Speaking of rockauto

I got an online discount code in an email. Says it's good for 5% off, for any one, any time, and any amount. They encourage passing it on, so here goes-

Thank you for being a RockAuto customer! To show our appreciation, we have a special discount for you.

Your discount code is:

1288219110358957



Using Your Discount Code
Enter the code above in the "How did you hear about us" line of the shopping cart. If you are using our traditional HTML catalog, please click the "Apply" button to the right of the field. Your discount will automatically appear, subtracted from your parts order total. Orders using discount codes must be placed online. Phone orders are not eligible for discounts.

Please note: We sometimes get calls from people who put the word "discount" in front of their code and do not get the discount. Please enter ONLY the discount code, no other words or numbers. Code must be entered before order is submitted to receive discount.

The discount takes 5% off our already-low prices. There's no limit on order size or the number of orders. Use the code for your next order, and share the code with friends, neighbors, relatives, the guy at the corner garage--anyone you know who works on cars or trucks.

This discount code expires on March 17, 2013; so don't wait!

If anyone needs to make a large order, it could save you a few bucks!

Donovan from Wisconsin

Thanks for Sharing Don. I will put it to good use, always got
something around here breaking down.

I use RockAuto (and I've got the dozens of 'fridge magnets to prove it), but there are a couple of things to remember about them, both good and not so good. First, the not so good: There is no way to hold the part before you buy it. Yes, they have pictures of the part, but sometimes there's nothing like holding it in your hands and seeing the quality (or lack thereof) before you buy. If you have to return a part to RockAuto, you will have to pay for the shipping, unless it was the wrong part or the part was defective. Although fewer and fewer items have cores anymore, returning the core is an extra inconvenience form RockAuto. You also don't want to buy from them if you need it overnight, because the shipping will kill you. And speaking of shipping, this is one area that you really have to watch out for. You obviously want to check the entire price, shipping included, before you buy some huge brake drum for an F-350 pickup, for example. Unless it's a special order, most brick and mortar auto part stores still don't charge extra for a heavy item. Another thing to think about is that a purchase from a mail order company is less money in the pocket of a local owner who lives next to you and buys his good from the local economy. Maybe that's not so bad. I bought four 194 light bulbs (the size of a vitamin pill) yesterday from AutoZone. After plunking down $14 and listening to their hard sell of their other junk, I hope they do close their doors.
On the good side, you usually have a better selection from RockAuto. For example, most stores will have about two choices for their water pumps, their economy and their good. RockAuto may have over a dozen. As mentioned, you don't have some counter jockey giving you the hard-sell with RockAuto. And yes, depending on what you buy, you might save some serious money using RockAuto. They quite often have close-out specials. Several years ago, I bought distributor cap for a V-12 Jaguar for a couple of bucks that normally costs close to $80. No, I don't own a Jaguar V-12, but I use it as a pen holder on my desk and it's a nice conversation piece. IMO, the best items to buy from RockAuto are small items that don't cost much to ship. Brake pads, water pumps and other small-ticket items are great to buy from RockAuto.
BTW, I ordered a Four Seasons heater control valve for my '96 Cherokee yesterday from RockAuto. This part has four heater hoses that hook up to it and is not a small part. The cost was ~$15, plus ~$3 shipping.

Well said.
You are right. The same cat I bought at Rockauto was $350, locally was $551.I try to buy locally whenever possible. But for $200 exra I got other bills that I can use that money for. Just have to educate yourself on what you ordering ahead of time.