Rock Auto Online Parts Dealer

[RUSSELL5000]

Not sure where this goes.

Has anyone used the online auto parts retailers? I have been doing some looking and am initially partial to rockauto.com.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Wayne M.]

By far, Rock has the best website. Excellent for research. Prices are good, but shipping is stiff. Sometimes Summit racing surprises me, and big things ship cheap.

 

[GrantP]

By far, Rock has the best website. Excellent for research. Prices are good, but shipping is stiff. Sometimes Summit racing surprises me, and big things ship cheap.

That is spot on advice. Sometimes the shipping prices from Rock Auto just don't make sense vs buying local. Summit's site isn't great but usually any order over $100 ships free. I shop them both (and locally) before I purchase. I've never had any issue with either company.

 

[jgillott]

I hate to admit it, but I have become almost exclusively an online parts buyer at this point. I have used both Summit and Rock Auto as well as several other vendors, including Genos for ram specific stuff.

I can't tell you the last time I walked in to the local parts stores and they actually had what I needed in stock that was anything beyond filters or a belt. Buying online is just as quick as waiting on them to order something in.

 

[MichaelOverfield]

Not sure where this goes.

Has anyone used the online auto parts retailers? I have been doing some looking and am initially partial to rockauto.com.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

I've used many, RockAuto most recently, prior to that I used PartsGeek for many Saturn parts.. for both I got prices much cheaper, even after shipping charges than any local parts store price, BEFORE taxes.. where I live it is getting close to 10% sales tax (just under 9% right now). So in most cases shipping is about the same as local sales tax. I've also found quite a bit on Amazon.com lately. I'll check them all to select the place to buy. I have noticed that Geno's is hard to beat for specific items they stock, and they do have great customer service. The RockAuto site has what appears to be an odd interface, but it is actually very helpful in looking for parts compatibility across model years, and it shows different option groups pretty well. It was especially helpful for my dual alternator install parts sourcing where I could see the compatible parts for the 4th Gen and compare to what might be different on 3rd Gen. What I could not get there, I was able to get at moparpartsoverstock.com. I had no problems with them, shipping was fast, and they had consistently the lowest price on the OEM parts, in that case the 4th Gen brackets for the alternator, and the fan shroud.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Thanks. I have used Geno's exclusively for my truck - very good customer service, have what I need (as I have read about on here). I am asking because I am working on my Jeep Patriot, and sometimes the local store does not have - and does not seem to know how to obtain even through order. I assume that maybe if a [art is not sufficient volume in sales then they just don't carry it.

 

[mwilson]

I check several online sources before purchasing anything...

For example the Torklift camper tie down system that I just installed....checked e-trailer and Amazon. Verified part numbers needed on Torklift website first of course. Then called a few local RV dealers and one beat the online price plus had them in two days freight free.

Moral of the story, you need to check all options. Sometimes a local dealer WILL BE cheaper....

And I have also learned on Amazon to not accept all choices given when using a specific vehicle. Case in point, I needed a new fuel pump / sender assembly for the Yukon last year when I bought it. Checked online sources including Amazon by vehicle...cheapest was a couple hundred for the Delco pump and then close to another hundred for the Delco sender. Was not going to drop tank and only replace half of it, not that much fun to do...

Checked the GM sites and found a Delco part number for the sender / pump combo. Plugged that number into Amazon and they had it for just over two hundred bucks.....and it showed to fit my Yukon yet it did not show under a Yukon search....

Check, check and double check ALL options....

 

[MichaelOverfield]

I check several online sources before purchasing anything...

For example the Torklift camper tie down system that I just installed....checked e-trailer and Amazon. Verified part numbers needed on Torklift website first of course. Then called a few local RV dealers and one beat the online price plus had them in two days freight free.

Moral of the story, you need to check all options. Sometimes a local dealer WILL BE cheaper....

And I have also learned on Amazon to not accept all choices given when using a specific vehicle. Case in point, I needed a new fuel pump / sender assembly for the Yukon last year when I bought it. Checked online sources including Amazon by vehicle...cheapest was a couple hundred for the Delco pump and then close to another hundred for the Delco sender. Was not going to drop tank and only replace half of it, not that much fun to do...

Checked the GM sites and found a Delco part number for the sender / pump combo. Plugged that number into Amazon and they had it for just over two hundred bucks.....and it showed to fit my Yukon yet it did not show under a Yukon search....

Check, check and double check ALL options....

Well said, I can vouch for what you say having had very similar experiences.

 

[EDankievitch]

Rock gives you options the Local guy can't or is not able to. Just do you'r homework before you buy.

 

[Wayne M.]

Wilson opens a different angle. Hope not to get off point.
That is weather to stay OEM or aftermarket.
Example- Dodge B van stud/ biscuit engine mount. Flimsy aftermarket at $20 or Mopar with locking safety tabs for $14.

 

[BigPapa]

Mike's right, always check all options, especially on a big ticket item.

Also, he's right about Amazon. At one time in my last job I had over 100K items, motorcycle and ATV/UTV parts and accessories, listed on Amazon. I had lots of problems with folks ordering the wrong items that showed they fit their unit but actually did not. ALWAYS go to the manufacturers website and get THEIR part number for your item, THEN take their number to Amazon.

And another thing with Amazon, don't take their automatic choice, the "default" that shows up at the top right, as the best deal. Always look at the "Other Options" before adding to your cart. I never could get anybody at Amazon to tell me how the "default" is chosen. There were MANY times that I had an item cheapest, including freight, but I was not the "default" option.

 

[Wayne M.]

I'm getting ready to inspect the bearings in my spyntec hubs. The seals are specific and can only be gotten from spyntec- at least for now. Enter Geno's, I patronize them quite a lot- since they opened- and they've been a great supplier. (Tough to beat their Fleetguard prices.)I've stumped so much for them, that I've been accused of being connected to them which is not the case. Anyway since they're a Spyntec dealer, I thought they might have a line on the seals. So I send them a email asking, and I get a response from Mrs. Patton herself and that the guy who handles that line is out till today. So I give a pitch to Robin that since Geno's carries so many small replacement and hard to source Ram items, that perhaps these specific numbers may make sense. Forward to just now, and I get a response from the guy who was to get back to me, and basically he ain't going to add the item, to contact another dealer, and if I hit a dead end to get back to him.
I guess I'll call the guy who I got the kit from. I put Geno's before him and lost a couple days.

 

[Tuesdak]

Depends on the part and how long you can be without said part in the event of warranty concerns. Local parts stores including the dealer can have you covered the same or next day. Return shipping for parts that are bad, don't fit, etc. can get expensive. This said I have good luck with online Mopar parts outlets, Geno's Garage, eBay, Rock Auto... eBay sells some parts that are NLA like driver side seat covers made by an upholstery shop and control valves for variable compressors not normally available in traditional stores. Geno's and other places sell repair kits for power seats as well as improvements for grab handles...

Rock Auto is a good place to get parts cheap like oil filters if you order enough to make shipping worth it or with other parts on the order. Rock Auto is on par with a local parts store with one exception: I will not buy an AC compressor from Rock Auto as it's a hassle to return it and IMO quality is the absolute lowest on their compressor 'all AC refresh parts in one' kits. Parts quality at local chain stores is going downhill pretty fast as well to the point: "New Parts Don't Mean Good Parts." I used to get 4 seizeons compressors that were USA made, but, now the local parts store chain only carries Murray's line of Communist China made compressors. Gotta drive a little further for compressors now.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Recently bought a 2003 Camry with 30K on the clock
it had sit so long that the shock struts/springs had turned soft.
looked around at the in town auto parts for the strut spring package whole assembly easy bolt in procedure.
Auto parts houses all wanted around $110 EACH (if I remember correctly) anyway I went to Rock auto online got them both for the price of one in town.
I received the parts UPS or FEDEX within a few days bolted them in downed a couple of beers & a sandwich in a few hours

DONE AT HALF THE COST

 

[TFucili]

I did have one bad experience with Rock Auto. Bought a set of GM TBI injectors, and when they came the boxes looked like they had been buried, dug up, sold, and taken back as a return. There was stuff missing and an incorrect gasket or o-ring(can't recall). I contacted them and they were very un-helpful. I was able to get what I needed to complete the job at the local NAPA. I have lots of friends who use them regularly, so maybe it was just my bad luck.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Well, I looked up the manufacturer parts numbers and ordered from RockAuto for the front suspension on my 2008 Jeep Patriot. Prices were good and shipping was reasonable. I wonder about the quality of the parts - any web search of any parts brand name turns up good and bad reviews. I'll let know how works out.

 

[MichaelOverfield]

I did have one bad experience with Rock Auto. Bought a set of GM TBI injectors, and when they came the boxes looked like they had been buried, dug up, sold, and taken back as a return. There was stuff missing and an incorrect gasket or o-ring(can't recall). I contacted them and they were very un-helpful. I was able to get what I needed to complete the job at the local NAPA. I have lots of friends who use them regularly, so maybe it was just my bad luck.

I'd be interested to know how you contacted them? I ended up with not one, but TWO poorly "re-manufactured" 220Amp alternators (sadly the USA Remy units). I used the website to request a return, both times. It was easy, and they provided the shipping label, at no cost to me, for the return. They offer a wait until it's received to send a new unit, or you can basically order (and pay) for a new one, and they refund you the returned one when they get it. Perhaps they do better by web interactions? I normally don't go reman units, but when the cost was dramatically less than new, about half actually, it becomes hard to not give it a try. The ironically China re-manufactured Remy 220A alternators look oddly Brand NEW, and seem to be working flawlessly. The returned USA Remy remans had clearly not be done properly, one had a damaged connector, and bent pins (not from shipping) and the other had the slip rings sanded with something like 60 grit sand paper and the pulley was not new either.. I have more on that in my Dual Alternator thread, speaking of.. the Serpentine belt I got from Rock Auto at a "closeout" price (cheaper than the single alternator belt!) it was clearly one that had been sitting around for some time by the yellowing of the packaging, and perhaps a bit extra stiff from age, and to say it was difficult to install would be an understatement, but it did work. Next time I'd likely get that serpentine in with an order from Geno's their prices are very competitive.

 

[TFucili]

As I recall, after several attempts I was able to get through by phone. It did not go well. Also, bear in mind that this was a few years ago. I have not dealt with them again.

 

[MichaelOverfield]

As I recall, after several attempts I was able to get through by phone. It did not go well. Also, bear in mind that this was a few years ago. I have not dealt with them again.

Interesting, sadly I've found phone customer service is often the worst, I use it only as a last resort when all else has failed.

 

[GrantP]

I'm getting ready to inspect the bearings in my spyntec hubs. The seals are specific and can only be gotten from spyntec- at least for now.

That seems really unlikely. Call them and get the part number.