WARNING - Buying clearance parts from Rock Auto - DON'T

[scot850]

In the past I have bought clearance parts for 'stock' to help out those I help on my Pay-it-Forward program. Up until about 4 months ago I never had any issues. What I bought was what it was advertised as.

However in the last few months what I have received has not been clearly new or even what it was claimed. I bought 4 Nugeon branded front P2 calipers for the 02 and 06 XC70's most recently.

First issue is one came in a box that was smaller than the other 3. It was missing the caliper bracket although it is supposed to a semi-loaded set. I tried to return but I have to pay the return to the US which is way higher than what I paid. Rock Auto's response was basically, "sucks to be you".

I tried then to find a bracket but everywhere is out of stock. I tried contacting Nugeon direct to see if I could buy a bracket from them. Through this process, it came out that they do not deal with Rock Auto!! Not only that when I sent them pictures of the boxes, they said that was not their product! Someone has rebranded the boxes. They said the calipers are Centric not theirs. I looked closer. Only one has a new caliper piston which is why I buy Nugeon ones as they replace them. The 3 others are all rusty used ones with paint slapped on them to try and cover the rusted pistons. What a crock! You are warned!!

Neil.

[lrock]

The 3 others are all rusty used ones with paint slapped on them to try and cover the rusted pistons. What a crock! You are warned!!

Neil.

wouldn't this be more of a centric issue? since they did the reman? Just the old piston part, the rest is BS on rockauto's part, but they can't inspect every reman that comes through

[scot850]

Not really. Centric I don't believe would repackage the parts as another brand. That would be dangerous for them. It is whoever that Rock Auto got the parts from that is the issue, but also Rock Auto's issue as ultimately they sold the parts to me.

I will 'trade-in' one of the crappy ones with the missing bracket with a local supplier for 50% more and include a worn used bracket. At least that way we will have 2 crappy calipers, 2 good ones and all with brackets.

Neil.

[br0dy519]

I suspect in the coming months we will see an increase in return scams on all online retailers as the economy weakens and those less fortunate look for more opportune ways to take advantage. Inspect your received goods well in front of the courier and if anything seems off, refuse the shipment.

[lrock]

when you say clearance, do you mean the wholesaler closeouts? because i have 2 of just about every bushing for my car in my cart i'm about the pull the trigger on

[scot850]

Yes, it is the wholesaler closeout stuff I am talking about. Being in the US it may be less of an issue for you are returning stuff is easier. Like I said, up to about 6 months ago I never had an issue with tis stuff. It was what they said. So if you are buying stuff from wholesaler close outs, check them carefully.

Neil.

[BlackBart]

I generally don't trust Rockauto, and have rarely used them. If it's a name brand part with the correct # for a good deal, I'd consider it.

[jonesg]

i never buy from rock bottom auto, ebay is seeing a lot of those chinese counterfeit parts too.
brand new parts such as bosch coils, fake, even the oem boxes are faked.
fcp is my source.
ipd is good too.

[lrock]

I'm just going to use the bushings to make molds to pour my own polys, i'm sure it'll be fine...

[jonesg]

I'm just going to use the bushings to make molds to pour my own polys, i'm sure it'll be fine...

A buddy did that to make NLA engine mount for his mitsubishi sports car.
Baked it in the oven a few hrs per the directions and it works.