Pays to ask

[old-9]

I have been working on a Cub Cadett, kohler engine. I called my local Cub dealer about a bearing for the front PTO. They had one in stock for $28. and change. I later asked my NAPA friend if he could get one, suprise!! He had it in stock,as there are several "Cub" colectors in the area.The bearing at NAPA was $11.13 before sales tax!! I was also able to get my needed gaskets and carb kit. I bet they were also less money than the dealer. You can get a lot of Ford parts there also. Joe

 

[Jim WestTN]

Doesn't hurt to also ask Carquest, Advance, AutoZone to find the best price. I've had AutoZone lower their price when I told them what some one else was charging.

 

[Brian Bell]

What model Cub Cadet? I have a 169 and am constantly needing stuff. The dealer is a total rip off...!!! How did you get NAPA to look it up? I'll have to check my local NAPA. Bad thing is that they are a pretty bad rip off most times. There are several local mom and pop shops that have better cust. service and prices than NAPA for me.

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 11:21:25 02/27/09) I have been working on a Cub Cadett, kohler engine. I called my local Cub dealer about a bearing for the front PTO. They had one in stock for $28. and change. I later asked my NAPA friend if he could get one, suprise!! He had it in stock,as there are several "Cub" colectors in the area.The bearing at NAPA was $11.13 before sales tax!! I was also able to get my needed gaskets and carb kit. I bet they were also less money than the dealer. You can get a lot of Ford parts there also. Joe

Most radial ball bearings are generic items. Measure the OD, ID, and width and you can usually match them up. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Fastenal supplies most common ones and they are priced well under auto parts and bearing houses.

TOH

 

[WV8N]

The NAPA in our area is way to high also..He has ripped our company off and me personally. You would think a person would take care of a $60,000 a year account ..Now we only buy what we have to to get by from NAPA

 

[gahorN]

Many many NAPA stores ARE Mom and Pop (locally owned) franchises. The majority of NAPA parts are much better than AutoZone, etc., because they are USA made. (NOT all ...but most.) Those cheap parts don't last like USA stuff does.

Not bad-mouthing the Zone...I use them a lot... but there's usually a reason for big price differences.

Edit: And Oh Yeah.... I'll bet NAPA didn't "rip you off". I'll bet you walked into their store, saw their part, paid their price....and was OK with it until you saw a similar chineese cheep chit part over at some other place. eh? I'll bet NAPA didn't hold a gun on you or anything...

 

[old-9]

The cub I'm working on now is a model 73, 7 hp and made in the sixtys. NAPA won't have everything but engine parts are engine parts. They will have or can get most engine parts and all filters.
Joe

 

[Joe in MI]

(quoted from post at 16:58:41 02/27/09)
Many many NAPA stores ARE Mom and Pop (locally owned) franchises. The majority of NAPA parts are much better than AutoZone, etc., because they are USA made. (NOT all ...but most.) Those cheap parts don't last like USA stuff does.

Not bad-mouthing the Zone...I use them a lot... but there's usually a reason for big price differences.

Edit: And Oh Yeah.... I'll bet NAPA didn't "rip you off". I'll bet you walked into their store, saw their part, paid their price....and was OK with it until you saw a similar chineese cheep chit part over at some other place. eh? I'll bet NAPA didn't hold a gun on you or anything...

I can't speak for him, but I can speak for me. I have had mixed success at my local NAPA. I walked in there one time with the stud that holds the ball-joint end for the radius arm on the tranny housing. I was immediately referred to the local CNH dealership. I was told they couldn't even order a stud like that. I've been in for a few different nuts/bolts/pins/etc that I know are standard items. They ask what its for and I tell them, and they immediately want to send me to the dealership. Most times they aren't even willing to look in their books. I suspect its mostly because they don't want to "waste their time" on a part they're only going to make a few cents profit on.

On the other hand, when I've been in for parts for my car, they've been great.

Its the same at a lot of stores like that. The guys at my hometown carquest would bend over backwards to help you. The guys at my local one now are okay, but a LOT less willing to help. I was in for a belt the other day, and asked about getting a 5 gallon pail of 90wt mineral oil. He said he couldn't get it. Never even looked at his book, or called anyone, just sent me away without checking. And I know it wasn't something he's checked on in the past, because I had to explain what it was several times. He kept telling me I really wanted UTF.

You shoulda seen the confused looks on their faces at NAPA when I asked for copper core spark plug wires. (Again, didn't even cast a sideways glance at the books) I was sent away from EVERY PARTS STORE - including NAPA and CNH - I ended up buying the set from TSC.

Joe