Discount on RockAuto Parts!

[WisdomRacing]

I thought I'd share the discount code I received for RockAuto. It's only for 5%...but hey it's something...In my experiences RockAuto seems to have the lowest prices on parts excluding ebay...which often has questionable quality. Anyway the code is:

919825579397

Here's how to use it:

* Enter your code in the "How did you hear about us" line of the shopping cart.
* If you are using our traditional HTML catalog, please click the "Set" button to the right of the field.
* Your discount will automatically appear, subtracted from your order total.



It expires Apr. 8, but they usually send me a new one before it expires so I'll update when/if I get it.

[s10blazerman4x4]

Thanks, used it tonight.

[WisdomRacing]

Updated with new code good until April 8!

['97ventureowner]

Here's another code for Rock Auto good until May 5, 2008

FA0C3112ABF6

[tacomabobd]

Warning rock auto uses standard parts!!!!!! I ordered a part from rock auto. It was a standard parts part and it looked like the part that I removed. When I got the part, it did not even look like the part I wanted, it was from another manufacturer. Rock auto stated that the part was from standard parts and that the picture was a general look of the part. I contacted standard parts only come to find out they are not the manufacturer either. They get the part from someone else and put it in their box. This is a major problem ordering parts on line since the pictures are not that of the part in the box!!!!!!!!!! We can only go by the picture and if it is not that of the actual part you want, you are stuck with the shipping to return the part and you still have to find another place to get what you want.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by tacomabobd

Warning rock auto uses standard parts!!!!!! I ordered a part from rock auto. It was a standard parts part and it looked like the part that I removed. When I got the part, it did not even look like the part I wanted, it was from another manufacturer. Rock auto stated that the part was from standard parts and that the picture was a general look of the part. I contacted standard parts only come to find out they are not the manufacturer either. They get the part from someone else and put it in their box. This is a major problem ordering parts on line since the pictures are not that of the part in the box!!!!!!!!!! We can only go by the picture and if it is not that of the actual part you want, you are stuck with the shipping to return the part and you still have to find another place to get what you want.

Depending on the part(s) you need, most of the time you have a choice of brands that are listed in the listing. Rock Auto may get some of their parts from another warehouse that deals with the manufacturer, not directly from the manufacturer itself, so the issue may rely on that source for any mixups. There are other situations I've seen having worked in prts stores many years ago where the item may have been previously returned and the customer who returned the item switched it out for another part. That returned part may have ben put back on the shelf only to get sold to you and you discover the discrepancy.
Many companies use general pictures to show what the particular part looks like, it is also a common practice on eBay. Most of the time there is a disclaimer that the actual part may look different than the picture.(I've also seen "consolidation" where a part comes out that may end up taking the place of multiple part numbers.0 this is to conserve shelf space in the warehouse as this new part will work for more applications. It may look different, but it will do the job it was meant to.
I've ordered from Rock Auto for years and never had an issue with the parts I ordered, but you are right, you do assume some risk ordering online and getting the right parts only going by a description, or a picture. Most of the time it works out, then there are the times when it doesn't.

[tacomabobd]

If we are ordering items online, the picture is all we have to go on. I can not use Rock Auto because the picture is not what I received. They did have several selections to choose from. But again we only have the pictures to see that item. It is a poor business practice especially an online sales company not to have an exact picture of the item they are selling.

[duke350]

The couple of times I have used Rockauto I have had problems. The first time, of all things, was a new leaking heater core. Was supposed to be genuine delco, but was same crap autozone sells. I was upset enough at it being sold as a delco part to get a generic, but after I got it test fitted in and filled with coolant to have it leak? That really upset me. Then they would not return calls or emails to issue a RMA.I still have the "new" part in the box in the garage. Decided to just bite the bullet and get a delco from NAPA.
The second time I needed an O2 sensor that was not available locally without being ordered. Since I was not in a hurry to get it and it needed to be shipped anyway, I decided to give rock auto a second chance. Again, they were supposed to send a Bosch direct fit and they sent a universal. The kind where you cut off and re-use the oem plug. Again, no call returns, no email returns. I used the part, and it did work, but was not what I ordered and I could have picked that same part up locally.
Twice is enough for me. I can understand that mistakes happen, but 2 for 2 is not gonna cut it. I know of people that use them and have no problems, but they just aren't for me. I'll stick to going to the parts store and getting the part I need from now on.

[4x4 blazerguy]

I buy from Rockauto all the time & I have never had a PROBLEM.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by 4x4 blazerguy

I buy from Rockauto all the time & I have never had a PROBLEM.

Same here.

Originally Posted by tacomabobd

If we are ordering items online, the picture is all we have to go on. I can not use Rock Auto because the picture is not what I received. They did have several selections to choose from. But again we only have the pictures to see that item. It is a poor business practice especially an online sales company not to have an exact picture of the item they are selling.

Many online sites use pictures as a generalization of the item for sale, the biggest site I can think of being eBay. Just because a site uses a picture of the likeness of the product you are getting doesn't mean it's a poor business practice. Most of the time there are no issues.

Originally Posted by duke350

The couple of times I have used Rockauto I have had problems. The first time, of all things, was a new leaking heater core. Was supposed to be genuine delco, but was same crap autozone sells. I was upset enough at it being sold as a delco part to get a generic, but after I got it test fitted in and filled with coolant to have it leak?

Sorry to say that the quality of A C Delco has taken a big hit in the past few years as more production of parts are outsourced to save money. (This is hard to say coming from a lifelong GM fan, but this practice is becoming industry wide.)It could be possible that the same manufacturing facility making the parts for Delco is also making them for other suppliers such as Autozone. Having worked for parts stores in the past I can attest to the fact that sometimes you will get a defective part right out of the box irregardless of the manufacturer. I've seen it many times and double check the items I buy no matter where I buy it from, or who the manufacturer is.

[duke350]

Originally Posted by '97ventureowner

Sorry to say that the quality of A C Delco has taken a big hit in the past few years as more production of parts are outsourced to save money. (This is hard to say coming from a lifelong GM fan, but this practice is becoming industry wide.)It could be possible that the same manufacturing facility making the parts for Delco is also making them for other suppliers such as Autozone. Having worked for parts stores in the past I can attest to the fact that sometimes you will get a defective part right out of the box irregardless of the manufacturer. I've seen it many times and double check the items I buy no matter where I buy it from, or who the manufacturer is.

I agree about parts being outsourced and such. I agree about getting bad parts right out of the box. But I do not agree with getting something that is advertised as one brand and getting the generic equivalent. After all, NAPA had the genuine Delco product. And how would you explain the OEM O2 but sent a universal? If I pay for a SONY TV, I want a SONY TV, not a SORNY. If I pay for a SONY TV and you send me a SORNY, I expect you to make it right, not ignore any communication. Same goes for the bad part. If I buy a SONY TV and it does not work, I want you to make it right by either fixing it or sending me one that does. After all, I did pay for a product and I expect it to work. You want to ignore the customers, that's fine. You lose the customers. As I said, I know people who use them and are happy with them, but 2 for 2 they basically screwed me and would not return any attempt I made to make it right. I'm glad they work for you, but they aren't getting another dime from me and I will let everyone who considers them know how they treat customers. I just hope the people who do buy from them never do have a problem, especially on expensive parts. Or high labor parts. And just an FYI, I started working in the shop in 1986. ASE and Icar.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by duke350

I agree about parts being outsourced and such. I agree about getting bad parts right out of the box. But I do not agree with getting something that is advertised as one brand and getting the generic equivalent. After all, NAPA had the genuine Delco product.

Perhaps,NAPA may have had some of the older stock produced by Delco in the warehouse or on the shelf, and Delco had recently switched suppliers, and RA got some of the new stock? That is a possibility.

If I pay for a SONY TV, I want a SONY TV, not a SORNY. If I pay for a SONY TV and you send me a SORNY,

What's to say that what you buy nowadays is still produced by that company. Yeah it may say SONY (for example) on the outside, but the company that made the item recently outsourced parts and production to China or Mexico and just slapped their name on it. It happens all too much in today's society and some of the big names that had quality products are now suffering (in the quality dept.) because of that and are not what they used to be.It's becoming all too much a fact of life.

I expect you to make it right, not ignore any communication. Same goes for the bad part. If I buy a SONY TV and it does not work, I want you to make it right by either fixing it or sending me one that does. After all, I did pay for a product and I expect it to work. You want to ignore the customers, that's fine. You lose the customers.

A bit of advice here. Have you contacted your local office of the BBB or better yet your local Attorney General's Office? They work on the side of the consumer and go after those who do not make it right with their customers.The company can be fined and have other actions taken against them if they do not respond. Try to contact RA one more time. tell them you are ready to pursue this with the Attorney General's Office if they don't attempt to make it right with you, and see what becomes of it.

[duke350]

I just gotta ask, with as much as you are sticking up for them, do you have a stake in the issue? I just wanted to share my experiance, good or bad, to let people know what they can expect. And yes, that is exactly my point. I do not care if the part was made in China, Korea, Canada, Mexico or the States. I care that I pay extra for a certain name brand and I get what I paid for, not the same generic part I can get anywhere. If I wanted to save a few bucks and buy the generic part, then I would have bought the generic part. I am fully aware that the generic part may in fact be better then the name brand, but that is what I asked for, that is what I paid for and that is what I expect.
As far as the BBB, yes, I am well aware of them. I just chose to not do anymore business with them. They have lost a potential of $3k a month. That is what I average in parts. And with the people that choose to stay away based on my experiance, I am sure they lost more then that. Again, I will not tell anyone to go here or go there, or not go here or there, but I will share my experiance with them and let them make their own choices.
Like I said, I hope no one has the problems I have had, especially if it is a high dollar or high labor part.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by duke350

I just gotta ask, with as much as you are sticking up for them, do you have a stake in the issue?

Ask all you want,I have no stake whatsoever in RA. I merely stated I have made purchases from them in the past, as well as other online sources and have not had any issue with them. That's all. I'm not sticking up for them or anybody for that matter.

I just wanted to share my experiance, good or bad, to let people know what they can expect. And yes, that is exactly my point. I do not care if the part was made in China, Korea, Canada, Mexico or the States. I care that I pay extra for a certain name brand and I get what I paid for, not the same generic part I can get anywhere. If I wanted to save a few bucks and buy the generic part, then I would have bought the generic part. I am fully aware that the generic part may in fact be better then the name brand, but that is what I asked for, that is what I paid for and that is what I expect.

It is good that you share your experiences with others. It is also good to expect that others will share theirs as well. You SHOULD care where your parts are made though. Too much stuff is made outside of the US today and is of poorer quality, and thanks to the government and big business in search of ever expanding their profits and bottom line have thrown quality control and their long standing reputations out the window. Items that have long stood the test of time for quality and durability are now made by people making pennies an hour, whereas the American worker took pride in their products and they were of better quality, whether they were generic or name brand.People expect that when they buy the name brand today they are still getting quality and that the product will stand up to the name it has endured all these decades, when in fact a lot of those name brands are produced in the same overseas manufacturing plants that make the off brand, knock-off, or generic version. Most people do not realize this.

As far as the BBB, yes, I am well aware of them. I just chose to not do anymore business with them. They have lost a potential of $3k a month. That is what I average in parts. And with the people that choose to stay away based on my experiance, I am sure they lost more then that. Again, I will not tell anyone to go here or go there, or not go here or there, but I will share my experiance with them and let them make their own choices.
Like I said, I hope no one has the problems I have had, especially if it is a high dollar or high labor part.

While you may choose to not do business with them anymore why no go a step further and file a complaint with the proper authority? ( Gee, if I had a stake in their business do you think I would be saying that?) You can say all you want in an online message board, but it's actions that count. By reporting them to places such as the BBB or better yet your local office of the State's Attorney General, you can be assured that they will have to answer to them and hopefully rectify the issue and prevent others from experiencing what you did. Too many consumers nowadays are apathetic when it comes to reporting issues like this and the problem is left to get worse. Add to that the state of the economy when people are scrutinizing their every purchase it helps to have knowledge of how a company's reputation is. Would you have purchased from Rock Auto if you had seen some complaints filed against them from customers?

[duke350]

I guess I have to slow down and spell it out for you.
I bought a part that was supposed to be a certain brand. They sent the proper part, but of a different brand.
You said,

Sorry to say that the quality of A C Delco has taken a big hit in the past few years as more production of parts are outsourced to save money. (This is hard to say coming from a lifelong GM fan, but this practice is becoming industry wide.)It could be possible that the same manufacturing facility making the parts for Delco is also making them for other suppliers such as Autozone. Having worked for parts stores in the past I can attest to the fact that sometimes you will get a defective part right out of the box irregardless of the manufacturer. I've seen it many times and double check the items I buy no matter where I buy it from, or who the manufacturer is.

Sorry, but it does not matter who made the brand I ordered, or the quality of the brand. The only thing that should matter is that I ordered a certain brand and got something else. I should get exactly what I ordered. Do you not agree?
As for me saying I do not care where the parts are made, I was refering to the fact that I wanted a certain brand and I paid for a certain brand and got something else. Please do not try to make it into something else. As far as American made (not American assembled) I buy American made when I can. From my shoes to my cars. I try to keep the money in this country. So, what I do not understand is why you are trying to justify Rock Auto's errors. Are you suggesting that since the Delco brand MAY have been outsourced, they did me a favor? If I buy a $50 gizmo and they send me a $100 gizmo, am I supposed to be happy that they did not send me what I ordered? I'm sorry, but if I order the $50 gizmo, its because thats the one I want. Not because thats all I can afford. I also use Delco spark plugs in all my GM cars. Should I be happy if I buy Delco but they give me Bosch or Splitfires insead? If I go to a restaraunt and order a burger but they bring me a chicken sandwich is that OK? What if its a place you pay first? Then they refuse to make your order correct or refund your cash?
I urge people to check the reviews on Rock Auto. There are thousands of reviews just like mine. They all say they are good, until a problem arises. Then they have horrible customer service, and most people are out cash. They also do have 27 bad marks (resolved) on them through the BBB. In my opinion it should not ever have to go that far.
As said before, I am glad you like them. I am glad you have no problems with them. I hope that you never do. But I will not use them again. I gave them a chance, they screwed up. Knowing that mistakes do happen, I gave them another chance. They screwed up again. It would be the same with any business, online or brick and mortar.