The Limits of RA Bargains on Wiper Blades

[khittner]

I think I’ve encountered the limits of wiper blade bargain-hunting. I used to fill out RockAuto orders/shipments with a few of their bargain close-outs on wiper blades, mostly Trico Teflons and Neoform blades, for each of my four vehicles. After experiencing my second recent mid-rainstorm disintegration of a wiper blade that’s had less than a year in actual service, I think I’m bumping into the practical limits of buying, stashing, and using what are actually middle-aged rubber components, like wiper blades. I haven’t found any sort of manufacturing date, or date code, on the blades in my wiper stash, but some have been in the stash now for 3-4 years, and they were probably aged stock when I bought them. More than one set for each car, bought fresh at their non-close out price, is probably all that’s prudent to keep on hand, assuming wiper blade replacements every 12-15 months. No real use in piling up more “bargain buys” than that, it seems.

 

[eljefino]

I agree based on my own experiences. However, shipping costs on long and skinny objects sometimes make it sensible to buy two sets simultaneously.

I don't track the longevity of my blades but probably get 18 months.

 

[Nick1994]

They’re so cheap on Rock Auto, might as well replace them pretty often. I was buying cheapo wipers until last month I had an order going on Rock Auto, realized the Trico Neoform blades were $5 a piece so ordered some for the Jeep and Sonata.

Beam blades at the auto parts store are $20+ a piece.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Just buy one or two sets of Rock Auto's regular inventory wipers at a time and you will be fine. If you have more than one car, just buy one set for each car at a time.

But even with the $6 shipping, they're MUCH cheaper than any parts store, and they're still cheaper than Amazon and eBay. Two wipers plus shipping at Rock Auto is still quite a bit less than even one wiper at the store!

I wish Rock Auto would carry the US-made Trico Ultras.

 

[92saturnsl2]

I too, got in the habit of buying way more than I need at RA. I have several sets that are more than a few years old-- this occurs mostly because of having wipers on hand, then selling / buying a new vehicle. That has left me with multiple sizes I no longer have a need for. So in the end, am I really saving on wiper blades?

In the future, I'm going to only buy a set or two at a time, if I need them. This presents its own challenge however, because often just adding a wiper blade (long and skinny) causes the shipping to increase substantially-- this requires buying a few to keep the cost per blade down.

I'll find a good compromise eventually!

 

[JHZR2]

I prefer refillable wipers to replacing entire expensive blades. Easy to stash a spare in the car as well.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Originally Posted By: 92saturnsl2
I too, got in the habit of buying way more than I need at RA. I have several sets that are more than a few years old-- this occurs mostly because of having wipers on hand, then selling / buying a new vehicle. That has left me with multiple sizes I no longer have a need for. So in the end, am I really saving on wiper blades?

In the future, I'm going to only buy a set or two at a time, if I need them. This presents its own challenge however, because often just adding a wiper blade (long and skinny) causes the shipping to increase substantially-- this requires buying a few to keep the cost per blade down.

I'll find a good compromise eventually!


You have four cars listed in your sig. So the easy solution is to just buy all 8 wipers at the same time

 

[JeffKeryk]

Costco.

 

[Wolf359]

Maybe you guys expect too much from your blades. I'm happy if they last more than 6 months. And just to keep the shipping down, I usually get two sets of per car. They had Valeo once which were pretty good, the Trico ones are ok, but not as good.