rock auto

[Joseph36]

Had my first bad experience with Rock Auto today. I have been getting parts from them for a couple of years now; always low prices and great service. I tried to send back a belt tensioner, ( it has been past 30 days), they would not credit my account. The problem is there is a great deal of play in the pulley bearing , I took it apart after they refused and there it was, a junk chinese bearing with a lot of play in it.

 

[Griff93]

I've only ordered from them once and will not again. I bought brake pads, rotors, and a wear sensor. The pads squeak, the hole for the rotor retainer screw doesn't line up, and the wear sensor was to short to be routed correctly.

 

[jabberwoki]

I've heard this from a couple of sources so i just quote their prices to my local store and they usually come very close.

 

[Commando]

My buddy owns a Napa store and uses them all the time to find parts usually doesn't buy, but what he says you got to be careful of is the part numbers. Sometimes there would appear to be assumptions made that if the part is for a particular engine that it will fit all cars with that engine, for example.

I have only had good experiences with them usually on shocks, but they should by no means be the source of truth I always double check that the particular part will fit the application for the reason mentioned above.

 

[madmikeee]

I have ordered many times from Rock Auto and they always had the exact parts for a GREAT price. Just did the brakes on the wifes van all 4 corners and they are FANTASTIC. Of course I had to buy my own "anti-squeak" but anyone who does brakes semi regularly should have that on hand anyway.

For the people complaining about the quality. Rock Auto usually sells many brands, you cannot bash the supplier for the lack of quality of the manufacturer. I have never had a bad part number or anything and will 100% do more business with them in the future.

 

[db130]

I'd say their customer service is pretty good.

I did have an issue one time when i ordered a part with a part number 12345 and they kept sending me part 12534(not exact numbers but you get the idea, a transposed number). After they sent me the wrong part the 2nd time, they refused to TRY to send me the right part a third time. They told me to keep the 2 wrong parts and that they would issue me a refund. I had to email their general manager to(email address retrieved from google) to get them to send me the right part(which they eventually did). The GM still issued me the refund for my troubles.

That was over three years ago and I still buy from them from time to time.

 

[allinon72]

I love Rock Auto. I find them to have low prices plus forum discounts usually take care of shipping (which is a little high I admit).

Only problem I had was a serpentine belt which they had labeled and pictured wrong. They let me keep the incorrect belt and just sent me the one I wanted.

 

[lilredex]

Rock Auto might be great for most of you guys, but for us "outta towners" it only looks good on the surface. They ship from multiple sources and for us it is $25 a pop. Checked out a few things the other day that were under $35 total, but shipping from four different places it would have cost in excess of $100 just for the shipping. Did not order as you might expect.

Can do much better locally.

 

[93sr20det]

As long as you can keep everything coming out of 1 warehouse it seems to be a ggod deal. Step kid wrecked her car and i was able to fix it for $500 from rock auto where as orally wanted almost $800 for the same brand parts.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I've only ordered from them once and will not again. I bought brake pads, rotors, and a wear sensor. The pads squeak, the hole for the rotor retainer screw doesn't line up, and the wear sensor was to short to be routed correctly.

They sell cheap stuff and good stuff. Your choice.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Rock Auto might be great for most of you guys, but for us "outta towners" it only looks good on the surface. They ship from multiple sources and for us it is $25 a pop.

I don't order that much from them, but I'm pretty certain I have had orders shipped from different warehouse without addition shipping charge.



If you know the brand and part number you want, ALWAYS price check Amazon ! I just bought Raybestos ceramic pads and 2 front rotor from them. Free shipping. About $10-15 less than Rock Auto.

 

[rlitman]

For the people complaining about the quality. Rock Auto usually sells many brands, you cannot bash the supplier for the lack of quality of the manufacturer. I have never had a bad part number or anything and will 100% do more business with them in the future.

Ditto. I had an issue with some Cardone half axles I got from them, and RockAuto went out of their way to help me out, well after 30 days.

 

[sselander]

I use a couple of resources when ordering parts from Rock Auto.
1. I verify the part number with the manufacturer, most are now using showmetheparts.com which makes it easier.
The web site has come a long way, I only wish there were more pictures from the manufacturers.
2. AASA now has a certification program in place to ensure you are not getting really bad stuff. Stick with a known brand and you are generally better off.
3. Any time I have used their customer service, they have been very helpful.

Last spring I installed Wagner rotors on my Mazda Protege.
It turns out they were made by a company called Fremax in Brazil.
A quick google search shows Fremax is well respected and are high carbon rotors (a good thing), I would buy them again. I don't think anybody makes rotors in the U.S, anymore.

=========================================================
From an older post:
For some time, I have noticed many car part manufacturers have a common catalog lookup interface. A lot of them are using http://www.showmetheparts.com

The list of companies has grown tremendously, take a look:
http://www.showmetheparts.com/Html/companies.html

I buy from RockAuto a lot, but using this gives me more options when I am looking for parts. Notably absent is A1 Cardone.

They now have a mobile app.
http://www.showmetheparts.com/html/SMTPMobileApp72dpi.pdf

"The free online catalog now includes more than 150 brands, covering almost 2,200 part types.

ShowMeTheParts.com gives parts makers the ability to immediately distribute new item information, application carry-over updates, and corrections to clients.

The ShowMeTheParts.com provides aftermarket suppliers, do-it-yourselfers, installers, jobbers, repair shops, and warehouses with instant access to up-to-date parts information."
http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/new...?news_id=72710
===========================================
From an older post:
Standard Motor Products & BWD are the same company now.
You see Standard at the better car parts stores and BWD at the others.
They offer similar products, part numbers are different
If the part was in a box that says Borg-Warner, you have an old part. BWD Automotive is the name of the company now (Borg Warner Division) and is now a subsidiary of Standard Motor Products.
http://www.bwdautomotive.com
http://www.standardbrand.com
http://www.smpcorp.com
===========================================
From an older post:
AASA has launched a web site that is pretty good.
http://www.aftermarketsuppliers.org/KnowYourParts

snoop around, there is some good info there.
Some of the failure pictures are an eye opener

"The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) “Know Your Parts” campaign is an initiative of the association and the AASA Marketing Executives Council (MEC). The association has undertaken the “Know Your Parts” awareness and educational campaign in the firm belief that it is not important where a product is made but rather who stands behind it."

"The AASA “Know Your Parts” campaign was initiated from the concern over the low-cost, off shore, generic auto parts that are flooding the aftermarket at every level of the distribution channel. These low cost, low quality parts may not meet safe operation standards and pose a potential danger to both the technician installing them and the consumer driving the car on which they are installed. And the entire aftermarket could suffer from the resulting loss of public confidence in our parts and services."

What’s in a Name: Generic versus Brand Name Auto Parts

The Parts in Your Car Make a Difference
http://www.aftermarketsuppliers.org/...DF/MontAd1.pdf

The Parts in Your Car Make a Difference – Part 2
http://www.aftermarketsuppliers.org/...DF/MontAd2.pdf

AASA “Know Your Parts” Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.aftermarketsuppliers.org/...F/KYP-FAQs.pdf

The pics here are interesting
http://www.aftermarketsuppliers.org/...-Parts-Exhibit

Join AASA on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Automo...27822377288340
Join AASA on Twitter
http://www.twitter.com/AASA_MEMA