Well, I finally tried rockauto after all the recommendations here and I have to say I am utterly disappointed by the shipping. In one of the boxes a temp sending unit was out of its original box and just banging around the packaging box, on the other there was no cushion below another sensor and in the third a tstat was on top of a gasket and although the gasket does not appear to be broken, I can see how it was just sheer luck.

So, anyone has any suggestions on a different online prats store?

 

that's odd. i have order a lot of stuff thru them and never had a problem. i'm very happy with their service and fast shipping....

 

I've never had a problem with Rock Auto. Did you bother to call Rock Auto and complain? Their customer service is outstanding. Unless you call, they don't know there is a problem, so don't judge them based on one experience and believe all other online parts outlets are faultless.

 

Well, the three boxes were sent from 3 different warehouses, so to me it's not just a fluke.

Why would I do that? These companies have a predetermined way of shipping their items, it's not up to the warehouse worker how the items are packaged and shipped (unless it's a one-man operation) so I vote with my feet and now I'm looking for another parts store. I'm also not happy how I ended up paying $20+ in shipping for 4 items totalling 40-some dollars, just because they can't get their logistics right and ship all parts from 1 warehouse. Or at least keep all parts for a vehicle make in one warehouse, since most of their customers are obviously amateurs and work on one specific vehicle...

ANYHOW, this was not about rockauto, but for recommendation on another well-stocked online parts store. I knew if I just asked for alternative I would get the question "why", so I figured I may as well mention why I didn't like rockauto.

 

Voting with your feet Whether the order was for $40 or $400, if the retailer doesn't know there is a problem, then it can't be corrected. Also, it must mean something to you or you wouldn't be complaining.

Also, why the big deal about using multiple warehouses? That's smart logistics on their part. I'd rather my parts come in as they can rather than being held up by one or two items. It is apparent you have no experience in supply-chain management.

 

It's very simple. If they kept all Dodge parts in one warehouse, they could have sent all my items in one box. This way I would receive all my items on the same day, in one box for ONE small shipping charge. They could use the USPS if-it-fits-it-ships and I would've paid only about $7-8 dollars in shipping. Quality control would be easier, since I don't see them going throu 3 warehouses, finding all 3 warehouse workers who shipped my stuff and dealing with all three separate cases, i.e. spend $100s of dollars to fix a $40 order.


This makes no sense, you can get your parts as they come even if they are sent from one warehouse, duh! A lot of online retailers give you the option to either group items or ship the ones available now. This would be great for me, for example, since I am replacing a tstat, both sending units and the gasket, I would rather have all parts at once, than get the first three and then wait for the gasket regardless, but pay the extra shipping charge

Please, don't troll my thread unless you want to recommend me a different parts store.

 

car-stuff.com good prices, fairly quick shipping, everypart i could need to order