Discount type parts store

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Jan 27, 2006 | 12:43 PM

wcollinsworth

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Discount type parts store

I am planning on doing a tune-up on my work truck (1997 F150 - 114K miles), i.e., belts, hoses, some sensors, plugs, etc. During a discussion with my mechanic, which I have used for years and trust, he said that he would not use parts from the popular discount parts stores. His position is that the parts are generally inferior and that he has experienced too many problems with part failures - which translates to unsatisfied customers. He feels that although the parts from a discount parts store are usually cheaper, it is not enough to pay for the problems/rework. Any experiences on using parts from the discount parts store verse the OEM parts?

Jan 27, 2006 | 12:53 PM

preppypyro

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Joined: Aug 2004

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From: North Central Rural Sask.

Through my experiences, you can get different qualities through discount parts stores, and alot of time, for me, they seem to be the same, and have lasted the same, without the high oem prices.

Jan 27, 2006 | 01:13 PM

DiscountPowerPrt

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What kind of Discount Parts are you talking about? Is there some brands out there that are crappy? Or do you mean like when AutoZone puts there name on something? I havent run across this problem, but we usually try to sell the same high quality stuff you get from Summit or Jegs, just for less money If we can. Alot of the brands you see with part store names on them are generaly made buy someone you already know. The retailer gets a bulk price for it and slaps there own ladel on it. A retail store cannot advertise below a certain MAP price so thats another reason for the label change. We dont mess with anything like that we just sell everything you already know and love. maybe im reading this wrong.

Jan 27, 2006 | 01:37 PM

BillyBob69

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Joined: Jul 2003

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From: Wheatland, Mo

Alot of it would depend on you. If you do buy from discount stores, yes you do stand a chance on getting something inferior. But it depends on the part that you buy. If it fails...is it an easy replacement? Most stores also offer warranties on parts so if it is an easy replacement, nothing lost but a little time. But if it is a part that takes hours to replace, then you can play it safe and get OEM. I personally have always gone to Autozone which is considered a "discount" store and have had only 1 issue with a starter for my old Bronco. Replaced it the new one just once and it was still working after 75K miles. All the other parts have never given any troubles and were still working when I gave the ol girl up at 225K. That included suspension. electrical, drive train and brakes.

Jan 27, 2006 | 02:11 PM

fordtrkpuller

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From: Pittsburgh, PA

belts - Many stores carry Goodyear, gates, and Dayco belts. All very good quality, and goodyear, Gates and Dayco all are OEM suppliers for various name brands.

hoses - Dayco munufatures hoses for OEMs with OEM repackaging/badging.

some sensors - Many carry bosch or sorenso, both of these are good quality, and Sorenso repackages factory Ford sensors for many applications. Advance Auto has Sorenso...my spelling may be wrong....Im dumb.

plugs - Autolite is Ford. Period. OEM....Autolite...same thing. Every parts store on earth just about will have your Autolite plugs.

If you buy the cheapest mexican or otherwise imported stuff they sell, you may find inferior products. I know EIS brakes carries a line of US made and a line of imported mexican rotors/pads that cost 1/3 the cash. How bad are they...you decide...

You can do just fine at a local parts house, just ask for the better quality lines, not the price beater lines. There are usually multiple lines and vendors for each part they sale.

Jan 27, 2006 | 02:54 PM

seventyseven250

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Joined: Jun 2005

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From: Calgary Canada

It's not where you buy it that matters, it is what you are buying. if it's not a reputable parts brand, you are running some risk.

That being said, most "generic" parts are fine. You just have to balance the savings versus the ease of replacement and the risk of failure.

Jan 27, 2006 | 03:04 PM

Parts Guy Wyatt

Former Vendor

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 3,849

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From: Seattle

When in doubt use factory OEM parts.

Maybe I can help!

Ed

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Jan 27, 2006 | 03:11 PM

fordtrkpuller

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From: Pittsburgh, PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by seventyseven250

I agree. That is why I listed some of the top quality brands of the components he is asking for. Do you really feel that Ford is out there manufacturing thier own belts and hoses? No way. They are buying them from a major manufacturer. If you stick with the better known brands, the quality will AT LEAST be as good as buying from your local dealer. Many times you can exceed the OEM quality with a good aftermarket brand. I would take GATES belts over just about anything out there, and Autozone carries Gates. There are differant tiers of Gates product line, so again make sure you are not getting the price beater line. Its like that with most of the items you get at the local parts house. The one thing I dont like buying at the local parts houses are reman starters and alternators. The OEM's now have thier own reman system going on...or at least they did...and they are a better quality piece. Some of the reman lines out there are true trash. Replace the one part that totally failed, blast it, clean it, paint it, box it, ship it.....and hope it makes the warranty period before the next component dies. Run scared of no-name remans!