Spark plugs from RA ‐‐ aka the lesson I never learn

[D60]

I need to remember to not order large items from RA along with spark plugs. Here they put two CV axles, a box of brake pads and spark plugs in a huge box.

This is not the first time they've done this to me.

In hindsight I may have only myself to blame. I was initially excited it all came from the same warehouse but their pickers are not trained to care about small items in with large, heavy items.

The two rules I need to learn for myself:
1) order plugs alone or only with other lightweight items like seals or coil boots
2) failing #1, order plugs only in quantities of four because the boxes of four stand a far better chance than individual plugs.

Learn from my stupidity!

 

[Exhaustgases]

Its just more cost effective and less hassle to get spark plugs local. You get to inspect before you walk out the door, and if something is not right, the exchange is very easy. Did any of yours get broken? I would not trust them.

 

[Nukeman7]

At least your DENSO spark plugs have the plastic protection collar around the electrodes. I learned the same lesson earlier this year when I ordered 6 spark plugs and a radiator from Rockauto. They opened up the factory radiator box and dropped a four pack and 2 loose NGK plugs into the box. The radiator arrived with scratched and dented fins from the loose plugs bouncing around the carton!

 

[Chris142]

the plastic protection collar around the electrodes.

Those are made in Hesperia,Ca. Small family company about 5 miles from me makes them and sells them to Denso .

 

[Exhaustgases]

Those are made in Hesperia,Ca. Small family company about 5 miles from me makes them and sells them to Denso .

Gee with all the restrictions in Ca I can't believe that anything is made there?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

the protective plastic sleeves keep them safe

 

[Wolfshead]

Did you get a R/A Magnet anyway ?

 

[D60]

Those are made in Hesperia,Ca. Small family company about 5 miles from me makes them and sells them to Denso .

"So, whaddya do for work?"

"OH well we make spark plug condoms."

"Huh."

 

[oilboy123]

I don't know if the shipping people don't care, at Rock Auto. Pretty sad...... package handling comes into play as well.

About 20 yrs ago I worked in San Diego for my sister and her husband at an ROV manufacturing company. I was helping her with some complete remote operated vehicles that were in rolling cases. One of the systems was lifted from the ground to the UPS gal. She rolled it some, like if you were using a dolly on two wheels. Then she just dropped it, bang!

So one end of the case was dropped about 2 ft. My gaze went to my sister who then looked at me. I was shocked, but not shocked.........
Some of the systems were over $150,000. A fair amount of electronics with motherboards, and other sensors making up the vehicle.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Reminds me of an order from Scamazon or Walmart. They pull the same stunts. Walmart packaged 4 bottles of drain opener along with liquid protein shakes. That was smart. Maybe use 2 boxes next time Walmart ?!?! Thankfully, nothing was leaking. The box was so heavy, it busted apart and Fed-Ex had to tape it all back together. Sheer stupidity.

 

[JWC86]

Recent order of mine from RA, brake pads and air filter shipped together. Rather than put the heavy brake pads for a 1 ton truck on the bottom and the air filter on top they just threw it in there. End up with some of the pads on top of the air filter.

Air filter crushed pretty good on the one side. They are going to send another I guess.

For anyone that has seen those motorcraft boxes they know they are very thin and have zero structural strength

 

[Dave9]

I don't get it. Why no pics of damaged plugs?

Were they even damaged?

 

[50yr Street Mech]

The people packing this stuff are making minimum wage. Do you think they care about anybody's order ? They just wanna do their shift and go home. No pride in people's work anymore., even something as packing a box. I would have put more air packs or paper wrapping in there. Takes a beating during shipping.

 

[The Critic]

Yep - if your order spark plugs from Rockauto, combine your order with other small, light items. Drive belts and Cabin Air Filters are good companion items.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Its just more cost effective and less hassle to get spark plugs local. You get to inspect before you walk out the door, and if something is not right, the exchange is very easy. Did any of yours get broken? I would not trust them.

NGK's for my Nissan's are $9 cheaper each from RA vs AAP. Just ship them alone or with other small parts. My last order was coils, plugs and a couple filters. No issues.

If I am ordering heavy things from RA I order them separately. They usually show up half out of the box already.

You sort of have to be the one on the ball buying from RA because they are not.

 

[Exhaustgases]

the protective plastic sleeves keep them safe

Yeah those polluting cancer causing plastic fumes. In Ca ??

 

[Exhaustgases]

NGK's for my Nissan's are $9 cheaper each from RA vs AAP.

Not when ya pay $40.00 for shipping zero savings there.

 

[John105]

I do recall getting 6, and 4 were in a box, and 2 were loose....I hate oil filters that come out of their boxes. You do illustrate that RA suppliers don't really pack things properly....

 

[John105]

Not when ya pay $40.00 for shipping zero savings there.

Usually my stuff is $11.99 for shipping. So I order everything at once, until the shipping goes up to the next tier, then I back the last itme out. Just imagine how heavy the muffler and pipe are, and they plus everything else are shipped for $11.99 via FedEx.

Then, the discount almost negates sales tax (5% vs 6%).

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Wait a sec. RA does not offer free shipping ????? I'm not a member, so I don't know. Walmart is $ 35 and over free shipping, then you have Scamazon's Prime ( really not free shipping ). Please enlighten me. Will be becoming getting an RA account shortly. unless otherwise informed. No free shipping. No account. That's why I like E-Bay. Most stuff is free shipping. Although, lately, E-Bay has become a Ghost Town. Wonder if Executive Orders had anything to do with that ???????