RockAuto Parts Lately...

[repairman54]

Most of my RA parts come from a warehouse in my state. (NYS) About 1.5 hr away from me. No issues with that location or when I lived in NJ. There parts came out of the NYC metro area.
Never had any parts issues with RA, its the shipper they use, they vary, FedEx sucks.

 

[f355spider]

OK, OK. Substitute “one bad experience” with “two bad experiences in a row”. It is certainly upsetting. I understand the frustration. Mistakes happen. It is not so much a RA issue, as it is an issue with the fulfilling warehouses, whoever those were.

I just went thru two EBay goof-ups in a row on autoparts (and I rarely use EBay for anything). One was the dual mufflers for the ‘08 Volvo XC70 in my sig. The price for low grade stainless steel mufflers and pipes was amazing. The included clamps were a bonus (sleeve clamps), except both clamps were the wrong size. The seller did review the design and sent the correct clamps several days later. The next goof-up was an input pinion shaft seal for the steering rack. Wrong part sent to me by EBay seller. Sent it back. Awaiting refund from EBay. Emailed the seller several times before mailing the part back. Still haven’t received a response. At least with RA, i can play their automated return system game and get some positive response!

Despite the EBay issues, I’ll still buy from EBay.

You are definitely more brave than me when it comes to buying autoparts on eBay.

I generally only purchase new parts on eBay and they come from either new car dealers (BMW, Toyota, Honda or Ferrari) or a handful of sellers I am familiar with and previously done business with. For something more rare or NLA, I will buy used from a unknown seller, and cross fingers it works out...surprisingly I have only had an issue one time...and was able to return it without issue.

 

[14Accent]

I just placed yet another RA order, this time for some suspension bushings. $25.09 shipped, including 5% discount code. Next closest was Amazon at $28.27 after 5% back, then eBay at $30+. For me, it's all about price and less about the vendor. In this era of drop shipping, one never really can know where things are coming from/have been.

 

[John105]

Just ordered a CAT from Amazon as $167 and ra $263.70.

It arrived used. Bluished appearance, old mfg date on tag, my shipping label applied over another, two oLPN barcodes, black carbon on a flange. No option to get replacement. I actually want the part with the $167 price is I ordered another.

 

[D60]

Short term you have more protection w Amazon because they'll take anything back within the return period.

Long term, warranty claims with RA really are pretty darn easy. And of course if you order as a wholesaler closeout those are only 30 day warranty.

 

[John105]

Short term you have more protection w Amazon because they'll take anything back within the return period.

Long term, warranty claims with RA really are pretty darn easy. And of course if you order as a wholesaler closeout those are only 30 day warranty.

Yep I got 3 AC DELCO starters through RA under warranty and used their FedEx label for around $6. They also handle core charges for parts that have them….

 

[chexxers]

unless its a tough install a search will reveal conventional plugs that are prolly better as exotic metal plugs just last better, the rest is marketing $$. put a set of 4 copper plugs in girlfriends 18 Kia that cost less than ONE of the overpriced exotic metal ones + EZE as most 4 bangers, of a V6 is a different story!!

 

[svtrit]

I manage the parts dept of a small CT.
People inquire about parts, and about half the time they say stuff is cheaper online.
I don’t even fight anymore; I admit it is…I just gently say you have to get it shipped and hope there isn’t a problem with it.
About 3/4 of them end up buying the parts from me…

I quit buying from RA because the return process is expensive and I’ve had a couple of instances where the wrong part was sent (part numbers didn’t match the order)and I had to pay to send it back.

Local is the way to go. I do miss the magnets.

 

[zzyzzx]

I got come clearance brake hoses a few years ago that were already over ten years old.

What were you expecting from clearance items?

 

[KevinMalone]

I really hope RA doesn't get enshittified. I don't know what I'd do without them

 

[goblin]

I just buy with the understanding that I won't be able to return it and see if the savings would allow me to eat the cost.

Can't beat the occasional original part listed with one zero missing at the end of the price, or a tool that has shipping that costs more than the tool itself and still ends up totalling less than the tool with free shipping anywhere else.

 

[Fed_Fuel]

I must be lucky as I've never had an issue with Rock Auto and the shipping is usually very quick.

That said, I'd love to support a local store more often but I don't have unlimited money and the selection is also not great.