General Parts Question

[Manswame]

So obviously there are more players in the game but generally speaking, locally available parts are from one of 4 manufacturers besides napa brand: AC Delco, Cardone, Raybestos, and Centric. I try to go Napa brand as much as possible but sometimes they get a wild hair up their ass and decide their parts are plated in gold and are unreasonably out of my budget. So, in a pinch and you had to choose from one of those 4 manufacturers, who would you choose? I usually go with AC Delco or Cardone because from my experience they've been around longer but I didnt know if anyone had some insight...

 

[Arkansas_V8]

Go with lifetime warranty, then it doesn't matter.

 

[73c20jim]

I also use O'Riellys and Autozone.

 

[RoryH19]

Same here, Autozone and O'Reillys .
Sometimes Advance.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

I’ve found that NAPA’ll sometimes have something whenever the others don’t. For instance, I needed the little tool that extracts and installs the shift linkage seal on a THM transmission. No one had it, and I don’t know if ordering it was even an option, but NAPA had it (albeit coated in dust). To me, they excel there, but I’ll otherwise go to the other guys. Plus, they’re open seven days a week till ten or eleven depending on where you are, and the NAPA where I am closes at 5:30, 2:30 on Saturday, and closed Sunday.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Cardone kinda sucked for a good while, I’m not sure if they still do but we had quite a bit of problems with them at my uncles shop

 

[82sbshortbed]

I prefer Napa too but, have used the others time to time. Napa guys seem to have more knowledge than the other stores in my town At least.

Bought front rotors from AutoZone and they went **** in 6 months. Bought some from Napa and they were still on the truck when I sold it. Better quality for sure.

 

[75gmck25]

I usually go to RockAuto first, since they have the parts grouped into different "grades", and I can see the price increase as you go from Economy to Daily Driver to Premium. However, the shipping adds up if you are buying only one or two parts, which removes any price advantage compared to local prices.

Locally I usually end up at Autozone (good hours and easy to get to), or NAPA (hours not so good, prices sometimes higher). O'Reillys does not have stores near me, and Advance Auto Parts seemed to have given up stocking most parts for older vehicles.

Bruce

 

[Arkansas_V8]

I usually go to RockAuto first, since they have the parts grouped into different "grades", and I can see the price increase as you go from Economy to Daily Driver to Premium. However, the shipping adds up if you are buying only one or two parts, which removes any price advantage compared to local prices.

Locally I usually end up at Autozone (good hours and easy to get to), or NAPA (hours not so good, prices sometimes higher). O'Reillys does not have stores near me, and Advance Auto Parts seemed to have given up stocking most parts for older vehicles.

Bruce

I used Rock Auto, until they sent what seemed like someone else's order(Honda stuff?), and I had to pay to ship it back.

They then sent me a part similar to what I originally ordered, same with shipping.

Third time was a charm, and about principle (already had the part from Autozone by the time the first parts were shipped back).

Haven't spent a dime with them since.


They recently posted in they're vendor account about brakes. I asked for guarantees about right parts, and shipping back, no response.

 

[RecklessWOT]

I really like NAPA, but almost never use them. You'll usually find me at Advanced instead.

I agree NAPA's parts are usually good quality and they really seem to know their stuff more than the kids working at Advanced or Autozone. But their prices are insane and most banks have better hours than NAPA does.

Really any parts store is fine, just don't buy the really cheap crap. They'll usually give you several options, there are a few different quality/price range options available. Obviously if you buy the bottom of the barrel for half the price of everything else it's not gonna last.

 

[Arkansas_V8]

I use the Autozone App. That way I have a part number when I walk in. They just hire all willy nilly now. They dont understand anything the computer doesn't say.


Here lately Advance has been emailing me the better deals. Like 20% off anything, online only, but can be picked up in store.

Autozone counters with 20% off $120 or more. Free Shipping, online ship to home only.

Dont keep up with oreilly. Around here they are pretty rude.

 

[Backfoot100]

I get most stuff on the line. I get what I really want as long as I plan ahead and prices are usually much folder then anything locally.
On the instances when I need something now or I forgot about ordering I go to a little two man speed shop who really know what they're talking about. They're also a very good machine shop which is highly beneficial.
Napa is next in line but their quality is getting much less then it used to be but the people behind the counter are fairly good.
Autozone is only good for taking my waste oil to.
Advance auto is good for light bulbs. O Reilly is good as a last resort if I'm desperate as the guys behind the counter at least seem to know what they're talking about.

 

[MikeB]

I buy a lot from O'Reliiy. If I buy the wrong part or simply don't like it, it's a no-brainier to return or exchange it (which I've done at least a couple times). My truck's radiator, alternator, and power steering pump have lifetime warranties, and probably cost only 10%-15% more than they would have thru Rock Auto.

But I get things like disc brake pads & shoes (Wagner in my case), wiper blades, oil filters, hoses, bulbs, etc. from Rock Auto, unless the savings are negated by shipping charges from multiple warehouses.