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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.
And if the purchase was $5? You want to box it up, bring it to a shipping facility and pay $2 shipping? You must be hard up for $3.
I can't help what blows your mind but I don't want to do business with them because they made me jump through hoops to get money back for warranty or a mistake on their part. I would bite the bullet if it was my fault, though. I'd gladly patronize other places that have easier warranty and return policies than to go through all the aggravation with them. Is that difficult for you to understand?
You shipped two brake calipers weighing ~10 lbs. for 1.62?!?
After you screw around with them for a RMA via email. Who knows. Maybe they will pay some shipping? They once sent me a bunch of stuff by mistake. Took a while to get them to pick up. They even wanted me to spend my time to drop them off. Told them I am putting it on my front porch after a couple of weeks, IIRC. Took a few days to get it picked up still.
You shipped two brake calipers weighing ~10 lbs. for 1.62?!?
I did. From California to NY. Here's the return confirmation for proof:
Apologies, they were $150, not $200. Either way, you get the idea.
Originally Posted by aklim
After you screw around with them for a RMA via email. Who knows.
I know, because I did it. There was no "screwing around with them for a RMA via email," I just went through the hoops on the automated system right on their website and it offered me a FedEx label for $1.62. I took it, because that's insane, and there's no way I could send brake calipers for cheaper than that.
Originally Posted by aklim
And if the purchase was $5? You want to box it up, bring it to a shipping facility and pay $2 shipping? You must be hard up for $3.
Not everyone uses Rockauto to exclusively purchase a $2 spark plug, aklim. Parts can cost hundreds, and if you get the wrong one, you've gotta be a special kind of person to just go, "Eh, whatever, it's cool." I'm not suggesting you bother on a $2 item--I'm suggesting that your sweeping claim of "everything you buy is yours forever regardless of circumstance" is bollocks.
Not everyone uses Rockauto to exclusively purchase a $2 spark plug, aklim. Parts can cost hundreds, and if you get the wrong one, you've gotta be a special kind of person to just go, "Eh, whatever, it's cool." I'm not suggesting you bother on a $2 item--I'm suggesting that your sweeping claim of "everything you buy is yours forever regardless of circumstance" is bollocks.
My history with them is different from your's, I guess. As far as I am concerned, everything I buy from them is forever mine regardless of the circumstances and warranty is a PITA so forget it. If I don't feel I can absorb that loss, I don't buy from them. What part of that escapes you?
I’ve used them a lot. Not many issues. One thing is that you can’t call and speak to anyone anymore. All customer support is through email and you’re guilty until proven innocent.
I stick to the basics with them. Common parts that are hard to screw up. I also price stuff locally and often buy local if the prices and quality is similar or I can’t wait for shipping the item in.
their customers service reps have the process they have to follow and I get that, but most have the intelligence level of bricks during that process.
Online or local, we are never going to go back to the days when service was paramount and the "man over the counter" knew what he/she was talking about. Back in the day, if you needed parts for your Chev, Ford, etc. you went to the dealership and more times than not, the person would walk right back to the location and grab what you needed without even looking for the part number or bin location. Nowadays when you go into a parts store, your first task is to get the y/z pried away from their phone. Tell them what you want and one of the first things they say is "Does it have air conditioning?" even if you are only looking for a tire valve stem. The computer won't let them go any farther until that is answered and they know nothing about automotive workings - only computer workings. If they give you the wrong part, the standard answer is "Well, that's what the computer says." Fck the computer, I'm telling you it's the wrong part! That is the main reason I shop local. You have the part in your hand BEFORE you pay and can determine if: 1. - It is correct and 2. - It is of the quality and fitment you are prepared to pay for. If not, leave it on the counter and tell them
I’ve used them a lot. Not many issues. One thing is that you can’t call and speak to anyone anymore. All customer support is through email and you’re guilty until proven innocent.
I stick to the basics with them. Common parts that are hard to screw up. I also price stuff locally and often buy local if the prices and quality is similar or I can’t wait for shipping the item in.
their customers service reps have the process they have to follow and I get that, but most have the intelligence level of bricks during that process.
Heard an interesting discussion at one of the chain parts houses. They found the right part, guy was satisfied. When it came to price, the guy was not happy. You see, it was much more than what it was online. The wanted them to match something they found either on a walmart.com or whatever. Customer was told that they cannot and if he wanted to, buy it online. At which time the customer replied that he didn't want to because he had warranty issues and needed the part now and not in a week or two. Bottom line, customer wants the buy local positive points but the online pricing.
Online or local, we are never going to go back to the days when service was paramount and the "man over the counter" knew what he/she was talking about. Back in the day, if you needed parts for your Chev, Ford, etc. you went to the dealership and more times than not, the person would walk right back to the location and grab what you needed without even looking for the part number or bin location. Nowadays when you go into a parts store, your first task is to get the y/z pried away from their phone. Tell them what you want and one of the first things they say is "Does it have air conditioning?" even if you are only looking for a tire valve stem. The computer won't let them go any farther until that is answered and they know nothing about automotive workings - only computer workings. If they give you the wrong part, the standard answer is "Well, that's what the computer says." Fck the computer, I'm telling you it's the wrong part! That is the main reason I shop local. You have the part in your hand BEFORE you pay and can determine if: 1. - It is correct and 2. - It is of the quality and fitment you are prepared to pay for. If not, leave it on the counter and tell them
We didn't want that, remember? We wanted the cheap pricing so something had to go. Besides, back then they had fewer items to look up and the guy has been there for eons. Today, we have all kinds of modules and what not, cars have models and sub models with all kinds of different stuff, etc. If you want me to stand behind the Autozone counter and remember all of the parts they carry, you are dreaming. Today, that salesman who was touting Chevy has moved on to Ford and in a year or two, Chrysler. You aren't going to gather moss on a rolling stone.
We didn't want that, remember? We wanted the cheap pricing so something had to go. Besides, back then they had fewer items to look up and the guy has been there for eons. Today, we have all kinds of modules and what not, cars have models and sub models with all kinds of different stuff, etc. If you want me to stand behind the Autozone counter and remember all of the parts they carry, you are dreaming. Today, that salesman who was touting Chevy has moved on to Ford and in a year or two, Chrysler. You aren't going to gather moss on a rolling stone.
I know you are just itching to get going with another of your argumentative musings so I am not about to reply to any further posts. However, your statement above is full of ****. First of all, I specifically singled out dealerships in my post. The parts people at dealerships knew their stuff. You bring in Autozone, a jobber store. Secondly, back in the day, dealerships had more models and variants of each sub model to deal with(eg. Roadrunner - GTX). Plymouth, Fargo, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, AMC, etc., etc. What does Chevy have these days in comparison? Corvette, Camaro, a couple granny cars and SUV's? They also had more individual parts to deal with. For example, if you had a faulty fuel gauge - oil pressure gauge - tach - Speedo - etc., you could buy one and replace it. Now we buy a "gauge cluster", 1 item. Regardless, it doesn't change the fact that memory or not, the modern day "partsperson" is pretty much useless without their computer. A good portion wouldn't know a brake pad from a fan belt. OK, your turn - have at 'er.
I know you are just itching to get going with another of your argumentative musings so I am not about to reply to any further posts. However, your statement above is full of ****. First of all, I specifically singled out dealerships in my post. The parts people at dealerships knew their stuff. You bring in Autozone, a jobber store. Secondly, back in the day, dealerships had more models and variants of each sub model to deal with(eg. Roadrunner - GTX). Plymouth, Fargo, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, AMC, etc., etc. What does Chevy have these days in comparison? Corvette, Camaro, a couple granny cars and SUV's? They also had more individual parts to deal with. For example, if you had a faulty fuel gauge - oil pressure gauge - tach - Speedo - etc., you could buy one and replace it. Now we buy a "gauge cluster", 1 item. Regardless, it doesn't change the fact that memory or not, the modern day "partsperson" is pretty much useless without their computer. A good portion wouldn't know a brake pad from a fan belt. OK, your turn - have at 'er.
Fair enough. Before you go, let me just put one item out. This was the opinion of several parts people and mechanics at dealerships. These are the dinosaurs that have been at it for over 20 years. IDK. Maybe they were wrong.
I use RA fairly regularly, I've even bought engines and transmissions from them. I cross shop between them amazon, other vendors, and eBay for the best parts/prices. It's like a game with RA getting the price down by getting parts from the same locations. I've had issues with them before, but I've had issues from most vendors at one point or another. USPS, now they're the worst. I'll pay whatever it takes to keep my items from them.
I use RA fairly regularly, I've even bought engines and transmissions from them. I cross shop between them amazon, other vendors, and eBay for the best parts/prices. It's like a game with RA getting the price down by getting parts from the same locations. I've had issues with them before, but I've had issues from most vendors at one point or another. USPS, now they're the worst. I'll pay whatever it takes to keep my items from them.
Have you had to try returning stuff and how did you find the warranty process? Many other vendors, you pay more than RA for sure. I could see someone using them for a flipping car situation since I don't care about the warranty. When stuff breaks, I'm already stressed. I need to know that the warranty is not going to be adding more problems.
I usually use USPS for non mission critical stuff. Paying bills where I am not worried about the outcome as much. Say my HOA bill. Or if the person I sold the item to is so cheap that they want USPS. Their tracking is terrible. I prefer FedEx or UPS since they accept larger packages at the nearby Advance Auto, etc. I once bought something and waited for 3 weeks while it was lost. Seller refunded the money on week 4. Guess what happened on week 5 that caused me to refund their refund.
I use RA fairly regularly, I've even bought engines and transmissions from them. I cross shop between them amazon, other vendors, and eBay for the best parts/prices. It's like a game with RA getting the price down by getting parts from the same locations. I've had issues with them before, but I've had issues from most vendors at one point or another. USPS, now they're the worst. I'll pay whatever it takes to keep my items from them.
Just out of curiosity, how satisfied are you with their engines/transmissions. I have seen them listed but never purchased one from them.
Just out of curiosity, how satisfied are you with their engines/transmissions. I have seen them listed but never purchased one from them.
I've been really happy with them. I did a 4.3 longblock and 4l60e for my son's zr2 s10 and its running great 2 years later. I put a 4l60 from them in my wife's 97 z28 and it's also doing great. I even had an issue with a trans shipping with the wrong tail housing and the support number that comes with the trans was great. Their core process is super simple, they drop off the reman then pickup your core when you call.
Have you had to try returning stuff and how did you find the warranty process? Many other vendors, you pay more than RA for sure. I could see someone using them for a flipping car situation since I don't care about the warranty. When stuff breaks, I'm already stressed. I need to know that the warranty is not going to be adding more problems.
I usually use USPS for non mission critical stuff. Paying bills where I am not worried about the outcome as much. Say my HOA bill. Or if the person I sold the item to is so cheap that they want USPS. Their tracking is terrible. I prefer FedEx or UPS since they accept larger packages at the nearby Advance Auto, etc. I once bought something and waited for 3 weeks while it was lost. Seller refunded the money on week 4. Guess what happened on week 5 that caused me to refund their refund.
I've used their warranty process several times and don't mind it. It's very automated but works as long as you have time to wait. Certainly easier to go to the local chain store for a warranty issue but I have so many cars one can be down for a bit.
I actually just placed an order for some tank straps for my 94 vette and got a "shipped" notice within 30 minutes. I may just have good luck with them but I'll take it.
I've used their warranty process several times and don't mind it. It's very automated but works as long as you have time to wait. Certainly easier to go to the local chain store for a warranty issue but I have so many cars one can be down for a bit.
I actually just placed an order for some tank straps for my 94 vette and got a "shipped" notice within 30 minutes. I may just have good luck with them but I'll take it.
Glad it worked out for you. I usually go to Jegs or Summit if I can wait or local if I cannot. Buying from them is easy if you know how to navigate. If you need help, you send email and wait was my experience. Maybe they changed their process.
I've been really happy with them. I did a 4.3 longblock and 4l60e for my son's zr2 s10 and its running great 2 years later. I put a 4l60 from them in my wife's 97 z28 and it's also doing great. I even had an issue with a trans shipping with the wrong tail housing and the support number that comes with the trans was great. Their core process is super simple, they drop off the reman then pickup your core when you call.
I may have to try them next time I need something like that.
Have ordered many parts from Rock Auto and only had one problem which was not resolved but i sold the part on Craigscraplist for what i paid and the person i sold it to was thrilled... Rock Auto has basically been a great place for me to get good parts and save a ton of $$$.
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Have ordered many parts from Rock Auto and only had one problem which was not resolved but i sold the part on Craigscraplist for what i paid and the person i sold it to was thrilled... Rock Auto has basically been a great place for me to get good parts and save a ton of $$$.
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Kinda why I don't advocate Rock Auto. I'll buy from them only if I am willing to accept that I have no recourse if there is a problem whether it is a wrong part of warranty. Usually, I can't afford low prices WITH aggravation.
