Parts! Bend over AND smile! short rant!

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barbee6043

barbee6043

barbee 6043
FABO Gold Member
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OK so we have had pretty bad inflation now for the last 2 1/2 years, but everytime I have to buy anything at the friggin "auto part store" now days, no matter whose name is on the door, IT is Rape! Crazy!
Yea I buy ALL I can at Rock or anywhere else but he local parts emporium!
Example: OK so its a Ford part, but does not matter what make. Example: 66 Ford starter relay. Rock is $8 plus some shipping.... the "other guy" is $30 local pickup. same part, same brand. ITS NUTS!!!!!!!!! :BangHead: :BangHead: :BangHead: :BangHead: :BangHead: :BangHead: :elmer:
 
Yeah, it makes it hard to support the local business sometimes. On big parts, Rock really nails you on shipping, though- sometimes the local store will win out in that regard. And sometimes they'll price match, it's worth it to ask.
But the big advantage to local stores is that you can hold the part in your hands and tell right away whether it's the right part, without having to mess with return authorizations or the argument that ensues when they try to tell you that YOU ordered the wrong part, and it couldn't possibly be their listing that was wrong...
:BangHead:
 
I bought oil at O'rileys last year, 8+ dollars a quart. I happened to be in Home Depot it was 4 for the exact same product!
 
barbee6043 said:
OK so we have had pretty bad inflation now for the last 2 1/2 years, but everytime I have to buy anything at the friggin "auto part store" now days, no matter whose name is on the door, IT is Rape! Crazy!
Yea I buy ALL I can at Rock or anywhere else but he local parts emporium!
Example: OK so its a Ford part, but does not matter what make. Example: 66 Ford starter relay. Rock is $8 plus some shipping.... the "other guy" is $30 local pickup. same part, same brand. ITS NUTS!!!!!!!!! :BangHead: :BangHead: :BangHead: :BangHead: :BangHead: :BangHead: :elmer:
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I don’t know if you are an Amazon prime member but punch in the number and check pricing. With the no shipping and quick delivery I’ve been buying there more and more. Heck I buy my wrangler jeans there now as they offer my size. You can buy it now and try them on and either send them back or complete the sale.
 
I always cross shop
Rock Auto (hate their shipping policy... a charge from each warehouse),
Amazon (sometimes higher price but "free" shipping with prime),
Local Parts store (almost always the most expensive.)

The last few times I've purchased parts, Amazon was only a few cents cheaper. It's much less hassle to return something to Amazon than RA. For that matter, I'll sometimes pay a bit more and buy on amazon.
 
I only shop Amazon when I have the exact part number I want- their search engine really, really sucks. If I search voltage regulators, it comes back with bulk baby diapers...
 
Professor Fate said:
I only shop Amazon when I have the exact part number I want- their search engine really, really sucks. If I search voltage regulators, it comes back with bulk baby diapers...
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gotta search on google then click the amazon results. This is how I have the most luck but yeah. Tough when you don't have the part number when shopping Amazon
 
j_anderson said:
gotta search on google then click the amazon results. This is how I have the most luck but yeah. Tough when you don't have the part number when shopping Amazon
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THat's why I start at RockAuto. I like the simple way their website works. Once I have the part number and manufacturer I want then I shop around.
 
I generally hate most everything about Amaon/

I agree, Rocks many warehouses sucks, but like a guy showed me, hit every brand of that part and after you have shopped pick the best shipping. Never order just one part either.

Mark up at O Reilly or any other chain is usually 2 to 4 time more than at Rock and Rock no doubts makes profit $$$$.
 
There is no getting around it. They dont want these old cars running they dont want people fixing them its where its headed. This is why LS swaps is popular its the easy way out for most car guys. Plus teh exhast dont stink.Thats whats nexyt your neighbor complaining yout 70 Dart is "too loud and it stinks..." waaa,waaa....:)

But point is its expensive yes. I told the wife" If I hadnt bought my car cheap in the 90s then collected parts for years I could never have done it, young guy isnt going to start from sscratch and restore one of tehse cars now its too expensive..." When I get into a heavy year of buying parts almost half the cost is shipping its rediculous. Ive noticed it over the last few years.
 
When I shop Rock, I usually have a pretty good list of parts saved up. Then try different combinations of brands to minimize the warehouse differences (and keep the shipping low).
I rarely buy from them if I'm in a hurry or just need one small part.
 
Professor Fate said:
When I shop Rock, I usually have a pretty good list of parts saved up. Then try different combinations of brands to minimize the warehouse differences (and keep the shipping low).
I rarely buy from them if I'm in a hurry or just need one small part.
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Ive started doing that buying for more than one car etc then stocking teh parts for "when I get around to it" we have mutiple vehicles and I always am like "I have the parts for that out in the garage..." I always seem to be able to find them too which is beyond strange because the place is a mess...:)
 
Seems like since Covid, everything went up and never came down. Others raised their prices when it wasn't necessary. (Price Gouging)
 
Kendog 170 said:
Seems like since Covid, everything went up and never came down. Others raised their prices when it wasn't necessary. (Price Gouging)
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When your cost of what you pay your workers goes up you have to raise your prices. I work by myself and had to raise head porting up 50.00 and intake porting 25.00-50.00. My burrs went up bigtime, cables and replacement parts for my grinder, valve seat cutters, fluids, gas to heat the shop and electric.
 
I am finding lots of deals on Amazon that just rip the local stores a new one.
 
toolmanmike said:
I try my best to buy local but when I pay 40% more it's hard to justify.
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My last Amazon buy was the oil I use Motorcraft 5w20. Almost 38 bucks from any of the local stores. 25 with free shippin from Amazon. It's a no brainer. I love buying local, but they will not price match oil.
 
Working on a simple project a few days ago.
Looked in my stash for 10 Amp ATC fuse.
Had everything but. AutoZone is around the corner. 2 10A ATC fuses $6.99
A box of 10 was $11.99 Now I may never need another but had to buy the box of 10.
 
The 20 buck an hour hamburger flippers have caused consequences...................
 
It's hard to compare a local auto parts store to a warehouse that sells through Amazon, Rock, Summit Etc as they are completely different business models, different volumes and overheads etc.

I try to buy stuff I know is reasonably priced locally (local parts guys always have one brand of oil on special for the dailies etc) but go online for Mopar Bits.

We are fortunate in the we have a few local chrysler specialists and they have just enough competition between them to keep prices within reach.

That said, if I didn't already have the cars and a lot of parts, I'd probably be looking for a different hobby. No way you can start out in this market.
 
Dartswinger70 said:
Ive started doing that buying for more than one car etc then stocking teh parts for "when I get around to it" we have mutiple vehicles and I always am like "I have the parts for that out in the garage..." I always seem to be able to find them too which is beyond strange because the place is a mess...:)
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Yep thats me. But after 40-50 years building Mopars I bought 2 Ford projects! I have tons of NEW small parts from alternators down to ballast resistors! I wanted a 70-2 duster but did not feel like driving to Ar or Ok and was not paying stupid asking money for a Tx beaker. I should have bought that complete 63 Dart off my Mopar bud with a fresh slant for $1800 and hardly any rust! He was only a 10 hours trip!! :BangHead: :BangHead: :BangHead:
 
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