[Shop-talk] Supplier of common items

[Benjamin Zwissler]

Walmart for most fluids.  Rockauto for most common bits and pieces,
Dorman type stuff (FLAPS carry very little of that stuff anymore) and
also parts depending on pricing and shipping.  When I rebuitl the A/C
system on an early 80s GM I was surprised that Advance Auto Parts beat
RockAuto by a pretty good amount, 10% or so on $500 worth of parts.
Also, RockAuto can be priced out if there's a signficant core charge.
With Advance I can order online, ship it to home and return the core
to the store.  I've only been burnt once or twice out of 100+ orders
from RockAuto and then it was on "closeout" parts that were very
cheap.

Ben.....

On Mon, Apr 14, 2014 at 10:41 AM, Randall <TR3driver at ca.rr.com> wrote:
>> Since this list has been pretty quiet, let me throw something
>> out there...
>> Where do most of you get your 'common' vehicle items from?
>> I'm talking
>> about spark plugs, filters, etc?
>>
>> Do you get it from the local AP store, online, or someplace
>> like Walmart?
>
> Depends on what I need, and how quickly I need it.  If I want it now or need some help, I'll stop by my favorite independent FLAPS.
> For common oil and antifreeze, I wait for it to go on sale at AutoZone or O'Reillys.  (Eg, AutoZone currently has Valvoline VR1 on
> sale for $4/qt, so I bought a dozen Friday.)  Otherwise, I usually order on-line.  Rockauto frequently has the best prices on hard
> parts (but watch out for shipping charges, they'll charge double if one part is in a near warehouse and the other in a far
> warehouse, even if the far warehouse also has the part.)  Amazon and Summit frequently do well, too (if they have it).
>
> Wal-Mart so rarely has what I want any more that I don't much bother going there unless everyplace closer is closed.  Probably
> varies by store, but the automotive department in the local stores seems to keep getting smaller and smaller and stocked only with
> brands I won't buy and parts that don't fit my cars.
>
> Randall
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