Speaking of Auto Part Stores I'll share my experience.

[quardt5]

I occasionally work on cars at home other than my A's . I purchase everything from Advance Auto (On-Line) and in an hour it is ready for pick-up. This car needed shocks and struts. One strut (less the spring) was $97.00 and the two rear shocks were $60 for both, with tax was around $275.00 total. I visit https://www.retailmenot.com/view/advanceautoparts.com
and look for the best coupon code. By splitting up the order and making three purchases of more than $100.00 each I was able to get a $40.00 discount on each purchase. I needed to add some misc. items, I use around the garage for example Shop Towels, Carb Cleaner to bring the rear shocks up over a hundred dollars. I then charge my customer the price they would have paid had they gone to Advance and reduce my labor by the discounted price and I look great for not charging them so much. We all could use some information to save a little money.

[iverson]

thanks for the tip! its always nice to save money! a few months ago I had a job to put a fuel pump in a 99 monty carlo I priced the fuel pump at the auto parts over 200 bucks! I got one on e-bay for 18.00 free shipping and a lifetime waranty from china! it took 10 days to get here but it works fine I dont know what the waranty is worth but the auto parts one was made in china also

[H. L. Chauvin]

Deals everywhere if we care to look:

I notice sometimes our local Wal-Mart has a big sales sticker on two (2) items like, (2 for $16.98).

Then immediately adjacent to this pair of items is one (1) single, exact same item for $6.43.

In telling this recently to a sales stocking clerk, she replied, "I know, we are trying to sell our overstocked items and this helps to get rid of them."

Just remember ...... these types of clerks and customers are for real!

[1931 flamingo]

Yeah, but how about the "dolts" that buy the twofers, remember they can also vote................
Paul

[SeaSlugs]

if I dont need the parts right away rock auto is your friend. Bought both front hubs for my blazer for $100 shipped vs cost of one from Orileys for 120+ tax... I always use advance autos order online and save money deals haha. About the only way someone can compete nowadays. Going to be less and less brick and mortar stores every year.

[holdover]

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Advance is pretty good with their discounts, but I always check Ebay. Example needed a fuel pump for my 2005 Miata all the local parts stores wanted big bucks, got one from ebay for 15.00 shipped from USA but made in china, company had 20K positive reports, been working the last 3 years..

[Tom Wesenberg]

I've heard so many bad reports about Airtex fuel pumps, that I don't dare try one. I don't know if you got an Airtex or not, but I will hold off buying from them until I hear several good reports.

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I've heard so many bad reports about Airtex fuel pumps, that I don't dare try one. I don't know if you got an Airtex or not, but I will hold off buying from them until I hear several good reports.

yes they are junk right out of the box - longest I've heard of one lasting is about 4 months...

fuel pumps are one of those parts your better off just sucking it up and buying OEM...

[old31]

Originally Posted by quardt5

I occasionally work on cars at home other than my A's . I purchase everything from Advance Auto (On-Line) and in an hour it is ready for pick-up. This car needed shocks and struts. One strut (less the spring) was $97.00 and the two rear shocks were $60 for both, with tax was around $275.00 total. I visit https://www.retailmenot.com/view/advanceautoparts.com
and look for the best coupon code. By splitting up the order and making three purchases of more than $100.00 each I was able to get a $40.00 discount on each purchase. I needed to add some misc. items, I use around the garage for example Shop Towels, Carb Cleaner to bring the rear shocks up over a hundred dollars. I then charge my customer the price they would have paid had they gone to Advance and reduce my labor by the discounted price and I look great for not charging them so much. We all could use some information to save a little money.

Very clever.

[Quigley1930]

How about a simple starter for a 12HP Kohler engine that the dealers want $360.00 and can e bought brand new on eBay for about $60.00

Sewall

[scrapiron]

^^^ that sounds like the GREEN & YELLOW store
I bought a used JD mower,, the dealer wanted $$40.00$$ for the OWNERS manual.

[Alaska Jim]

scrapiron, you can probably download that manual off the internet for free. There are many sites that have them, maybe not for JD products though . I bought a used troybuilt riding lawn mower for my place in Texas, and got the owners manual and a parts manual for free ( well I had to pay for paper and ink ), just download off the net.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

if I dont need the parts right away rock auto is your friend. Bought both front hubs for my blazer for $100 shipped vs cost of one from Orileys for 120+ tax... I always use advance autos order online and save money deals haha. About the only way someone can compete nowadays. Going to be less and less brick and mortar stores every year.

Old thread, but just now saw it. Everyone has their favorite parts vendor. My local mechanic who I use because of his reputation and because I have never had an issue with his work for the past 15 years, told me to avoid Rock Auto. They get a lot of seconds for cost reasons, and also get a discount by purchasing large lots of seconds. He refuses to use them. He said he tried them and returned some parts, and had some parts fail. Also said you get what you pay for. Your experience may vary,

[54vicky]

they buy a lot of closeouts not necessarily seconds.been buying for years no problems.even with shipping cost is way less than major aftermarket stores here.an old post but still relevant info regarding RA

[fastroadster]

Sorry Guys...... anything mfg. in China goes back. Doesn't matter if it's cheaper. I will find a way either repair it myself or find a used part that will get me by until I get a replacement. Retired and I can wait.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

if I dont need the parts right away rock auto is your friend. Bought both front hubs for my blazer for $100 shipped vs cost of one from Orileys for 120+ tax... I always use advance autos order online and save money deals haha. About the only way someone can compete nowadays. Going to be less and less brick and mortar stores every year.

Agreed.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by fastroadster

Sorry Guys...... anything mfg. in China goes back. Doesn't matter if it's cheaper. I will find a way either repair it myself or find a used part that will get me by until I get a replacement. Retired and I can wait.

I agree with this. I try very hard to find US made parts. Funny thing is a lot of OEM Honda and Toyota parts for our daily drivers are made in the USA.

[1928Mik]

Always good to save money, but the local Advance just turned me off not knowing a Taurus from a Civic & always trying to sell you tire pressure gauges or car scenters. Luckily tho, we have one old-school car parts store left in the area where you can walk in, sit down on stools, with a few light bulbs lit and parts and fan belts hanging from the walls just like the old days.. The guys there know cars and parts. If they don't have it, they'll get it in fast and they do offer fine discounts for regular accounts. I'll probably have to resort to online if they ever shut down...

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by 30 Closed Cab PU

Old thread, but just now saw it. Everyone has their favorite parts vendor. My local mechanic who I use because of his reputation and because I have never had an issue with his work for the past 15 years, told me to avoid Rock Auto. They get a lot of seconds for cost reasons, and also get a discount by purchasing large lots of seconds. He refuses to use them. He said he tried them and returned some parts, and had some parts fail. Also said you get what you pay for. Your experience may vary,

Sometimes mechanics avoid a vendor because their markup to the customer is not large enough ? I have bought from Rock Auto many times with no disappointments. I don't care how they get their parts as long as what I buy from them is high quality. Everything you hear is not the gospel.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

Sometimes mechanics avoid a vendor because their markup to the customer is not large enough ? I have bought from Rock Auto many times with no disappointments. I don't care how they get their parts as long as what I buy from them is high quality. Everything you hear is not the gospel.

This was not a price issue He said they were priced fairly, usually a little more on the inexpensive side in comparison to the local Auto Parts suppliers, and of course the car dealers. It was the quality of the parts. After having vehicles returned where replaced parts had failed and he had to eat the replacement costs, he does not use them.



He may have been mistaken on the seconds vs closeouts which was pointed out, however he still experienced quality issues. I have gotten to know him quite well, and have known his family for 25 years.
He is an honest, trustworthy and skilled mechanic. Stays so busy he is usually booked at least 3 weeks ahead, but leaves fill in gaps for emergencies.



Like I said, your experience may vary.

[redmodelt]

Never mind, I know I don't! LOL

[updraught]

Rockauto usually have a range of manufacturers. For example drive belt brands for my everyday car:

Dayco
Roadmax
Cadna
Ultrapower
Continental
Gates
Bando
Contitech
Acdelco

I got a Continental timing belt kit and it arrived in about four days. Wrong kit, they paid to ship it back. I gave them the shipping number and they sent the right one in three days. This is half way around the world. I did my homework and I don't think I can go wrong with Continental. As postage is a big deal I can mix and match parts to keep costs down.
However, with steering ball joints I let a local mechanic choose. He knows which brands fail. And fail they do. Having a ball joint let go isn't much fun.

[DavidFerguson]

My car used to heat up and the coolant system of my car was not working properly, I usually buy the car parts from Parts Pit Stop. But it was expensive. So I got to a website https://www.dealmecoupon.com/parts-pit-stop-promo-codes and got 10 % off.

[Alaska Mike]

Fewer and fewer brick and mortar stores.... Wonder why that is? Must be because of all those guys buying on line.

We own a small brick and mortar store. Swimming pool store. My motto, "You can always beat our price, but you will never beat our service."

That is why I get at my parts at my local auto parts store. The guy behind the counter knows his stuff. Warranty issues are taken care of over the counter, not through the mail. I walk in with the defective part, and walk out with a new one.

He is also the guy I meet in the grocery store. The guy that supports the local sports teams. The guy that donates to the local food drive, the cancer walk, the soup supper for the family that just lost their home in a fire.

So go ahead, call Rock Auto or whoever you have been using, and then ask them to support some local projects. See how far that gets you.....

[garyjohn]

Here is my experience. Needed a fuel pump for 89 Toyota p/u. went to Napa it was over 200 for it. Got it on line for just 0ver 100. The exact same pump made by Boish. ( I think that's the way you spell it)

[updraught]

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Originally Posted by Alaska Mike

We own a small brick and mortar store. Swimming pool store...

If you're running a swimming pool store in Alaska you'll need all the local support you can get.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

[QUOTE=Alaska Mike;1907916]Fewer and fewer brick and mortar stores.... Wonder why that is? Must be because of all those guys buying on line.

We have too many. A couple of them are worthless, counter people do not know much, and just blindly read info off their computer screens. I have gotten info from the locals here not to use a couple of them. Guys getting rebuilt generators, water pumps, , etc bad out of box. Town of 20,000 and 4 chain stores and the local owned store that has been here since I moved here in 1978.

[shew01]

[QUOTE=30 Closed Cab PU;1907972]

Originally Posted by Alaska Mike

Fewer and fewer brick and mortar stores.... Wonder why that is? Must be because of all those guys buying on line.

We have too many. A couple of them are worthless, counter people do not know much, and just blindly read info off their computer screens. I have gotten info from the locals here not to use a couple of them. Guys getting rebuilt generators, water pumps, , etc bad out of box. Town of 20,000 and 4 chain stores and the local owned store that has been here since I moved here in 1978.

About a year and a half ago, I tried to buy a rebuilt carburetor for my 1965 Mustang from our local O’Reilly’s. It took me 3 carburetors to find a useable one, and it still isn’t quite right.

Local Model A parts are essentially nonexistent in my area. Online is my only source of Model A parts, but Bratton’s and Snyder’s have been great.


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[Alaska Mike]

I must agree with most comments here when it comes to Model A parts. Catalogs and on line are usually your only option.

But I have a cousin that owns the local Carquest. The business has been in his family for 60 years. Even he will tell me that even the big names in parts have several "grades" of parts. They had to, to stay competitive. So to say you have a Bosh or a Monroe for example, does not guarantee you are getting the same quality for a much lower price. He showed me a Monroe shock absorber a guy brought in, in the box. Same part number as the one he had on the shelf. Did not even look like the same, in any way, once you took them out of the box.

Point being, manufacturers are also playing this game. If you think you are getting the same thing, for a much lower price, you might be, but you probably really aren't.

Oh, and by the way, I go by Alaska Mike because I spent 18 years there, but I live in Iowa now....

[Jeff/Illinois]

I firmly believe in supporting the local businesses any time you possibly can like Alaska Mike.

Our local Ford dealer, like most dealerships, sponsors and donates so much time and money to local groups, the Scouts, the schools, food pantry, etc. etc. it only makes sense to support them. Why wouldn't you?

Try going to AutoZone, Pep Boys, O'Reilly's, WalMart, and on and on and see just what they will do to support your community.

Good luck.

[shew01]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

I firmly believe in supporting the local businesses any time you possibly can like Alaska Mike.

Our local Ford dealer, like most dealerships, sponsors and donates so much time and money to local groups, the Scouts, the schools, food pantry, etc. etc. it only makes sense to support them. Why wouldn't you?

Try going to AutoZone, Pep Boys, O'Reilly's, WalMart, and on and on and see just what they will do to support your community.

Good luck.

I like to support local businesses when I can.

I’ve have had very mixed dealings at my local Ford (and Honda) dealers. The Honda dealer is a crook, suggesting to replace parts early and suggesting work that does not need to be performed. (The actual price is always more than the quoted price, sometimes three times the quoted price.) I’ve faired somewhat better with the Ford dealer, but the Ford folks have done exactly the same thing. Labor rates are quite expensive at both.

Sadly, a true local, knowledgeable, trustworthy garage is mostly a thing of the past. So, I try to do most of my repairs myself. Parts are seldom manufactured or warehoused locally, regardless of where you purchase them.


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