I'm seeing more an more of this

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Ya I got it cheap on Rockauto (jus an example, not a statement) I'm seeing more an more "new" parts that are just crap right out of the box. Personally I'll take lightly used OEM thank you (go figure?) I came across this an thought it may be of interest

 

[68-500]

I try to buy proven brand name from”rockauto” or other suppliers. Right or wrong I blame cheap Chinese merchandise for the backslide in quality or the past couple decades. Even quality manufacturers have to cheapen their products to compete with the low prices. I will buy quality over cheap!

 

[#41]

It's not necessarily a new issue, just newer suppliers. At it's worst for me .... In the 90's I replaced the starter in my Volare 3 times in a week. One did not work at all and two failed wihtin a day or two. Thankfully the car was a manual. The same year I replaced my elderly neighbor's water pump twice in one day. Both leaked out of the weep hole immediately after installation before the third one worked.

 

[Takoctopus]

One of these days I will have to start using those pages that tell you how to rebuild the water pump and how to rebuild the starter. The parts we get now a days are just junk. They even go bad sitting in the box waiting to be installed.

 

[Budnicks]

Price point shoppers, deal hunters, all seem to have most of the issues,
(cheapskates, even in some cases but not all)
it seems they all want quality parts, "with cheap prices",
"praise the lord just pay the real price for some good parts"

it's not new, been around since I started building stuff 50 years ago too
some are worse than others, back when it was mail order
or even actually going into a brick & mortar, real speed shop to purchase parts
don't really exist many places anymore
I buy mostly from Summit Racing & when you have an issue
then their customer service is "bar-none by far the best",
never had an issue when even I messed up, they made it good
& I get most of my stuff in 2 days if it's in stock, rarely pay any shipping
& I'm located rural, Sierras

many are clones/counterfeits or reproductions of the real parts,
not really the name brand, especially buying over Fleece-Bag or Ama-zoo
cheap price point crap, all over the place

Walmart Shoppers blue light special on isle 5

Just stick with reputable 'Made in USA' brand names, from US Owned buss.s
get quality products, with good reputations, good/great reviews,
especially today -www- world, it's a lot easier to research them
everyone has an opinion, some weight higher in value, depends on who/whom
maybe or probably will cost a bit more, but you get what you pay for
not as many hassles either, or crap parts

I've had issues with coils brand new ones **** out of the box
you'd think they get their sh*t together,
not buy foreign junk to sell for a few dollars more profit
(MSD Blasters)

I'm the type
I'd rather pay $50 more (or more if the part is a big, expensive part etc.)
than to have to go thru any of that BS, wondering if it's going to last
or even going to work out of the box without any issues

That mantra, served me pretty damn well the 50-55 or so years
I've been dealing with cars/bikes etc.

don't build by committee,
by (or buy) group think, do your own due diligences/research
it will pay off in the long run

(not directed at anyone specific here)
Everyone wants a good deal, but then complains about cheap parts...