I was browsing today, and saw that their motor oil selection is quite expensive. The only oil I would spring for is the ACDelco for 19 a jug. Thats the cheapest jug? Keep in mind I used the menu filter for my Trax (dexos 5w30).
Why is oil on RockAuto so expensive?
- Thread starter hardcore302
- Start date
How many angels dance on the head of a pin?
Who knows?
Who knows?
I can't imagine a lot of people buy oil there. So they don't have a lot of volume and do not get volume discounts.
I'm guessing they don't sell too much oil because they don't have as great of shipping rate agreements as Walmart and Amazon do, and no one wants to pay the full retail price of shipping for a heavy oil jug, and since they don't sell that much they're probably getting it off a distributor or having it drop shipped from a distributor and you're paying to buy it from a distributor that adds their markup in between Rock Auto and the Manufacturer or even if they're getting it straight from the Manufacturer I'm sure they don't push anywhere near the volume Walmart or Amazon do and they have nowhere near the power to bully their suppliers down to such low price level.
Not sure I have looked into the oil too much, but I did get a good deal on AcDelco Dex VI tranny fluid at $2.49 a quart a while back. The way they usually charge for shipping, i'm not sure it makes sense. I got the tranny fluid with an order only because it just added $2 to my shipping. Can't imagine how much it would have been by itself.
...shipping I would presume.
RockAuto doesn't stock anything, they are more like Amazon marketplace than regular Amazon. If you order something, it could be from any of their partners. RockAuto just offers an on-line outlet for other wholesalers/retailers. That's why everyone sees pieces of their orders come from all different locations. I'm sure that the oil prices reflect the true cost of shipping. You just need to find your oil where it's priced competitively. (Like Walmart)
I love bullying on my behalf when it comes to the price I end up paying for something.
It's not their bread and butter..
I look at their oil prices with amazement, and then it occurs to me that if nobody bought it, they wouldn't stock it. The fact that anyone buys it there amazes me too. But, some folks prefer the parts store shopping experience over fighting the dummies at Walmart or going the Amazon route.
Maybe they sell quarts for people that need top off, I dont know. A while back, I checked few manufacture dates on M1 bottles and it was 3yrs+… I dont think they move it much
I always laugh at the oil "deals" they try to promote. I've noticed no one in these stores like their once was years back. Wonder why...
There's more ability to shop around now, and most people buy parts online, the stores mostly serve as hubs to service commercial accounts and the occasional person that's desperate for a part same day.
People in 90s used to buy oil in these kinds of stores, then we got amazons and walmarts. I doubt they move much oil
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
I saved like $300 on Bilstein B6 struts and shocks on RockAuto. Also, I am upgrading brakes on BMW and they were only one that had very specific rear rotors for E90 328 performance package going for $45 a piece compared to $175 per piece Zimmerman.
GON
$150 Site Donor 2025
I purchase Liqui Moly transmission fluids (big jug)for F350s on RockAuto and the price is by far the lowest around. Not sure why oil is not competitive at RockAuto.
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