Rock Auto question

[Leroy]

I hear on here where some of you think Rock Auto is a good place to purchase parts. So how does it work, how do you order and recieve
order? How do you pay? I am needing rotors and calipers and pads for both rear wheels on my 2003 Dakota with the 4.7 engine, automatic
a n 4 wheel drive. On calipers looks like a core charge so how do you handle the core. Pricing has me confused. Looks like caliper
would be $32.89 for caliper plus $17.10 for total caliper and core Price of $49.99. Could thast be correct? Here for a new way over a
hundred Dollars. I am looking for cheapest rotor and pad kit. The old truck has over 300,000 on it and is very rusty and if I can baby
it for anouther year that will be it. If I get over a hundred mile from home that it a long trip and if it would get 7,000 mile in
next year would suprise me.. And looks like a pair of rotors and pad kit would be $ 94.99. Can anything be the way I am looking at it?
I live close to Findlay, Ohio. Have trouble understanding their site. Would they also have a PCM for a 2001 Dakota 3.9 6 automatic?
Thanks.

 

[jhwis]

I use Rock Auto fairly often. On brakes...i usually just go to Oh Oh Oh Orielly's. Not that much difference in price usually.

 

[Dingo3]

Looks like KCOE2192 for $255.79 including core charge. This includes calipers, rotors and pads for rear.
$288 on Amazon and $214 at Autozone. Neither of these say if they have a core charge but it is probable for the calipers.
Ive never sent a core back to rockauto so I cant help you there. Im sure they have instructions on their site. Rockauto is great for parts but be sure to double check that what your ordering fits. I use other sites to confirm. The refund procedure is shaky at best.

 

[Duner Wi]

I have purchased from Rockauto for years. The thing to watch is if you order multiple items try to get all shipped from same warehouse. Just add items to your cart and remove as necessary to get all from same warehouse if possible to save shipping. You order looks to be about $185.00 with core charges plus tax and shipping. Return the cores they want and get $34.20 refund. I pay by paypal and have had zero problems with Paypal in over 10 years of use. Credit Card works also.

 

[Duner Wi]

Dingo 3, I only once needed a return refund and it was not a problem. What did you have trouble with?

 

[Dingo3]

The PCM for 2001 is out of stock at Rockauto, part # R6040233AH
$295 on eBay

 

[E.B. Haymakin']

I'm pretty incompetent with smart phones but have started using Rock Auto in the last 6 months. I have paid with check, and credit card. Check is a 7 or 9 day delay to let it clear. Have received orders when emails said they would arrive. Currently working through a warranty return on a fuel pump. If you can wait it may save you, if you have an immediate need I'd say go to a local parts counter. Rock Auto is significantly less expensive than the brick and mortar stores around south Alabama. I find it easier to navigate on a computer. But have ordered via smart phone.

This post was edited by E.B. Haymakin' on 04/18/2023 at 12:12 pm.

 

[Dingo3]

I thought he wanted rotors pads and calipers. I only saw one kit with everything. Did you find that buying separately was cheaper?

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

From what I've been told, Rock Auto gets many of their parts from old dealer stock, auto parts store closures, etc. for pennies on the dollar. That's why they can offer parts at such low prices.

Last year I picked up a BRAND NEW factory AC Delco starter for my 2015 Chevy Silverado for around $150 shipped to my door. Local auto parts stores wanted anywhere from $250 to $280 for a REMAN aftermarket starter. No core charge. I am still tripping over the old starter in the box on the floor in the woodshed.

My only complaint is their ordering system is a little convoluted. Earlier in the year I ordered an air conditioner line for the same truck. Thought I hit "complete order." Waited for weeks. Called. No record of the order. What?

Apparently after you hit "Complete Order" they ask you one more time, "Are you REALLY REALLY REALLY sure?" and I missed that...

 

[Dingo3]

Getting an actual person to talk to when I had a problem with my account. Never could get anyone on the phone. Emails were standard robotic replies. I got several that were identical and never did get it resolved.

 

[DoubleO7]

I would buy the $32.89 Cardone calipers.
But, since you pay for shipping the cores back to them, I would not ship them back if the cost of shipping them back exceeds the core charge. Click on core charge amount for core charge details.

They allow a lot of other payments if you don't have a credit/debit card.

Sometimes you can save more if you choose parts based on whose warehouse they are coming from. Saves on shipping costs.

This screen shot shows what I would order for the cheapest delivered price to me. Because they all come from one warehouse.

Those same items to you in 45480 or 45439 are a bit less shipping to you than to me.

 

[DoubleO7]

(quoted from post at 16:10:19 04/18/23) I thought he wanted rotors pads and calipers. I only saw one kit with everything. Did you find that buying separately was cheaper?

Cheapest CRP kit rock shows is $255.79 includes core charges.

Buy separately and it is $182.75

No bargain there!

 

[DoubleO7]

Rockauto is only a third party call center selling parts warehoused/made by others.

Google earth their location and you will see.

 

[rusty6]

I've bought many parts for the 52 Mercury through Rock Auto. Pay by visa card ad they come through regular mail as I recall.

 

[Duner Wi]

Dingo 3, I screwed up and needed to return parts and reorder. This could have been 10 years ago but it was not a problem for me at that time. I can't remember how it was handled but it was seamless. Things can change for the worse. Thank you for reply.

 

[Duner Wi]

Dingo 3, yes , individual parts were less expensive. Check out Walmart for parts too, they want some of the Amazon action is what I think. So far for me Walmart has usually been excellent on price, not for Dakota brakes but other parts.

 

[Dingo3]

That depends on the quality of the parts.

 

[jimg.allentown]

I buy a lot of parts from Rock Auto. The things to consider are shipping and warranty.

Consumables like brakes, I buy locally. If you take the Rock Auto price and add up the shipping, tax, and no long term warranty, they are no real savings over buying local.

I buy my brakes from Auto Zone. Lifetime warranty, no hassle replacements, and very close to me. Rotors are heavy and expensive to ship, so again, shipping cost could make it a deal breaker.

Also, if I may ask, why do you think you need calipers? If they retract OK and are not hanging up, they might be perfectly fine to re-use. After all, if you are only looking for another year out of it, why do a premium brake job?

 

[warbaby]

A few years ago I looked at some rotors and drums for a F-350 and at Rock Auto it came to around 300.oo. That was slightly cheaper than Auto Zone, BUT Shipping was another 70.oo, and if I wanted them the next day (like Auto Zone, who had to order them from an out of state warehouse) it was a whopping 200.oo+ for rush delivery. At least Auto Zone didnt charge me to ship them to their store!

Amazon Prime had the same exact AC Delco parts for 100.oo bucks less than Rock Auto, w/ free shipping and I had them the the next day without paying that extra $200.oo to get them there.

Rock auto is only a deal for me if I'm looking in the ''Clearance'' category where you can buy oddball tractor or old car stuff in bulk for pennies on the dollar.

I have a good friend that swears by Rock Auto, and usually has a stall in his garage filled with their boxes, but I think he just likes covering his tool box and fridge with their show-car magnets.

 

[Don B.]

I'm a die hard dodge guy and use rock auto some, too. For something like a starter, alternator or your calipers (something with a core) I wouldn't. Especially something like a caliper that could leak residual fluid and create a mess, the PO will just pitch them and they would not get back to RA. And you might be on the hook for the mess depends on how much other mail is damaged.
And waiting for the core refund.
I wouldn't be afraid to get the rest from them, but get the calipers locally where you can set the old ones on the counter and not even have to pay core or worry about returning them. An don't get the cheapest part to gill the hole that they offer, usually separated in the economy section of each part listing. You're already saving a ton, might as well take advantage and get a better grade. Especially on brakes steering and suspension. The most important parts of any vehicle.