Brand is very important to me, but rockauto and Amazon have a lot of overlap there

 

I work at advance and I get people calling all the time for pricing parts. For example one customer wanted a price on Monroe quick struts. They were 210 a piece (pretty normal for those) the lady flew off the handle saying how expensive we were and said she could get them for 62 a piece online. So I nicely asked where from and she told me rock auto. I asked if she still had the page up and she did. I asked for her to add them to the cart and figure out shipping on them. Turned out she got the struts from advance because it ended up cheaper with online discount. Rock auto with shipping was the same price as my instore price.

Rock auto tends to sell shipping. I price a relay for 5 bucks with 20 in shipping. It was a standard sized relay.

 

I looks like you're saying this:

$62 rock-auto + $148 shipping = $210 your price

 

he also mentioned the online discount which can run up to 35% in some cases

 

I really like Rock Auto, but their shipping can get pretty ridiculous. I will always shop around before buying anything and will purchase from whoever is cheapest. I don't really have any online store loyalty, its just whoever has the part, in the brand I want, for the least.

 

This was more or less my point. They may sell items for pennies on the dollar compared to other companies but their shipping kills any savings.

The brake spring kit I was going to order was $1.04 at rock auto plus $8 shipping (compared to 6.99 at AZ).

Those springs should cost about $3 to ship first class.

I just don't see where the savings are. I've bought countless parts for my xj and not once has there been a benefit to buying them from RA.

 

It definitely depends on the part. I needed some outer seals for my D44 (9912S) and Autozone wanted to charge $28.99 for one (Duralast brand). Rockauto has Timken (and other fine brands as well as unknown brands) seals for $10.73 ea. They also offered 1st class shipping from this particular warehouse so shipping was $2.57. Also, if you can spell "rockauto discount" and are the least bit internet savvy, you can find a %5 off coupon. My total was $22.96 for two seals. With local tax at AutoZone, this was more than $8 less than ONE seal at AZ. For two seals, it was $40 less! Of course I didn't need them right away, so I could wait a couple days.

I almost always price parts out at Amazon as well (getting numbers from RA first). I almost always get a slightly higher price at Amazon, but with my Prime shipping, it will come faster. At least that has been my experience, this time as well. ($26 for two at Amazon)

Rockauto definitely has it's place. Oh and don't get me started on Closeout deals...

 

Thanks everyone. I wasn't picking on anyone, or on rockauto or napa. I understand what you mean, if I want to get a grease fitting or an 1157 bulb, it's not likely I will spend a lot of time worrying about the brand or shopping 5 hours for the best price.



There's nothing wrong with saving money, and everyone does that, even me.

and just because you get the best price, doesn't always mean it was cheap :-)

Once again, thanks folks. I appreciate it.



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thanks morris

 

its amazing

 

My experience with Rockauto vs local store.

Wheel bearings.
Local Parts Stores-Driveworks 73$ for 1.
Rockauto Price-Timken 153$ for 2 and at my house in 3 days.

Trackbar.
Local Parts Stores-Moog 104$
Rockauto Price-Moog 62$ and at my house in 3days.

O2 Sensor.
Local Parts Stores-NTK 63$ for 1.
Rockauto Price-NTK 72$ for both.....

 

I've been in the parts business 35 years, and it's true. But that's the nature of the business. Big chains have taken over, like everything, and well, now they sell soda, chips and decals. Why pay someone with experience when you can just get someone right off the street?

If you have a mom and pop store, some of those are quite good still. And companies like us that specialize in one type vehicle or product.

I know our sales guys would talk to Customer about Jeeps all day long if they were allowed too LOL :-)

They eat, sleep, and live the Jeep life.



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Good comparisons.

As long as the brand and part numbers are the same (as you have done) it's a fair choice. :-)




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This is addressed more to Morris than anyone else, but part of the reason I buy from RA is because I own two completely different vehicles. If I'm Jeep parts shopping online, I'm probably also looking for parts for my Camaro as well, which leads me away from specified websites like yours. However, for larger purchases like a bumper or something, I'll be looking at a website like Morris. Right now I'm actually on your site looking at dual battery options in another tab. Very tempting btw.

 

Advance auto code TRT30. 30% off entire order. Buy online and pick up at store in less than an hour. It has to be an in stock item and certain items like performance brands like holley or edelbrock are excluded. Its my go to place for most parts. I also use rockauto, amazon, autozone and the local mom and pop place too. Depending on my needs and time constraints.