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RockAuto vs Partsgeek, Any preferences?
Hey all, I was just looking at prices for shocks and I had a prompt come up in my search for a comparative part number at Partsgeek.com, which I never heard of.
NHO because I rarely order parts online anyway. Just looking for the benefit of my cousin who needs some rear shocks on her 2016 Ford Escape. Anyway, the prices on Partsgeek are considerably less than RockAuto. Some come with free shipping. I realize that means Ground but the wait isn't that urgent for the moment. Also, big break in pricing when you buy pairs, which are NOT offered on RockAuto. Anyone have feedback on the service; warranties, returns, part accuracy, quality, etc. ? I think in the case of shocks, it should be cut & dried what will fit her vehicle, so that shouldn't be a problem. But I see that some shocks come with the upper mounting bracket and some do not. I'm assuming I'd have to re-use the OEM brackets in the case of the latter. I already test loosened the nuts that connect the bracket to the body. Would I need a 'Thru-Socket' to remove the top nut from the old piston? |
Give https://www.carparts.com/ a try.
Buy most of my stuff from rockauto though. |
I've had a few broken and wrong parts from RockAuto recently. I think I'll give these others a try. Do they compete well on price?
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Had to return a PS pump [Noisy] this week, for 18yrs. or so never returned anything from rock auto.
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Anyone ever heard of the brand name Detroit Axle? It was one of the economic priced pairs that came up on Partsgeek.
How about TRQ ? These can be had with or without the mounting brackets. It's a $20 difference for the pair. Motorcraft replacements are all well over $100 for a single unit. The Bilstiens and Monroes are about 50% cheaper on average. |
https://www.detroitaxle.com/about/
I know the PS pump (not the one that I sent back to rock) they sell on amazon is made in china, don't know about the other items. |
https://rxmechanic.com/is-trq-a-good-brand/
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I've had exceptional luck with Rock Auto. I was surprised at first that the products were name brand. I have returned one item over the years and that really wasn't defective. I screwed up but they sent me a new one anyways.
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I have used Detroit Axle for suspension items on my daily drivers without any issues. Their kits are usually affordable and decent quality. (At least as good as the stuff the local retailers stock)
Rock Auto is my go-to for the majority of things I need. Filters, wiper blades, sensors, etc. The Power Stop brake parts are very good. Their prices on brake items isn't bad but shipping usually makes them more expensive than the local parts store. |
My experience with shocks on SUV's and Vans and Light Trucks has been do not go with off brand or general purpose brands (Monroe, Gabriel, or any twin tube variety)
Cars aren't quite as demanding with lower center of gravity. You mentioned Bilstein at 50% cheaper , I would look into those. Or KYB Gas-Adjust OEM Motorcraft or Rancho would be top candidates too RockAuto gets about 90-95 % of my business. Have used PartsGeek a time or two when price was all that mattered. I think they use a lot of 3rd party sellers and lower grade products (price battles) |
Just looked at some google pics of a 2016 Escape
Not really an SUV , more of a crossover type. My fault |
Rock Auto for me. Mostly because their website is intuitive and easy to navigate. Also, for me, they figure out the exchange and shipping to me here in Canada, so I know exactly what I'm paying I hate to say it, but they blow away any Canadian site that I've tried to order from.
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& the cool fridge magnets
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FWIW, Partsgeek appears to just be an aggregator and not a retailer per se. I'd be wary, except for part number and manufacturer info.
I've run into Partsgeek in searches for parts for my 2006 STS-V, which is rapidly becoming something of a unicorn (despite many parts in common with the XLR). Partsgeek turns up long-discontinued and currently unavailable pieces from all sorts of oddball places. Just another couple cents to add to the pot. HTH |
Rockauto here for some things, never an issue other than one time I received used/installed parts, sway bar end links. Informed them and they quickly sent another set, didn’t even care about or want the set I already got.
Altho I’m still a little bitter I didn’t get more AAW harnesses before they got dropped as a dealer. I saved a decent amount of money on the ones I did get. For shipping…a way to save a few dollars is to have items sent to a business, if one has that option. |
I had to return a pair of shocks recently that were unopened .
Shipping to me was $11.99 Their discount return label was only $7.65 , and the return address was only 2 cities away from me. That was cool 2 days after placing order I stumbled onto the shocks I had already bought 2 years ago , but could not find before placing the order. :noidea: :doh: |
I have placed hundreds of orders over the years with Rock Auto. Much like Tire Rack, success has caused some price creep with them. Everything seems to just be going up and up. But, IMO, their on-line catalog is the absolute best in the parts business. I have had about 4-5 defects/returns also. It takes a while to get a credit, but the process is pretty smooth. Absolutely, no phone or other customer service. All by e-mail only. But it works fine. I have purchased 3-4 items from Parts Geek. No issues, but prefer Rock Auto. Their On-Line catalog is so good, my NAPA store very often looks up the parts I need on the Rock Auto site, then has to try and cross reference the numbers to NAPA numbers. The NAPA software system is just terrible.
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I was a regular customer for 50+ year's,all the good counter people have retired, and non car people are working the counters and they have nothing in stock anymore. I don't even see how they stay in business anymore,much less afford to run NHRA Fuel cars. It's sad. |
I buy most of my parts from RA, I used to buy from Advance, but their discounts on preorder, prepay, and pickup locally, have pretty much evaporated.
Since I only work on my own stuff, and have no hard deadlines, I can wait a few days to save some money. Agree that thir parts catalogue is head, and shoulders, above any other internet parts house. I've bought some parts through Partsgeek, and have had zero problems with them. I do a lot of research before I buy parts, so sometimes Partsgeek is cheaper, or they have the brand I want. |
beware of fake RockAuto app in the crApple app store...fyi
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