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Replacement Auto Parts Where to Find Them
By Matthew Keegan

When needing a replacement part for you car, where do you shop? Like many motorists you may head down to the big box retailer for all of your needs. A good choice both for value and for selection. Still, mostly any retailer is limited as to what they can stock. This especially holds true if you drive a rare or uncommon vehicle. Try finding a window regulator for your ’69 Torino at the parts store; they’ll get it for you but it will have to be back ordered. So, where should you shop? That’s up to you, but let’s goes over the options that you have.

The Salvage Yard. Let’s admit it: there isn’t anything wrong with going to the junkyard to find the part you need. My ’78 VW Rabbit’s window handle broke and I snagged one off of a junker for just a few bucks. Still, if you are looking for a radiator, engine, exhaust stuff, or anything else that actually runs, you risk that the part will fail soon after you place it in your car. Naturally, the price you pay through the junkyard should be the lowest price going.

Your Dealer. On the other side of the spectrum is your car dealer. If they don’t have it in stock, they can get if for you. Service with a smile and a price that will make you frown! Yes, you will pay dearly for some parts, as middleman mark ups kick in.

Your Retail Store. Retail auto supply chains typically have the broadest selection and the lowest prices of any of the brick and mortar retailers. Your best option for a good buy is when something is on sale; stock items will cost you the prevailing retail rate, but that is the price you pay for convenience. Overhead [buildings, labor] is high even with most national retailers.

Shop Online. Wholesale providers of automobile replacement parts and accessories are springing up all over the internet. Some stores are good, some are not. What to look for: available customer service agents; a toll free number where you can call someone to talk with directly; a store that never closes and has a secured payment site; and clearly understood shipment, payment, and return policies. Generally, an online retailer should be a great option as low overhead and purchasing directly from the manufacturer is what sets these wholesalers apart from the rest. Still, do your homework and make sure that the site is what it says it is.

One special warning: the growth of the counterfeit parts industry is causing fits for retailers and consumers. If you suspect that you have purchased a bogus part, return it to the retailer for a full return. One more good reason to learn what a company’s return policy is before you do business with them.

In all, shopping for parts is easier today, thanks to the internet. From the ease of your computer you can compare prices, service, shipping options, warranties, and more. The consumer is the winner and retailers are keeping prices low in order to bring in additional business.

Copyright 2005 — Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for the Auto Parts Warehouse, a wholesaler of fine Ford parts and Toyota parts.

Learn How to Save Money on Auto Parts
By Francis Hesse

We all need cars to drive to and from work and just to get around in general. Even so, from time to time our autos break down or we get in wrecks and we need certain auto parts. If you’ve ever looked for auto parts for your car, you’ve in all likelihood noticed how expensive they can be. How can you repair your car and still save money? Well, if you do not know a thing about cars, you’re going to have to go to a store where they will not only charge you for auto parts but also for labor. If you know how to fix your own automobile, there are numerous thoughts on how to save money on car parts. You should unquestionably shop around to receive the best price on the best auto parts for your car.

Rules of thumb For purchasing Car Parts Online

If you are planning to purchase auto parts online there are a couple of guidelines you should follow. I’m going to attempt to help you as best and quickly as I can with a a couple of uncomplicated principles that will make buying auto parts online a breeze.

Shopping For automobile Parts on the internet

The World Wide Web is a great resource whenever you’re just shopping around looking for auto parts. It can allow for valuable information as well as pricing guidelines on almost every auto part ever made. There will obviously be some very hard to find parts that the internet will not be able to help you with, but for most common parts it is an invaluable resource.

Note how I said shopping but not buying. I would use and abuse the internet to find out as much competitive information on the paticular part you are looking for. Then before buying the research for the best deal. And don’t forget to include the shipping cost into your budget.

Make notes on the part or parts you are looking for and see what the best prices you are able to find . Remember, if you can get the same part locally for less than what you are finding on the net (don’t forget to include the tax) then you might want to consider buying locally.

This is true for both new and used parts, but I would highly recommend only buying used auto parts online if it is your only recourse. Used parts can be very difficult to determine quality even with the product in hand, much less through someone’s web page who is trying to sell it to you.

While you may not be interested in buying used car parts online, again the internet can provide you with valuable information to find the part you need. Instead of having to call many different junk yards looking for your part, you can use the internet to track it down and get pricing. Hopefully you can find a junk yard locally that will be able to help you out. If not perhaps you can find one fairly nearby that you could drive to.

Either way if you do decide to purchase automobile parts online I would only recommend going with new ones. Used parts are risky as is and there is no reason to make it any riskier. Good luck with your purchase and hopefully this has helped you out.

Francis X. Hesse
http://www.mylittleautoshop.com