Parts store rant

[sjarrett71]

If you read my last thread about the neutral safety witch, you know I just put a new (used) wiring harness in my truck. I wanted to replace some of the non-working electrical items in my truck so I went to Oreilly's to buy 2 door jamb switches. They only had one so the clerk called Napa to see if they had another one. So I paid 2.99 plus tax and drove to Napa. The clerk at Napa remembered the clerk from Oreilly's calling and pulled it off the counter. He rung it up and said it was over $6.00!!! Of course I told him there was no way I was paying $6.00 for a $3.00 part and walked out but how can the price difference be that much? I ended up going to Autozone and getting the other one and it was $4.00. I just don't understand how the price of one part can be that different at three stores within 2 miles of each other.

[dan42]

It's the NAPA name. I don't think oreilly's is a sponser in nascar, are they? That right there is a lot of jack-

[RACINJASON22]

Not true I'm not gonna knock any others because I do not know what they carry but, what I will say is NAPA carries two different lines of electronic parts echline (sp?) and a knock off cheap brand.

So that may be the diference right there. I will say that Echline has been around for years and worth the extra IMO. I did work for NAPA right out of high school but have nothing to do with them now. BTW I will never again but, I do like there Echline electronic parts and will always use them.

Just go there and compare their two brands of dizzy caps they sell in the same store you will see what I mean. Then you will buy the more expensive one they are that much better. Hope this helps RJ22

[GREASEMONKEY72]

i agree about the different line of parts and they might have just offered you the higher up one and not the cheaper one, but who knows

BTW what does (sp?) mean??

[sjarrett71]

I believe it means the spelling may be incorrect, or unsure of correct spelling.

[RACINJASON22]

Thats it I can't spell worth a darn.


sjarrett71 did ya happen to notice the color of the box at Napa Gray and Blue OR Blue Orange and White?

[GREASEMONKEY72]

Originally Posted by sjarrett71

I believe it means the spelling may be incorrect, or unsure of correct spelling.

ah ok, thanks

[GREASEMONKEY72]

Originally Posted by RACINJASON22

Thats it I can't spell worth a darn.

niether can i

[GMC Jim]

there is a story about ... a billionaire Texas oil man... seems like he only went thru the 3rd grade and was notorious for his bad spelling... Some of his cohorts were kidding him about his spelling and he replied "Well damnit, if b-u-r-d doesn't spell bird..... then what the hell does it spell??"

[cdowns]

the place i go for lunch charges about 6X more for a hamburger than mcdonalds // theres a differance

[dave2953]

I too have noticed that NAPA is usually higher on parts than the other places, but in my experience they usually sell a better quality part. I've found that you usually get what you pay for.

[shelby987]

I always shop around for parts, to try and get the best price....but when you need a quality part, or a hard to find part (especially anything having to do with an eaton rear or obsolete front axle) NAPA is the place to go.....at the very least, they always seem to have what I need within a day vs. a week at some other places.

[CMars45000]

You get what you pay for, plain and simple. Yes, it is a door jamb switch so you could use some cheap Chinese crap if you want and it probably work fine. But it is consumers who are SOOOO price oriented that have forced manufacturers over-seas to remain competitive! I am willing to pay extra for something that is still made here in America or Canada.

[EAST SIDE LOW LIFE]

There is a suggested retail price for a part that is set by the manufacturer and most parts supply businesses adhere to these prices, (they don't sell for a higher price.) I receive mechanics discounts which are any where from 30% to 50% off the suggested retail list price. In my humble experience over the years faithful customer patronage does pay off. I get jobber discounts at most of the places I go to.

Lordco is new to our community and they were firm at there pricing retail only for retail customers! Now since I've shopped there and they have got to know me I receive a jobber discount which is in the 30% range. Allot has to do with getting to know people and them in turn getting to know you. I know for a fact that there are dicounts that can be given by your parts guy if he wants to.

If you are getting your parts at pretty much the same place and not getting the right pricing that you feel that you deserve ask about it and you may just surprise yourself at what happens.

esll.

[Classic Heartbeat]

Quality of the parts is the main reason. Also there are other factors also. The price of the part that the store, or store chain pays for said part that has been negotiated with the manufacture. Also the store or store chains company policy for percentage of mark up is another factor. Quality is usualy the biggest reason though. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

[EAST SIDE LOW LIFE]

Originally Posted by CMars45000

You get what you pay for, plain and simple. Yes, it is a door jamb switch so you could use some cheap Chinese crap if you want and it probably work fine. But it is consumers who are SOOOO price oriented that have forced manufacturers over-seas to remain competitive! I am willing to pay extra for something that is still made here in America or Canada.

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Are you 100% sure when you pay more you are getting the real deal made in the USA or CANADA.

Oh you can point out that it say's that it's made here and not over sea's. (WELL DON'T BELEIVE EVERYTHING THAT YOU READ!!!) Our goverments have trade agreements with other countries that you may not be aware of. I took a an import/export course years back that opened my eyes. One of the things that I learn't was that in order to label a product as being made in the USA or CANADA 50% of that product had to be produced in Noth America this includes packaging and printing. So you get a part made in China you ship it to North America and you box it here and print material for it (instructions) you then produce stuffing (foam packing) and if this comes to 50% of the cost you can label it made the Canada or where ever North Ameriaca.

Just thought you might like to know.

esll.

[ccd3]

I called a local big-box auto parts house on the phone and asked if they had a module for a GM HEI in stock. They asked if I could spell H-E-I.

True Story.

[EAST SIDE LOW LIFE]

Customer service & product knowledge are not part of the big box marketing concept ....

Probably a kid working part time going to school, learning what who know's. We have a few med. size box stores where I live but I try to stay away from them for this very reason.

esll.

[WorkinLonghorn]

ccd3 says"

I called a local big-box auto parts house on the phone and asked if they had a module for a GM HEI in stock. They asked if I could spell H-E-I.

That couldn't have been Auto Z**e.

[RACINJASON22]

Originally Posted by EAST SIDE LOW LIFE

Customer service & product knowledge are not part of the big box marketing concept ....

Probably a kid working part time going to school, learning what who know's. We have a few med. size box stores where I live but I try to stay away from them for this very reason.

esll.

Boy do I agree with this

[piecesparts]

I stand by the thought that YOU ALL GET WHAT YOU PAID FOR IT. If it is really cheap then there is a reason for that. I will look for a low price, but I stand behind quality before the lowest price is considered. I want it to last as long as possible. I have had to change out to many items that I installed and it failed in a short time. Cheaper is not always the better route. I can show the painful receipts to prove it.

[sjarrett71]

It was just a door jamb switch. And yes, I installed both and both work great. The truck hasn't caught fire yet. Looks like I got the desired effect and saved a couple of bucks.

[EAST SIDE LOW LIFE]

Originally Posted by sjarrett71

It was just a door jamb switch. And yes, I installed both and both work great. The truck hasn't caught fire yet. Looks like I got the desired effect and saved a couple of bucks.

**********************************************************

And you thought your wife was bad. I think the guy's don't want you to make a really big mistake in the future. Ahhhh, to have such caring people all around makes one all warm and fuzzy .... don't it.

esll.

[AuggieStyle]

Amen, with what is happening to Delco and Ford expect more Chinese........TIWANESE
crazy thing is a Toyota tundra pick up made in Texas has more American made parts on it than a Chevrolet pick up made in FortWayne Indiana.
Proud Member UAW local 276

[Classic Heartbeat]

Heck I would have spent more than the $2.00 savings for the switch in Diesel trying to save that $2.00. I think I would have grabbed the one at Napa. That is the travisty!! That isn't even 1 gallon of gas or deisel! WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com