How do you guys feel about Rock Auto?

[Zorba]

My problem with brick-and-mortar is simple: They never have what I need in stock. That was true 30 years ago, and its true now. I swear it was in their business model. Every damn store in Salinas, Ca was ALWAYS "temporarily out of stock". It got old. If I wanted to find "it", I had to go to Monterey or elsewhere, they might have "it", Salinas NEVER did. I have 3 auto parts stores within walking distance of my house - O'Reilly's, AutoZone, and Advance. Of the 3, Advance is the most likely to have "it", O'Reilly's the least, and AutoZone in the middle. Or I can order "it" from Warrior Woman and it arrives the next day.

Same is true of Homeless Despot. They really are not a "hardware" store. Ace may or may not have what I'm looking for; but the family run, in the same location since 1888, hardware store will. It may have been sitting on the shelf for 30 years, and you literally need a guide to take you through that warren to find it, but they have it and their prices are completely fair.

 

[Squatch]

My biggest issue with Rock Auto is the lack of customer service. When/if you have an issue- good luck is all I can say.

Unless it's a big ticket item, I still buy +90% of my auto parts (and stuff in general) locally.

To me, helping keep the local businesses open is part of being a good neighbor.

Does RA sponsor a local Little League team in your town or buy a market pig from a local 4H kid? Do they contribute anything when the local Fire Department is having a feed?
What about when you're in a bind and need it right freakin now? If the local guy shuts down, you're shit out of luck!

The ac compressor on my pickup went tits up on our way up the mountain last fall. It wasn't in the delivery area for any local parts stores, but they were still able to find someone to run it up to me.
Would RA have done that?

Are they cheaper than buying stuff locally?
Sure. Even with shipping they are still way cheaper in most cases, but in the end is it really worth it?

How much is customer service worth to you? If I buy something locally I can almost always get any issue dealt with immediately by the same guy who handed me the part in the first place.

I happen to put a lot of weight on buying locally, and also "Made in USA" because I do think it matters.

Sorry for the rant.

Cannot argue with your reasoning, but it can only go so far. Where I live, we have a plethora of automotive parts stores. AutoZone, O'Reilly's, Advanced Auto, NAPA...you name it. They're only a few miles apart from one another, and there are probably a dozen within a few minutes' drive of me. All large nationwide corporations. The last of the independent shops that I used to frequent shut down years ago (one due to charges of embezzlement by the owner). Anyway, so how much do I care to support a large corporation? Not as much as I would an independent shop. I've owned over 325 cars in my lifetime. At one independent shop, I could go into the back of the store where their inventory was and pull the part I needed myself, and come out front to pay for it. That's how often I frequented the place. But in this area and this day and age, that's all gone now. If I were to live in a small community where there was an independent shop in town, I'd be happy to support my neighbor. There are benefits to both the owner and the customer. But with the large corporations, not so much. And as for customer service, I've shared on here before how I had to explain what an American Motors automobile was to some pimply-faced kid behind the counter just so he could look up a part. Most of the employees aren't "car guys" anymore, they're just guys holding down a job. NAPA seems to be the one exception to that, however. One of the local NAPA stores has a gent named Kyle who has worked in that same store for over 30 years, and he knows his stuff.

Anyways, I'm neither arguing with nor dismissing your point, my friend. I just find that my commitment to buying local has changed with the industry. As for buying American, I still push for that whenever I can, which sadly is getting harder and harder to accomplish these days.

 

[MtPockets]

Cannot argue with your reasoning, but it can only go so far. Where I live, we have a plethora of automotive parts stores. AutoZone, O'Reilly's, Advanced Auto, NAPA...you name it. They're only a few miles apart from one another, and there are probably a dozen within a few minutes' drive of me. All large nationwide corporations. The last of the independent shops that I used to frequent shut down years ago (one due to charges of embezzlement by the owner). Anyway, so how much do I care to support a large corporation? Not as much as I would an independent shop. I've owned over 325 cars in my lifetime. At one independent shop, I could go into the back of the store where their inventory was and pull the part I needed myself, and come out front to pay for it. That's how often I frequented the place. But in this area and this day and age, that's all gone now. If I were to live in a small community where there was an independent shop in town, I'd be happy to support my neighbor. There are benefits to both the owner and the customer. But with the large corporations, not so much. And as for customer service, I've shared on here before how I had to explain what an American Motors automobile was to some pimply-faced kid behind the counter just so he could look up a part. Most of the employees aren't "car guys" anymore, they're just guys holding down a job. NAPA seems to be the one exception to that, however. One of the local NAPA stores has a gent named Kyle who has worked in that same store for over 30 years, and he knows his stuff.

Anyways, I'm neither arguing with nor dismissing your point, my friend. I just find that my commitment to buying local has changed with the industry. As for buying American, I still push for that whenever I can, which sadly is getting harder and harder to accomplish these days.

I'm with you on all of that. I live in a county with ZERO stoplights, so a little different than most.

The town I work in is a little bigger and the parts stores are most all corporate owned, but it's still small enough that everyone knows everyone.
We're also lucky that there are some good old-hand parts guys still working here. The pimply nosed kids are getting more common, though, so we'll see.

We're also seeing more of the corporate attitude where if a part doesnt sell in X amount of time they toss it out of their inventory. Like Zorba said, it's frustrating that they so often time have to order it. I make a point of telling them "No, if you have to order it in I'll just order it myself." Maybe they'll get the hint, but probably not.

 

[JMT]

I have used Rock Auto and it's roulette. No one to talk to in customer service. I prefer Summit.

 

[Irun]

Cannot argue with your reasoning, but it can only go so far. Where I live, we have a plethora of automotive parts stores. AutoZone, O'Reilly's, Advanced Auto, NAPA...you name it. They're only a few miles apart from one another, and there are probably a dozen within a few minutes' drive of me. All large nationwide corporations. The last of the independent shops that I used to frequent shut down years ago (one due to charges of embezzlement by the owner). Anyway, so how much do I care to support a large corporation? Not as much as I would an independent shop. I've owned over 325 cars in my lifetime. At one independent shop, I could go into the back of the store where their inventory was and pull the part I needed myself, and come out front to pay for it. That's how often I frequented the place. But in this area and this day and age, that's all gone now. If I were to live in a small community where there was an independent shop in town, I'd be happy to support my neighbor. There are benefits to both the owner and the customer. But with the large corporations, not so much. And as for customer service, I've shared on here before how I had to explain what an American Motors automobile was to some pimply-faced kid behind the counter just so he could look up a part. Most of the employees aren't "car guys" anymore, they're just guys holding down a job. NAPA seems to be the one exception to that, however. One of the local NAPA stores has a gent named Kyle who has worked in that same store for over 30 years, and he knows his stuff.

Anyways, I'm neither arguing with nor dismissing your point, my friend. I just find that my commitment to buying local has changed with the industry. As for buying American, I still push for that whenever I can, which sadly is getting harder and harder to accomplish these days.

I miss the days when I could walk into a local parts store and ask them to try and match a bearing or some other part. If they didn't have time, they'd let me sort through what they had. Today, at least in my area, if you can't give them a specific vehicle, they can't and won't help you. Sadly, it's only getting worse. Cheaply made parts and dwindling knowledge.

 

[Zorba]

"No, if you have to order it in I'll just order it myself." Maybe they'll get the hint, but probably not.

Probably not, I've said that many times myself to no avail.

There is "Pettigrew and Foletta" in Castroville. Another family owned shop, this one opened right after WW 2. When I lived fairly close to them, that's who I'd go to first. When I lived further away, sometimes I'd still end up there. Attached machine shop for many years too. They usually had "it".

 

[KennethS]

My problem with brick-and-mortar is simple: They never have what I need in stock. That was true 30 years ago, and its true now. I swear it was in their business model. Every damn store in Salinas, Ca was ALWAYS "temporarily out of stock". It got old. If I wanted to find "it", I had to go to Monterey or elsewhere, they might have "it", Salinas NEVER did. I have 3 auto parts stores within walking distance of my house - O'Reilly's, AutoZone, and Advance. Of the 3, Advance is the most likely to have "it", O'Reilly's the least, and AutoZone in the middle. Or I can order "it" from Warrior Woman and it arrives the next day.

Same is true of Homeless Despot. They really are not a "hardware" store. Ace may or may not have what I'm looking for; but the family run, in the same location since 1888, hardware store will. It may have been sitting on the shelf for 30 years, and you literally need a guide to take you through that warren to find it, but they have it and their prices are completely fair.

If my local parts stores don’t have a part in stock, they can typically get it from another store or the warehouse by the next day. This is for O’Reillys, NAPA, and Auto Zone. Plus their web sites have the option for me to order the part and have it delivered either to the store for free or to my house with a shipping charge.

 

[Zorba]

If my local parts stores don’t have a part in stock, they can typically get it from another store or the warehouse by the next day. This is for O’Reillys, NAPA, and Auto Zone. Plus their web sites have the option for me to order the part and have it delivered either to the store for free or to my house with a shipping charge.

All true. But by then I might as well order it from Amazon, get it the next day and pay half.

 

[carmangary]

Folks on classic car forums use NOS brake shoes, as in 30-50 year old parts, so your 9 year old shoes would be a non-issue. The shoes on my classic are at least that old, and the ones on the TJ may be as well.

NOS shoes are typically riveted. These are just bonded (glued on). I am fairly confident they would be OK if I used them but it isn't like they are NOS Mopar parts. They're just some ACDelco shoes made in China. I'm not going to waste my time installing 9 year old Chinese parts if I can just return them and get some new ones.

 

[rasband]

All true. But by then I might as well order it from Amazon, get it the next day and pay half.

I've never had an issue with Rock Auto, yet. But Amazon for specific car parts (e.g. not things like "lights") has been more miss than hit for me. So much a miss from Amazon I don't order any specific car parts from them.

 

[RHanna]

I've ordered several things from RA and never had a problem. I had a problem with powerstop parts not fitting correctly, contacted powerstop and they told me to contact RA where I purchased them. I expected a struggle but it was really easy to claim the part not fitting correctly. They had new parts to me within a couple of days and I didn't have to ship the calipers/brackets back. Sometimes their prices are significantly cheaper than anywhere else, even including the shipping charge. Even if you don't want to purchase anything from them their website has helped to find part numbers with a picture or diagram of the part.

 

[Squatch]

Even if you don't want to purchase anything from them their website has helped to find part numbers with a picture or diagram of the part.

^^^This^^^

 

[suicideking]

^^^This^^^

I do this with Crutchfield too. See what parts I need, then might buy from Crutchfield or Amazon.

 

[06TJ35's]

I can source any parts you guys might need. I just need the company to get their shit together then I can start offering parts to you guys.

I can get anything auto parts related at the same cost if not better than what you guys are finding.


It’s hard to price match Amazon though but the customer service will 100% be there.

 

[carmangary]

I can source any parts you guys might need. I just need the company to get their shit together then I can start offering parts to you guys.

I can get anything auto parts related at the same cost if not better than what you guys are finding.


It’s hard to price match Amazon though but the customer service will 100% be there.

Getting parts at decent prices isn't the problem. It is dealing with the issues afterwards that is the problem. I'm not sure I would want to have to contact you for a return or warranty replacement. I don't even know who you are. lol

 

[06TJ35's]

Getting parts at decent prices isn't the problem. It is dealing with the issues afterwards that is the problem. I'm not sure I would want to have to contact you for a return or warranty replacement. I don't even know who you are. lol

The company will deal with all that not me.

 

[BDub]

I have used RA several times for parts. My only issue with them is when ordering several parts at a time they always seem to ship from different warehouses and drive up the shipping charges.

 

[WVJeep304]

So here's a first.... I ordered some parts for my 04 Sierra from LMC & RockAuto about 2hrs ago. RockAuto already shipped! That never happens. Let's see if they get it right....

 

[macleanflood]

Tomorrow? They in your backyard and are throwing it over the fence?

I'm usually 7-10 days out on a Rock Auto order.

-Mac

 

[WVJeep304]

Tomorrow? They in your backyard and are throwing it over the fence?

I'm usually 7-10 days out on a Rock Auto order.

-Mac

Well, as it turns out, that's kind of the case lol. Just checked and it's shipping from a warehouse in Independence, OH. That's about a 3.5hr drive from me. I've never ordered anything from there that even left a warehouse that quickly, let alone was delivered so fast. I think my average experience with their delivery times is on par with yours at 7-10 days. May have gotten an order or 2 inside of a week over the years.