deadbird

To preface this, I have ordered tons of parts from RA and never an issue, great prices too.

This though, bothers me..

Looking to buy multiple parts, I add to cart, I grasp different locations.
As I add parts, locations change, costing more in shipping.
Add more, locations listed from different locations from cart change, locations from parts in cart change... wtf?

green arrow: end links and belt were shipped from 'A'. Added control arm(pink arrow), end links changed to 'C'.

blue arrow: added second control arm (showed not shipped from same location other), it ships from same location and end links change location.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

I read this a little closer...

I imagine they have some sort of algorithm to try to minimize shipping costs for both parties and many things may be available from multiple warehouses. I'd bet you they are trying to optimize it all somehow. I imagine their biggest complaint is shipping costs.

3rdgenmaro

iTrader: (9)

I have had that happen before too. Very aggrevating when it changes, if Im not in a hurry I can usually keep messing around with it until it works out alittle better.

deadbird

It just slightly chaps my ___ to have to play a 'shell game' to get parts to 'ship from the same location' when they obviously do but, location changes based on what you buy to add extra costs. Buying 2 of the same items (eg: end links shouldn't add 50% to shipping cost as well.

Jmo tho... RA is a great resource for parts and researching/cross referencing part numbers but, the shipping game, sucks.

3rdgenmaro

iTrader: (9)

It is also funny how once you do add that 1 part that changes things, you would think by removing it, everything would go back as before. Not always the case.

Im curious what the parameters are that it uses to estimate the boxes and shipping.

Boxxx

I've noticed this before myself, and it's mildly aggravating. You'd think they could just do flat rate shipping for a lot of it, save some money but oh well. Still beats having to go to the parts house more often than not.

deadbird

Just for fun, compare to my above attachment.... my end links and a-arms are clearly marked as coming from two seperate warehouses (A & C).

My shipping confirmation shows (see attached)...

It may not be intentional InfernalVortex but, the error is certainly in favor of RA. Aside from that, some parts, from the same warehouse, vastly differ because the shipping options aren't the same across the board for all parts.

I also recarted the end links and control arms... now the control arms ship from separate warehouses... maybe it's how they assure the 5% is only an illusion of savings since the shipping is not discounted.

I may just be b---hing about nothing but, IMO, it's misleading the customer. (And yes, I do shop elsewhere frequently since RA doesn't feel the need to be honest with shipping location/pricing)

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

The whole site is an illusion of savings. A $3.12 washer tank cap, $8 shipping. On the scale they ship things, I imagine they get lower rates. I could ship it in a bubble wrap envelope for around $2-3. Then there was the pump and filter at a little over $3 to ship. More weight, bigger package, yet less to ship. Looking at the same exact part now and the price went up $6 and shipping went up a little over $2 overnight. Guess I'm glad I ordered when I did.

billy2boy

RockAuto is a site I like. I bought many times from them. But in terms of shipping, they don`t rock!

naf

iTrader: (7)

At least you know what the shipping costs are up front. There's still several vendors out there that we have to deal with for specialty stuff that keep it a mystery until the part or the charge shows.

I, of course, have a garage fridge nearly covered in RA magnets.

Barlow8869

iTrader: (1)

he said the price went up overnight, not it was overnight shipping ...

jmd

iTrader: (4)

I get frustrated with their shipping too.

I've tried adding all 5 listings of "same items" then all 6 of something else, and deleting those that didn't ship from the same warehouse, then the costlier ones.

It's just a pain.

That said, they do offer first class shipping and it comes in handy when you need something small but not that day.

deadbird

Just to clarify, I did not start this as a 'bash Rockauto' post'.

I personally have had only one bad transaction with RA but, the shipping thing/shell game is something that chaps my _ss.

Despite my negativity of how they chose to screw customers on shipping, I do believe RA a great resource for being able to look up and cross reference parts and numbers.

There is no intention to bash nor praise RA, just buyer, be aware.

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

Sorry, missed the notifications on this. No, it was nearly a week in shipping. On another note, I guess there is *somewhat* of an explanation on the $8 charge for shipping. I agree that it is a good resource for parts, but shipping makes up for most of the savings.

1983Chimaera

You have to play the shipping game when ordering from RA. I did a $1000 order a couple years ago for my 1988 IROC-Z, ordering pretty much everything to rebuild the LB9, new engine mounts, replacement interior parts, etc, and it took me several hours to shop around the site and keep the shipping down to 3-4 locations. Sometimes that means paying a little more for an item to have it come from the same shipping location as something else vs paying less for the item but significantly more in shipping. It is a pain, but can equal some big savings. I also ALWAYS shop around locally for parts first before resorting to RA. They're not always the cheapest, even with the discount (and I get 10% military discount at the big chains anyway). One thing RA does **** me off on is making you pay for their screw ups. I recently ordered front ball joints for my 88 MR2, and the ones they list DO NOT FIT. I had to pay for the return shipping for what is essentially their screw up. I can understand if I had the wrong part number, but being that their system insisted that that part would fit my car I feel like the error should be on them. I had to pay for the shipping once, they should pay for the error.

It's not the first time either, they have the wrong TV cable listed for EVERY car equipped with TPI (Camaro, Firebird, and Corvette). Their part numbers are for the TBI TV cable, although they DO carry the correct AC/Delco TPI cable (but has to be found by part number search). WTF RA? To be fair, all the big chains list the same wrong cables. Thankfully my old cable had the part number still legible on it!

Steve Mack

iTrader: (5)

You think your wait time was long?I ordered an electronic antenna from Amazon it took three weeks to get.Now get this,it was shipped directly from China buy the U.S. postal service.I never seen that happen before.

Keoman

iTrader: (3)

FWIW,

was able to get a good response to a question I asked a while ago that was along these guidlines.


This was the response I received;

Honestly cant believe that anyone is complaining about shipping on RockAuto. Using their combined shipping options, I'd say they have killer shipping options.
Where else can you get over $100 worth of small parts in a huge box shipped for $10?

jmd

iTrader: (4)

Exactly. When many vendors charge $14.95 for ground (but they're paying far less with bulk discount,) Rock gives pretty reasonable pricing.

As for the A,B,C,D, put yourself in the driver's seat. If you're ordering 1 balljoint, 1 axle bearing, and one oil filter, add every possible one you might order. Add all 3 possible balljoint listings you see. Add both listed axle bearings you see. Add every oil filter listed that you see that you might buy.

Then when your carshows
balljoint at shipping location A
balljoint at shipping location B
balljoint at shipping location C
axle bearing at shipping location C
axle bearing at shipping location D
oil filter at shipping location B
oil filter at shipping location E

Then, what they're telling you is you're not getting things shipped from one location. And you can't expect to get all 3 items shipped for $9 ground if they're coming from 2 locations. So place a separate order (1st class mail) to get the axle bearing the cheapest and order the other 2 ground.

It's not difficult. You just have to change your mind from being bitchy to solving problems.

jackpamplet

It would be pretty great if RockAuto would offer free shipping like other auto retailer do.

SuperPontiac

I stopped using RockAuto because their shipping system is broken. I live in the UK so sometimes shipping can get expensive, not sure if the same is for you guys local or international. But when i went to order my last bunch of items from RockAuto the system went full retard, the shipping from the different warehouses kept changing as i added the items to the cart ramping the shipping cost up, ok fair enuff.

But then this is where it really started to go crazy when i added all the items i needed in my cart the total came to XXX including shipping but the items were all over the place from different warehouses some were almost identical, but it was actually cheaper for me to order more of the same items, so if i ordered 4x left door handles & 4x bar links it made the items ship from the same warehouses as some of the other items making the shipping cost less, and therefore reducing the cost of the total for the parts as these were cheaper than the cost of the shipping. For me that was enough to go somewhere else.

1983Chimaera

It's done that to me before as well. I always try to shop based on items coming from as few warehouses as possible, but there have been times where I will pick several items and put them in my shopping cart, all from the same warehouse, then the next item I pick from that same warehouse will somehow shift previous items to different warehouses. So even though everything SHOULD be coming from one location and was selected that way, it's suddenly coming from two or more (usually with a minimum of $10 shipping per location). It's aggravating to say the least, and stinks of hidden gouging.

billy2boy

Yes, I found their shipping system down sometimes as well. I love their discounts though. But usually, no other issues with RockAuto.

DIY_APK

I find shipping really cheap with Autopartskart.com These guys dont use different warehouses, yet they provide all shipping options.

jharrison5

Ha ha as do I!

I will be the first to admit that I am a cheapskate... When I'm buying parts I take all of the factors into consideration, like how soon do I need it, price, etc. I buy 99% of my parts from rockauto and I have always saved money vs. the local chain store even without the RA discount and shipping factored in. When I rebuilt the front end on my DD pickup I was able to get better quality Moog parts shipped to me for less money then their store brand "Duralast" parts would have cost before sales tax.

paulo57509

I shop for parts like this as well; put it all in the cart and see what it'll cost including tax and shipping. However, price goes out the window if it's something that is no longer available or I just really need it.

I too have found that Rock Auto has the best prices. I used to buy plugs at sparkplugs.com until I found that Rock Auto carries the odd ball NGK's that I use.

One thing I wish that Rock Auto would sell is full strength coolant. I have specific favorites (Prestone isn't one of them) and I don't buy premix....why pay for half a gallon of water?

GCrites80s

I'm pretty sure the reason those ABCDs move around is that the parts that you are looking at get sold then others of the same part at different warehouses get added to the inventory system as you are shopping.

thtanner

iTrader: (1)

99% of the time I buy from Amazon. It's usually free 2 day shipping with Prime, and comes out cheaper than Rock Auto. Their return policy is great, so if something isn't right, no worries.

Sometimes I'll check eBay for a particular part. Got lucky and found a new ACDelco alternator for $55. Be resourceful, don't just stick to one parts place out of habit.