Rock Auto

[Dibbons]

The Mexican Autozone's price their merchandise ending in ".90". So a quart of Castrol is priced at $81.90 (pesos) for example. If I pay with a $100 peso bill, the change I am given back is 18 pesos, the store always keeps (steals?) the 10 cents they owe me (and all the other customers). The equivalent marked price in U.S. dollars is equal to $4.82 and the amount they steal is equivalent of 1/2 cent US currency. I know it's a little, but it adds up and it is not honest.

 

[HT413]

what is illegal is when a manufacturer tells the stores what they will charge for their parts to the customer.

Well someone needs to mention that to Lay's.

 

[YY1]

Peso change-

That's what will happen if the penny is discontinued in the U.S.

Frito-Lay-

That's an SRP, and some stores (usually smaller discount chains) can price them differently.

I frequently buy Cheeto's "Puffcorn" marked "$2 Only" for $1.99.

 

[YY1]

Rock Auto-

I buy from them about 70% of the time unless I need it today.

I've been having good luck with O'Reily's lately especially for aftermarket performance accessories.

The Rock story is the same as the Wal-Mart story- it's textbook capitalism.

Eliminate overhead and undercut the competition.

IIRC Adam Smith (the first one) wrote a detailed analysis of what happens when labor is off-shored.

Short term gains for the "owner" class and big long term losses for the working class and society in general.

 

[Ranger16]

Kudos to RockAuto.

 

[67 coronet]

i have been doing prof automotive for 30+ years.rock auto is not bad at all.just do your research to make sure you get a quality part.they have some really cheep(both price and quality)brands.
all local big box,or other,auto parts stores thrive on having what you need right now.they know they cant compete with online.
price fixing has been going on for many years. example;MAST tires has been doing it for years. BFG/mich sent out pricing on there tires that only allowed for a very small window of change. if you are caught going outside that window,they will not sell tires to you any more.you could buy from a local vender and mark them down,but you would prob loose money.
many suppliers of parts work for many diff reasons, just pick what you need at the time you need it.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I'm very fortunate that I have a small local chain of REAL auto parts stores close by to me with good seasoned counter guys..


http://www.alliedautoparts.com/


The store I frequent is within walking distance of my office. Are they the cheapest? ...Probably not, but they don't look at me like I've got three heads when I walk in the door looking for a part for a 1968 Mopar either. I know that they will get me the best quality parts & if they don't have it in stock, they can generally get it within 24 hours, if not sooner.

 

[Bruzilla]

I'm kinda looking at this from the other angle. Folks like Rock Auto can seriously undercut the prices of bricks & mortar (B&M) stores. Those stores have limited space for inventory, while Rock Auto has unlimited space because most of their parts are either drop shipped from manufacturers or sent out from central warehouses.

I just wish all the folks who are harping about chain stores would cool their jets for a moment and remember back to what life was like before chain stores. It SUCKED! You had to go to some dusty corner shop that was filled with dusty crap, and then wait while some guy between 70 and 3,000 years old fingered through a stack of catalogs to find you part, and then tell you to come back anywhere from two days to three weeks to get your part. Then came the chain stores and in most cases we could get our parts immediately or by the close of business that day. That's service.

Yeah, online vendors are cheaper, but they are not quick. Nor are they better. They use the same inventory databases as the B&M shops, but with online shopping, when you get the wrong part, you're screwed. There is no going back to the store and getting the right one and losing an hour or two. You've got to get on the phone, get a return number, ship the thing back, and hope they get it right the next time. Perfect case in point. I needed a fuel pump for my 440. Went to O'Reilly's and got one. Got home, opened the box, and oops... it was a SB pump. Went back and found out their system showed a BB pump for 383 and 400, but a SB one for 440. I got the right pump and headed back to the barn. I lost about 40 minutes of time. If the same thing happened with an online purchase, I lose about a week.

No, B&M stores are not ideal and have their issues, but the truth is online purchasing is little better than what we had to deal with back in the day. When we needed a part RIGHT NOW back then, we were screwed. When we need one RIGHT NOW with online shopping, we're screwed. So B&M has a pretty important role in our hobby and I'm glad to see Dorman is supporting them. Rock Auto's policy is in place to protect Rock Auto's sales and not anyone else.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

I don't discount the need for stores. Yes there are "gotta have it now" parts. In which yes local retailers are great in that aspect. We have a local parts store non chain affiliated called Wildcat Auto parts. These guys are the local go to guys for obscure parts. But one day I called them looking for a neutral safety switch for a 727. I asked him do you have a nss in stock for a 69 plymouth roadrunner 383/727 his reply was I better not have one or someone is getting fired. I thought that was funny. And Oreillys came to the rescue and had one in their hands by 4 that same afternoon. So yes they do serve a purpose and are still needed. I just think the people "not all" but the employees need to be trained to think outside of the box. As many of you guys know when there is a will there is a way. While it may not be a part listed for a 1969 Plymouth Valiant that same part may be listed for a 1966 Fury. Cross referencing part numbers helps a great deal. I guess thats more on the person looking for the part. But there should be a little more knowledge to it than whats in the computer.

 

[YY1]

Who remembers "six to eight weeks for delivery"?

That was the standard until e commerce in the late 1990's.

 

[Bruzilla]

I just think the people "not all" but the employees need to be trained to think outside of the box. As many of you guys know when there is a will there is a way. While it may not be a part listed for a 1969 Plymouth Valiant that same part may be listed for a 1966 Fury. Cross referencing part numbers helps a great deal. I guess thats more on the person looking for the part. But there should be a little more knowledge to it than whats in the computer.

I think your desire is very highly unrealistic for a wide range of reasons. First, the era of THE OLD GUY who owns the parts store, and has been dealing with cars all his life, are gone. And even when you do find an THE OLD GUY in a store, who's been working with parts since he got out of high school, even if he has 30 years on the job his experience will largely date back to 1987 when a Dodge Charger was a 2.2L subcompact. Most people working in parts stores these days are going to be doing something else in six months. Heck, go to the parts counter at your local Chrysler/Dodge dealership and ask the dude there if a 69 Valiant part crosses with a Fury part and you're likely going to get the same response.

Our cars stopped being transportation a very long time ago. Now they are collectibles, part of a hobby, and supported by enthusiasts, so unless you luck out and find a fellow enthusiast working at a store, you better plan on being the only expert in the transaction.

Funny you mentioned that switch. I snapped the connectors off mine when I was pulling the connector off, and needed a new one. Called Autozone and they had one for me that afternoon.

 

[Bruzilla]

Who remembers "six to eight weeks for delivery"?

That was the standard until e commerce in the late 1990's.

I remember, and it was usually delivery to the store and not the house so I had to go out with Dad and make another trip to the old auto parts store.

 

[NJRR]

I'm kinda looking at this from the other angle. Folks like Rock Auto can seriously undercut the prices of bricks & mortar (B&M) stores. Those stores have limited space for inventory, while Rock Auto has unlimited space because most of their parts are either drop shipped from manufacturers or sent out from central warehouses.

I just wish all the folks who are harping about chain stores would cool their jets for a moment and remember back to what life was like before chain stores. It SUCKED! You had to go to some dusty corner shop that was filled with dusty crap, and then wait while some guy between 70 and 3,000 years old fingered through a stack of catalogs to find you part, and then tell you to come back anywhere from two days to three weeks to get your part. Then came the chain stores and in most cases we could get our parts immediately or by the close of business that day. That's service.

Yeah, online vendors are cheaper, but they are not quick. Nor are they better. They use the same inventory databases as the B&M shops, but with online shopping, when you get the wrong part, you're screwed. There is no going back to the store and getting the right one and losing an hour or two. You've got to get on the phone, get a return number, ship the thing back, and hope they get it right the next time. Perfect case in point. I needed a fuel pump for my 440. Went to O'Reilly's and got one. Got home, opened the box, and oops... it was a SB pump. Went back and found out their system showed a BB pump for 383 and 400, but a SB one for 440. I got the right pump and headed back to the barn. I lost about 40 minutes of time. If the same thing happened with an online purchase, I lose about a week.

No, B&M stores are not ideal and have their issues, but the truth is online purchasing is little better than what we had to deal with back in the day. When we needed a part RIGHT NOW back then, we were screwed. When we need one RIGHT NOW with online shopping, we're screwed. So B&M has a pretty important role in our hobby and I'm glad to see Dorman is supporting them. Rock Auto's policy is in place to protect Rock Auto's sales and not anyone else.

Yes, Rock Auto's policy is to protect Rock Auto, as it should be. But, they are still a great resource for parts. I only have Auto Zones and Advance Autos around me. They both had limited choices for the parts I ordered for my daily driver. It was all brake parts, rotors, drums, pads and shoes. They only had their house brands. Rock had a choice of 6-8 different brands at multiple levels of quality and pricing with detailed information that allowed me to make an informed comparison. I got my order in a few days and it would have been sooner but I placed it on a Friday or Saturday I think so shipped on Monday. The order was correct and the cheapest I found online even with shipping factored in.

I am a Brick and Mortar retailer, so I know both the need for them and the challenges they face from big box and online sellers. But, that is the nature of capitalism. New systems develop and replace old systems. That's called progress. Without it, we wouldn't be able to have this awesome online forum !!!!!

 

[OK charger]

My main gripe with ROck Auto is if I need to warranty something it can be a hassle. Usually if its my daily I'll get it at oreilys or auto zone. That way when it breaks I can be down there and back fairly quickly.

 

[BeepBeepRR]

I agree that the person needing the part should also have some knowledge of parts that will work. I don't expect Johnny 18yr old to know all this stuff. That I guess would be too much to ask for. Like a 15 dollar an hour McDonalds worker that cant get your order right. Or only half puts on your boiling hot coffee lid. I guess I expect too much from other people.

 

[Budnicks]

I don't buy much from Rock Auto...
I have bought there, been happy with all my purchases so far,
so good & they have decent selection & offer differ levels of quality...

BUT;
I'm not really a "price-point" shopper either...
{someone who shps & buys the cheapest ****}
I will buy from them if they have something, I need & I can't find...
I really buy far more from Summit Racing personally,
even for just Daily driver stuff too...
Very satisfied...
I love the service, great & secure website & shipping
no real extra expense or rarely...

I also do shop at our Local Debco/Napa
I know most all the people & most have worked their for decades now,
ol' school "knowledgeable" parts people,
"they don't just look up what the computer says, some wet behind the ears,
zit covered min wage HS kid, arrogant augmentative "know-nothing" jerk
or some young girl who doesn't know what a carburetor, is at the counter/register
& just gives up if they can't find it on the screen, or data base,
like many bigger chains stores have & all do"
& I get a sizeable discount when I shop there...
Because my dad has know the family for decades now,
I'm in there talking with them about cars, trucks, 4x4's etc.,
"like an ol' school Auto Store is supposed to be...
The daughter Debbie took it over some 15 or so years ago,
she & her husband are racers too {Roundy rounders, but know about performance parts},
real & knowledgeable car people, "you know like they're supposed to be"...
Most of the stuff on the shelves is inferior cheap ****, unfortunately,
so they can compete with Autozone & O'Reilly's & other
big chain/box lack of service, "so called" parts stores downtown....

I prefer the ol' mom & pop style parts stores,
I hate the big chain uneducated counter people,
"that if it's not in the computer it must not exist, mentality"
There are a couple of older people that will take you back
in the isles & show you stuff like the ol' parts stores use to do,
way back when...
There's another little dive on up the hill,
a service station the sells parts,
when I need some strange stuff,
for some reason he specializes in the hard to find little stuff...

----------------------------------------------------------------------

I worked for full service parts store, late 1970's-early 80's
Monument Auto Supply & machine Works {Antioch, Concord, Pleasant Hill}
as a part time job for a few years, I was a fixture in the stores
when I wasn't working one of my other jobs, racing somewhere
or going to school, always in there looking thru catalogs & ordering stuff...
{I had it shipped there & it saved me on any expensive shipping costs, I was young & on a serious budget}
I had great knowledge of performance parts/Racing & they thought
I'd be an asset to the store, they even gave me a ***. mngr. title & so on,
they also had people make appointments for me to find specific
hard to find or specialty "off road/racing" parts for them...
Because we didn't really originally stock much performance stuff,
I created a display & line of catalogs, they bought into it &
started doing it at all 4 of the stores, it was a hit for a few years...
When most performance stuff was at Performance Parts specialty
stores, back then, like;
Vic Hubbards, Service Center, Super Shops, Tognotti's Auto World etc.
Most all were mainly catalog orders, very little in stock
{especially for Mopars or Drag Racing} except display pieces &
some of the bigger national chain stores, had some stuff in stock...
It was just a way for Monument to compete, in that part of the market
& people not have to go 2-3 towns away or 100 miles away to buy
performance parts...

anyway, just figured I'd share

 

[oldbee]

I always like to have part #'s with me when I go; like budnicks,bru & others, after looking up& ordering parts for over 50yrs; how can I trust someone that wasn't even born when these cars were made( or the guy putting up the website)?!!!!