On Line VS Local store

Traditional Farmer · Nov 9, 2018

Needed a 20 Amp mini plug in fuse yesterday went over to Advance Auto they had an assortment of 7 mini fuses in a package for $5.99.Figured I needed to keep some spares so I checked
ebay last night 120 fuses in a plastic box with separate compartments for each type fuse.It has 20 of the 20 Amp fuses and 20 of several more of the most common ones.$3.99 and they pay the shipping,they say Free Shipping but of course shipping isn't 'Free'.Now I know Advance Auto has to make a profit but that is a Heck of a percentage difference per fuse, plus I get a good case to keep the fuses in.

1948CaseVAI · Nov 9, 2018

Yep that is a tremenduous difference. I have a good friend who buys coins and sells them on ebay. He does a lot of business and spends several hours each day on packaging and getting orders ready to ship, and he has enough volume that FedEx has his house on a regular pickup route. He has no overhead since he does it all from his basement (well, he has small envelopes and postage, I guess) so his prices are a whole lot better than the guys in the mall who do the same thing out of a store front. I honestly don't see a large future in brick and mortar stores except for a few things needed on an immediate basis, or some perishables.

Russ from MN · Nov 9, 2018

I have found the same thing buying button batteries, and they have pretty good dates on them.

IaGary · Nov 9, 2018

Been looking for magnetic end wrench rack to put in my tool box drawer so it doesn't slide around.

Everyone I have found local is $30 plus and not what a really want. They stand to tall made out of plastic.

Found what I want on Amazon for $19 with lower profile and metal.

Crazy Horse · Nov 9, 2018

When you cash in your chips down the road sometime, your kids will have to dispose of probably 115 of those fuses. One will say to the other ..... "Why the hell did he buy so many?" Well, now we know the answer to that question TF.

paul · Nov 9, 2018

Yea it?s tough.

I want to support the local guys, but the writing is kind of on the wall.

I?ve been through this sort of thinking on several issues in my life, and I always seem to be on the knoble, upstanding, good side. That always loses, and so I end up just poorer for the experience.....

Maybe if I only buy Chinese stuff and from the lowest shipper, I will singles handedly break China and put them on the losing side......

What does a person do when you run a business yourself. It?s all about marketing and price.

Paul

M-MAN · Nov 9, 2018

Had to pick one up at advance for sons truck a few weeks ago. $1.50 each + the $100 tow bill. Granted, he could have just sat in the truck for a week while he waited for the online delivery and saved a buck but he wasn't complaining.

jimg.allentown · Nov 9, 2018

Why buy fuses anyways?
I go to the local self-service junkyard. I pull fuses out of the junk cars. I take them up to the counter and the man says "no charge" that is why you pay admission to get in. Nuts, bolts, fuses, light bulbs, and any other small hardware is included in the price of admission.

Traditional Farmer · Nov 9, 2018

I'm big on having spares for about everything,nothing worse than being on the road at 3 AM headed to an auction 2 states away and a fuse blows for the trailer lights and don't have one.
I keep spare hoses,alternators,starters,belts etc for about everything I use on a regular basis saves a lot of time and many parts are not readily available.I have some money tied up but I look at it like liability insurance hope I never need it but if I do it'll be worth every penny and then some.Also have a couple good friends that head my way when they have a breakdown
because I 'have everything'.They help me out too BTW.

Traditional Farmer · Nov 9, 2018

For $4.00 I don't think it'd be worth it for me to drive over to a parts yard and spend time collecting fuses.I'm frugal(some say cheap) but there is a point where saving money actually
costs money.

Crazy Horse · Nov 9, 2018

Yeah, makes sense, your inventory of fuses must have gotten low I guess. My wife always kids me when I salvage something and keep it instead of throwing it out. For example, I have several lamp-type cords with the factory male plug on the end that I cut off dead radios, lamps, etc. over the years. Just this morning a friend emailed me, his lamp cord and plug shorted out and he wondered if I had one he could use. I told him no, I don't have one but I have a half dozen that he can pick from (including three different colors). Good timing with your post and his email.

jimg.allentown · Nov 9, 2018

In general, I make a single trip for multiple needs. I get together a list of the things that I need to go to the junkyard for, and pull fuses as a side bonus.
The yard I usually go to is about 30 miles away, but the savings on some parts that I need make it worth the trip.

some examples:
Needed a radiator for one of my cars. Old one was leaking. Found a very recently installed one in a junker. $30 for the used one, $150 for the new aftermarket one, and $300 for a new one from the dealer.

Needed an electric cooling fan for another car. $20 at the junkyard, many times more for new.

Needed an EGR valve for another. A real oddball. Valve was $185 at dealer, sensor was $195, the two items at the junkyard were $8.00.

Makes it worth the trip. Fuses, bulbs, mounting hardware, and miscellaneous odds and ends are a priceless bonus.

IanC · Nov 9, 2018

Having worked for a major supplier of old tractor parts, many of which were made in a large East Asian country, the quality control is not always the best. Not uncommon to have 25% failure rate when checking in parts. Since you have a multitude it might behoove you to check a few and see if they blow at the rating shown. Be not so nice to put a 7 amp fuse into a circuit that needs a 7 amp fuse and not have it blow till 20, or at 3.

kcm.MN · Nov 9, 2018

(quoted from post at 08:04:46 11/09/18) Why buy fuses anyways?
I go to the local self-service junkyard. I pull fuses out of the junk cars. I take them up to the counter and the man says "no charge" [color=blue:25cc5d170e]that is why you pay admission to get in[/color:25cc5d170e]. Nuts, bolts, fuses, light bulbs, and any other small hardware is included in the price of admission.

Really?? Wow, never heard of that before.

SDE · Nov 9, 2018

26 months ago I ordered tie rods ends for my car, on line. Two of them need to be replaced. Of course they will send me replacements, but I still need to pay for the alignment. So, I am going to buy 4 replacements at the local parts store and maybe I will never need to replace them again. HOPE, HOPE. Sometimes cheaper costs more!

Steve@Advance · Nov 9, 2018

Jim, you are really lucky to have a self serve salvage yard there.

They are long gone here. Used to be you could go in, find what you need, get it at a reasonable price. A lot of it is EPA regulations, city ordinances have made them clean up their act. Everything fenced, paved, and contained.

No more self serve, no one but their employees allowed in the yard. No choice on the part, whatever they bring to the counter, take it or leave it attitude.

Worse part is, they prey on the unknowing customer. Very often the price is equal to to even more than dealer new! And they stick to the price, even when you show them dealer price they generally won't come down. I have a pretty good idea that about all the yards have been bought up by the same people.

I haven't been to any of the local yards for years, just for that reason. Everything used I buy comes from online sources, usually Ebay.

timcasbolt · Nov 9, 2018

Last weekend I needed two new o-rings for my pressure washer. Wanted them right away, so I went down to Lowes. The $5.98 kit was out of stock, so, no dice. Went across the street to Walmart where I knew they had pressure washer accessories, but again no dice. They would be happy to sell me a new hose with o-rings for only $25.98.
Put the project off and ordered 200 o-rings on ebay for $6.00 delivered. They came in yesterday and I completed the project in 2 hours.
I'd rather buy things like this locally, but am not willing to burn up $20 worth of fuel to find what I need.
My cousin was just telling me he needed new o-rings for his pressure washer, but the Sears where he bought it is now closed. I'm sending him a lifetime supply for the price of a stamp.

MSS3020 · Nov 9, 2018

I shop online GUILT FREE.. and most of my parts, filters, etc. come in the mail, ups or fedex right to me..
Not to mention Ill even pay the tax on such items and shipping cause the items are alot cheaper online..As of now nebraska doesnt have the tax on internet stuff yet..I think amazon does do the tax though.. so dont buy from them..
Just this week: ordered two wix oil filters 1/2 compared to buying local store.. also shoes 1/3 the price of in store locally also mask filters for my face mask.. way cheaper for 10 then for smaller pack at hardware store.

markct · Nov 9, 2018

Online is the modern way, and local companies that see that do well, a local established tool store also sells online big time, this let's them make more money and keep prices fair online and in store, plus they have a lot more in stock when someone comes in for a tool or parts so it's a win win

Leroy · Nov 9, 2018

Moving to a different place having only a shower instead of tub I needed a shower mat. None to be found local, only for tubs, so I had to order but out of a catalog by mail.

Sprint 6 · Nov 9, 2018

Careful with those cheap fuses. When I worked a t Chevy dealer, GM did a study on Harbor Freight fuse assortments and found the the 10 amp and up fuses did not blow. Even when the wiring melted down. They knew how cheap dealerships are, they were warning that damage caused by those fuses was not warranty.

Hobo,NC · Nov 9, 2018

Remember, you get what you pay for!!!

Cheap china fuse's have been known to burn down a car... I would buy name brand and skimp on sum'N else like cheap beer to make up the difference...

Traditional Farmer · Nov 10, 2018

So you think Advance Auto doesn't sell the same fuses? Any company in the USA actually making these type fuses? I'm not against paying more for better quality just don't want to pay a big
premium for someone to repackage the cheap ones.When I get the new ones be easy enough to see if they'll blow OK or not from the pictures look exactly like the ones I have now but that can be deceiving.If its like Oliver replacement starters all the sellers appear to be getting them from the same place only difference is how much they are selling them for.

Traditional Farmer · Nov 10, 2018

I don't drink beer so I'm already saving a lot there(LOL).I can't imagine a place like Advance Auto would be selling anything but the cheapest product they can source when selling something like fuses.How many auto fuse manufacturers are there around these days? Any on the USA you know of? BTW I have a China made box of the larger style plug in fuses I've used on various vehicles and equipment for the last 5 or so years and haven't had a problem with them yet.Then again could be like the China made Oliver tractor starters they are cheap but will fire up
an Oliver diesel better than the original starters.I'm all for USA built but not support USA companies repackaging the cheap stuff and selling it for a huge markup.

farmersamm · Nov 10, 2018

Y'all are a bunch o' morons. And, I say this with respect. I am not making this personal.

I buy bricks 'n mortar.

Plunk down a few thou for a welder, and ya want to have CUSTOMER SERVICE when something ain't working right. Try to get that online. My LWS takes care of me.

Same same with just about everything I buy. I can't stand talking with someone on the phone who speaks English as a SECOND LANGUAGE. That's what ya get with yer cheap online stuff.

I pay local taxes on my purchases. WHICH PAY FOR THE EQUIPMENT THAT THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT USES WHEN THEY ROLL OUT ON A CALL IF A WILDFIRE IS ABOUT TO BURN MY PLACE TO THE GROUND. You think that that Jeff Bezos dood cares about your place???????

Cheap chases cheap, and the end result is that nobody has a dime to rattle in their pockets.

IMHO

Traditional Farmer · Nov 10, 2018

You're an Idiot nothing personal of course(LOL) When you buy overpriced items locally from an auto parts store very little of that money stays local.On the other hand if you buy for
1/4 the money on line then 3/4 of that money stays local in your pocket,it'd be a heck of a lot more money to give to the local FD if that were your desire or to spend at local places that didn't
gouge their customers.As far as talking to someone when ordering anything who does that? I can't ever remember talking to anyone ordering anything on line which is a good thing less chance to have a mistake in the order.I live in one of the top 100 most affluent counties in the USA too, around here folks don't rattle change they carry a wad of cash(LOL)

fixt · Nov 10, 2018

In my case it's a matter of availability. This is a very small town; one side of the sign says entering and the other side says leaving.
The most mundane small parts are hard to find.

I looked for some copper seal washers a while back and nobody had them. Were out of stock or didn't know what I was talking about. Advance had some sized for oil drain plugs, too big and were ridiculous priced anyway.

In cases like that, I have to go to Amazon or ebay and find what I need and just wait. I usually purchase an assortment if available so I'll have spares. It is just the price of life living in a small town, but I'll take it over the big city any day.

tn terry t · Nov 10, 2018

(quoted from post at 03:23:21 11/10/18) Y'all are a bunch o' morons. And, I say this with respect. I am not making this personal.

I buy bricks 'n mortar.

Plunk down a few thou for a welder, and ya want to have CUSTOMER SERVICE when something ain't working right. Try to get that online. My LWS takes care of me.

Same same with just about everything I buy. I can't stand talking with someone on the phone who speaks English as a SECOND LANGUAGE. That's what ya get with yer cheap online stuff.

I pay local taxes on my purchases. WHICH PAY FOR THE EQUIPMENT THAT THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT USES WHEN THEY ROLL OUT ON A CALL IF A WILDFIRE IS ABOUT TO BURN MY PLACE TO THE GROUND. You think that that Jeff Bezos dood cares about your place???????

Cheap chases cheap, and the end result is that nobody has a dime to rattle in their pockets.

IMHO

only moron I see is someone who's been here only a month and already calling people names

timcasbolt · Nov 10, 2018

(quoted from post at 13:59:41 11/10/18)

(quoted from post at 03:23:21 11/10/18) Y'all are a bunch o' morons. And, I say this with respect. I am not making this personal.

I buy bricks 'n mortar.

Plunk down a few thou for a welder, and ya want to have CUSTOMER SERVICE when something ain't working right. Try to get that online. My LWS takes care of me.

Same same with just about everything I buy. I can't stand talking with someone on the phone who speaks English as a SECOND LANGUAGE. That's what ya get with yer cheap online stuff.

I pay local taxes on my purchases. WHICH PAY FOR THE EQUIPMENT THAT THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT USES WHEN THEY ROLL OUT ON A CALL IF A WILDFIRE IS ABOUT TO BURN MY PLACE TO THE GROUND. You think that that Jeff Bezos dood cares about your place???????

Cheap chases cheap, and the end result is that nobody has a dime to rattle in their pockets.

IMHO

Click to expand...

only moron I see is someone who's been here only a month and already calling people names

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
He's not wrong.

Two Dogs · Nov 11, 2018

What is the required time before one can start calling names? TDF

On Line VS Local store

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