When you’re a do-it-yourselfer looking for aftermarket car parts for your vehicle, you want parts that are durable and at a low cost. If your first instinct is to drop dealerships like a hot potato, you would be very wrong. Understandable point of view, but hear us out: they could still end up pulling out certain parts at rock bottom prices.
On that note, if a car is of a certain age or the part you need is one that doesn’t really break, you’ll have better luck with an unfamiliar source or junkyards.
Getting The Best Price For the Ideal Part Is Ideal
White box parts are usually less expensive than name-brand parts. Also, generic parts are cheaper than OEM parts. The dealerships often don’t advertise their best prices, but call them anyway to get the best deals! You need to be cautious, however; make sure things are actually comparable before you consider them side-by-side.
Be sure to know your parts before you start making calls, though. For example, water pumps and alternators are often remanufactured, while CV axles, power steering pumps, and starters are usually new. You can also save money by buying automotive replacement parts in bulk; white boxes are an economical option. However, if you can afford it, you may wish to buy brand new parts. Also, be sure to ask the staff to help you find the part you need.
Are You Ordering From An Auction?
Your project may be an older vehicle that lacks a good supply of replacement parts. You might have trouble finding them. One place to check is eBay, an auction site that has many used car parts for sale. Be careful when buying parts online, though; some sellers take your money and run, never sending the items that you paid for.
Be sure to take a closer look into the reputation of the seller, taking the following into consideration:
- Do they send items in a timely manner?
- Do they send items in listings as described?
- Was the item’s condition the same as it was described by the seller when it got to the buyer?
- What is the customer service rating of the sender?
A good rule of thumb is to steer clear of sellers with no reviews at all. A few reviews may seem worrisome, but a few are still far better than none at all.
Are You Ordering From Somewhere Unfamiliar?
Never heard of a website that sells replacement parts for cars, but it looks like they have what you need? Make sure it has a contact phone number (which should be in the United States), an address, and a return policy. Look at the replacement car parts reviews. Make sure to compare them to the part you’re searching for.
If you are a sales associate or counter person, remember to keep these factors in mind. This applies whether you are calling around to resellers to see if they have it or referring the customer directly to another sales associate or business.
Conclusion
Aftermarket shopping can be a pretty interesting journey, especially if a car has some years to it. Getting the best price for the appropriate part is, of course, ideal. Take extra caution when left with no other choice than to order from somewhere familiar or from an online auction.
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