2 shops, 2 prices,for the same part..??

For staters I have 2 auto parts stores with in walking distance from me, I won't mention names but one is real big and fancy lots of car eye candy on the walls etc and the other one is more of a meat and pototos no frills kind of place.

I needed a new alternator for the Crewzer so I go to big fancy because it's a half a city block closer. The fellow brings out the alternator in the box, $165 including a core charge of $25 witch I would get back for my old one, so it will cost $140 before taxes. I ask the guy if he's sure he did'nt look up one for another car, he says no.
My gut told me to leave.

I went to no frills auto, fellow brings out the same alternator box as big fancy and says, that will be $103 (including core charge) + tax and when you bring back the old one we'll give you $10 back. So it cost me only $93 + tax in the end.

WTF is up with that!?:confused:

Looks like no frills auto will be getting ALL of my bussiness from now on.

 

Why does this surprise you? Do all the grocery stores in your area charge exactly the same amount for a gallon of milk? Do all the gas stations charge the same for a gallon of regular? Just be sure that 1) you are comparing parts from the same manufacturer and 2) the warranty is the same.

 

I see what your getting at Joe, and yes I can understand a couple $ difference between 2 stores and yes a gallon of milk or gas costs different at each store but not 40% difference. At times I've paid a few extra $ because I can get it now and not latter. and I don't have a problem with that as long as I feel I'm not getting screwed, this time I knew I was getting screwed.

To answer your questions, yes, it's the exact same manufacturer, same box etc. Warranty, well it's the same part number, same everything. I did'nt look at the waranty papers in the store that I did'nt buy from because those papers were in the box. To be honest I hav'nt even looked at the warranty papers for my new one.

2 stores, same part, same box, same part number, $47 difference:confused:

 

Yeah, Fat....could be the same box but rebuilt by a different company in a different country. Hard to say now days. I'm not saying that those alternators are not exactly the same....they could be. But parts houses try to find the cheapest prices just like we often do. And....I would still compare prices between the 2 stores on other parts in the future. Store B may have found a cheaper alternator than store A but it doesn't guarantee that ALL his parts will be cheaper.

 

I'll be comparing prices Fox, I can't do it today because the no frills store is closed.

I will be buying a new Interstate battery and K+N oil filter this week for our Mustang. I'll post back comparing prices between the 2 stores.


I see your point about the Alternator, still makes me wonder though.

 

I always support my local non-franchise auto parts stores.
Around here, it used to be Dusty's, then after that Cost Less Auto opened up.
These guys are awesome and their prices are always lower than the big chain stores.

When ever possible I prefer to put my $$ back into the local economy, not some giant corporations' pockets.

 

OR... learn a new form of vehicle maintenance and just rebuild it yourself for $12, lol. My dad taught me how to rebuild starters and alternators at 8 years of age when our old FORD 4000 tractor needed them rebuilt. Its a very simple job to do on either part.

 

Black, if I was 10 years younger I would have rebuilt the thing (done it before) but today I just can't be bothered for too many reasons.

 

The 'Big N Fancy Store' has a few things that make it worthwhile to pay an extra 40% for the same part......

- They advertise. If they didn't, you wouldn't know they were there, would you?
- They have a BIG wherehouse to store all the extra parts (like a framus for a '57 Hooptymobile) that nobody needs - but maybe they will some day.
- They have to pay benefits to their employees, something the Mom & Pop outlet ain't gonna be able to do - EVER.
- They gotta pay for those expensive 'manager seminars' about 2 every year where they all get together, complain about customers, and try to hit up the waitresses in whatever dive town they're in.......

It's really OK though, cause we're supporting 3 illegal alien families with every $100 made........most of it going back to the gubament.

 

Krash, mg:...you have just described my place of emplyment, and we have nothing to do with autos.parts etc

......We don't have a smiley for this.............

 

well where i work. we paid the parts store $16.39 for 5 lug nuts and studs. when we added it to the customer bill. the computer(which is run by the head office) change the customer $48.12.

 

Hmmm, bout my new battery today. Same # Interstate battery, $20 cheaper at the small store. Oil filter with in a $1 differance.

 

I get most of my parts online from Rock Auto, usually cheaper even with shipping than the local chain and mom and pop parts stores. They carry a lot of parts for older cars you can't get at the other places too, usually several name brand and prices range choices on each part. They drop ship from regional warehouses so you can get the parts the next day in some cases, never more than a three day wait for me. I like NAPA otherwise, they can get most anything the same or the next day and have been around awhile, the counter guys at mine have all been there forever. The big chains are great for brake parts and oil and filters and stuff like that, have some real good sales if you keep an eye on the ads. Most stuff is in stock and they're open on Sundays and later in the evenings when normal people who work have time to get parts and work on cars. The fault code light scanning and alternator, battery and starter testing is a nice service.

 

I'm a bit surprised. My experience is that the big box stores have very low prices on the common parts they stock.
I still have one "meat and potatoes" store near me but they are seldom price competetive on anything the big box stores carry in stock. I'd love to support the guy if he were even close in price but.....I listen to my wallet.
I despise the big box stores partly because of the staff who seldom knows a damn thing and puts you through a dozen questions about a car just to look up wiper blades and partly because they ruined the business for the independants.
I've asked to see parts BOOKS to look something up myself(when they are obviously clueless) and they look at me like I'm from Mars.

Now I purchase a lot from on line stores when there is no rush and save a lot that way. When an immediate need arises the litte guy gets my cash.

Kudos to your little guy's store. I hope he can turn a profit.

 

One of the parts stores I deal with has "jobber" rates on prices.
You just ask for the shadetree mechanic discount.