Rock Auto WARNING

[Shady Rascal]

In the last 3 years I have ordered 56 times from Rockauto. That's a damn lot of parts.

Not one problem with Rockauto ever. You choose what you want, they pluck the boxes off of the shelves and ship them. If the parts are low quality it's on the brand, not Rockauto.

I quit buying much locally when I went to my local jobber warehouse and bought 450 dollars worth of genuine AC Delco air conditioning parts for my 88 model truck. Once I unboxed them I found every single part to be either made in China or Mexico. Delco just sold out. That's all. It wasn't the jobber's fault. Nor is it Rockauto's fault when a reputable brand sinks down into the mud by sourcing crap from the lowest priced manufacturer and puts it in their nice boxes.

[Shady Rascal]

Just browsing through my Rockauto account to look at my past orders.









Shipping charges aren't any issue once you figure out the game. You just have to make sure that you choose items that ship from the same warehouse. Rockauto puts a little symbol by every part that comes from the same location as the parts already in your cart. Even when I have to order from multiple locations though, it's still about 40 percent cheaper than my shop account prices at the local parts stores.

[slowcpe]

I made my first purchase from Rock Auto a couple of weeks ago: new shocks and springs for the Tahoe. I compared with multiple places and they were the cheapest, including shipping from two different locations (I was not a fan but still cheaper).

I have a hard time buying car parts from Amazon. I purchase two window motors from them as they were half price from all the local parts store. If you buy them from the parts store then they come with a lifetime warranty. Amazon: 90 days. I had one go out 10 months later and the other a year after that. Doorman would not warranty either item either. They have since been replaced (5-years ago) from Orielly's and had one replaced for free just a few months ago.

[68Timber]

I have new brake hoses in the shop for my 85, AC Delco from Rock Auto. I checked them last night and mine are sunsong/made in China too. I emailed them about it, we'll see what they say.

[ka_jd7and1]

I don't know that this will directly help, but worth a shot. AC Delco is serious about not having counterfeit parts with their name on them. If it is an issue with Rock Auto switching boxes, maybe they will do something about it. From their site:

GLOBAL BRAND PROTECTION TEAM

If you suspect that the automotive parts you have purchased are counterfeit, please send an email to: gm_global_brand_protection@gm.com

Be sure to include as much information as possible as well as pictures of the part and with the packaging you have purchased.

ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION WILL REMAIN STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.

Please save the part, the packaging, the invoice and the receipt until we contact you (if you choose to be contacted).

YOU SHOULD RECEIVE A RESPONSE WITHIN FIVE (5) BUSINESS DAYS.

[friscobob]

I recently bought "professional grade" flexible brake lines for my 81 C10 and ,you guessed it, Samsong. They were in better condition than the 35 year old originals on the truck so I did change them out, here's hoping for the best.
Bob

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by ka_jd7and1

I don't know that this will directly help, but worth a shot. AC Delco is serious about not having counterfeit parts with their name on them. If it is an issue with Rock Auto switching boxes, maybe they will do something about it. From their site:

GLOBAL BRAND PROTECTION TEAM

If you suspect that the automotive parts you have purchased are counterfeit, please send an email to: gm_global_brand_protection@gm.com

Be sure to include as much information as possible as well as pictures of the part and with the packaging you have purchased.

ALL PERSONAL INFORMATION WILL REMAIN STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.

Please save the part, the packaging, the invoice and the receipt until we contact you (if you choose to be contacted).

YOU SHOULD RECEIVE A RESPONSE WITHIN FIVE (5) BUSINESS DAYS.

I haven't heard back from them yet, if I don't I'll try this link. At this point for all I know it's all above-board and normal. My feelings on the matter are the brand carries a premium in price, so there's no point ponying up the extra dough if you're only getting the name on the box and not the part. I can buy house-brand parts and keep more of my money. I'm not in a twist over this, I just want to hear back from them. It is something to be aware of though and I might have to give up buying their parts through the mail.

[gmachinz]

No light of the AC Delco debactle unfolding (which does seem suspicious I'll admit) Id suggest sticking with tried and true local parts store stuff for little ticket items like brake hoses....maybe call the dealer, get the GM part # for the hoses then start cross referencing online....you'd be surprised what you can still get!

[71meangreenc10]

Just checked my RockAuto "AC/DELCO" Idler Arm in its AC/DELCO box......It is a brand new BAW Idler Arm.......Maybe time to switch to GMpartsdirect.

Garbage.

I did however email the fraud team to see what they can do.

Smitty

[gmachinz]

Just buy MOOG....they are USA made.

[69heavychevy]

I've given up on Rock Auto. Like mentioned before, when ordering multiple parts the shipping get out of hand really quick. I've also had really bad luck ordering electrical parts from them. I had a dimmer switch, headlight switch, turn signal switch, and neutral safety switch go bad in less than a year. Now I usually look at fleebay, or amazon...

[friscobob]

I take a close look at freight charges before I hit the buy button, yep, parts originating from different locations are charged separately. Electrical parts are pretty much trash no matter where you get them anymore. My solution to that is: I plan on rewiring from scratch using marine switches, no printed circuits, no big plugins, a fuse block that I can get to AND see. So far I've gotten rid of most of those "safety" devices, just have to saw off that pin that locks the steering wheel.
Bob

[68Timber]

Still haven't heard back so I emailed them again. Maybe they'll respond this time.

[AnotherWs6]

I wouldn't necessarily knock rockauto so much for bad Delco parts. Delco doesn't just sell Delco parts. It seems they sell "approved" parts. I imagine that their interest in older parts dwindles more with time and they farm it out.

Small ticket item, but I bought a Stant gas cap and a Delco one within a month or so's time from Amazon. Exact same caps. Delco one just costs more.

And I've seen my share of "madi in taiwan" stampings on Declo parts as well.

[GASoline71]

I've ordered a lot from Rock Auto without issue.

But I now use their online catalog mainly for part numbers and then either go to my local parts store, or go to Summit Racing and usually have more than enough to get the free shipping from them. Rock Auto's shipping is horrendous for multiple packages.

Gary

[68Timber]

I received this reply today, no big surprise. I'll only buy their parts over the counter now, to make sure it's their parts in the box first.

Dear John:

Thank you for visiting the ACDelco website.

Please be advised that ACDelco is committed to providing the quality products that people have come to know and trust. Yes, some of our parts are made overseas, but the manufacturers have strict engineering specifications and guidelines that they must follow in order for the parts to pass the ACDelco standard of quality.

If you can provide specific part names or catalog part numbers, we will be happy to assist you in finding where the parts are manufactured.

For future inquiries, you can also contact our experts at the ACDelco support center by dialing 1-800-ACDELCO (223-3526).

We appreciate your business.

Regards,

ACDelco Internet Response Team


Like I said earlier, I don't consider this a Rock Auto problem. I kinda figured it was probably something AC Delco was doing and contacted them just to see if I could verify that. I'll still buy their parts if they're branded with their name. Just a sign of the times...

[friscobob]

Raybesto has done the same thing.

[71meangreenc10]

Got this from the GM Global Brand Protection Team

"Thank you for the email. Could you please provide images of the part and its packaging. Please be sure to capture all markings and stampings on the part. If you have the invoice available, please provide this as well."

Lets see how this goes.

Smitty

[gmachinz]

Read this:


http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f...1506?_k=qjgisg

[AnotherWs6]

Originally Posted by gmachinz

Read this:


http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f...1506?_k=qjgisg

Makes perfect sense and explains what we are all talking about. I guess if you want REAL GM parts you have to go to a dealer.

[friscobob]

I stopped by my local dealer just last week and was told his parts list, computerized of course, didn't go back that far, it stop at 1990. For me, if the Samsongs start to fail, I'll go steel braided hose.
Bob

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by AnotherWs6

Makes perfect sense and explains what we are all talking about. I guess if you want REAL GM parts you have to go to a dealer.

Yes it does and thanks for bumping that post and link.

[gmachinz]

That's why I search for NOS aftermarket stuff too.....like anything before 1998 is a pretty safe bet it's neither China nor Taiwan. Window switches is a good example here....HELP section sells Taiwan switches for LH for about $16-18....the GM "AC Delco" ones are nearly 3X that and are also from Taiwan....hmmm.....

[gmachinz]

And it's no coincidence they give out receipts on thermal paper too.

[71meangreenc10]

So yes,

My BAW Chinese part in a AC Delco box is genuine.......Nice, response below from GM fraud department. I sent them pics of the part. So, I don't blame RockAuto on this at all.....

"Thank you for your patience. Our product specialists have reviewed the information you provided. Based on the images of the part and packaging you shared with us, all the information suggests the part is genuine.

Thank you, and best regards".