I've usually been very happy with the quality and price from this vendor...this case has been the exception.

I was pricing a new valance for my 2001 Supercrew 4x4 XLT...the price for a CAPA certified valance with tow hooks and fogs was only $58 which is a great price...the shipping quote was outrageous though, $110. I emailed them with an inquiry and was basically told that their shipping quotes are live-linked to Fed-Ex and that they are what they are. Their reply was courteous and professional, but were unwilling to compromise. The same part (also CAPA certified) from Carpartswholsale.com (off ebay) is $74, shipped, less than the cost of Rock's shipping alone.

This isn't cause to stop using them as a parts vendor, just an example of how they do not always have the best value...it pays to shop around.

 

I have noticed this as well when pricing parts for an engine build for a 01 v6 Mustang. After shipping they are not being any cheaper then local parts stores (who offer free shipping when they do not have the item in stock).

I will also agree, I have used them for years, and have NEVER had an issue with them.

 

They have a tailgate shell for $99, but the shipping is like $200. I can get a fully assembled tailgate for $300 locally.

 

I used to buy many parts from RockAuto, and even with the shipping they were always the best price.

I've noticed now for the last year or so that the price for shipping is really getting high, and I can find lower prices with shipping elsewhere.

At least RockAuto still has some of the best selections of parts and suppliers, but I wish they would get their shipping costs back under control.

 

besides rock auto I've noticed some of the auto parts websites getting crazy on the shipping prices too...FYI

 

Yea, you really have to watch that. I've always had good luck w/Rocks shipping prices. BUT, I've never ordered something that large in size. Something like that I would venture over to http://www.car-part.com/ and find one at a local yard I could pick up myself.

 

You have to watch Rock auto when ordering multiple items. They can ship from many different places with new shipping for each place, adds up fast. I was ordering seal kits to rebuild the power steering on my Galaxie and I even ordered the same brand for all figuring they would at least ship from the same place that way. Nope..... Was going to ship from 3 different locations an the shipping was going to be triple the cost of the seal kits which would fit in an envelope. Bought them from someplace else. I still use Rock auto just have to watch and make sure it is worth it.
Mike

 

most of my parts come from rockauto, being in australia, it is the cheapest and more so quickest way to go. it is quicker to get a part from rockauto than to get it from the east coast(i am on west coast)and about half the price, in saying that, aussie importers charge like wounded bulls

 

I'm not sure how some suppliers can ship the same part...for less than the shipping cost alone than another. I understand the premise of an oversized shipping container and if they were even remotely close to each other, I would order from Rock. But assuming that the two vendors, in this case, Rock and Carpartswholsale, are paying the same price and probably getting it from the same supplier I see no logical reason for the disparity.

The brackets and such are still 10% cheaper from Rock...but the valance...I'll save the $100. That will pay for my re-manufactured injectors.

 

Suppliers who do allot of business at times get really big breaks on shipping. Depends. Sometimes just to get they're business, UPS might offer them a sweet package to ship they're products. Like if they were using FedEx, UPS may come in and low ball them. Then,- savings then can be passed onto the customer.

That's why you have to watch shipping charges. Company deals like that gradually creep back up in cost for them. Not at first, takes a while, but eventually they do and the savings is no longer there.

Tug of war between shippers for the suppliers business.