Rock Auto address observation

J

Jeep_Riot

Joined
Oct 25, 2014
Messages
168
Location
GA
I placed an order for spark plugs on Rockauto. The return address on the packaging has "Attn Returns" as part of the address.

What are the chances these plugs were returned by someone else and eventually reshipped to me straight from the Returns warehouse?

ROCKAUTO XXXXXXXXX Order
ATTN RETURNS
1309 Industrial Blvd
Boaz, AL 35957

Spark Plugs ordered: NGK 93482

Edit: It looks like the shipping label was created on the 17th and eventually shipped by the USPS from zip code 33013 two day later (the 19th), and it arrived today, the 22nd.

Not sure what's going on here. The spark plugs look authentic.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
that doesn't seem that weird. They put a return address where they want it to go if not delivered. A "NPW" National Auto Parts Warehouse address. also there is on win Miami - Miami (HQ) . . . . . . 5801 E 10TH AVE, SUITE 112 • HIALEAH, FL 33013 .
 
It's a "return address" if the shipping company can't deliver it. Ever sent a letter ? What do you put in the upper-left corner of the envelope and why ?

I highly doubt RA's suppliers / warehouses even re-use boxes. Also, if someone returned them, why would they leave them in a shipping box ?
 
It's for internal routing if returned for any reason like refused, undeliverable, severely damaged in transit etc

No different than having a return address of a huge company and saying ATTN: Mr JEEP_RIOT
 
Months back I ordered tons of parts for an old truck I'm fixing up. When I finally got around to putting the plugs in the gaps were too small on 2 of the 6. The boxes must have been dropped, and returned. Because it did not happen in transit.

They make it a pain to return things. Wherever they were returned to shipped them out to the next shmuck :cautious: me without a thought of them being an issue.... I just ordered 2 more when I bought some more parts. Not real happy with that one.
 
Actually never paid attention to the shipping label, and placed dozens of RA orders. I clearly got a returned brake rotor once, but they shipped a replacement (it had greasy hand prints, likely installed and removed, not actually used but I still preferred a new one).

Next time I’ll look. I just ordered a Y pipe but shipped it to the installer, not my house.

I’m a RA fan but I would think returned items are going to be resold. Remember they do t have any inventory they’re a middle man.
 
johnmyster said:
Let’s take a moment to acknowledge the function of a return address.

It does not need to be identical to the actual shipped from address.
Click to expand...
i believe you are correct. Return address can be different from origin, which is important, because shipping cost is determined based on dimensional weight and distance.

A box of feathers and a box of library books, UPS uses the higher predetermined dimensional weight, unless the actual is even higher than dimensional weight. This is really important with LTL shipments.

Again I’ve never looked at the RA label and am curious now.
 
Wandering off subject here....slightly.
I love Rock Auto. I've used them for over 15 years. And if you've been with them for a period of time, you'll realize that the warehouse that ships you the parts could be from anywhere. (We all know they don't actually own anything. But that's another subject)
With few exceptions, I no longer purchase parts from them unless it's on a closeout. That way it (almost always) gets shipped from the same warehouse and it's for something that I have sitting on the back burner that won't get used immediately.
I've only had to do a return on them once, so I know my attitude toward them is biased because talking to a live human is impossible.
Lately, I've noticed that some of their parts are labeled "Famous Brand". Again, that could be almost any brand on planet earth.
But I did roll the dice and ordered a "Famous Brand" new alternator from a 2005 Ford Explorer. It cost a grand total of $29 (before shipping) and I happened to receive a Carquest-branded alternator that had not ever been installed. So that was a win.
The shipping for it on the other hand was a disaster. Somehow, I somehow managed to choose FedEx instead of UPS. FedEx in this area is a complete disaster. FedEx took a grand total of 17 days to deliver my package when UPS or USPS would have taken two. Another reason I don't order from them if it's needed immediately.
 
The return address in Alabama is "Associate Jobber Warehouse" and there google listing has this web address. Seems like a legit place. https://www.npwcompanies.com/

Having said that - yes - there warehouses make it a priority to send you someone else's return if they can. I recently got a ball joint that had obviously been installed and lacked the retaining ring. They were shipped from Worldpac in Pompano Beach. If you absolutely need the part right away, I would not order from RA. There good for planned maintenance and the like - you have time to send the stuff back.

And always check all your parts as soon as they arrive.

I just got an order from FMP in North Carolina. Also looks legit, and everything is new.
 
John105 said:
but I would think returned items are going to be resold.
Click to expand...
I guess it depends on the store. A national chain like Autozone, etc probably tosses returned items into the trash but the small, local or regional parts store probably does their best to determine was it actually installed and used, then removed, or the shop or person immediately saw it was "wrong" and didn't install it. Then the issue is, who do they sell it to ? In almost no case would I accept what's not a brand new, still-in-a-sealed-box part.
 
Not long ago got on a china auto parts manufacturer. It was interesting need 1000 or 5000 fuel pumps buy them in bulk or can get them package. $100 pump $5. Be a customer like Auto zone with 6300 stores pump would even be less.
 
bdcardinal said:
I have had boxes come from RA and the return address is my facing Parts Authority warehouse that delivers to my work. I asked our rep for PA if they were a drop shipper for RA and he danced around it. Like I don't care, just curious type thing, but I didn't like the dace around answering.
Click to expand...
I have gotten several orders from Parts Authority, and also from Parts Plus - both are very large national wholesalers.

Like you I don't care. I am not even sure if either sells online under there own name at all - I don't think so?
 
The address listed in the OP seems to be a warehouse connected to Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper

SC Maintenance said:
The return address in Alabama is "Associate Jobber Warehouse" and there google listing has this web address. Seems like a legit place. https://www.npwcompanies.com/

Having said that - yes - there warehouses make it a priority to send you someone else's return if they can. I recently got a ball joint that had obviously been installed and lacked the retaining ring. They were shipped from Worldpac in Pompano Beach. If you absolutely need the part right away, I would not order from RA. There good for planned maintenance and the like - you have time to send the stuff back.

And always check all your parts as soon as they arrive.

I just got an order from FMP in North Carolina. Also looks legit, and everything is new.
Click to expand...

+1
 
bdcardinal said:
I have had boxes come from RA and the return address is my facing Parts Authority warehouse that delivers to my work. I asked our rep for PA if they were a drop shipper for RA and he danced around it. Like I don't care, just curious type thing, but I didn't like the dace around answering.
Click to expand...
I wonder if it’s like some doctors don’t accept this or that insurance because the rates are low. Maybe it’s embarrassing to say one works for RA because of low margins. That one is willing to take them.
 
SC Maintenance said:
I have gotten several orders from Parts Authority, and also from Parts Plus - both are very large national wholesalers.

Like you I don't care. I am not even sure if either sells online under there own name at all - I don't think so?
Click to expand...
Like I don't care who another business sells to. I don't use them as much because their prices aren't as good as compared to other places. But they do have a lot of brand options, so if someone is picky about what they want, I will use them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom