Rockauto Shipping Shenanigans

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Aug 30, 2004
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Location
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I needed to purchase the following items:

(2) Raybestos 980631fzn
(2) Raybestos 980636fzn
Akebono ACT1324a
Akebono ACT1325a

If all 4 items were purchased together in a single order, the shipping charges total $55.97. The rotors would ship from one warehouse ($47.98) and the pads would ship from a different warehouse ($7.99).

However, I tested multiple order configurations and found a way to reduce shipping costs. If I split the order in the following manner:

Order 1:
(2) Raybestos 980636FZN
Shipping: $26.99

Order 2:
(2) Raybestos 980631FZN
Akebono ACT1324a
Akebono ACT1325a
Shipping: $14.99

I can save $14 on shipping ($41.98 vs $55.97).

Point is, Rockauto’s shipping calculator is flawed.
 
hey critic.. I always read your posts and appreciate them even if I don't reply...(y)

but I had to jump in and tell you that rockauto just shipped some raybestos calipers to my family member for their f150 and when I get pictures I'll post them... From what I've seen looks like the warehouse from NYC (hempstead) completely ripped apart the caliper box! So bad they taped over the DIRT on the box.. what a joke! yes they were returned and order from another parts supplier.

I thought RockAuto had cleaned up their act with bad distributors shipping junk parts years ago, guess not.. Not only is RA been screwing around with the shipping costs, their warehouses leave a lot to be desired..

Critic-- not to change the subject but have you received parts from RA like I have that are just obliterated?
 
hey critic.. I always read your posts and appreciate them even if I don't reply...(y)

but I had to jump in and tell you that rockauto just shipped some raybestos calipers to my family member for their f150 and when I get pictures I'll post them... From what I've seen looks like the warehouse from NYC (hempstead) completely ripped apart the caliper box! So bad they taped over the DIRT on the box.. what a joke! yes they were returned and order from another parts supplier.

I thought RockAuto had cleaned up their act with bad distributors shipping junk parts years ago, guess not.. Not only is RA been screwing around with the shipping costs, their warehouses leave a lot to be desired..

Critic-- not to change the subject but have you received parts from RA like I have that are just obliterated?
I think in most of those cases where the boxes are blemished is from people returning products not needed back to RA for a refund. I have my doubts that a RA employee is messing with boxes.
 
I've found my supplier - NAPA!
48 hour free shipping (after RA creeped from 6 day to 9 days...) with 20% off for 'bucket' deal.
I saved money, and getting those bearings in today!
 
Similar but different RA experience on the same parts list of 4 Raybestos rotors and 2 sets Akebono pads. Initially they wanted to ship the front rotors from a second location no matter what I tried. Finally emptied the shopping cart and started over ordering 1 ea F/R rotors, which surprisingly were available from one location, added the pads, which were also available from the same location, and then increased the quantity on the rotors to 2 ea and miraculously they all still came from one location. Same shipping cost as yours but two shipments from one location. Not sure if they make most of their profit on shipping, trying to spread the business to multiple suppliers, or just inept.
 
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I think in most of those cases where the boxes are blemished is from people returning products not needed back to RA for a refund. I have my doubts that a RA employee is messing with boxes.
I believe your correct. I had 1 of 2 , O2 sensors delivered to me last week previously installed and box destroyed, RO used a sharpie to write the part number on the box on tape.
It got returned, Im not paying full price for a previously installed item that may or may not work.
So much cheaper that auto parts stores around me, I will deal with the occasional need to return a part. RO is my go to parts store unless I need it same day
 
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I just looked, and all of that ships for free from Amazon. No matter how I looked at it.... free!

Last time I ordered anything from RockAuto, it was a set of shocks for my Silverado. The packaging looked like the shocks were from three different decades (were not closeouts). They had been thrown into shipping boxes, and the mounting hardware had come loose in the shipping boxes, and some had fallen out through gaps/holes in the boxes. I sent the whole mess back, and re-ordered from Amazon.
 
For all the moaning and complaining you guys do about RA, just don't spend money there.
No need to rant, complain or bellyache.

Spend money elsewhere.
Apparently some of you are getting better prices at NAPA. Great!

Vote with your wallet instead of your internet post.

Just please stop complaining.
 
For all the moaning and complaining you guys do about RA, just don't spend money there.
No need to rant, complain or bellyache.

Spend money elsewhere.
Apparently some of you are getting better prices at NAPA. Great!

Vote with your wallet instead of your internet post.

Just please stop complaining.
Take your own advice...
If the content bothers you so much, it's even easier to just not read these threads. The title clearly indicated this would be about people dissatisfied with RA. 😉
 
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Take your own advice...
If the content bothers you so much, it's even easier to just not read these threads. The title clearly indicated this would be about people dissatisfied with RA. 😉
Right but I'm talking about a larger phenomenon here. The bash RA shipping phenomenon.

How many threads will it take for the motivation to subside to rehash the exact same topic with the exact same complaints?
Apparently it is many more than I could have imagined.
 
Right but I'm talking about a larger phenomenon here. The bash RA shipping phenomenon.

How many threads will it take for the motivation to subside to rehash the exact same topic with the exact same complaints?
Apparently it is many more than I could have imagined.
I hear you. It seems to happen with certain topics regularly.
 
We always hear from the poor experiences and rarely from the good ones. I only had one experience bad enough to ask for a replacement ( a shock with a bad thread that was a close-out.) I pretty much use them elusively. The main draw is they don’t get freaked out shipping to Canada, they know how to whiz things past customs and they can handle core returns across the border. Rock on Rock Auto!
 
I typically order from RA because I feel like I can trust their parts finder to give me a list of correct parts for the application and because their parts catalogue is way better than going to amazon/etc and searching, not because they're the cheapest. I will admit that a lot of the stuff I've ordered looks BEAT by the time it gets to me, like they have a robotic package punter in the warehouse or something.
 
That's a lot!

I tried an east coast zip code with the same parts, and the shipping was under $30, even in a single order.

I thought they'd have warehouses/suppliers on the west coast. I know Parts Authority has a nationwide reach, including the west coast :unsure:
 
That's a lot!

I tried an east coast zip code with the same parts, and the shipping was under $30, even in a single order.

I thought they'd have warehouses/suppliers on the west coast. I know Parts Authority has a nationwide reach, including the west coast :unsure:

I wonder if that's why I don't have expensive shipping issues where I live. I've ordered multiple brake pads/rotors and shipping has never been too hateful. Alot of my stuff comes from Syracuse or Long Island with the occasional parts from Ohio or Indiana. If there's different shipping vendors I always go with the FedEx option (even if it's more expensive) as they have been more reliable in my area.
 
hey critic.. I always read your posts and appreciate them even if I don't reply...(y)

but I had to jump in and tell you that rockauto just shipped some raybestos calipers to my family member for their f150 and when I get pictures I'll post them... From what I've seen looks like the warehouse from NYC (hempstead) completely ripped apart the caliper box! So bad they taped over the DIRT on the box.. what a joke! yes they were returned and order from another parts supplier.

I thought RockAuto had cleaned up their act with bad distributors shipping junk parts years ago, guess not.. Not only is RA been screwing around with the shipping costs, their warehouses leave a lot to be desired..

Critic-- not to change the subject but have you received parts from RA like I have that are just obliterated?
If it makes you feel any better that is how a lot of brake pads come in from Ford. I just got a backordered set in for a newer Super Duty from FedEx with the box open and in a random clear bag. There were only 3 pads in the box and one wasn't even for that part number.
 
I needed to purchase the following items:

(2) Raybestos 980631fzn
(2) Raybestos 980636fzn
Akebono ACT1324a
Akebono ACT1325a

If all 4 items were purchased together in a single order, the shipping charges total $55.97. The rotors would ship from one warehouse ($47.98) and the pads would ship from a different warehouse ($7.99).

However, I tested multiple order configurations and found a way to reduce shipping costs. If I split the order in the following manner:

Order 1:
(2) Raybestos 980636FZN
Shipping: $26.99

Order 2:
(2) Raybestos 980631FZN
Akebono ACT1324a
Akebono ACT1325a
Shipping: $14.99

I can save $14 on shipping ($41.98 vs $55.97).

Point is, Rockauto’s shipping calculator is flawed.
I have been going through the same thing with them. The rotors are $2 ea more from amazon but the prime shipping is free shipping from Rock is $36 including pads.
Pads from amazon are $20 a set more from Amazon but the pads alone shipping from Rock is $9. So rotors from Amazon and pads from Rock.
$20 saved buying them this way.
 
I have been going through the same thing with them. The rotors are $2 ea more from amazon but the prime shipping is free shipping from Rock is $36 including pads.
Pads from amazon are $20 a set more from Amazon but the pads alone shipping from Rock is $9. So rotors from Amazon and pads from Rock.
$20 saved buying them this way.
What about amazon prime membership fee $119?
 
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