Rock Auto Closeout
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,583
Likes: 504
From: Indianapolis IN
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Fixed it for you.
It's all totally our fault and not likely to be corrected. It's gone too far. For decades we have allowed people that can't properly pronounce the words of the English language to teach in our places of education. Years ago, I had a university professor who taught chemistry. It took six weeks until someone figured out that what was sounding like "ruddy pharaoh" was actually supposed to be "relative error".
It's all totally our fault and not likely to be corrected. It's gone too far. For decades we have allowed people that can't properly pronounce the words of the English language to teach in our places of education. Years ago, I had a university professor who taught chemistry. It took six weeks until someone figured out that what was sounding like "ruddy pharaoh" was actually supposed to be "relative error".
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 610
From: Orange, CA
Only had a single 'issue' with Rockauto, which hilariously enough was recent. Went to order calipers for my '95, which are J55s. Made sure to grab the 'heavy duty' calipers listed, since those are the J55s. Calipers show up, go to put them on, they're not J55s. Part number on the box is correct, part in box is not.
RA's automated system tried very hard to suggest that I had ordered the wrong part, since the calipers themselves do not have part numbers stamped onto them that match the box and thus they can't tell. After insisting they were wrong, I had an RMA. The shipping cost to send them back was literally less than $2. Pretty sure that's a problem with the reman system though; people buying J55 calipers and putting regular calipers back as cores, as well as people at the reman places who can't tell the difference between the two stocking the reman parts boxes. So instead I went through a Corvette specialty shop to get the correct calipers guaranteed, which was way more expensive but I got the right parts.
Everything else I've bought through RA in the last 15 years has been smooth.
RA's automated system tried very hard to suggest that I had ordered the wrong part, since the calipers themselves do not have part numbers stamped onto them that match the box and thus they can't tell. After insisting they were wrong, I had an RMA. The shipping cost to send them back was literally less than $2. Pretty sure that's a problem with the reman system though; people buying J55 calipers and putting regular calipers back as cores, as well as people at the reman places who can't tell the difference between the two stocking the reman parts boxes. So instead I went through a Corvette specialty shop to get the correct calipers guaranteed, which was way more expensive but I got the right parts.
Everything else I've bought through RA in the last 15 years has been smooth.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
If they clearly sent you the incorrect part as you state, and refused to work with you, did you file a claim with your method of payment? (Credit card or PayPal) With pictures and copies of documentation and correspondence, you would get your money back.
The only thing I use Rock Auto for is price matching. Summit Racing will price match them. Since they are 18 miles from me, I will buy from a brick and mortar.
RA is good until it isn't. Then when it isn't its like a hemorrhoid.
Last edited by drcook; Feb 12, 2021 at 01:26 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,062
Likes: 166
From: United States
Use RockAuto to figure out what parts you need, then search the net for them.. Their shipping used to be good, till Amazon got huge. Now Amazon has same parts and even though prime is "free" shipping, it does beat RockAuto most of the time..
And, to be honest, some dealerships beat both...
And, to be honest, some dealerships beat both...
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 30,427
Likes: 1,609
From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
I have ordered close to $19k in parts from RA over the years 
and have only ever had one issue with a wrong part that was not my fault. I have had 2 or three defective parts, but those were always handled very quickly.
and have only ever had one issue with a wrong part that was not my fault. I have had 2 or three defective parts, but those were always handled very quickly.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 400
From: DFW TX
I tried RA for the first time in about 10 years. It went decent as I wasn't in a hurry. What kept me from using them for so many years was the horrendous process I had to go through to return the wrong part they sent me. I ordered a driver's side side view mirror and they sent me a passenger side. It was for an 03 Mustang GT. I tried calling, was told to use the online process. Took about 3-4 days to get my first response which was to see if it would fit if I turned it upside down. Told them no. Then they wanted me to pay return shipping.. Again no.. After about 2 weeks back and forth they finally sent me a return label and didn't ship the correct part until the other made it back to their warehouse. So for the last decade I habe just used their site to find part numbers and then buy them off Amazon.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
I have said this before, Rockauto sometimes (if not always) is shipping from someone not Rockauto. My son ordered some parts that were supposed to be Moog. They were Moog boxes with the wrong Napa parts (still in their Napa packages). They were shipped from a "Buy Here Pay Here" type place up in the semi-ghetto area of Cleveland, which is just north of us. I looked up the address they were shipped from.
Of course they claimed my son ordered the wrong part. I will NEVER buy from them. You folks that buy from them will save money until you don't. Then you will understand.
It is better to keep your local guy in business for a few dollars more so you can go get that part you need right now, now 2 days from now when you need to be at work tomorrow.
Of course they claimed my son ordered the wrong part. I will NEVER buy from them. You folks that buy from them will save money until you don't. Then you will understand.
It is better to keep your local guy in business for a few dollars more so you can go get that part you need right now, now 2 days from now when you need to be at work tomorrow.
If you have paid for it with a credit card, run a dispute and let them come to you. Amex is particularly good for that. With RA, it is pretty simple. If the part is $20 instead of $100 at the dealership or whatever, you need to be prepared to throw that part away and not look back. Your fault, my fault, nobody's fault. It is the price of doing business with them and their lower price. If you are, RA is good for you.
Why? Besides a big chain parts store, can they do better than Jegs or Summit? I think not. I had no trouble with getting refunded or warranty with Jegs or Summit. I usually get it faster than the small local guy so it isn't impressive. Higher price, longer wait.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
So they drop ship or have "private label" stuff.
If an unscrupulous person/business (as happened to my son) gets into the system, then what happened to my son happens.
You still don't get it. One of their suppliers, happened to have the MOOG boxes, took an order for MOOG parts. Stuck some unrelated NAPA brand parts in the boxes to make weight and shipped it.
The address on the box it was shipped from was a "buy here/pay here" car lot in Cleveland Ohio.
NOT a warehouse, NOT a parts business, a scab car sales place that got in on the deal to make a quick buck.
Then Rock Auto blamed it on my son for "ordering the wrong parts". **** them and their horse for all time as far as I am concerned. That is my opinion
and I am entitled to it.
Since this took place quite a while ago,maybe they cleaned up their act. However, other than using them for a price match, I have no use for them.
Out of this thread I am done with it. Just like I am done with Nitto tires.
Last edited by drcook; Feb 14, 2021 at 07:08 AM.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,062
Likes: 166
From: United States
I ordered parts just recently, and the parts did not have the same company name as on the box. I was told its the same in parts stores, as they multi country builders.
It was a bearing, Moog. But it had a National part in it.. Same numbers, but name was different. Apparently Moog has been doing this for years, as many others, over seas builders unknown to you the consumer.
Tires do it to.. Look at who built them by reading the codes, China, Vietnam, USA, Europe.
I do use Rock Auto allot, to at least find the parts.
Then, I would go to Amazon to see if I can get same part cheaper.
If not, go local, open the box. We have a place called Parks Auto. fantastic. Not always the cheapest, but keep it local helps my area.
It was a bearing, Moog. But it had a National part in it.. Same numbers, but name was different. Apparently Moog has been doing this for years, as many others, over seas builders unknown to you the consumer.
Tires do it to.. Look at who built them by reading the codes, China, Vietnam, USA, Europe.
I do use Rock Auto allot, to at least find the parts.
Then, I would go to Amazon to see if I can get same part cheaper.
If not, go local, open the box. We have a place called Parks Auto. fantastic. Not always the cheapest, but keep it local helps my area.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 331
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
I've been using Rockauto for 6 years and very happy. Had a couple of returns, only "issue" was where GMB produced wheel bearings with the same part number that were different, very different, yet they (GMB) insisted they were correct. I poked and got a return.
I prefer RA over local as local never has ****. IF they happen to have a part, they have exactly that: one part from one manufacturer. RA will show way more choices at more reasonable rates. Keep the rates in mind when you start complaining about shipping, I usually count as the cost of the item and it's still less than local.
Last, you KNOW, in the cart, while ordering that some parts ship from different places, hence more shipping charges (really separate for each location). One improvement I'd like to see is WHERE the shipment is from, had one or two boxes packed like a sick monkey on crack. RA has replaced stuff like that without return shipping for low cost items (though it's junk anyway).
I prefer RA over local as local never has ****. IF they happen to have a part, they have exactly that: one part from one manufacturer. RA will show way more choices at more reasonable rates. Keep the rates in mind when you start complaining about shipping, I usually count as the cost of the item and it's still less than local.
Last, you KNOW, in the cart, while ordering that some parts ship from different places, hence more shipping charges (really separate for each location). One improvement I'd like to see is WHERE the shipment is from, had one or two boxes packed like a sick monkey on crack. RA has replaced stuff like that without return shipping for low cost items (though it's junk anyway).
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
I've been using Rockauto for 6 years and very happy. Had a couple of returns, only "issue" was where GMB produced wheel bearings with the same part number that were different, very different, yet they (GMB) insisted they were correct. I poked and got a return.
I prefer RA over local as local never has ****. IF they happen to have a part, they have exactly that: one part from one manufacturer. RA will show way more choices at more reasonable rates. Keep the rates in mind when you start complaining about shipping, I usually count as the cost of the item and it's still less than local.
Last, you KNOW, in the cart, while ordering that some parts ship from different places, hence more shipping charges (really separate for each location). One improvement I'd like to see is WHERE the shipment is from, had one or two boxes packed like a sick monkey on crack. RA has replaced stuff like that without return shipping for low cost items (though it's junk anyway).
I prefer RA over local as local never has ****. IF they happen to have a part, they have exactly that: one part from one manufacturer. RA will show way more choices at more reasonable rates. Keep the rates in mind when you start complaining about shipping, I usually count as the cost of the item and it's still less than local.
Last, you KNOW, in the cart, while ordering that some parts ship from different places, hence more shipping charges (really separate for each location). One improvement I'd like to see is WHERE the shipment is from, had one or two boxes packed like a sick monkey on crack. RA has replaced stuff like that without return shipping for low cost items (though it's junk anyway).
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 243
Count me in the crowd that got the right box from RA with a seemingly knockoff inferior part inside. Complete hassle to return without incurring costs yourself, still working out the most recent transaction. That said , have had plenty of other purchases from them without issue. But the entire lack of customer service from them as of late has really turned me off, if you need any type of help just forget it, you only have access to their scripted frequently asked questions that all try hard to result in whatever it is, it is your problem, not theirs.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
Count me in the crowd that got the right box from RA with a seemingly knockoff inferior part inside. Complete hassle to return without incurring costs yourself, still working out the most recent transaction. That said , have had plenty of other purchases from them without issue. But the entire lack of customer service from them as of late has really turned me off, if you need any type of help just forget it, you only have access to their scripted frequently asked questions that all try hard to result in whatever it is, it is your problem, not theirs.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 610
From: Orange, CA
Lovely morning, oh King, ye in your ivory tower with your limitless disposable income. Oh, please do forgive us peasants who may not want to throw out an improperly boxed part that was worth $200 and would rather get our money back so that we may put that money towards acquiring the correct part through alternative means.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 262
From: Park Ridge New Jersey
$40 is not worth the cost of aggravation. I was going to buy a set of monroe shocks for my DD. Rock has them for about $75 each, amazon about $85 and over $100 at shock warehouse. My mechanic is not a rock auto fan, for reasons already posted. I was going to just go to Rock (hey $40 is $40) and not listen to him, but the feedback here is setting me straight
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
Lovely morning, oh King, ye in your ivory tower with your limitless disposable income. Oh, please do forgive us peasants who may not want to throw out an improperly boxed part that was worth $200 and would rather get our money back so that we may put that money towards acquiring the correct part through alternative means.
If you can't afford to toss out the wrong parts and forget the warranty or want the frustrating times, perhaps you should not do business with them. It really is that simple. I buy what I can afford to toss out. What I can't, I buy it elsewhere where the policies are more to my liking. Not sure how much simpler it gets without drawing pictures but there it is.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 243
No need for anyone to start taking offense, I think the point trying to be made above is that most of us expect to receive what was advertised and purchased, not an inferior item. I believe you would find yourself in the minority of those willing to eat that loss.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 610
From: Orange, CA
What JMGTP said. I got my return from RA. The cost to ship two brake calipers back was $1.62. So on $200 worth of parts that were incorrect, I lost $1.62 (and some time). It's the only issue I've had with RA in nearly two decades, and despite their return system having a hard time understanding "the wrong part is in the box," they did authorize the return and I did get my money back.
Blows my mind to see wild opinions like aklim's on how to handle simple things like that.
Blows my mind to see wild opinions like aklim's on how to handle simple things like that.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
I'm not willing to eat the loss but for a $5 item, after shipping, it is a waste of my time. For a $500 item, it isn't a waste of time but it's aggravation dealing with them. So I'll pass altogether on them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,677
Likes: 812
From: Saskatoon Sask.
What JMGTP said. I got my return from RA. The cost to ship two brake calipers back was $1.62. So on $200 worth of parts that were incorrect, I lost $1.62 (and some time). It's the only issue I've had with RA in nearly two decades, and despite their return system having a hard time understanding "the wrong part is in the box," they did authorize the return and I did get my money back.
Blows my mind to see wild opinions like aklim's on how to handle simple things like that.
Blows my mind to see wild opinions like aklim's on how to handle simple things like that.