Getting fed up...

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Watch out for Rock Auto; I ordered a water pump, received the correct part number on the box, but the wrong water pump inside the box. There was no way to contact a human being so I could explain, arranging an exchange or return all had to be done online, with no place to describe the actual problem. I was offered a full refund for the part, but would have to eat the shipping to return. Their mistake! I put the water pump on a shelf and haven't bought from Rock Auto since then.
 
Update on Rock Auto. I managed to find an email address by digging deeper into their website, and they responded next day, said I could keep the part and are sending me a new part to replace wrongly labeled, all free of charge.
Wow. Terrific service, once I was able to communicate with a human being.
I’ll continue buying from Rock Auto after this- often they’re the only place to find reasonably priced parts.
 
Rock auto sells mispackaged parts i.e. the p/n is correct yet the wrong part is in the box. I sent a note with my return and no reply. You should share that email address.

Today I had the pleasure of helping the guy that runs the local saw mill repair his Case 580 backhoe. The NAPA ignition switch failed in three months. The NAPA replacement he had doesn't look promising either. It was hard for me to explain to the old fellow that NAPA is now Chinese junk.
 
Rock auto sells mispackaged parts i.e. the p/n is correct yet the wrong part is in the box. I sent a note with my return and no reply. You should share that email address.

Today I had the pleasure of helping the guy that runs the local saw mill repair his Case 580 backhoe. The NAPA ignition switch failed in three months. The NAPA replacement he had doesn't look promising either. It was hard for me to explain to the old fellow that NAPA is now Chinese junk.
Agree with both of these...
 
Watch out for Rock Auto; I ordered a water pump, received the correct part number on the box, but the wrong water pump inside the box. There was no way to contact a human being so I could explain, arranging an exchange or return all had to be done online, with no place to describe the actual problem. I was offered a full refund for the part, but would have to eat the shipping to return. Their mistake! I put the water pump on a shelf and haven't bought from Rock Auto since then.
I just went through this with RA for a mis-boxed caliper. Although a pita to package, they sent me a return shipping label, with tracking info, to cover shipping back. Now, having said that, it will be interesting to see if I get a portion of the original shipping credited to my account.
 
I always buy small stuff from rock auto The larger items are priced good but the shipping price kills the deal
 
I always buy small stuff from rock auto The larger items are priced good but the shipping price kills the deal
RA shipping seems like a scam. I could be wrong, but I doubt it. Yes, share that email address!!!
 
here is a link to read and contact
 
Rock auto sells mispackaged parts i.e. the p/n is correct yet the wrong part is in the box. I sent a note with my return and no reply. You should share that email address.

Today I had the pleasure of helping the guy that runs the local saw mill repair his Case 580 backhoe. The NAPA ignition switch failed in three months. The NAPA replacement he had doesn't look promising either. It was hard for me to explain to the old fellow that NAPA is now Chinese junk.
Sometimes you have to emphasize. I have a Cub-Cadet mower and have installed a couple starter relays. Now I installed a starter button, as back in the day. Starts every time now, just don't forget to turn the key on. LOL
 
If K gets in better plan on getting rid of your stuff while you can get a buck for it.
 
When I buy from them. I try to buy multiple items from the same shipping location. That way you can save on shipping. Example: I buy 3 oil filters and a couple fuel filters as well as air filters at a time.
 
And I know I'm not the only one.
This is a parts rant. Replacement parts have become such a hit-and-miss proposition, it seems like it's at less than 50/50 odds anymore. Every time I order parts (and it doesn't matter where the source is, O'Reiley, Napa, Rock- they all sell the same crap now) it seems like half of them go back. Just in the past weeks I've dealt with defective or incorrect master cylinders, fuel pumps, voltage regulators, fuel filters, tires; and timing chains that have more slop in them than the one I'm replacing... seems like half of my "car time" is spent returning or repairing/rebuilding "new" parts, and that's not an exaggeration. And the source doesn't matter anymore, either- what used to be the "quality/go-to" brands are just as bad as everyone else. And it's not just offshore junk, a lot is made domestically too. This is getting to be frustrating as H*ll, and I'm actually beginning to think it would be a better investment of my time and money to just sell it all and take up stamp collecting. Well, that ain't gonna happen- but the thought has occurred to me more than once. But this has definitely taken most of the fun and enjoyment out of the hobby for me. It's becoming a chore that I don't look forward to anymore. I've quit doing side jobs and repairs for anyone else, since I can't guarantee any kind of quality or satisfaction, and I ain't going to put my name on the line for things that are out of my control.
Rant over for now.
Professor Fate: Keep ranting. The poor quality of replacement parts ruined the hobby for me. I replaced all the front end bushings on my Dart with Moog parts only to find the front half of the strut rod bushings on the floor one morning. And I do know how to do this job so not the fault of my workmanship. I, too, replaced master cylinders 4 times before I found one that would allow for proper seating of the brake lines. Back in the '70s we still had factory stuff on the shelf. In the '80's quality replacement parts were available. Then changes started. Slowly, but now it's almost impossible to find a real, OEM quality, replacement part. I've stopped even wishing for the "good old days" as they are gone. Now, thanks for allowing me to pile on.
 
And I know I'm not the only one.
This is a parts rant. Replacement parts have become such a hit-and-miss proposition, it seems like it's at less than 50/50 odds anymore. Every time I order parts (and it doesn't matter where the source is, O'Reiley, Napa, Rock- they all sell the same crap now) it seems like half of them go back. Just in the past weeks I've dealt with defective or incorrect master cylinders, fuel pumps, voltage regulators, fuel filters, tires; and timing chains that have more slop in them than the one I'm replacing... seems like half of my "car time" is spent returning or repairing/rebuilding "new" parts, and that's not an exaggeration. And the source doesn't matter anymore, either- what used to be the "quality/go-to" brands are just as bad as everyone else. And it's not just offshore junk, a lot is made domestically too. This is getting to be frustrating as H*ll, and I'm actually beginning to think it would be a better investment of my time and money to just sell it all and take up stamp collecting. Well, that ain't gonna happen- but the thought has occurred to me more than once. But this has definitely taken most of the fun and enjoyment out of the hobby for me. It's becoming a chore that I don't look forward to anymore. I've quit doing side jobs and repairs for anyone else, since I can't guarantee any kind of quality or satisfaction, and I ain't going to put my name on the line for things that are out of my control.
Rant over for now.
This is nothing new. I remember going to NAPA and CarQuest multiple times with garbage remanufactured alternators one weekend. We finally clued in and made them test them before we accepted them.
 
I hate replying to this thread, but I'm noticing that parts quality is getting exponentially worse, as their prices go up. And in turn, the victim (me) is getting frustrated and pissed off. I bought new Moog front wheel bearings for my 2004 GMC envoy, paid a mechanic to install them, and they went bad in five weeks. Now I have to buy a different brand of wheel bearings and pay the mechanic to replace them AGAIN.

Also, I bought new rear rotors, calipers, and brake pads for the same car. The rear brake pads went down to metal in five months, and also took out and destroyed the new rotor (the other rotor is almost metal to metal).

I spoke to the auto parts store and they said they can replace the parts for free since they're both under warranty, but that may just set me up for failure AGAIN, in addition to all the costs associated with installing them a SECOND time.... The frustration-meter is almost through the roof....

Fyi, for anyone who is looking for brake pads or wheel bearings, be sure NOT to buy inferior Moog bearings from e*ay, or inferior Duralast brake pads/rotors from Autozone.
 
I hate replying to this thread, but I'm noticing that parts quality is getting exponentially worse, as their prices go up. And in turn, the victim (me) is getting frustrated and pissed off. I bought new Moog front wheel bearings for my 2004 GMC envoy, paid a mechanic to install them, and they went bad in five weeks. Now I have to buy a different brand of wheel bearings and pay the mechanic to replace them AGAIN.

Also, I bought new rear rotors, calipers, and brake pads for the same car. The rear brake pads went down to metal in five months, and also took out and destroyed the new rotor (the other rotor is almost metal to metal).

I spoke to the auto parts store and they said they can replace the parts for free since they're both under warranty, but that may just set me up for failure AGAIN, in addition to all the costs associated with installing them a SECOND time.... The frustration-meter is almost through the roof....

Fyi, for anyone who is looking for brake pads or wheel bearings, be sure NOT to buy inferior Moog bearings from e*ay, or inferior Duralast brake pads/rotors from Autozone.
I ordered the PowerStop brakepads and rotors kit for my '16 Scat Charger on summit and installed them a year ago and properly broke them in.

They are far superior to stock, and the slots are cut in the proper direction for both left and right side.

You can find good quality, just make sure you read the reviews with a critical eye. You work hard for your money. If you accept **** quality to save a few bucks you're only screwing yourself.
 
I ordered front wheel cyls (L&R) for my 66 Valiant from "Parts Geek". Received two left cyls, even though the boxes were marked correctly (one boxed wrong). Went to install the correct cyl and it would not tighten to the backing plate (mounting area machined wrong). They wanted me to supply a VIN number, and take pictures before they would correct the problem. No Vin number (race car, purchased from a salvage yard 20 years ago), I can't do pictures, and pictures would not show the incorrect machining. Wound up going to O'Riellys and getting "kits" and rebuilt my cyls.
 
I ordered the PowerStop brakepads and rotors kit for my '16 Scat Charger on summit and installed them a year ago and properly broke them in.

They are far superior to stock, and the slots are cut in the proper direction for both left and right side.

You can find good quality, just make sure you read the reviews with a critical eye. You work hard for your money. If you accept **** quality to save a few bucks you're only screwing yourself.

I agree, that you get what you pay for, but a lower priced part should not translate to defective garbage. Duralast has three levels of brake pads, the lower level, mid-range, and the gold version. I'd hope that no matter what their cost, that they should not fail, metal to metal, after 1500 miles like mine did. I've been using the lesser expensive brake pads for 35 years and never saw pads fail this fast, in addition to being alot more expensive than they used to be.
 
I ordered Powerstop for my 2017 Ram from Summit. I haven't installed them yet, but glad to read your review, thanks!
I ordered the PowerStop brakepads and rotors kit for my '16 Scat Charger on summit and installed them a year ago and properly broke them in.

They are far superior to stock, and the slots are cut in the proper direction for both left and right side.

You can find good quality, just make sure you read the reviews with a critical eye. You work hard for your money. If you accept **** quality to save a few bucks you're only screwing yourself.
 
I agree, that you get what you pay for, but a lower priced part should not translate to defective garbage. Duralast has three levels of brake pads, the lower level, mid-range, and the gold version. I'd hope that no matter what their cost, that they should not fail, metal to metal, after 1500 miles like mine did. I've been using the lesser expensive brake pads for 35 years and never saw pads fail this fast, in addition to being alot more expensive than they used to be.
I would check to see if your brakes are dragging, or your rotors are at Fault as a rough cut.
 
Electrical parts have been a nightmare. Starters, relays, toggle switches and the list goes on. After being burned way too many times I skip Rock Auto and go local or Summit. Summit used to swap out defective parts. Last order they had me return the damaged parts (poor packing job) and re-order. I'm not a fan of that system.

Not only the quality has suffered. Returning or exchanging parts is a time consuming errand.
Starters are trash now! Use to be able to just order some random starter for a 93 dakota and it would work no matter what for years. Now even spending for an MSD one and it's a roll of the dice!
 
Watch out for Rock Auto; I ordered a water pump, received the correct part number on the box, but the wrong water pump inside the box. There was no way to contact a human being so I could explain, arranging an exchange or return all had to be done online, with no place to describe the actual problem. I was offered a full refund for the part, but would have to eat the shipping to return. Their mistake! I put the water pump on a shelf and haven't bought from Rock Auto since then.
I had a similar experience about 2 years ago when I ordered patch panels for my Bronco. One was the correct part, but the other one was for a 2012 Chevy Silverado. I tried to contact Rock Auto by phone without success, so I went through the electronic process, including sending pictures of both parts and part numbers. In the end they sent me the correct one at no additional charge and told me to keep the incorrect part, it's still hanging on my garage wall. The only other negative experience I've had with them was about 17 years ago when I was shorted one spark plug. That time I was able to actually talk to a live person and within 3 days it had arrived in the mail.
 
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