Rockauto bait and switch on brake rotors -- how to proceed?

[macarose]

Just an FYI, my Advance Auto Parts matches the Rockauto price if you add the cost of delivery.

It's hard to price match rotors this way because Rockauto has dozens and AAP only sells a few. But I usually find that Amazon is a great place to buy rotors and pads, and their prices often beat Rockauto.

There are other places that will match Rockauto as well. I get wipers for cheap at Discount Tire because they do the same thing.

I love the Rockauto business model and ordered thousands of dollars in parts from them over the years. However they tried to do me dirty on an AC kit I bought from them several years ago. Never again.

I find it a lot less hassle to buy locally or get it from Amazon or eBay. Hope this helps.

 

[Astro14]

Just an FYI, my Advance Auto Parts matches the Rockauto price if you add the cost of delivery.

It's hard to price match rotors this way because Rockauto has dozens and AAP only sells a few. But I usually find that Amazon is a great place to buy rotors and pads, and their prices often beat Rockauto.

There are other places that will match Rockauto as well. I get wipers for cheap at Discount Tire because they do the same thing.

I love the Rockauto business model and ordered thousands of dollars in parts from them over the years. However they tried to do me dirty on an AC kit I bought from them several years ago. Never again.

I find it a lot less hassle to buy locally or get it from Amazon or eBay. Hope this helps.

I was with you right up the eBay part of your post… be very, very careful shopping on eBay.

 

[92saturnsl2]

I was with you right up the eBay part of your post… be very, very careful shopping on eBay.

Amazon is getting just as bad.

 

[92saturnsl2]

It's hard to price match rotors this way because Rockauto has dozens and AAP only sells a few. But I usually find that Amazon is a great place to buy rotors and pads, and their prices often beat Rockauto.

I love the Rockauto business model and ordered thousands of dollars in parts from them over the years. However they tried to do me dirty on an AC kit I bought from them several years ago. Never again.

I find it a lot less hassle to buy locally or get it from Amazon or eBay. Hope this helps.

The problem I have with chain stores is they carry one or two tiers of parts branded with their label (Duralast, Duralast Gold, Ultima Select, you name it). Those are the ones they typically have in stock for popular models and they charge top dollar. Who knows who makes them, some factory in Mexico or East Asia. With Rockauto, despite the cumbersome shipping runaround and flaws with the return process, at least you know what you're getting. You can go cheap (half the cost of the same thing from Autozone) or often source OEM-like parts that beat local/dealer prices.

In the original post, I was griping about them selling different rotors for same product and that's a valid complaint. My lift is covered in Rockauto magnets because for the few issues I've had, it's simply the best way to go and shipping is always 1-3 days. I only need to order so many parts for my own vehicles, but I've saved family, friends, co-workers a boatload of money. AZ, Oreilly's, Advanced, etc., if you want a quality part with a known brand on it (I'll be the first to admit brand isn't everything), they have to ship it in, so you're still looking at next day or two for arrival at the very least.

 

[IndianaDIY]

Don't buy online.
I wouldn't buy online unless you have no other option
How you resolve this is up to you but if you have the options, just get as much of your money back as you can and move on from them

I purchased a front end from 1AAuto. Shipping was fast and zero mistakes on the order.
The lower control arm however would not fit and took me a few hours to grind/file, check fit, again and again.
Shipping back would have cost me money, and probably over a week to resolve.
The metal for the tie rods was meh, like a dull cast iron pan vs seeing something instore with a high gloss finish.

When you buy from Autozone/Advanced/Orelies/Napa/etc and you walk in and walk out with your parts.
Need to return something, walk in and get a new part in 1 hour.

It also helps keep brick and motor stores in business.
Buy Local, buy instore, buy online and ship to store and pickup at store anytime you can.

 

[kschachn]

Don't buy online.
I wouldn't buy online unless you have no other option
How you resolve this is up to you but if you have the options, just get as much of your money back as you can and move on from them

I purchased a front end from 1AAuto. Shipping was fast and zero mistakes on the order.
The lower control arm however would not fit and took me a few hours to grind/file, check fit, again and again.
Shipping back would have cost me money, and probably over a week to resolve.
The metal for the tie rods was meh, like a dull cast iron pan vs seeing something instore with a high gloss finish.

When you buy from Autozone/Advanced/Orelies/Napa/etc and you walk in and walk out with your parts.
Need to return something, walk in and get a new part in 1 hour.

It also helps keep brick and motor stores in business.
Buy Local, buy instore, buy online and ship to store and pickup at store anytime you can.

Yeah but when you know what you want, and it isn’t cheap white-box that’s a bit difficult. I just did the brakes on my Tiguan and I wanted specific brands such as Zimmerman rotors. There is nowhere near here to buy those from, and even if I did the price would be considerably higher than either Rock Auto or an online European seller. The same applies for my other cars as well. That’s also why I buy from Amazon for other products because you get exactly what you want. Car parts are the same for me.

 

[IndianaDIY]

Yeah but when you know what you want, and it isn’t cheap white-box that’s a bit difficult. I just did the brakes on my Tiguan and I wanted specific brands such as Zimmerman rotors. There is nowhere near here to buy those from, and even if I did the price would be considerably higher than either Rock Auto or an online European seller. The same applies for my other cars as well. That’s also why I buy from Amazon for other products because you get exactly what you want. Car parts are the same for me.

Yea man, I get it.
People want what they want and always want to seek out the best product for the best price.
This online stuff though paralyzes the process of what should be simple jobs. I.E. like OP just trying to get brake rotors.

You can spend a month researching the perfect part, the perfect price or just go buy the best option at a bigbox and at the end of the day...there will not be much difference if any most times and you can do the job 10 times over in the time you messed around with the online stuff and research.

Now Old European Cars, Performance cars, sure, this can be different...but even then not always.

How are you going to have anyone to swear about your job with, sympathize with, and tell you what you're doing wrong if you never buy in a store?

 

[John105]

If I were OP I would be disappointed to get what was pictured. What is actually a pita is inspecting things we order online.

Recently I ordered used tires and used OE rims.

The rims were all as described and pictured. For example maybe they coulda been scraped or damaged and or missing center caps and tpms. I mean I only paid $56-$70 each and seemed median going rate was over $120.

One tire was brand new so I said score! Then I saw a gouge. Seller immediately refunded in 12 hours.

So I’d feel like I did with the gouged tire if I got the rotors the OP did….some believe it or not is the nature of online. Have to put up with it and as long as vendor refunds, well, we tried to save…

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Amazon is getting just as bad.

getting?

Amazon is worse because they co-mingle their own inventory with that of other FBA sellers

Don't buy online.
I wouldn't buy online unless you have no other option
How you resolve this is up to you but if you have the options, just get as much of your money back as you can and move on from them

When you buy from Autozone/Advanced/Orelies/Napa/etc and you walk in and walk out with your parts.
Need to return something, walk in and get a new part in 1 hour.

It also helps keep brick and motor stores in business.
Buy Local, buy instore, buy online and ship to store and pickup at store anytime you can.

The parts stores don't actually need our business at all, and they will always be around. Most of their business comes from shops, who pay less for their parts than a retail customer pays.

The real benefit of Autozone is the loaner tool program.

Rock Auto mostly drop ships from independent auto parts stores like Auto Value and Parts Authority. They use the same warehouses the independent stores use.

 

[IndianaDIY]

getting?

Amazon is worse because they co-mingle their own inventory with that of other FBA sellers



The parts stores don't actually need our business at all, and they will always be around. Most of their business comes from shops, who pay less for their parts than a retail customer pays.

The real benefit of Autozone is the loaner tool program.

Rock Auto mostly drop ships from independent auto parts stores like Auto Value and Parts Authority. They use the same warehouses the independent stores use.

All brick and motor stores need our business.
A store next door with a person is better than a computer screen. It's a philosophy
If you don't buy from a store we will eventually only have 1 option... I have Autozone, Advanced, Oreillys and Napa all in town so I mix my business amongst all of them. If I order online, I order from them and have it shipped to their store.

Man, the real benefit of Autozone or any of these stores..is the people, it's always the people.

 

[VersatileGuy]

I get the vibe that the OP has spent more on rotors over the life of the vehicle hunting for crappy cheap pieces of metal than buying a high carbon offering and actually having a rotor that can operate until it reaches minimal thickness without warping, overheating, etc.

 

[John105]

All brick and motor stores need our business.
A store next door with a person is better than a computer screen. It's a philosophy
If you don't buy from a store we will eventually only have 1 option... I have Autozone, Advanced, Oreillys and Napa all in town so I mix my business amongst all of them. If I order online, I order from them and have it shipped to their store.

Man, the real benefit of Autozone or any of these stores..is the people, it's always the people.

Yes, they need the business. But I can recall with my uncle who would rather purchase locally. Akebono pads were like $90 when at the time online $48. When I told him hat instead he got the el cheap pads for mid $50’s. People here seem to be saying price is close? And as I’ve mentioned many times my Japanese indie doesn’t use Rock, they use Worldpac.

Oh no I just looked at their code of conduct and they have the same parent as advance auto I guess many things that work correctly are low hanging fruit for others my own employer “acquires” other successful companies

 

[92saturnsl2]

I get the vibe that the OP has spent more on rotors over the life of the vehicle hunting for crappy cheap pieces of metal than buying a high carbon offering and actually having a rotor that can operate until it reaches minimal thickness without warping, overheating, etc.

Well lets count them. I believe I'm on my third set in 120K (got the car at 200K). I don't think I'm doing too bad considering the first set wasn't warped but pads needed changed. Less expensive to replace rotors in these cars than have them resurfaced.

I had to think about this a little since it's such an old post, but I'm fairly certain these rotors I complained about are the rotors that are still on the car. They're racking up miles no issues and I'm quite happy with the rotor/pad combo (I used ATE pads). My biggest complaint was RA sending mismatched parts. Nobody has an easy answer for that. Pay 2X+ at a chain store for the human interaction or accept the hassles that online ordering gives you.

This car doesn't have a habit of warping rotors nor does any of the ones I own that that wife doesn't touch

 

[IndianaDIY]

Well lets count them. I believe I'm on my third set in 120K (got the car at 200K). I don't think I'm doing too bad considering the first set wasn't warped but pads needed changed. Less expensive to replace rotors in these cars than have them resurfaced.

I had to think about this a little since it's such an old post, but I'm fairly certain these rotors I complained about are the rotors that are still on the car. They're racking up miles no issues and I'm quite happy with the rotor/pad combo (I used ATE pads). My biggest complaint was RA sending mismatched parts. Nobody has an easy answer for that. Pay 2X+ at a chain store for the human interaction or accept the hassles that online ordering gives you.

This car doesn't have a habit of warping rotors nor does any of the ones I own that that wife doesn't touch

I've had good luck using the online Autozone/Napa 20% discount when you order online...which they seem to run that coupon code discount literally every week.
I've used Duralast Gold at the zone, and Napa Adaptive One Rotors, Pads and Calipers at napa and have been quite happy and feels quite premium.
Got a wrong napa rotor on one of my orders once and walked right in and got it sorted and walked out with the right rotor.
Sometimes I'll pull a part and take it into the store, have the desk bring me the new part and visual match them before buying it.

But back to your original post. I wouldn't put different brands/types of rotors on your car and grease your caliper slide pins with napa silglyde when putting on your new stuff

 

[VersatileGuy]

Well lets count them. I believe I'm on my third set in 120K (got the car at 200K). I don't think I'm doing too bad considering the first set wasn't warped but pads needed changed. Less expensive to replace rotors in these cars than have them resurfaced.

I had to think about this a little since it's such an old post, but I'm fairly certain these rotors I complained about are the rotors that are still on the car. They're racking up miles no issues and I'm quite happy with the rotor/pad combo (I used ATE pads). My biggest complaint was RA sending mismatched parts. Nobody has an easy answer for that. Pay 2X+ at a chain store for the human interaction or accept the hassles that online ordering gives you.

This car doesn't have a habit of warping rotors nor does any of the ones I own that that wife doesn't touch

I'm coming from the viewpoint of someone who witnessed a Toyota OEM rotor run for 17 years and 220k(haven't taken measurements though). One of them, I'm planning to replace simply due to abnormal usage(plugged brake hose and/or stikcy caliper pins) causing heat stress. Fair enough, maybe Nissan nor any aftermarket can't make something last that long, but the constant swapping isn't worth it if everything is in spec and you check everything out with the dial indicators after sanding down the hub.

 

[VersatileGuy]

I've had good luck using the online Autozone/Napa 20% discount when you order online...which they seem to run that coupon code discount literally every week.
I've used Duralast Gold at the zone, and Napa Adaptive One Rotors, Pads and Calipers at napa and have been quite happy and feels quite premium.
Got a wrong napa rotor on one of my orders once and walked right in and got it sorted and walked out with the right rotor.
Sometimes I'll pull a part and take it into the store, have the desk bring me the new part and visual match them before buying it.

But back to your original post. I wouldn't put different brands/types of rotors on your car and grease your caliper slide pins with napa silglyde when putting on your new stuff

Autozone gift cards often have their own deep discount around 15% off the likes of giftcardwiki, but I don't think you can use them without any restriction. I think if used online, they won't work with in-store pickup, just ship-to-home. Or you can go in person directly to the store to use the gift card.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Rock auto is a broker / middleman that simply uses EDI to get a wholesaler to ship to you. They choose whichever wholesaler is most profitable to them by order. Their customer service doesn’t exist and returns are hit and miss. Still there half price even with the big box online discounts. So as long as more than half your orders work out you’re still good.

NAPA, Oreilly AAP, AZ, all owned by Wall Street. The only one locally you’re helping was to put your local store out of business years ago.

If you absolutely must have the best part at any price drive to your dealer. At least they have a chance at local ownership although you will pay much more.

I only buy online.

 

[John105]

Rock auto is a broker / middleman that simply uses EDI to get a wholesaler to ship to you. They choose whichever wholesaler is most profitable to them by order. Their customer service doesn’t exist and returns are hit and miss. Still there half price even with the big box online discounts. So as long as more than half your orders work out you’re still good.

NAPA, Oreilly AAP, AZ, all owned by Wall Street. The only one locally you’re helping was to put your local store out of business years ago.

If you absolutely must have the best part at any price drive to your dealer. At least they have a chance at local ownership although you will pay much more.

I only buy online.

Don’t have the numbers but many car dealers are a corporate owned conglomerate. Many family owned dealers sold out which probably was a smart move. We’re little people trying to fix our own cars. This is the exception today, so imho trying to get the best price is OK.

Example—a local doctor gave our prescription to some unknown entity that fights the Woonsocket RI mega pharmacy health care entities of the world, you know the place with the disgruntled pharmacists and staff. But why would I pay more to avoid them?

 

[IndianaDIY]

Rock auto is a broker / middleman that simply uses EDI to get a wholesaler to ship to you. They choose whichever wholesaler is most profitable to them by order. Their customer service doesn’t exist and returns are hit and miss. Still there half price even with the big box online discounts. So as long as more than half your orders work out you’re still good.

NAPA, Oreilly AAP, AZ, all owned by Wall Street. The only one locally you’re helping was to put your local store out of business years ago.

If you absolutely must have the best part at any price drive to your dealer. At least they have a chance at local ownership although you will pay much more.

I only buy online.

Local is local man, sure better if you find locally owned but your mentality, and others like yours is why so many brick and mortor stores have closed and will continue to close waiting for the magical Amazon truck to arrive.
Thanks for the dystopia future man.

Another clear point is OP and others would not go through this if they simply would walk into a store, and get whatever they had based on their budget.

There is always something better out there...but honestly, who cares.

 

[John105]

Local is local man, sure better if you find locally owned but your mentality, and others like yours is why so many brick and mortor stores have closed and will continue to close waiting for the magical Amazon truck to arrive.
Thanks for the dystopia future man.

Another clear point is OP and others would not go through this if they simply would walk into a store, and get whatever they had based on their budget.

There is always something better out there...but honestly, who cares.

I’m probably the type you are referring to as I told the local three stooges I hope they go out of business. I had finally had enough of the not accepting used motor oil for recycling as it has been going on 25 years. But what I say has nothing to do with the fact it’s rally happening.