Its probably been asked a million times...so lets do a million and one...what are the thoughts on them and the parts they sell?


Part of this is I am just sick of being robbed for example $150 to $175 (Carquest and NAPA) for an after-market headlight lenses for my Taco when you guys in the US of A are paying $50 for the same thing...don't even ask what the dealer wants but I'll tell ya...$340, bet some of you guys down in the South-east US don't even make that much a week...even Toyota parts direct wants about $250...Yah for a stinking piece of plastic which is probably made in a Magna plant in Taxtario! The other part is when I ask if they have parts for my 83 they look at me as if I had potatoes growing out of my ear.

 

I ordered a lot from Rockauto. Mostly for my '93 Chevy K3500 6.5. Will always be my first choice.
Once I got a wrong water pump. The made it right. All by email. Had to send a pic to show it wasn't even close to the right one.
They have a promo code for 5% off also.

 

IMO they are a legit option to shop for parts. They carry a variety of brands some good some not so much. Their prices are usually good but shipping can tip things the other way. When I check on availability and price for parts they are part of my sources to consider. If I have a not so immediate need I'll buy from them no problem.

 

I buy a lot from them. Some of the stuff has been really good, some of it is usable, but kinda cheap at times. One of my first choices when looking for parts. It's getting harder to find parts for the older Toyotas, and the local parts stores just don't have the parts when Rockauto does. I'd recommend them, and will buy from them again.

 

I use RockAuto for some parts. If you have a part number, enter them into Ebay and sometimes you can find the parts there. I have to go to several different sources for parts.

 

I've used Rock auto a few times as well with no issues. But lately have been using Amazon and megazip.com. Megazip is all OEM stuff, granted they don't have everything but where else can you find a first gen SR5 factory steering wheel. They are in Japan and shipping is a couple weeks but reasonable if you don't mind the wait. Amazon has announced they are going into the auto parts business and from their business model, they will out price any other retailer, even at the cost of losing money the first year, just to build a customer base. My biggest problem with any parts store is the amount of parts made in China. They are poorly remanufactured which reflects in the price.

 

From what I see and have learned Rock Auto buys parts from vendors looking to unload excess inventory .or bankruptcy going out of business etc

This is why the inventory chances so often

Very low overhead not having to store all these parts just move them.

One needs to look real close at the shipping charges order three parts and they get shipped from 3 different places .

Last time I went to buy something the shipping was down right crazy I ended up getting the same item cheaper through Amazon with free shipping

It comes down to what you need and where it needs to come from.

The name brand parts are decent but like any place most every thing is made in China

 

Like wyoming said, the shipping is what normally beats you up on Rock Auto, I love them, used them often, but I get frustrated when I'm buying 2 things and they come from 2 different warehouses and I get hit with the shipping fees. They have a lot of stuff though, and good prices, so you just have to shop around.

 

Yep. They have a wide selection of parts from different makers, often from OEM makers. They are just like Napa except online, usually a little cheaper**, and more selection of different manufacturers. Absolutely nothing wrong with them and I'd go so far as to say they are the most established, legit parts company online.


**Like Wyoming and Cory mentioned, it's the shipping that gets you. I don't order from them much anymore for that exact reason. You buy three parts, they all come from different parts of the country and you pay $5-$10 shipping for each part.

 

Thanks people...the way I look at it, again using those Taco lights as example, NAPA up here wants $350 a pair, Rockauto wants about $120CDN a pair...$230 buys a lot of shipping! Plus I'm saving $30 in sales tax.

 

Rockauto has always done me well, apparently they have a good report with people here as well. They seem to have a lot of the parts that my local NAPA doesn't as well..