Wal-Mart now selling auto parts

[HardbodyLoyalist]

I just spotted a cardboard display in the local Wal-Mart stating that customers can now order auto parts through the Tire & Lube Express and pick them up about 24 hours later. The bottom of the display had numerous logos of auto-part manufacturers, including Moog and Denso.

Anyone else seen this?

 

[robshelton]

I haven't seen any info on this. It could be a "Pilot" program.

 

[stephen9666]

I've also seen the display and have seen a couple posts about it, but I haven't seen any info about how it actually works or anyone trying it.

Let's just say that for a variety of reasons I likely won't be buying my auto parts there.

 

[HardbodyLoyalist]

I'm going to withhold judgement for the time being.

I will say, however, that I avoid shopping at AZ, AAP, etc. because of quality issues with their house-brand parts. I order from Rock Auto mostly.

If Wal-Mart can sell name-brand parts and undercut Rock Auto, then they just may get some of my business. Rock Auto's habit of shipping five different parts from five different warehouses is getting old.

 

[01rangerxl]

I could see this possibly working for people who can look things up themselves and come in with part number in hand, but for the large number of DIYers who need some guidance, I don't see this working out at all. I bet it ends when they end up with more returns than sales.

 

[cmorr]

Originally Posted By: HardbodyLoyalist

Rock Auto's habit of shipping five different parts from five different warehouses is getting old.


+1, and it's getting worse. I placed three items in my cart and sure enough three different locations. The parts weer cheaper then Amazon but the delivered price with or without Amazon prime (I have prime)was much lower at Amazon.

I used to order allot from Rock Auto but now after comparing prices at Amazon those types of parts are purchased there.

 

[Merkava_4]

I always like to get the part number off the store's website before
walking in the door. I don't trust those people with part numbers.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
I always like to get the part number off the store's website before
walking in the door. I don't trust those people with part numbers.


That works for BITOGers. Most people don't know the displacement of their car's engine, let alone other important info.

 

[HardbodyLoyalist]

The most interesting question is whether Wal-Mart will eventually put their parts catalog and ordering system online.

 

[daves87rs]

Can't see this lasting long...

 

[jimbrewer]

There's some fat there. So Wal-Mart zeroes in. Good for them. Used to be you paid $20 for nothingburger generic drugs. Then Wal-Mart came along. This will be harder, though.

 

[bmwjohn]

I like Rock Auto. However, I use care when ordering. As example, I check when the order is complete to see how many locations are listed, and if 1 item comes from an unusual location than the others I think carefully to see if there is an alternate product from the popular location that is similar in quality and price. There usually is. Once in a while you find there is NO alternative to ordering from the outlier, but 90% of the time I can find one from the popular warehouse source.

 

[eljefino]

I've seen this. I suspect it's for the cash crowd who they feel can't special order stuff or buy online. Remember, WM makes huge $$ cashing paychecks, doing western union transfers etc.

I would trust them to look up a part number just as well as an AZ/AA/OR counter jokey.

 

[NHGUY]

I wonder what buying group they are going thru? Peb Boys,AZ,AAP?? Cant imagine WM is handling this all themselves.

 

[eljefino]

Amazon handles it themselves, or drop ships. WM could do the same; the parts will show up at stores next day as part of a "hub run."

WM probably doesn't want Amazon to "own" this part of their vision of the future, so they are dipping their toes in also.

 

[mclasser]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
I always like to get the part number off the store's website before
walking in the door. I don't trust those people with part numbers.


True. The good thing about my local AAP is that whenever they look up a part for you, they turn the computer screen towards you so you can see what they're doing. Never gotten an incorrect part in the years I've been going to this branch.

As far as Walmart selling auto parts , yeahhh....we'll see how that pans out.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: cmorr
Originally Posted By: HardbodyLoyalist

Rock Auto's habit of shipping five different parts from five different warehouses is getting old.


+1, and it's getting worse. I placed three items in my cart and sure enough three different locations. The parts weer cheaper then Amazon but the delivered price with or without Amazon prime (I have prime)was much lower at Amazon.

I used to order allot from Rock Auto but now after comparing prices at Amazon those types of parts are purchased there.


Yes, I must remember to check out Amazon and not just reflexively go on Rock Auto and order with a coupon.

What I've noticed also is that for a small, light part from an outlying warehouse, they (Rock Auto) will charge you MUCH MORE shipping than a relatively heavy part from a closer location, possibly because they do not have a bunch of options as far as carriers go (at least they do not give US, the consumer the options).

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: eljefino

I would trust them to look up a part number just as well as an AZ/AA/OR counter jokey.

If YOU know your vehicle, yes. For people who only kind of know their vehicle, I doubt it.

I work at a chain parts store because I like it. It's one day a week now, I'm really just there to hang out, look up parts, and maybe put up some oil or something. I don't care what my sales are, I'll spend 30 minutes helping someone with their '85 C-10. Not everyone at every parts store is like that, you will encounter people that have no clue, but your odds are still better than going into Wal-Mart.

The times I have needed help in Wal-Mart, it was to check the inventory of a particular product because the stocking there is really bad, and nobody can even help me there. Wal-Mart is strictly self-service. There is no assistance other than "dis ain't my department, I don't know nuffin'".

Going into a Wal-Mart is going into a grab bag of cheap things and hoping you will come out with what you need. The only hope for the parts thing to work is to make it online with store pickup.

 

[SteveSRT8]

With apologies in advance to the folks who work there and CARE about customer service: I haven't noticed much difference between the average auto parts store counter jockey and the average discount "everything" store employee.

I guess my expectations are low...

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
With apologies in advance to the folks who work there and CARE about customer service: I haven't noticed much difference between the average auto parts store counter jockey and the average discount "everything" store employee.

I guess my expectations are low...

I find that people in independently owned part store chains really do the research if you ask them to. It is almost the complete opposite of going to Advance Auto or AutoZone.