Rock Auto

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RA is one of my preferred sources. The prices are so good compared to Canadian retailers, that even with a minimum 15 dollar shipping fee is still a great deal. You don't shop at Rockauto for customer service and after sales support, though I'm sure its "adequate". That's what I like anyway, I'll trade the kum bah yah and the feel good promises for incredible deals any day. If I get burned with a bad part (rare) I just move on. I hate fussing and chasing vendors/mfg'ers over dinky issues, life's too short I'd rather fix it myself.

Buy from whoever makes you feel comfortable, but at the same time don't be a slave to unreasonable "feelings" that can't be quantified.
 
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Originally Posted by Imp4
The disadvantage with RA is the shipping time.
If you are planful and can wait a week, it's no problem.

Lately a lot of orders have been giving a DHL option that is relatively inexpensive and is next-day-air.
 
I've ordered from them for years. Filters, brake pads, rotors, belts. Never had a problem. If you're flexible with the brands you buy and have some time, you can reduce shipping charges. I find their prices even with shipping, can substantially beat Amazon many times.
 
I always check first RA when I need aftermarket parts. I have been using them for years.

Only once they sent me an axle from different manufacturer (not necessarily worse) than what I ordered(still the correct part for the car), but they resolved it quickly at their expense.

Once I had to warrant a muffler (after 3-4 years). Technically I had to buy I new one and return the failed one in the same box, but at the end did not cost me a dime (just the time to deal with that). I did not expect this muffler to last forever with all the salt here. The warranty replacement wouldn't be simple with any other online option.
 
I ordered three items-all stated from "different warehouses". I ordered an oil filter, cabin filter and engine air filter. The air filter had too high of a shipping cost-so I cancelled it.
 
I have a 1979 F350 dually, a 1986 F350 dually, a 1995 K3500 dually, a 60series Chevy Truck (2.5 ton) plus a ton of other ranch vehicles (some tractors use easily available auto parts), a few Mustangs including a 1997 Cobra Convertible, etc. etc. etc....

Rockauto is pretty much my only option anymore for some of the older stuff.
Yes, Napa and others "can get" parts for the older vehicles...... BUT YOU WILL PAY $$$$$$$$$$$$$!!

It depends a lot on what you are ordering.

For 20-30 years old vehicles, you almost can't beat Rckauto from anywhere else.
 
Yes there is something wrong with you. See help or order something....
smile.gif
 
The key difference between them and Amazon is that they have a better catalog lookup than Amazon. You can never really find a part on Amazon unless you know exactly what you're looking for. Just hard to believe the largest online retailer has the worse lookup system. Anyway rockauto is usually competitive, the 5% discount code is always on retailmenot.com.

I like to get their clearance wipers, but they're always in a different warehouse so you can never coming regular priced stuff with their clearance stuff to save on shipping. Only good thing is that when I use my work address, the shipping always comes out a little cheaper as it's considered a commercial address instead of residential.
 
Originally Posted by ZZman
Yes there is something wrong with you. See help or order something....
smile.gif



That's why I came to you. Seeking help. It appears from the responses that the RA experience is a somewhat mixed bag.

I did order something. I felt compelled to add to my order to help minimize shipping cost and spread it out over 3 items.

Will advise upon receipt.
 
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Originally Posted by Gebo
I have confidence in whatever I order from NAPA. Am I a prejudiced auto parts shopper?

Some of the stuff/brands you can get at Napa you can't get at Rockauto, and vice versa. But, if Rockauto and Napa do sell the same brand/part number item, you can bet Napa will charge about twice as much as Rockauto.
 
Originally Posted by exranger06
Originally Posted by Gebo
I have confidence in whatever I order from NAPA. Am I a prejudiced auto parts shopper?

Some of the stuff/brands you can get at Napa you can't get at Rockauto, and vice versa. But, if Rockauto and Napa do sell the same brand/part number item, you can bet Napa will charge about twice as much as Rockauto.


I just bought 2 Gates belts and 2 Gates hoses from RockAuto, each part was half the price of Napa. Napa didn't have them in stock so I would have had a second trip to the parts store.
 
It's like any place else, I price shop a few places and call it a day. I do prefer to shop online, unless if I need to have it right this instant I can then shop for the quality level I want.
 
Rock Auto has been good for me. I'll still buy a lot of parts locally since I like to support the local economy and NAPA can usually get things next day if they aren't already in stock. However, Rock Auto provides a lot more choices if you're looking for a specific brand and sometimes the deals are too good to pass up. A recent example was that I managed to get an OE Kia Idle Air Control for an older Sportage from Rock Auto for a bit less than an aftermarket one was locally, and well under half the cost at the dealer. I have also bought Gates timing kits for half the price I would have to pay locally.

Shipping is always the potential concern - sometimes you can save by getting items from the same warehouse, and sometimes it just doesn't work out that well. Unlike sites with "free" shipping, Rock Auto doesn't bundle the shipping charge in with the cost of the product.

I'm a big fan of their web site. It is a simple design, yet still gives you all the information you need right upfront. In most cases it is possible to find a part in less than a minute, especially with the search function. I hope they don't ever mess it up by trying to make it look nicer.
 
I've bought a good bit from them. Had a condensor show up shaped like a banana once but other than that good experiences. I'm usually buying oem stuff or other good quality parts. They do sell super cheap stuff which of course is what it is.

But don't assume they have the cheapest DELIVERED price. Like others say their shipping is not competitive and things often come from many different warehouses.
 
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