Brick and mortar pay local taxes, have local employees, and pay facilities expenses which is usually local contractors. The $20 at NAPA goes mostly to expenses, and a lot to making your local town economy work. Most people don't get that, which is why Rock Auto has the same seal for $3.50 (plus shipping). If you buy for cost predominantly, you are going ultimately to pay a foreign company, and a shipping company, and nobody else. So guess what - the dude that does plowing, and his brother is an HVAC dude, and the local elementary school. they all just got screwed out of what makes them able to survive. So good luck with that long term.
I may look online, I factor in shipping, and then decide where to buy. Most times I call the same ;local parts stores I've used for 20 years. Because I want that business there on Friday afternoon when my plow breaks. Or Saturday when I notice an issue doing an oil change on the daughter's car.
