Best auto parts store.

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J J - 09 Jan 2007 00:36 GMT

Since I was a child I have heard that NAPA is the best place to get auto
parts. They are a little more expensive but have better rebuilt and new
parts. Also employees are more knowledgeable. Agree or not?

For example would a rebuilt alternator, starter etc be better quality if
it comes from NAPA?

Is it true that most repair shops get their parts from NAPA?

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Nate Nagel - 09 Jan 2007 00:44 GMT

> Since I was a child I have heard that NAPA is the best place to get auto
> parts. They are a little more expensive but have better rebuilt and new
> parts. Also employees are more knowledgeable. Agree or not?

In general, yes. NAPA is generally the top of the heap when it comes to
chains; Carquest is the only one in my experience that comes close.
However, you may have a local store that is as good or better.

> For example would a rebuilt alternator, starter etc be better quality if
> it comes from NAPA?

Possibly. For rotating electrics I'd take them to my local auto
electrical rebuilder and pay more yet but end up with a good working
unit - and the guy who actually rebuilt the darn thing only a phone call
away if something does go Tango Uniform.

> Is it true that most repair shops get their parts from NAPA?

I'd imagine a lot of them do, but I'm not "in the business" so I don't
really know.

nate

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Tegger - 09 Jan 2007 00:51 GMT

Lauren__C@webtv.net (J J) wrote in news:29863-45A2E393-139@storefull-
3235.bay.webtv.net:

If you have a Japanese car, the DEALER is the best place to get new and
rebuilt parts. NAPA is perhaps somewhat better than some other aftermarket
places, but they still suck. In general, aftermarket sucks.

I can't say for domestics, since I haven't owned one of those since my '76
Coronet.

> For example would a rebuilt alternator, starter etc be better quality if
> it comes from NAPA?

No. The first one you get will still be DOA, or it will die soon after
installation. The second might be worse. Or better. Maybe.

Your odds are probably better than the ones Harrah's will give you, but not
by much.

> Is it true that most repair shops get their parts from NAPA?

No. They get them from wherever they can get them cheapest (unless they
have to buy them internally). If they don't do that, their customers will
complain about how expensive the parts are. You see, customers don't care
about quality or durability, they care about PRICE.

Stupid is as stupid does.

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Tegger

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Tegger - 09 Jan 2007 01:36 GMT

> You see,
> customers don't care about quality or durability, they care about
> PRICE.

I'm not done yet.

The worst part about all this is that eventually all the aftermarket
suppliers get wind of the idea that price sells better than quality, and
then *all* of it becomes sh.t (some shittier than others). And they do end
up making much more money selling garbage than they ever did selling
diamonds.

Sorry. Rant's over.

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Tegger

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NAPNET - 21 Jan 2007 23:08 GMT

I have Found that the only as a auto parts store owner that there is a
mixed crowd. People who walk in off the street care about quality and
service. The online Shopper (my guess is 90%) only cares about price.
Example: ebay! Ebay is mostly filled with stuff people do not want to
put a effort in listing in a yard sale, or listing in a local paper.
(keep in mind locally a buyer may want to drive back to your place, or
home and return it lol!) I sell new aftermarket auto parts online, and
do great. It still remains the fact that my customers come to me for my
prices. For example I sell new Cadillac Escalade Mirrors for $90.00 for
the power heated options that the dealer wants almost $800.00 for. It
is this type of service that keeps me in business, and the customers
looking online for any better prices. We are not affiliated with NAPA,
but I had a customer of mine refer me to this article here. I just
figured I might put my two cents in.lol!

Sincerely, Shane
National Auto Part
www.Nationalautopart.com

> Lauren__C@webtv.net (J J) wrote in news:29863-45A2E393-139@storefull-
> 3235.bay.webtv.net:
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>
> Stupid is as stupid does.

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Brent P - 09 Jan 2007 03:10 GMT

> For example would a rebuilt alternator, starter etc be better quality if
> it comes from NAPA?

I would only get an OEM starter unless there was some special case.

My list in order of preference:

Motive auto parts (Local OEM motorcraft / Delco distributor)
NAPA
Carquest
Murray's
Autozone
Pep Boys

The last two generally as last resorts and for things like RTV, which is
the same where ever I go. Murray's I've been ok with for some things, but
since I bought goodyear rad. hoses there for my Mustang I am not so sure
any more and might just go OEM for that in the future. Carquest is mostly
for body filler and stuff like that since they carry evercoat. An issue
with a distributor I got there for my mav has them off the hard parts
list unless I have to. NAPA is ok, but that tie rod end that failed has
me concerned they've gone down too. I think that I might be making the
effort to get everything I can from Motive soon, despite their hours
making it a pain in the a.s for me to buy from them. Plus they closed the
counter at the wearhouse. I hate going to a store and it's not in
stock.

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N8N - 09 Jan 2007 13:33 GMT

> > For example would a rebuilt alternator, starter etc be better quality if
> > it comes from NAPA?
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> counter at the wearhouse. I hate going to a store and it's not in
> stock.

i had a bad experience with a starter at Murray's; I bought a starter
for my GTI there because they were the only parts store that had one in
stock. big mistake, the faston terminal on the solenoid was so flimsy
that it broke trying to push the connector on. I wasn't using
excessive force, it was just really that thin and spindly. Of course
they wouldn't exchange it or even meet me halfway, their only solution
to the problem was for me to buy another reman starter at full price.
I ended up ordering one from the good import specialist and waiting
another two days anyway, and losing $130 or so in the process for the
Murray's shite.

Part of the problem is you can't just buy a solenoid for a Bosch
starter, I am not aware of a source anywhere. Whereas a Delco starter
you can actually buy component parts for it...

nate

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Brent P - 09 Jan 2007 13:55 GMT

> Part of the problem is you can't just buy a solenoid for a Bosch
> starter, I am not aware of a source anywhere. Whereas a Delco starter
> you can actually buy component parts for it...

An option would be to buy a junkyard unit and just take from it what you
need.

I was having a problem with the starter on my mav when I first bought it.
It would sometimes spin and not engage the ring gear. I picked up one at
the U-pull and then went under there. Found the case was cracked on one
of the bolt holes. I replaced that portion of the case from the junkyard
starter. Worked great for a couple months or more and then the problem
came back. Got a new pinon with the clutch that's in there from Motive
and put it in, been fine since. I think there was a slight design
difference with the junkyard starter since I pulled it from a Torino or I
just didn't trust it when I could get a new motorcraft one for $10.

Napa was able to provide brushes and bearings for my mav's alternator so
I was able to keep the factory unit. I was chasing down a whine and when I
opened up the alterator and bearing fell apart, I figured I found the
problem... turned out to be air getting in under the carb as the mounting
nut/bolt had come loose. Of course the bearing probably didn't have long
to live anyway.

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z - 22 Jan 2007 18:18 GMT

My fave was a local ma and pa import parts store. They closed and
lately I hit another private family type store, not all import stuff
though. I had an enlightening moment like 10 years ago when i was
looking for a replacement muffler for a Honda at Pep Boys and I watched
the counter guy get on the phone to the private store up the street. In
a couple of years when that muffler died I just went to that store and
got the same muffler for 80% of what I paid Pep Boys. Lately I don't go
to Pep Boys for anything because their cashiers are so incredibly
incompetent that even buying a quart of oil is likely to involve a 20
minute dialogue with the manager if I don't want to end up paying $15,
but that could just be my local store, although it took about 5 years
of constant irritation by a widely varying cast of cashiers to finally
convince me.

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Scott Dorsey - 09 Jan 2007 03:28 GMT

>Since I was a child I have heard that NAPA is the best place to get auto
>parts. They are a little more expensive but have better rebuilt and new
>parts. Also employees are more knowledgeable. Agree or not?

NAPA is a chain. They have local stores. Some stores are run by idiots.
Some stores are run by experts. You cannot generalize.

>For example would a rebuilt alternator, starter etc be better quality if
>it comes from NAPA?

Better than what? I would not trust alternator or starter rebuilds from
ANY of the big chains. I'd go to a local rebuilder that I trusted, who
would stand behind their work.

See, if you get a bad rebuild from a chain, they are just out the cost of
the rebuild, while YOU are out a lot of time and effort changing the thing
out again. The local rebuilders usually have a reputation to stand by.

>Is it true that most repair shops get their parts from NAPA?

I hope not, but sometimes the chain stores are the only choice.
--scott

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* - 14 Jan 2007 16:34 GMT

J J <Lauren__C@webtv.net> wrote in article
<29863-45A2E393-139@storefull-3235.bay.webtv.net>...

> Since I was a child I have heard that NAPA is the best place to get auto
> parts. They are a little more expensive but have better rebuilt and new
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Is it true that most repair shops get their parts from NAPA?

I would have to say that NAPA - and, perhaps Carquest - have the most depth
of vendors and materials, parts and equipment availability.

Unfortunately, the "company stores" are no longer run by "car people" and
it would appear that they are hiring certain people before Manny, Moe, and
Jack can get their hands on them.

Privately-owned, franchise NAPA and Carquest stores excel in customer
service and parts business knowledge.

When I managed a privately-owned NAPA store, I was constantly blown away by
the sheer depth of parts and services I could offer my professional
customers.

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John S. - 22 Jan 2007 18:35 GMT

Whether a rebuilt part purchased at NAPA is any better than the one
that comes from Auto Zone or Pep Boys really depends on who did the
work. If I were going to pick a large chain for remanufactured parts I
would probably go with them. Chances are I would just go to the
dealer for my vehicles though.

I don't know how one could determine whether most repair shops get
parts from NAPA, but I doubt the most (at least 50%) do. For example
many of the brand-specific shops I'm faimilar with get their parts
through dealers.

I put a lot more faith in the local auto parts shop who I have worked
with for over 30 years.

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MT-2500 - 22 Jan 2007 20:14 GMT

J J Wrote:

> Since I was a child I have heard that NAPA is the best place to get
> auto
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Is it true that most repair shops get their parts from NAPA?

Napa quality has went down hill in the last 10 years.
A lot of there stores have even folded up in my area.
The trend for a lot of auto parts stores is cheap or cheaper parts.
If they offer it in new or rebuilt always go new.
And for a one time hurt the dealer OEM quality parts are your best bet.

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MT-2500

http://www.automotiveforums.com

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