Topic: RockAuto

[Tr00b]

I have been working on several fairly major projects over the years, a 1997 Jeep and a 1998 Ranger, as well as a 1991 Honda CRX.

I have bought a large amount of parts from Rock Auto, about $1000 plus. I used to use Advance Auto parts, but got fed up with the rude and combative staff. I also carpool so its a b**** to get to a parts store unless I make a special trip.

Some impressions:

The website is usually straightfoward as to the part you are getting. Usually. I ordered some front springs for my Ranger, so I ordered two springs. I got two boxes of two springs... . I ended up spending, with shipping, MORE on clutch parts for my Ranger than I would have from a parts store. The parts store had a complete kit which included everything I needed. I found this out when I needed to chase down parts when we broke some parts we intended to re-use. I spent $150 I didn't have to in clutch parts and shipping, which got frustrating... Then I went to RockAuto for the part I broke, (master cylinder and resivoir for the hydraulic clutch) I ordered the part with expensive rush delivery for around $100. They didn't process my order till two days later so I didn't get my part till Monday instead of being able to fix it that weekend, I was very unhappy. In addition, I  ended up ordering extra bushings for the leaf springs, because I couldn't tell there were bushings with the shackle kit.

When I bought Jeep parts, in contrast, I had a fairly good experience. But it was all really simple parts, not assemblies with vague diagrams.

Its difficult to ascertain the quality of the part you are getting. If you get it at a parts store, generally you can look at it. With Rock Auto, you have to know what you are buying. If you see the part, you can sometimes make the call to upgrade to a premium part. The descriptions of the parts are limited and you have to research carefully to make sure you are getting the right part. This can be extremely time consuming, whereas at a parts store, they bring you the dang thing and you can look at it.

Another frustrating thing is, stuff ships from different warehouses. So you might order two stablizer bar arms, and they will come from different warehouses, and one is shipped by fed ex for eighteen freakin bucks. Why? We may never know.

Its nice to get stuff to your door. They include sweet refrigerator magnets, things are packed well, and I've never had anything broken.

In general:

Unless its a big ticket item that you can get at a significant discount, or a big job with multiple related parts that ships from one warehouse, I hesitate to reccomend Rock Auto. With shipping, the savings is insignificant and as I am finding more and more, MORE expensive than the parts store unless you order from all one of their warehouses. I had a couple good experiences but the last few have been sour. Being in a hurry for your parts is not a good idea, either. They ship from all over hell. Some will come the next day, others not for a week.

[sharpxmen]

sorry but I would have to disagree with you on most of your points
 - rockauto is very straightforward and the best site i ever used as far as finding parts and part numbers accurately (with a few mishaps i noticed with parts being listed in the wrong section but even then the description is clear and you can figure out is the wrong part)
 - you can clearly see where the parts are shipped from, they are drop-shipping all of their parts but unlike other companies it is clearly stated
 - If you want quality choose the brand names (Bendix, Luk, Sealed Power, SKF, Timken and so on - you get the idea), if you go for price then expect lower quality most of the time unless it's a brand name clearance item. I don't think you can tell the quality of a bearing just by looking at it, it's the reputation that gives you the guarantee of a good part.
 - If you had an issue with shipping (if you ordered it overnight and it didn't arrive the next business day) you should have file a complaint and I am more than sure they would have refunded to the proper amount for when it actually arrived
 - they have millions (no exaggeration) of parts listed, it is unfair to expect a diagram or clear pictures of every part you can possibly look at, you need to check the part numbers with the manufacturer if you have doubts about what's in the box (more parts than you need).

i agree with you on the shipping charges, a lot of times they add up to more than it's worth, i usually pick 2 or 3 brand names and in the shopping cart it tells you where these are shipped from and if they are shipped together, i delete the ones that are shipped on their own to minimize the shipping cost, if it's not worth then i check other stores (Amazon for one) and get them there if the total is lower.

I use rock auto a lot for p/n search

so overall I recommend it, if the total does not add up to what you think it's worth at least for the p/n lookup and multiple brands

[mrdeath2000]

I use them a lot.

I find the same part on Autozone's website and search for that part on rockauto and its ALWAYS AT LEAST 25% cheaper.  With shipping I still save money and it compounds the more parts I buy.  Some parts I have found the same for insanely cheaper than I can get at autozones.

When in doubt of a part I googled the part I see on rockauto's site for more info.  Some sensors are recommended to get from the dealer, I think the YJ temp gauge sensor in the back is one.

If you overnight a part and it doesn't get delivered on time, the carrier (usps express for example) WILL refund the shipping charges.  If it was rockauto dropping the ball, you should take it up with them, i'm sure a big spender they will help you out.  I have not experienced an issue yet.  also remember orders placed after ~3pm et usually wont go that day.... I think.