Kinda of OT: rockauto.com electrical parts?

I"ve seen where a lot of guys use rockauto.com for parts. Well, I"m needing an alternator for a 98 Camry, they have several, cheapest being an OE rebult Denso for about $102. Now they also have some for well over $200. Local NAPA only shows one in there system, and I can get it for $149. I usually opt for the better part at NAPA(the more expensive one) but I"m wondering since they only have one, is it any better. Anyone have any experience with electrical parts from rockauto.com? I usually like the local guy with local service, but at a full 1/3 cheaper, it"s hard not to wonder. Thanks.

Casey

I ordered a starter for my old ford pickup along with the distributor and coil packs. Several parts for my german vehicles over the years also (starter, alternator, and a couple voltage regulators.... No problems...

Yea, the local guys have to eat, but so do I........

Rock Auto has more selection then any other auto parts dealer I know of. Besides the common stuff like NAPA and Advance carry, Rock Auto also often has OEM parts you can usually only get from a car dealer. I just needed parking brake cables for my Kia and NAPA cannot get them. Rock Auto had the OEM KIA parts in stock.

When I need a starter or alternator - and I cannot find the small parts locally, I often buy new from Rock Auto (not rebuilt). This way, I don't have to turn in the core. I later fix the failed unit and save it as a spare. Works out nicely.

This Fall, while on a trip in the Adirondacks, the charge-light came on in my 1999 Dodge Caravan. I stopped at the only auto parts store within 60 miles - a NAPA. They did not have the alternator in stock but offered to order me a "rebuilt" for $155. If I did not turn in my old one, the core-charge was an extra $45. Thus $200 outright plus tax. I said the heck with it. I bought a new battery instead - in case the one in van went dead before I got home.

I then ordered a new OEM style 90 alternator for $96 plus $12 shipping and NO tax. It was here two days later.

I've been 100% satisfied with Rock Auto parts and service. I had one defective Cloyes timing belt - and they made a conference call to Cloyes with me on the phone and got it all straightened out.

I bought some end links from them. $60 cheaper than the dealer. Napa was higher, too.

beat advance auto and NAPA, fast shipping, bought some body parts cheaper than from local salvage yard

I buy all my parts from Rock now, half the price of napa and very good service.also good quality parts.

Experience was underwhelming. Bought tire pressure sensors and the band clamps to hold them on the rim. Less than half of Ford price. Band clamps wouldn't fit sensors. Locally bought clamps and installed. Within the first 50 miles, at least one sensor failed and lit the low pressure warning light on the dash. Wasted couple hundred dollars.

Used them once. I needed a water pump for a 3430 supra coupe powered by a peugote diesel (xud-11at). Napa couldn't get one. Spra Coupe was unbelievably high. Rock auto was 1/5 the money.

Tommy

If you have the time to wait for shipping, they are good. If you need it now, go down the street to the local guys.

I just bought new headlights for my 02 Malibu from them for $60 shipped. The only source locally was from the junk yard for the same money.

Got a rebuilt power steering pump for my 901 Ford from them. It is working great. I decided to deal with sending back the core becuase I am cheap. I mailed the core in and they accepted it in a few days, so it worked out OK.

I am satisfied.

I've bought a fair amount of stuff from Rock Auto. No problems so far. Here's the interesting thing: My BIL worked as a driver for local parts dealer that specializes in collision parts, restorations, etc. Gave me their website and their catalog. Needed some headlights. Their price was way higher than Rock Auto. So I bought them and some other things from Rock Auto. Guess where the headlights actually came from? Yup, the place where my BIL worked.