This is my opinion a couple minutes into this video: Only idiots buy parts then bring them to a shop for install.
Additionally - Only the bottom of the barrel shops will allow clients to bring the parts for them to install.
Years ago I worked in an independent shop, and we also would not allow clients to buy parts and bring them in - the potential for headaches surrounding the wrong, or missing parts was too much hassle to risk.
Another thought that came to me later while watching the video: What sort of idiot orders oil online?
You're much better off watching for sales at walmart or canadian tire - and spending half (or less) on oil.
$72 for a jug of off brand 5w30? - is this guy crazy?
I am pretty sure the TDI should have been using a Euro spec oil such as Mobile1 0W-30 - which can often be found for that same price, but can also be found for less that $40/jug if you wait for sales at one of the two brick and mortar stores... you know the ones which employ local people??!
I did notice that the oil change part of the video, he didn't show the cost of individual items for partsavatar, but he DID for Rockauto.
Ok, so shipping can be cheaper by buying from PA vs RA if you (as a Canadian) are buying with the intent of shipping into Canada; We get it.
What I think is happening here is that the spokesperson for PA is skewing matters by picking a specific item, and then rubbing the cheaper or free shipping in your face; All the while, missing the fact that often RA can offer comparable parts for a deep discount (notice the last example of brakes for the Dodge truck was actually $100 more pre-shipping and tax vs the RA price); Many of the parts listed on RA are (or were) from warehouse closures/liquidations - which is how their prices can be so cheap.
For some people, shipping RA orders to a state-side receiver for you to pick up in person is how you can make RA's cheap prices even cheaper.
Around here many people use 'at the border storage' or the other one which popped up next door to it; Before 'at the border storage' showed up, I was sending to the UPS store in Great Falls - and one time, it waited at the UPS warehouse on the outskirts of Great Falls.
As you can guess, I do, and have been using RA for some time, but I will always buy stuff for oil changes locally, and prefer to buy local over an online retailer to help the local economy.
If everyone spends their money at online retailers, the brick and mortar stores will slowly disappear - just look at at virtually every state-side mall!! (hint: they are ghost-towns)
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1970 Formula 400 Carousel Red on black (std) interior "no drivetrain option" car (same base drivetrain as GTO) 1:411 1970 Firebird Formulas originally sold in Canada
I decided to do a comparison. I entered 1966 Caprice 427 for the vehicle, since Rock Auto may not get my Pontiac 427 parts correct.
In the cart I put rear shoes, heater core, headlight switch, outer tie rod end, auto trans filter kit (easy to tell it's a bogus order because clearly I wouldn't have one of those!) and valve cover gaskets. All pieces are the same brand except the shoes, I had to do Centric vs Delco since Parts Avatar doesn't have Delco shoes listed.
Rock Auto $274.26 vs Parts Avatar $288.51. Hardly worth talking about for a price difference between the 2 vendors.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
I use the RA site first for looking up parts, then see if I can get them locally. If I cant or if the price is out of line, I check PA and go from there. With shipping costs and returns policies, I am very careful about items I order from either of these companies. RA has by far the best parts site.
Edit: I also check Amazon and order from them first after local suppliers, if brand is acceptable and all in price is competitive. They are fairly fast and they are so easy for free returns, if needed.
-- Edited by DonSSDD on Saturday 16th of March 2024 02:47:33 AM
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63 Parisienne sport coupe (The Big GTO), black, maroon interior, 409 4 speed; former owner of a 59 El Camino, 63 Corvette SWC, 62 Chev Bel Air SC. 1963- Pontiac top selling car in Canada
Mahone Bay, NS Still not old enough to need an automatic
Nothing better than promoting yourself.... I'm the best bodyman in the world....... At the end of the day......to have someone to talk to/complain to is a biggy with me. Service is #!..even if it cost me !
there's no "oops" - you just entered the magnet lottery!! - good luck!
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1970 Formula 400 Carousel Red on black (std) interior "no drivetrain option" car (same base drivetrain as GTO) 1:411 1970 Firebird Formulas originally sold in Canada
Forgot to include Amazon in my post above, I edited it.
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63 Parisienne sport coupe (The Big GTO), black, maroon interior, 409 4 speed; former owner of a 59 El Camino, 63 Corvette SWC, 62 Chev Bel Air SC. 1963- Pontiac top selling car in Canada
Mahone Bay, NS Still not old enough to need an automatic
Don't forget about Auto Shack. Seems one can buy pretty cheap on their site. Have not used it before, but price looks good.
Not sure I would use on Customers vehicle, but for personal use the price is right. Free shipping on most stuff in Canada.
Looked up wheel bearings for a 2013 4whldr Rav4 and you can 2 front hubs for the price on 1 on Parts avatar or rock auto.
But again I have not used this site yet. www.autoshack.ca/
At the end of the day......to have someone to talk to/complain to is a biggy with me. Service is #!..even if it cost me !