This may already be known here, but it was new to me this morning. I discovered this weekend that my right front brake hose needed to be replaced. So this morning I tried to login to the AutoNation Ford of MN (as they have been highly recommended here in the past) website to order replacement parts. I was redirected to this parts.ford.com site where I had to re-create a new account. OK...fine. I found the parts I needed and placed them in the cart, entered my shipping information...then received an error with three options. 1. Change my delivery address to an address in MN...can't do that as I live in AL. 2. Change the order to local pickup...can't do that either. 3. Change my dealer selection to a local dealership...did that and the price increased 40%. Not doing that either. So I call the listed customer service number where the lady proceeds to tell me you can no longer order from any dealer as you chose...F' that. So I call the parts counter direct at the AutoNation dealer in MN. Young lady quotes me a price that is 15% higher than the online price...didn't like that option either. So she sends me over to their onsite parts.ford.com specialist...Crystal. He quotes me a price lower than the online price...assume wholesale instead of online retail...perfect...I'll take two.

At any rate, he said anyone could email him direct with parts orders and he would take take of it...his email is martinc@autonation.com.

Hope this helps others, and I apologize if this is an already discussed topic.

 

...or you can go to https://www.fordpartsgiant.com/ and likely get an even better price. OEM parts delivered anywhere. I've been using them for as long as that bs with parts.ford.com has been happening.

 

I use or have used them in the past but honestly the discount after adding shipping and dealing with unusual shipping times has me going back to my local dealer. There are no delays with getting parts, no real chance of shipping or damage and in the end I'm supporting a local business AND getting a fair price as well.

It's possible Ford themselves stepped in to curtail Autonation from selling outside some geographical limits.

 

I think it's clear that is what Ford is trying to do. However, my local dealer is literally 40% higher on almost every single part I have tried to purchase in the past five years. That is pure price gouging. Ford needs to curtail that crap as well.

 

Dealers being independent can charge what ever they want. My old dealer marked up parts by 12%, that was 20 years ago. Key to any purchase is to shop around and ALWAYS factor in shipping. I've bought things from dealers on the other side of the country for less than my local (including shipping).

The link I provided sells genuine Ford OEM parts and is just another option to explore when shopping around. I still check parts.ford.com, then I check the giant, then I hit google and do some more checking until I'm satisfied I get the best price.