributor.

 

[MarkM66]

Originally Posted By: Virtuoso
I won't order brake parts from Amazon anymore. At least, not for a car I need as a daily driver. I took the risk once and it burned me. The pads failed after less than a year and ruined one rotor. If I would have bought them in town, I could have had replacements the same day, but alas, I took the chance.


Lesson learned.


How is Amazon's fault? They didn't make the pads.

 

[MarkM66]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: MarkM66
"I was told that Amazon was not a direct distributor of Centric parts"

"It is quite possible that parts sold by Amazon are very old stock."

So, you didn't buy parts from Amazon, you bought parts sold on Amazon.

No, these were sold by Amazon. There was no 3rd party seller involved.


So then they are a direct distributor. Which is it?

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: MarkM66


So then they are a direct distributor. Which is it?


Per my invoice, the Centric pads I purchased were sold by Amazon.

However, according to Centric, Amazon did not acquire its inventory directly from Centric. Instead, Amazon must have acquired their inventory of Centric parts from someone else.

 

[stephen9666]

Side note-

I notice these pads are made in Japan.

Are they current production still made in Japan?