Getting fed up...

wmdj5 said

I have to say, I've been encouraged by Rock Auto.
I like that the pictures they show seem to be pretty accurate to what you will get.

I have had a couple of really bad experiences with chinese wheel bearings, so I try really hard to stay away from chinese made products.
I know, easier said than done, but I can scroll down through the listings on RA and usually find something made in this hemisphere.

If I am forced to go to Advance, Auto Zone or OReilly's I just know it's going to be chinese.

Recently I was looking for inner tie rod ends for my 93 Dak. By waiting and looking I was able to get OEM US made TRWs.

Click to expand...

True- Rock doesn't seem to be much different than any other supplier in that regard. Being a reseller, they handle a lot of the brands that everybody else sells- they buy up overstock and closeout inventories from various warehouses and chain stores and sell them at discount prices, albeit with outrageous shipping prices- so you can kind of pick and choose which parts you're going to get. Heck, I've even gotten genuine "Mopar" parts from them. Returns are a pain, though. You do your due diligence and hope for the best, like most places.
I've only had mixed luck with well-known name parts lately, as a lot of them have been going overseas and QC isn't what it once was... have you checked out Wix filters lately? Even some Timken/National stuff is Indonesian (although I haven't had major issues with it yet).