Angry Johnny

So I'm going to rebuild my front end and I'm looking around on Rock Auto's site and see where these 3 companies sell the same part with either the identical or nearly identical part numbers. So I'm wondering if there really is a difference in these parts other than the name. If anyone knows please enlighten us. Thanks.

PapeCAT

I don't know, but Moog has been by far the best available replacements in the past. Are the others cheaper in price?

Angry Johnny

Yes they are cheaper, other brands are even more.

MARF75

Kinda off topic, but support your local Carquest and Napa!

Keep supporting Rockauto and eventually the Internet is all we'll have to pick from.

NJTman

Tell NAPA and Carquest to start selling products that aren't made in CHINA, or at least for a minimum, are made to USA Standards and won't FREAKING FAIL as all the imports do, prematurely to their original designed specs.


I'm tired of buying the same parts over and over and over and over again, because American companies CHOOSE to purchase CHINESE made crap because of the bottom line profits.

Screw Napa and Carquest.

PapeCAT

add oreillies to that list, (no wonder their alternators et al have a "lifetime warrenty" - otherwise no one would buy them! (mine went out in less than a month. 2nd one - OK!

I prefer autozone ironically due to the fact that they have the most McDonald's-esq appearance. They are the only auto box store that carried Timkin tapered bearings and seals.

MARF75

how are Rockautos CHINESE made parts any different then Carquest and Napas CHINESE made parts??
Rockauto is based out of Madison, Wisconsin, ok fine, but if I had to guess, it looks to me like Rockautos president is based out if the Middle East!!

I guess it's just my preference to go to a counter where I can physically compare parts. It's much easier for me to return wrong/bad parts too because Carquest is 2 miles from home, I'm not a good Internet shopper.

Angry Johnny

My girlfriend works for Car Quest, recently acquired by Advance Auto Parts which also just bought out Auto Parts International. Either way Car Quest does not carry Moog parts. Napa wanted $140 for their Napa brand idler arm, my cost, when a Moog is $33 at Rock Auto.

See why I'm looking on the Rock Auto site now?

mknittle

I think they are all about the same any more.

patdaly

I used to own a Federated auto parts store.

I shop at Rock myself now, and most criticisms posted here are right on.

I could wipe the floor pricing against O'Reilleys,Autozone, etc. Trust me, they were not the competition.

That being said, today there is no way I would restart my business, the world has changed retailing forever.

You simply cannot offer the vast quantity of brands at the lowest price........

It isn't the end of the world though, after all, the USA didn't disintegrate because all the Spokeshaves lost their jobs..... something to think about.

MARF75

Well put.

Don't get me wrong, they're not always the answer, but my local Carquest is pretty close, price wise, to the Autozone 2 blocks down. I just try to shop local and prefer Carquest parts and counter help

I did just buy a BHAF from the Cummins dealer over Carquest.

Wix filter from Carquest: $89.99
Fleet guard filter from Cummins dealer: $54.99

lockgessner

Recently my wife needed a transmission part for her car... Box stores (there brand) 125$ to 150$ a week to two weeks to get. Ford dealer: 34$ at my door the very next day! I do shop at oriellys for simple stuff a lot... Nothing to important.

mknittle

I miss the days when auto parts stores didn't look like a "boutique" Where you have to deal with a pimply faced kid making minim wage That don't know the difference between muffler bearings and a rap-tap-flapper valve.

u2slow

Some 15 years ago one of the 'old hands' at my local auto parts chain told me the only difference between the $30 and $70 TRE he put on the counter was the lifetime warranty attached to it. Same junk in both boxes.

Since then, I buy the cheapest parts and grease them regularly. Fact of the matter is, I spread my miles over 4 different vehicles. If I wear out a cheap part personally, I'll consider buying something better the next time. So far, I've saved piles of $$$.

OVERTORQUED

That brings to mind being in Oreillys (Kragen at the time) and was asking for I Beam Bushings. Was told by the 'parts specialist' they did not carry 'Hi Beam Machines'. Really? I have embarrassed several counter people there to the point they let me get my own parts. The next generations are going to be scary...