I have purchased parts for my son's 1984 F150 with 4.9L engine, so this information is shaped around that, but there are many parts which are appropriate for the V8s, as well. I just received this notification.

Don't forget that you can normally get a 5% discount code by Googleing Rock Auto discount code. This will help with the freight.

Wholesale Closeout Parts : 1984 FORD F-150 4.9L 300cid L6

 

Looks like I need to check my e-mail. What scares me about the closeouts....how much longer are sites like this, going to carry parts for our trucks.

 

Gotta watch what you buy from RockAuto. I bought new radiator hoses for my 84 from them. A few months later, I kept having problems with a leak up front. Turns out the new bypass hose was split, and leaking. It was old, but still had all the tags on it. Who knows how long it sat on someone's shelf, before RockAuto bought it, and how long they had it.

 

Good point. As with any replacement parts, we need to be informed buyers. It's kinda tough though... when we are trying to buy quality parts at a decent price. It's come down to internet shopping. I miss sitting in the recliner, looking over a catalog, knowing that what I am ordering is a decent part that was made by my neighbor. Those days are long past my friend. It is hard to stay educated in this day and age when you have to keep looking over your shoulder.

 

Rockauto buys nothing till you pay for it. They are merely an internet parts desk that orders the part from the supplier/distributor after you order it.

 

And the proof of that is where ?

 

In my experience........over the last eight years I've placed multiple orders with Rockauto & had virtually 100% satisfaction - both with service (online) & with the products.

One item has been faulty of all those bought; everything else has been excellent & at good prices.

On a couple of occasions, the goods have arrived at my door in New Zealand, within four days of placing the order online.....usually 8-10 days though.

 

For one their website they clearly state that is the reason they can keep prices by not have to stock slow moving parts. Plus I have been told as much by them. I have been dealing with them since 2000 when they carried only 30 manufacturers had 8 employees and did not touch a single thing they sold. They now carry over 300 and have about 85 employees.

In short Rockauto is a drop shipper.

This business model is the same as US Auto parts, and to a lesser degree Summit and Jegs, and just every about other E retailer that does not have a physical store front and supplies products from multiple manufactures/wholesalers/distrubutors.

In most all cases the items are shipped direct from the manufacturer/distributor to the customer.
A company like Rockauto will enter in to drop shipping agreement ideally with the manufacture if not then a distributor. And the Items will be shipped direct from them

This is a win for the manufacturer/distributor as it broadens their sales market with zero investment. The drop shipper can offer multiple product lines with no conflict of interest since they are exempt from exclusivity clauses that plague many brick and mortar retailers.
In most all cases the items are shipped direct from the manufacturer/distributor to the customer.


How do you think they can offer such low prices? They are not tying up millions of dollars in inventory and in some cases no inventory at all. The business model is always cash flow positive since they are not spending any money until you pay for the item. The have no inventory to to keep track of or sitting on a shelf not generating revenue.

This is not good or bad it is just how E-commerce is done today and allows for these companies to offer products at a much lower cost than a brick and mortar store.

As a drop-shipper gets larger (like summit) they will eventually start making bulk purchases of specific items giving them the ability to negotiate an even lower price over piece purchases since there is little risk of these items becoming dead inventory. And may even start self branding items.

Rockauto is a great company to deal with, with excellent customer service as long as you are not in a panic your parts.

 

Good info matthewq4b....thanks.