Rockauto
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
Good thread!
I go directly to the source if I can; e.g., Hawk pads, etc. But, Rock Auto has been 100% for the few times I've used them. Scored on a few "closeout" items too. Corvette Central too has been VERY good for me over the years.
I go directly to the source if I can; e.g., Hawk pads, etc. But, Rock Auto has been 100% for the few times I've used them. Scored on a few "closeout" items too. Corvette Central too has been VERY good for me over the years.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,499
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
I shop products then price. I buy food products at Walmart ONLY IF they are the same and cheaper. OTOH, if you are telling me that a John Deere at Home Depot or Lowe's is the same as what you get in a JD store, maybe not.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,499
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
Why should it be a good brand? Delco might be good for the assembly line but it might not fit what you are wanting it for. If I am selling the car and have to put pads and rotors, the cheapest is best. If I am racing, the best isn't good enough. If I am driving hard on the street, something in between the two extreme points would be the least acceptable. I'd want to move to more than average.
Good things don't have to be cheap and usually aren't. Junk is cheap because it has to be to draw in suckers
Good things don't have to be cheap and usually aren't. Junk is cheap because it has to be to draw in suckers
Last edited by aklim; Jan 2, 2018 at 09:38 AM.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 293
Likes: 29
From: Columbus Ohio
ACDelco is a good brand name but like most everyone else they sell different grades of parts.
IIRC ACDelco rotors and pads come in OE (Original Equipment), Advantage and Professional grades. There are significant differences in the different grades.
IIRC ACDelco rotors and pads come in OE (Original Equipment), Advantage and Professional grades. There are significant differences in the different grades.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Using Walmart's Savings Catcher, that is always the case
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,499
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
I had meat that smells like puke when cooking. Once or twice, sure. Happens more than a few times and I think it is how it is with their meat so I'll pass. Say Heinz Baked Beans is cheaper there. Unless it is different from the rest of the grocery world, I'll buy it.
I don't buy their Mainstays brand. It is Private Label crap. As long as the specs are the same, I'm good. Private Label to different specs, pass.
I don't buy their Mainstays brand. It is Private Label crap. As long as the specs are the same, I'm good. Private Label to different specs, pass.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Back to RockAuto:
I've used them for about 15 years. I place 5-10 orders a year with RA. Never had a problem, but I never order the cheapest brand that's available, either.
I've used them for about 15 years. I place 5-10 orders a year with RA. Never had a problem, but I never order the cheapest brand that's available, either.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,499
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
So why are there mentions of getting the right part, wrong brand? That has me worried. If I order a Delco item, should they be allowed to prostitute it to a different one?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,499
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
If they could do that, I have no issues. I don't like it when I order MB and expect to see the silver star I get Lemforder which makes it for MB and I am unsure of the spec. Been bit by that before with another site years ago.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 291
From: Farmington MO
I have made several purchases from them. Always got exactly what I ordered. No wrong parts or numbers. No substitutions. No excuses. No issues. RA is probably my first choice parts supplier. I very much like that I can pick what exactly I want instead of settling for local stores' one or two choices. Your mileage may vary.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 491
Likes: 40
From: Mardi Gras City
St. Jude Donor '19
I have made several purchases from them. Always got exactly what I ordered. No wrong parts or numbers. No substitutions. No excuses. No issues. RA is probably my first choice parts supplier. I very much like that I can pick what exactly I want instead of settling for local stores' one or two choices. Your mileage may vary.
.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,499
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
Nobody pays for shop labor. Wife's MB with heated seats did but that was because it was an MB part and I got along with the service advisor. You put in aftermarket or bring your own parts and that's how it is.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,786
Likes: 425
From: North Georgia, USA
My local Car Quest covered "warranty rate" labor on their house brand defective parts. unfortunately after Advance bought out CarQuest, that franchise bought out the local Napa franchise and switched to Napa. Napa only covers warranty labor for their certified car care affiliates. I'm considering joining that program, but not sure if it's worth the trouble yet.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,499
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
My local Car Quest covered "warranty rate" labor on their house brand defective parts. unfortunately after Advance bought out CarQuest, that franchise bought out the local Napa franchise and switched to Napa. Napa only covers warranty labor for their certified car care affiliates. I'm considering joining that program, but not sure if it's worth the trouble yet.
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 280
Likes: 135
From: Wales, UK
Being in the UK there's nowhere that sells a decent amount of parts for my car. There's a few US car specialists who stock generic parts to fit several models and engine parts, but they're often over priced and the parts aren't great quality either. When my MAF relay failed and I couldn't wait for the part from the states, I ordered one in the UK. It was $30!!
I've ordered plenty of parts with Rockauto. I've had wipers that didn't fit but they let me keep them and credited my account with the cost. The biggest advantage is that you can pre-pay customs & duty. This means that packages come straight through and there's no extra handling charges. For example, I needed a new master cylinder to pass MOT inspection, ordered on Friday and arrived by Monday!
If I order parts from Ecklers/Corvette Central it usually takes an extra week whilst they are stuck in customs, then it's a $20 "handling fee" and whatever duty/vat they decide. With Rockauto I know my parts will arrive fast and exactly what the cost will be.
I've ordered plenty of parts with Rockauto. I've had wipers that didn't fit but they let me keep them and credited my account with the cost. The biggest advantage is that you can pre-pay customs & duty. This means that packages come straight through and there's no extra handling charges. For example, I needed a new master cylinder to pass MOT inspection, ordered on Friday and arrived by Monday!
If I order parts from Ecklers/Corvette Central it usually takes an extra week whilst they are stuck in customs, then it's a $20 "handling fee" and whatever duty/vat they decide. With Rockauto I know my parts will arrive fast and exactly what the cost will be.