Here’s hoping the Wagner calipers fare better than the crap packaging job the brake fluid got. Three cans loose in a weak box. Brilliant.
Not impressed by Rock Auto
- Thread starter Hohn
- Start date
Here’s hoping the Wagner calipers fare better than the crap packaging job the brake fluid got. Three cans loose in a weak box. Brilliant.
Yes unfortunately normal. I ordered some engine degreaser and it arrived with the top broken off. Not worth the return effort. Some things better to source local I guess.
I just started using them for a parts catalog. I've noticed the local Federated, NAPA and others have very similar and competitive pricing when you factor in the shipping.
If you ship one thing maybe. Most of what I order is 1/3 the price of the local places, if I can even find the brand I want locally. Most recent purchase was CSF condenser with shipping $107.00. Local parts place around $200. So halfish.
True. I'm not stocking up. I just have so many bad experiences with their shipping and even just shipping things back is a hassle. Amazon I just have to take it to the UPS store and they scan a QR code and it's someone else's problem. Rockauto needs to get with the times on that issue. At the parts store I can see it and look at it and get it swapped out faster if it's wrong/broken. Paying for that convenience matters more to me these days.
I'm not even the slightest surprised that you received your RockAuto shipment looking like that. That's typical of how stuff shows up and why I gave up on them a long time ago. I'd rather pay a little more and know that someone didn't play soccer with my order. I've got a theory that the warehouses RockAuto uses damages the boxes before they ship. I can't say it's the shipping carrier (UPS, FedEx, etc) as other shipments I've order never arrive looking exactly as what you show with your order.
I don't know why people keep buying from RockAuto when there is one post after another looking exactly the same. At this point I'm just laughing every time I see this, it's insane. But hey people might never learn. Oh wait, I am sounding like I'm preaching.. oops!
I remember looking up some hole in the wall warehouse to see where some calipers came from (they were dented, cast iron dented? wow) and the street view showed alternators on a pallet sitting out in the rain! Yup.. then people wonder why they get junk? Anyway, hope you don't keep that junk..
That box looks completely crushed.. the packaging can only do so much. Either way, doesn't seem like a big deal unless fluid is leaking.
Not sure about that. I've had really good luck with them. Mostly brake components, air filters, etc. Ordered transmission fluid a few times and no issues there. But anytime you order fluids and have them shipped it's hit or miss with any retailer.
But this is a different reason than you first sited which was the local store was competitive on price. There not - well maybe if you get a pro discount they are
. No one can beat RA on retail pricing it seems.I have a problem with RA very rarely. The majority of shipments arrive fine. Vs 1/2 to 1/3 the price - no brainer.
Still, I likely won't ship fluids anymore even though I have done it many times in the past. It just depends on what warehouse guy you get.
This is my first Rock Auto order.
Perhaps the last. Even if the product is fine, I just don’t want to do business with that kind of place. I’d frankly rather pay more to my local NAPA guys.
ahh sorry you were having this as your first order, sort of trial by fire. Ya I wasn't trying to come down hard on you just it's the same wash, rinse, repeat with RockAuto and your experience is why I gave up on them. Might use their database to see what's out there.
Certain items, such as fluids, should only be ordered in a case quantity from Rockauto.
I needed a brake booster and it was $80 on rock auto and $90 from Federated without a vendor discount. Same exact brand. Both remanned. Core cost was higher from rock auto. So it is very competitive at least for me. You have to call around to see.But this is a different reason than you first sited which was the local store was competitive on price. There not - well maybe if you get a pro discount they are
I have a problem with RA very rarely. The majority of shipments arrive fine. Vs 1/2 to 1/3 the price - no brainer.
Still, I likely won't ship fluids anymore even though I have done it many times in the past. It just depends on what warehouse guy you get.
I do get vendor discounts through a shop I worked at and if I ask nicely on the right day can get some deals. In those cases, yes, they tend to be the same prices when you're in a situation you mentioned where it was $100 on rock auto but $200 locally.
Seems like it only happens when I order liquids. I always envision the opening scene to Ace Ventura when I'm opening the clearly damaged box leaking something.
Guy at door: (Shaking box) "It sounds broken"
Ace: "Most likely sir! I bet it was something nice though!"
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Never had an issue with Rock Auto. Its one of my go to places for car parts. Often, even with shipping, they are cheaper than most other places.
They've been great for me for the past 15 years, you have to be choosy about brands, and consolidate shipping when possible from their different warehouses, but they've saved me lots of $$ over the years. I'll admit sometimes boxes are smooshed. Wipers, brake parts, filters, plugs, suspension components, lug nuts, tools, fluids and other parts, all better than elsewhere. The don't always have acceptable brand replacements for the part I'm looking for.
I think this would technically be on the drop shipper. They are probably told to use the RA tape on those orders.
