Here's a funny Rock Auto shipping setup for spark plugs

[slacktide_bitog]

My Rock Auto order is coming from two warehouses, as I ordered a lot of stuff, including 4 spark plugs. Denso Iridium TT because they last a long time and don't cost too much. All 4 spark plugs, and everything else I ordered, are regular inventory.

2 spark plugs are coming from one warehouse, and the other 2 plugs from the other warehouse

 

[zzyzzx]

I would closely scrutinize these plugs to make sure that they were identical.

 

[Hall]

I've said for a long time, their system "shares" orders across warehouses (for fairness with their suppliers). Since you ordered other things, while it seems stupid, this makes sense if my sharing theory is correct. If you had only ordered plugs, I'm 99.9% confident they wouldn't have come from those two separate warehouses.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I've said for a long time, their system "shares" orders across warehouses (for fairness with their suppliers). Since you ordered other things, while it seems stupid, this makes sense if my sharing theory is correct. If you had only ordered plugs, I'm 99.9% confident they wouldn't have come from those two separate warehouses.

Yeah I know about sharing across warehouses, but spark plugs are the silliest thing to share for, since they come in boxes of four

The only things coming from the second warehouse are the 2 plugs and a set of brake shoes, while everything else is from the other warehouse. In this case, they should've just shipped all 4 plugs from the warehouse as the shoes

I ordered Centric shoes due to the GG rating and also because they are the cheapest. I'm pairing them with Wagner E-coated drums.

I would closely scrutinize these plugs to make sure that they were identical.

I don't see why they wouldn't be

 

[Hall]

but spark plugs are the silliest thing to share for, since they come in boxes of four

How did they split them then ?

 

[GW.]

Rock Auto is a crapshoot. Inspect everything carefully.

 

[dishdude]

I don't trust RA at all. Haven't ordered from them in years.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

How did they split them then ?

I guess they had to take 2 out of a box in each warehouse, which is also a waste of time

Each plug is individually boxed, and 4 of those come in the box of 4.

I don't trust RA at all. Haven't ordered from them in years.

Yeah, but you're in Arizona, which has a silly sales tax scheme

 

[VWRand]

Were you required to order them in quantities of 4 ?

 

[VWRand]

I have to give Rock Auto kudos for an issue I recently had. Ordered a set of main bearings a few months ago for an upcoming engine rebuild. When I finally went to install them, they weren't correct for my application. Ordered the right ones locally, but was stuck with these since I was well past the 30 day return policy.

The problem was that Mahle Clevite had made an error in their on line catalog and RA just mirrored what they had, which was completely understandable. I called Mahle and after a lot of back and forth was finally able to convince them that their listing was in error, but of course they couldn't really do anything for me regarding a refund. I then had to explain the entire issue to RA and figured me telling them I was right and Mahle was wrong was probably not going to go my way. RA ended up agreeing with me, gave me a complete refund and told not to worry about sending them back. I looked on RA a few days later and they had removed that part from their application listing, so no one else would order it.

Of course the very next thing I order is some Valve Stem seals. They come in packs of 6 and I need 12, so I order 2 packs. One pack, still sealed, only had 4 pieces. At least this time I was well withing the 30 days, so they just sent me out a replacement set with no questions asked.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Ive ordered the Denso TTs from them multiple times. Never shipped separately but also never an issue. It's a numbers game like Amazon. They ship such huge quantities their shipping cost is a small fraction of retail.

 

[Skippy722]

They probably have a bunch of "lose" plugs like that from people with 3 and 6 cylinder engines.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Were you required to order them in quantities of 4 ?

No, I was not required to order them in quantities of 4

 

[Nukeman7]

I don't trust RA at all. Haven't ordered from them in years.

Yeah, but you're in Arizona, which has a silly sales tax scheme

RockAuto no longer sells to customers in Arizona due to the tax law structure.

Arizona off-limits to RockAuto

 

[svtrit]

Will you get 2 magnets?

 

[The_Jeff]

The problem was that Mahle Clevite had made an error in their on line catalog and RA just mirrored what they had, which was completely understandable. I called Mahle and after a lot of back and forth was finally able to convince them that their listing was in error, but of course they couldn't really do anything for me regarding a refund. I then had to explain the entire issue to RA and figured me telling them I was right and Mahle was wrong was probably not going to go my way. RA ended up agreeing with me, gave me a complete refund and told not to worry about sending them back. I looked on RA a few days later and they had removed that part from their application listing, so no one else would order it.

Yeah Rockauto had a wrong listing for a cabin air filter for my Prius. The dimensions were correct but the folds were 90 degrees out from how they had to be. Why do they have to be a certain orientation? Because there's a cage that holds the filter and there are prongs in the cage to brace the filter. They ripped me off on the refund, I could only text with their robot. Offered me half my money back if I paid return shipping or something. Obvious catalog error.

On the flipside they shipped me wrong rotors for my Prius Prime as they cut & pasted the regular Prius brake catalog. I had to measure the thickness with my micrometer to prove they were wrong, and they took them back as "defective." I couldn't suggest how they got to where they are, but hope they figure it out.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Will you get 2 magnets?

I better

 

[Hall]

RockAuto no longer sells to customers in Arizona due to the tax law structure.

Arizona off-limits to RockAuto

In simple terms - without reading too in-depth at that thread - presumably individual cities "collect" sales tax directly and Rockauto has no desire to deal with hundreds or more entities for collection and repayment. Most states handle sales tax at the state level, even if localities have their own 'chunk'. You pay that state in a single lump payment with the distribution breakdown and the state disperses it.

 

[Gyro Gearloose]

How else can they ding you for double shipping charges? Try adding plug wires and coils to your order and see where items ship from. Chance are the plugs will all come from one place and the other stuff will split. I have not been able to find a way to game them.

 

[andrew_j]

I ordered 4 tires from Walmart. Every tire came from a different location including cross country. It’s how efficient warehousing inventory, and distribution work.