Rockauto oppopinions?

"claramag, Mustaco Master" (claramag)
08/08/2014 at 18:13 • Filed to: oppopinions, rock auto

I've ordered maybe half a dozen OEM cheapo replacers from Rock Auto over the years and had good stories all together. Now my tight budgeted friend's alternator has gone kaputy and she needs a replacement, and I just want to make sure they're entirely good now that my reputation is on the line

So opponauts, opinions on rockauto?

DISCUSSION (28)

Clown Shoe Pilot > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/08/2014 at 18:34

i've bought parts from them before for various beaters i've owned. no problems to report.

DoYouEvenShift > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/08/2014 at 18:39

Ive spent hundreds of dollars on that site, and have been treated very well. I recommend it for most parts. Stuff like alternators, starters, power steering components. I would recommend you buy from a local parts store. The failure rate of aftermarket, parts store type components is high. When it does fail, you remove it, take it to the parts store, walk out with a new one. It takes a bit longer when dealing with an online store obviously.

Renescent > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/08/2014 at 18:40

Love em, always have the parts I need, they arrive fast and I've yet (knock on wood) to have to exchange anything.

Conan > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/08/2014 at 18:40

They sold me a seriously bad headlight. Then they turned around and sent me two good ones when I told them. I approve.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/08/2014 at 18:43

been using for a while. I ordered a pair of headlights for my projector retrofit and due to a typo one headlight (full assembly) only cost me $1.42, the other $81. So 2 brand new top quality headlights for <$100. Not bad. Then I proceeded to rip them apart and do unspeakable things

BigBlock440 > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/08/2014 at 19:34

They seem to have everything, and at good prices. I did get a window motor from them last summer (back window). The local stores only had the motor/regulator combo, bought the motor only for half the price. Worked (I guess, don't use the back windows much) for a while, then one spring morning I went to put the window down. Didn't happen. It worked the week before, and at least it stopped in the up position both times. Only lasted about 6 months before it went dead. Outside the 30 day warranty though. I didn't change it yet (again, don't use back windows much), but when I do, it will probably be with something that has a longer warranty.

Had friends that got parts from there and they didn't have problems with them though, so maybe I was just unlucky.

NeilR > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/08/2014 at 19:38

Go for it. They're good people.

RacinBob > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/08/2014 at 19:54

Awesome service. Their parts selector is like a wholesaler's and includes pictures to help ID parts. Good reputable brand stuff.

Recently I ordered a set of front brake rotors and due to my mistake got wrong ones. No problems, I submitted a request for return, printed a shipping label and returned them costing me only the cost of shipping. Awesome.

Now one comment on buying an alternator. Be very careful to get a reputable brand. The cheapies use chinese or worse regulators whose lives are measured in weeks. Same for rebuilt distributors. Its a shame but you can't trust the real cheap rebuild brands.

claramag, Mustaco Master > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/08/2014 at 22:02

Typos in your financial benefit are best typos possible. But uh...please keep those unspeakable thinks unspoken

claramag, Mustaco Master > Renescent
08/08/2014 at 22:03

Same here. Never had any issues, just wondered if anyone had. Love the little magnets they send

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/08/2014 at 22:05

I've ordered from them dozens of times and only had two problems. First was that one shock didn't come with me bushings or hardware, but they sent me replacements very quickly even though they had to get the kit from the shock manufacturer because it was a cheap closeout item. Second was a window motor that was wrong because their catalog s wrong. It didn't account for the updated part that face-lift models got, their catalog didn't even show the updated part. So they again had to call the manufacturer, but they got me the correct part at not cost to me within a few days and fixed their catalog issue. Definitely recommend.

claramag, Mustaco Master > Conan
08/08/2014 at 22:05

*thumbs up for proper cust service*

claramag, Mustaco Master > Clown Shoe Pilot
08/08/2014 at 22:05

Rock auto, more like beat your auto to shit then buy more stuff from them cuz they rock

claramag, Mustaco Master > BigBlock440
08/08/2014 at 22:08

Must've been refurbed, what a shame. Motors and regulators are such a pain in the ass. Ah well tho, it's a back door. Screw the passengers, they can suck it up

claramag, Mustaco Master > DoYouEvenShift
08/08/2014 at 22:10

I agree, parts stores are more expensive but convenient. Have a single car, can walk the commute to work so for the past few years it hasn't been worth it. When I move out to bumfudge nowhere I'll probably have to hit up parts stores again.

claramag, Mustaco Master > RacinBob
08/08/2014 at 22:12

Never had to return stuff from rock auto yet, but good to know their stuff is reliable.

Agreed on the reputable brand bit. I find my...extended high revving behavior wears most cheap alternators out like fabric. I actually have a 2nd cheap alt on stand by for when the current one dies. Buy cheap, swap out in 10-15 min.

claramag, Mustaco Master > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
08/08/2014 at 22:20

IIRC I got some KYB shocks missing a washer a while back. Had a spare that nearly matched so NBD for a temp replacement. Didn't even bother complaining for such a small issue, but good to know their replacement method is that good, and great to hear they'll go out of their way like that with the manufacturer

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/08/2014 at 22:30

they went back and corrected it afterwards - I checked :/

claramag, Mustaco Master > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/08/2014 at 22:33

The unspoken was referring to whatever you did when you ripped them apart. Although I'm super curious what exactly required a headlight disassemble.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/08/2014 at 22:48

Projectory HID retrofit. Instead of having blinding plug n play HIDs i'll have legit projectors with nasty cakes Demon Eyes —> http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/aint-no-angels…

claramag, Mustaco Master > nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul
08/08/2014 at 22:55

ooh that's clever. gonna remember

DoYouEvenShift > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/08/2014 at 22:56

You know, from all the comments in here. I gotta say. I work in a full service shop. In my experience, 1 in 4 boxes of shocks has missing hardware. Regardless of brand happens all the time.

nFamousCJ - Keeper of Stringbean, Gengars and a Deezul > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/08/2014 at 22:58

Theyre mounted and ready for install. The purple turns on (both) when my car remote starts, then a switch brings them to green. Once headlights turn on the demon eyes turn off. Depending on the weather they'll be mounted, aimed and sealed this weekend. There will be a post and a big reveal of sorts.

claramag, Mustaco Master > DoYouEvenShift
08/08/2014 at 22:58

From my >2 years in a shop, imma agree. Thank santa christ for Napa

DoYouEvenShift > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/08/2014 at 22:59

And community hardware drawers!

Stef Schrader > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/09/2014 at 04:53

Yep—go for it.

RacinBob > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/09/2014 at 14:42

By the way, because of this string I just found new headlights for my wife's '02 Si at $35 each and ordered a set. That's far easier than trying to polish them......

BigBlock440 > claramag, Mustaco Master
08/09/2014 at 19:30

I think it was a refurb. Oh well, I'll get another one at some point. Or maybe a junkyard one.