Auto parts - dealership vs. rockauto vs others

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Dec 9th, 2021 5:06 pm

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Nov 25th, 2021 11:28 am

jookid [OP]: Member; Oct 27, 2012; 381 posts; 343 upvotes; Shwa

Nov 25th, 2021 11:28 am

Auto parts - dealership vs. rockauto vs others

Im looking at changing the spark plugs, and wire set for my silverado.

Just regular OEM AC Delco stuff.

Spark plugs
Dealership - $ 21.55 ea + tax
APC (Auto Parts Centre) $14.09 + tax
Rockauto - $7.82 + tax & shipping

Wire Set
Dealership - $228.07
APC - $73.08
Rockauto - $80.71

Why is there such a huge price difference between the dealership and auto parts stores If it's OEM AC Delco brand stuff? Do the parts stores get inferior products?

18 replies

Nov 25th, 2021 11:33 am

sickcars: Deal Guru; Mar 13, 2004; 12843 posts; 4460 upvotes; Ontario

Nov 25th, 2021 11:33 am

Parts in the USA are much cheaper then up here in Canada. Also Rockauto buys in big bulk i would imagine so they likely get a bigger discount. The dealer & parts store here need to pay for Shipping/tax/pay their employees etc & still make a profit. I would buy from RockAuto and with the money saved use it for other maintenance items like, filters/PCV Valve/fuel filter/rotor/cap etc

jookid wrote: ↑ Im looking at changing the spark plugs, and wire set for my silverado.

Just regular OEM AC Delco stuff.

Spark plugs
Dealership - $ 21.55 ea + tax
APC (Auto Parts Centre) $14.09 + tax
Rockauto - $7.82 + tax & shipping

Wire Set
Dealership - $228.07
APC - $73.08
Rockauto - $80.71

Why is there such a huge price difference between the dealership and auto parts stores If it's OEM AC Delco brand stuff? Do the parts stores get inferior products?

0_o
<_<
>_>
New Furnace/AC Time?

+3

Nov 26th, 2021 12:10 am

macnut: Deal Fanatic; Oct 26, 2008; 6715 posts; 2449 upvotes; BC

Nov 26th, 2021 12:10 am

The subtle difference between O.E. (Original Equipment) and O.E.M. (Original Equipment Manufacturer) might be a factor.

While AC Delco is an OEM for GM, the parts they provide to the factory and the dealership parts dept. could be a bit higher quality from what goes out to jobbers (wholesale parts distributors) and retail auto parts places.

Not always the case, but how are you going to tell? Talk to an experienced professional mechanic.

+1

Nov 26th, 2021 9:39 am

m4gician: Deal Fanatic; Sep 2, 2006; 6331 posts; 966 upvotes; Toronto, ON

Nov 26th, 2021 9:39 am

jookid wrote: ↑ Im looking at changing the spark plugs, and wire set for my silverado.

Just regular OEM AC Delco stuff.

Spark plugs
Dealership - $ 21.55 ea + tax
APC (Auto Parts Centre) $14.09 + tax
Rockauto - $7.82 + tax & shipping

Wire Set
Dealership - $228.07
APC - $73.08
Rockauto - $80.71

Why is there such a huge price difference between the dealership and auto parts stores If it's OEM AC Delco brand stuff? Do the parts stores get inferior products?

Go with rockauto unless you plan on going to the US to pick stuff up. Rock auto with their pre-paid duties Fedex is a good deal. Apply a 5% coupon code and it's slightly cheaper. Look at the savings you're going to get. $15per plug + $150 for the wires. That's a great deal. And AC Delco and similar are good quality parts.

--
I like detailing cars!

Nov 26th, 2021 9:42 am

LongLiveRFD: Deal Fanatic; Jan 6, 2011; 5958 posts; 1421 upvotes; GTA

Nov 26th, 2021 9:42 am

For small order batch, is it cheaper to re-route to Oregon (than to Canadian addresses)? instead of crossing at Niagara Fall? 7% differential but shipping could more than offset that.

Nov 26th, 2021 11:08 am

ncnmra: Sr. Member; Mar 22, 2004; 667 posts; 462 upvotes; London, ON

Nov 26th, 2021 11:08 am

How are you getting parts/pricing at APC? Looks like you need to have an account with them? Do they only deal with shops?

Nov 26th, 2021 11:24 am

mmagda: Deal Addict; Nov 2, 2008; 1667 posts; 650 upvotes; The Capital

Nov 26th, 2021 11:24 am

Just buy on RA. They have buying power, unlike most of Canadian retailers.

*I'd advise making the purchase worth it by stocking up on air/cabin/oil filters for 4-5$ lol (from the same warehouse to keep shipping down).

I use RA for preventative items and put in an order for a few vehicles at a time, otherwise I use the local parts store.

ncnmra wrote: ↑ How are you getting parts/pricing at APC? Looks like you need to have an account with them? Do they only deal with shops?

You can make friends with the counter guy... I get Toyota/Lexus parts at cost/jobber rates since I was friendly with the staff.

+1

Nov 26th, 2021 12:02 pm

jookid [OP]: Member; Oct 27, 2012; 381 posts; 343 upvotes; Shwa

Nov 26th, 2021 12:02 pm

ncnmra wrote: ↑ How are you getting parts/pricing at APC? Looks like you need to have an account with them? Do they only deal with shops?

I just called them up.

Nov 26th, 2021 10:52 pm

TrevorK: Deal Expert; Aug 2, 2001; 17804 posts; 8629 upvotes

Nov 26th, 2021 10:52 pm

The dealer will have different levels of pricing. An individually typically pays the retail price, or close to it. A shop will pay much less (then bill out it's customer at retail price).

That's why a dealer will always seem significantly more expensive - you are paying full retail.

+1

Nov 27th, 2021 4:25 pm

von Monster: Sr. Member; Feb 27, 2007; 571 posts; 383 upvotes

Nov 27th, 2021 4:25 pm

Just go with APC; from your price list it looks like they're within $5-7 of Rockauto before shipping and taxes/duties.

For the small amount extra it will be more than worth it to not have to deal with sending something back if there's an issue, and that's not calculating in the duty and shipping that might make the Rockauto part more.

+1

Nov 27th, 2021 9:56 pm

38racing: Sr. Member; Jul 26, 2010; 925 posts; 88 upvotes; eastern Ontario

Nov 27th, 2021 9:56 pm

LongLiveRFD wrote: ↑ For small order batch, is it cheaper to re-route to Oregon (than to Canadian addresses)? instead of crossing at Niagara Fall? 7% differential but shipping could more than offset that.

I once compared shipping to my door about 30 minutes from Ogdensburg or shipping to Ogdensburg. It was only $20 difference.I figured it was worth $20 to stay at home.

Nov 27th, 2021 10:00 pm

38racing: Sr. Member; Jul 26, 2010; 925 posts; 88 upvotes; eastern Ontario

Nov 27th, 2021 10:00 pm

Shipping can be real quirky from Rockauto. I just ordered rear brakes and rotors. Shipping was $53 cdn. The I found some spark plugs from same warehouse. Added set for corolla and the boots. Shipping still 53. Then I added some spark plugs for my small engine work. I added 10 plugs. Shipping jumped to 93. Reduced from 10 to 1 and shipping was again 53. So adding in a plug at a time 7 stayed at 53 and 8 jumped to 93. So I bought 7.

Nov 27th, 2021 11:52 pm

LongLiveRFD: Deal Fanatic; Jan 6, 2011; 5958 posts; 1421 upvotes; GTA

Nov 27th, 2021 11:52 pm

38racing wrote: ↑ I once compared shipping to my door about 30 minutes from Ogdensburg or shipping to Ogdensburg. It was only $20 difference.I figured it was worth $20 to stay at home.

Just added similar parts as OP (shipped from 2 locations) and checked the total paments:
1. Shipping direct to home or shop address in Canada: CAD$28.12+13% custom tax
2. Shipping to reshipper in NY Niagara Falls: CAD$16.60+8% tax, Of course, add Canadian custom tax, reshipper fees.
3. Shipping to reshipper in OR Portland: CAD$15.32+0% sales tax, plus custom tax and increased reshipper fees.

So yes, it seems shipping a small spark plug job directly is cheaper, assuming you don't get dinged by surprise custom duties or taxes. It's also likely Canadian custom would add State sales tax as part of the 13% tax base. However, the shipping charges could still change the outcome due to bulk or weight, or ship from even more locations.

Nov 28th, 2021 6:00 am

IcarusLSC: Deal Addict; Nov 7, 2016; 2486 posts; 1400 upvotes; Ontario

Nov 28th, 2021 6:00 am

38racing wrote: ↑ Shipping can be real quirky from Rockauto. I just ordered rear brakes and rotors. Shipping was $53 cdn. The I found some spark plugs from same warehouse. Added set for corolla and the boots. Shipping still 53. Then I added some spark plugs for my small engine work. I added 10 plugs. Shipping jumped to 93. Reduced from 10 to 1 and shipping was again 53. So adding in a plug at a time 7 stayed at 53 and 8 jumped to 93. So I bought 7.

Sometimes it better at RockAuto to break up orders into smaller ones...

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+1

Nov 29th, 2021 9:00 am

dirtmover: Deal Addict; Nov 2, 2005; 4700 posts; 1974 upvotes; WFH

Nov 29th, 2021 9:00 am

38racing wrote: ↑ I once compared shipping to my door about 30 minutes from Ogdensburg or shipping to Ogdensburg. It was only $20 difference.I figured it was worth $20 to stay at home.

It depends on the item/weight. Shipping for full front and rear brake kit for my vehicle is $155 to my home or $55 to Ogdensburg. Given the current situation I just ended up buying locally.

38racing wrote: ↑ Shipping can be real quirky from Rockauto. I just ordered rear brakes and rotors. Shipping was $53 cdn. The I found some spark plugs from same warehouse. Added set for corolla and the boots. Shipping still 53. Then I added some spark plugs for my small engine work. I added 10 plugs. Shipping jumped to 93. Reduced from 10 to 1 and shipping was again 53. So adding in a plug at a time 7 stayed at 53 and 8 jumped to 93. So I bought 7.

You need to watch if they're shipping from multiple locations. They maybe only had 7 plugs in stock at the warehouse the other stuff was coming from. Add that 8th plug and you end up shipping from 2 warehouses and the cost almost doubles. If you're not too picky on brands they have tools to help you minimize the shipping cost.

Dec 8th, 2021 4:19 pm

WHO: Deal Fanatic; Feb 17, 2007; 6038 posts; 2243 upvotes; Mort Réal

Dec 8th, 2021 4:19 pm

Always been happy with Rock Auto, been using them for 1+ decade. But my last order was a complete wreck.
They listed the wrong part for my car model, which I only realized once the car was sitting on the stands, the old part taken off, and the new one didn't fit.
On top of that, because they said shipped me the "correct" part number, they tried to argue that it was my fault, not theirs. I had to really argue back & forward with them for a week to get them to approve a refund, and even then, they only offered a return, not an exchange for the correct part that would fit. So I would have to re-order and pay again for the shipping to get the correct part (which, as those of you who order from them know, is disproportianally high when you order just one part as opposed to a big combined order).

Also, the refund was for the wrong amount, I asked them to correct it, and basically they just stopped replying to me. It's only a few dollars so I pretty much gave up at this point. They have lost my business

Very dishearthening (+unexpected too based on past experience) and, too bad it appears they cannot be trusted anymore. They were my go to so such a long time.

I can't afford to buy cheap stuff. Therefore, I'm thirsty for deals on durable goods.

Dec 9th, 2021 9:13 am

Efx: Deal Addict; Sep 12, 2004; 1565 posts; 334 upvotes; Ajax

Dec 9th, 2021 9:13 am

WHO wrote: ↑ Always been happy with Rock Auto, been using them for 1+ decade. But my last order was a complete wreck.
They listed the wrong part for my car model, which I only realized once the car was sitting on the stands, the old part taken off, and the new one didn't fit.
On top of that, because they said shipped me the "correct" part number, they tried to argue that it was my fault, not theirs. I had to really argue back & forward with them for a week to get them to approve a refund, and even then, they only offered a return, not an exchange for the correct part that would fit. So I would have to re-order and pay again for the shipping to get the correct part (which, as those of you who order from them know, is disproportianally high when you order just one part as opposed to a big combined order).

Also, the refund was for the wrong amount, I asked them to correct it, and basically they just stopped replying to me. It's only a few dollars so I pretty much gave up at this point. They have lost my business

Very dishearthening (+unexpected too based on past experience) and, too bad it appears they cannot be trusted anymore. They were my go to so such a long time.

So where are you planning to buy the parts from going forward that can match rockauto's price?

Dec 9th, 2021 10:34 am

CanadianConsumerYEG: Deal Addict; Aug 30, 2020; 1744 posts; 2999 upvotes; YEG/YYZ

Dec 9th, 2021 10:34 am

Rockauto been garbage for a long time. Use their catalog to search for part #, then buy them on amazon. Free shipping over $35, better prices, and better return policy.

Dec 9th, 2021 5:06 pm

WHO: Deal Fanatic; Feb 17, 2007; 6038 posts; 2243 upvotes; Mort Réal

Dec 9th, 2021 5:06 pm

Efx wrote: ↑ So where are you planning to buy the parts from going forward that can match rockauto's price?

Shop around, I guess local parts stores or partsavatar.ca and the like, or, alas, Amazon...

For parts that are outrageously cheaper and are universal fit (wipers, oil filters, etc) I guess once could flip a coin and order through Rock Auto, You would have to be absolutely convinced there will be no issue besause, evidently, even if the mistake comes from them, they will not come through for you.

I can't afford to buy cheap stuff. Therefore, I'm thirsty for deals on durable goods.

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