Rock Auto buyer beware

[Grit dog]

If Walbro is available, that's what I get. If not, Delphi.

I rarely buy consumables online - water pumps, fuel pumps, alternators, etc. due to the PITA if you have a problem.

Bad part is, things like water pumps, fuel pumps and alternators ARE somehow considered consumables.
It's like a plague. First I boycotted buying most parts at the box store places like Autozone due to high failure rates, short lifespan. But last year went through 4....or 5, I forget, lifetime warranty alternators from Napa for a Tahoe. Bad part was the orig one was still good, except the voltage reg/rectifier went nuts. Bought a $300 Napa re-man. Was on the the road at the time, so no real choice but to just swap it out. In Canada, not that that matters. Inside of 3 months, that one did the same thing, coincidentally while driving up to Canada for the weekend. Went through 3 of them at the store before I got one that worked and it was the first "new" one but I had to re-drill one of the mounting holes because it was smashed. IMO, in general all re-man and most new parts are suspect unless you can get OE factory or high dollar aftermarket.

Electric fuel pump in the 86, looked pretty much new, couldn't have had many miles since one of the POs swapped to the big block, necessitating an electric pump. It died the day after I bought the truck and then fell apart as I was removing it....now carry a spare because those are obvious junk too!

 

[Grit dog]

And between the local Napa distribution center and 3 other parts stores I couldn't get a set of wheel bearings, seals, gaskets and washers for my 74 Jeep last weekend. Not even the bearings and wheel seals....and no fckin latex gloves to be had either (thanks Rona hoaders....).
Now, you're thinking why would I expect a store to have parts for a 46 year old axle? A. Because theres about a million Dana 30s still driving around every day, AND after matching part numbers, the bearings and wheel seals are common to about a billion other cars, including 30 years of Jeeps, Ford Rangers and some newer stuff even.
Try to buy local, end up on Amazon at 8pm ordering the stuff...

 

[80BrownK10]

Good Morning Everyone
It is with interest I read the comments from Ricko1996. I do understand how "pissed off" you must be. I use Rock Auto and have done so for 13 years now and while there should be no such thing as a new bad part and a warranty is a warranty, unfortunately times have changed and there is a lot of "crap" parts out there. With Rock Auto you have to be very careful as to what you buy and make sure it is the correct application for your vehicle, as it is hard to get refunds from them. They list their parts from "economy" meaning cheap to the more expensive brands, listed as "daily driver" and/or "premium". I try to avoid the "economy" range as you continually see brand names like "Air Tech Wells" in that bracket. That sends alarm bells running for me. I mostly stick to the "Daily Driver" bracket and with names I know and can trust, AC Delco, Raybestos, Mahle and more. They are cheaper than most of our local parts stores and unfortunately I don't have loads of money to spend. I do try to use my local spare parts store when I can as they provide an excellent service and also a lot of valuable information about the parts they are selling. As for parts being made overseas I would also like to avoid Chinese made, however can you be realistic about that? In my younger days the first after market manufacturers were from Taiwan, (Nationalist China) and they started off with cheaper parts which were good quality. Once they established themselves, the quality of the parts started to go down and the prices went up. Along comes China and does exactly the same thing. China does make good quality parts, however you must pay for them. We now have the "new" players in the after market manufactures which include India, Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil and more. In recent times I will always try my local spare parts stores first because of their good service and being able to return a part if it is defective. A lot of the big name brand suppliers do not make their parts and a good example of this is that AC Delco do not make their own spark plugs. If the AC Delco spark plug has a smooth outer ceramic surface it is made by Bosch and if it is a ribbed outer surface it is made by Champion. What you are supposed to be getting from AC Delco is "quality control" of their labeled products. Don't give up on Rock Auto they have done a lot of good for people like us, keeping prices down with competitive pricing. I don't like the way the shipping costs are added up with them, if you have a large order which comes out of multiple warehouses. Rock auto needs to adopt an Amazon approach here, ie free shipping for larger order. However where possible use your local parts stores we also need them to remain in business. I hope that you get your pump sorted out. Take care John

I have asked RA about shipping. They said they don't hide the cost of shipping in an item. They charge for the item and you pay shipping. This allows you to see the real cost of things, like shipping and the part. Don't believe that (this is what their service told me) look at my case. I priced a gates belt for the Sequoia from Amazon. Just the belt "with prime Free shipping" was let's say $20 shipped to my house. The belt at RA was say $14.99 just to ship it to my house was $3.99 so basically the belt shipped was $19. These prices are probably off a little bit. But basically it still was cheaper at RA to buy the belt and pay shipping vs free shipping at Amazon. But as I Pointed out in another thread in my case Amazon is talking three weeks to deliver my prime under the excuse of covid (when no other company needs two extra weeks to ship orders). RA had it at my house in 3-4 days. In this case I searched for other parts or items I needed at the same warehouse and ordered them to. It basically didn't change the price of shipping at all or either like $1-2 . So I got all my items cheaper than anywhere else. Also convince is a big plus for RA vs local. I don't go to town with all the stores all the time. I plan repairs or fixes when at all possible, so I can use RA. Its an hour there and back just travel time plus time in the store. And even with low prices of fuel now a days it costs me anywhere from $3-6 in fuel depending on what I drive to go to town and back. So really I don't waste almost two hours of my day and at least three dollars going to town. I love them dropping off my better quality parts at the house for the same cost at white box parts that I would have to go drive to pick up.

 

[80BrownK10]

The irritating part is it is a Universal Pump listed as a universal pump with the correct specs as listed on Airtex website, confirmed by airtex rep but Rock Auto says wrong application.Wrong application on a universal pump, hmm, what is the correct application for a universal pump. You know it's just 43.00 .I had no idea a company could be so weasel about a lifetime warrantee.Just wanted to warn others, so at least they were warned.

I agree, I'm on your side. They can't list it's a universal part, then tell you it's not the right application. I can see if you were useing it as a transfer tank pump or something, but in a vehicle

 

[80BrownK10]

Hopefully they make it right. I rarely have an issue with a part or their website. I tried returning something once and accidentally clicked that I had installed the part so it closed the return with a denial. A quick phone call later and everything was set right. Its been a few years though. Its tough buying auto parts local when the local Napa wants $47 for a serpentine belt. I stop in when there is a sale and buy some fluids and a bucket, otherwise the 20 mile drive to a box auto store just aint worth it. I like getting my parts on the porch lol.

As for avoiding Chineseium, its hard. Its almost all made there and just branded differently. As mentioned above I think what you pay for (or at least expect to) is added quality control. Maybe, just maybe, one day something will click in peoples heads that having as many aspects of design, engineering, and manufacturing as possible contained within our borders will greatly benefit the majority of the populace.

Probably not , people just like to throw stuff away. If we bring it back here they will just make throw away junk here to keep a price point. People don't want the hastle or don't have the ability to fix stuff. And with the price of labor it makes no sense to anyway. Unless the original item is made here and costs 3x as much.

Look at a weedeater. Bought at a box store for $99 . Unless you fix it yourself for $10-20 or whatever you feel comfortable putting into the item before you trash it, no one will fix a $100 weedeater who relies on a shop. To just look at something I bet they all charge $50 for the smallest thing. Then you have them actually replace a part and your $75-85 into a $100 two year old weedeater or whatever. There just going ng to buy a new one. I used weedeater here for example. Insert whatever you want to here, blender, microwave, lawnmower (cheap ones), tv, it doesn't matter.

 

[MikeB]

Yep I knew they bought close out parts. That's why I love them you get quality parts at a white box price. Some of them may be 25 years old but most of these things don't have a shelf life.

I've bought a few of their close-out parts over the years. Have a good stock of small bock gaskets -- water pump, t-stat, timing cover, fuel pump, valve cover, etc, some of which cost literally 20 cents on the dollar. Bought a USA-made master cylinder from them that was in an old, faded CarQuest box. Also a 12SI alternator. Both worked just fine, but I would not expect them to be warranted any more than parts I bought at a swap meet!

For parts that I'm not sure will fit a modified vehicle, I buy from my local O'Reilly Auto store and get a lifetime warranty.

 

[Frankenchevy]

I have asked RA about shipping. They said they don't hide the cost of shipping in an item. They charge for the item and you pay shipping. This allows you to see the real cost of things, like shipping and the part. Don't believe that (this is what their service told me) look at my case. I priced a gates belt for the Sequoia from Amazon. Just the belt "with prime Free shipping" was let's say $20 shipped to my house. The belt at RA was say $14.99 just to ship it to my house was $3.99 so basically the belt shipped was $19. These prices are probably off a little bit. But basically it still was cheaper at RA to buy the belt and pay shipping vs free shipping at Amazon. But as I Pointed out in another thread in my case Amazon is talking three weeks to deliver my prime under the excuse of covid (when no other company needs two extra weeks to ship orders). RA had it at my house in 3-4 days. In this case I searched for other parts or items I needed at the same warehouse and ordered them to. It basically didn't change the price of shipping at all or either like $1-2 . So I got all my items cheaper than anywhere else. Also convince is a big plus for RA vs local. I don't go to town with all the stores all the time. I plan repairs or fixes when at all possible, so I can use RA. Its an hour there and back just travel time plus time in the store. And even with low prices of fuel now a days it costs me anywhere from $3-6 in fuel depending on what I drive to go to town and back. So really I don't waste almost two hours of my day and at least three dollars going to town. I love them dropping off my better quality parts at the house for the same cost at white box parts that I would have to go drive to pick up.

OR...you call summit with anybody’s price, including RA and they’ll beat it

AND...it gets to your house in a day or two.

AND...I get free shipping because the order always ends up being over $99 and they always take stuff back and you already have paid return shipping printed right there on the receipt that’s in the box.

lol

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[Crispy]

Probably not , people just like to throw stuff away. If we bring it back here they will just make throw away junk here to keep a price point. People don't want the hastle or don't have the ability to fix stuff. And with the price of labor it makes no sense to anyway. Unless the original item is made here and costs 3x as much.

Look at a weedeater. Bought at a box store for $99 . Unless you fix it yourself for $10-20 or whatever you feel comfortable putting into the item before you trash it, no one will fix a $100 weedeater who relies on a shop. To just look at something I bet they all charge $50 for the smallest thing. Then you have them actually replace a part and your $75-85 into a $100 two year old weedeater or whatever. There just going ng to buy a new one. I used weedeater here for example. Insert whatever you want to here, blender, microwave, lawnmower (cheap ones), tv, it doesn't matter.

Funny you say that with the weed eater. I was in that position a few years ago. I had a craftsman bent shaft weed eater that got real gummed up and was quoted 75 to fix it. I paid less than that for it on sale. I ended up sourcing a new carb for it and fixing it myself but I could definitely see someone trashing it and getting a new one. A couple of years ago I got a quality Echo trimmer and havent had any issues. I also have an Echo dealer close by if I do. I'm not that old but I was raised to have things fixed whenever possible. Hell, I've only had 3 TVs in my life and one is still upstairs (and functioning) in the guest room. Fixed a few capacitors on the board a few years ago when it wouldnt power on anymore.

 

[80BrownK10]

OR...you call summit with anybody’s price, including RA and they’ll beat it

AND...it gets to your house in a day or two.

AND...I get free shipping because the order always ends up being over $99 and they always take stuff back and you already have paid return shipping printed right there on the receipt that’s in the box.

lol

You must be registered for see images attach

Does it have to be the exact same item. Like raybestos brand master cylinder? I didn't realize summit sold that many stock repair parts. Really been maybe twenty years since I looked vat their catalogue. And only been to their website a few times as well to price a few things. See their adds in magazines though.

 

[Frankenchevy]

Does it have to be the exact same item. Like raybestos brand master cylinder? I didn't realize summit sold that many stock repair parts. Really been maybe twenty years since I looked vat their catalogue. And only been to their website a few times as well to price a few things. See their adds in magazines though.

They stock quite a few repair items. Perfect example: my sister has a 2014 forester with a wobble I’ve found to be a LCA bushing. I told her with 100k on the car, I’ll just do both complete LCA assemblies. We found some moog ones I liked. RA is $10 cheaper after shipping than summit ($155 vs $165). I called summit to match it. They said no problem, we can beat it.

 

[Ricko1966]

1. You must be registered for see images attach
   
   RockAutoPreferred Vendor
   Hello,
   
   Could you provide me with your order number? I would like to look into your order further.
   
   I would also like to let you know that the person you spoke to at Airtex was giving you misinformation by saying RockAuto only buys and sells "closeout" parts. While we do offer "clearance" type closeout parts, they are definitively labeled as "closeout" parts. Otherwise, we purchase and obtain our parts from the exact same sources and distributors as Summit, Jegs, AutoZone, etc...
   
   Thank You!
   Flamur Adili
   RockAuto.com
   
   RockAuto, Today at 2:19 PMReport
   Quote
   
   
2. 42 minutes ago
   
   You must be registered for see images attach
   
   Ricko1966Full Access Member
   ↑
   Hello,
   
   Could you provide me with your order number? I would like to look into your order further.
   
   I would also like to let you know that the person you spoke to at Airtex was giving you misinformation by saying RockAuto only buys and sells "closeout" parts. While we do offer "clearance" type closeout parts, they are definitively labeled as "closeout" parts. Otherwise, we purchase and obtain our parts from the exact same sources and distributors as Summit, Jegs, AutoZone, etc...
   
   Thank You!
   Flamur Adili
   RockAuto.com
   Click to expand...
   Oh this is way bigger now. Someone from Rock called me back after I posted on three forums said oh, our mistake,purchase another pump and send that 1back.Okay I'm already 2 days down due to your delay but I ordered a pump. Friday for 7 dollars or Wed for 10. According to your info.I was off Wednesday so I paid extra, but you didn't ship for a day so no pump until Thursday so that didn't help. The pump that arrived had been opened taped shut pieces missing and isn't the same pump or even the right pump in the box.Looks like E8012 in an E8090 box .Tried at least a dozen times to get help from Rockauto.So I checked with the better business Bureau, Guess what you have, almost 1000 formal complaints and a bunch more that just tell everyone how shady you are.Check with BBB they 've got my complaint and alk the details
   
   Ricko1966, 42 minutes agoReport
   Quote
   
   
3. 30 minutes ago
   
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   RockAutoPreferred Vendor
   New
   ↑
   Oh this is way bigger now. Someone from Rock called me back after I posted on three forums said oh, our mistake,purchase another pump and send that 1back.Okay I'm already 2 days down due to your delay but I ordered a pump. Friday for 7 dollars or Wed for 10. According to your info.I was off Wednesday so I paid extra, but you didn't ship for a day so no pump until Thursday so that didn't help. The pump that arrived had been opened taped shut pieces missing and isn't the same pump or even the right pump in the box.Looks like E8012 in an E8090 box .Tried at least a dozen times to get help from Rockauto.So I checked with the better business Bureau, Guess what you have, almost 1000 formal complaints and a bunch more that just tell everyone how shady you are.Check with BBB they 've got my complaint and alk the details
   Click to expand...
   Hello,
   
   I hope everything works out well and you end up with the pump you need.
   
   Just like any other large retailer we expect to have plenty of feedback from customers via the BBB. Since the BBB is a private organization, and do not have any authority over retailers, please feel free to work with them as you feel fit. We will always be here to help you obtain the parts you need.
   
   Thank You!
   RockAuto.com
   
   RockAuto, 30 minutes agoReport
   Quote
   
   
4. 3 minutes ago
   
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   Ricko1966Full Access Member
   New
   You weren't there when I needed you.So why would I think you will be there in the future.5 minutes of realcustomer service would have fixed this.

 

[Frankenchevy]

I don’t feel like we should blow them up here. They are a supporter of the forum.

That being said, a phone number and a real person does complete the shopping experience for me. The day they add that and offer hassle free returns when the part is wrong or defective—I’ll be shopping there again.

I like the fact that they have an easy to navigate parts system and that their prices are the cheapest to begin with. No, I don’t like to call someone else to price match.

Them having the cajones to support Ben Shapiro in a time where cancel culture is rampant, is a big plus for me.

 

[Ricko1966]

Since Rockauto is obviously following this thread, but messaging me in private, here's my proposal, anything they have to say they can say to everyone on this forum.What I'd suggest they say is,sorry, we made a mistake, we will be happy to refund your purchase and shipping on the defective pump and the misboxed replacement pump. It's the right thing to do. I ate the defective AC/ Delco starter.I ate the plug wires and cap that didn't fit.The only time I asked for anything they made it into a big deal.

 

[Big Chip]

I saw this on Chevelle Tech too. It's too bad you got no satisfaction and had to resort to this but at least they're responding now even if it's unhelpful.

 

[80BrownK10]

I did have a belt not fit one-time. Something like it wasn't our mistake nor yours so we refund half the purchase price. This was years ago. I think it was the cheapest v belt for something probably. I was out a few bucks and went and bought local. But I remember I talked to a person.