Technical Thread for really good AND really bad Amazon parts lol

So in the quest to build my 53 Bel Air as a reliable daily driver without going into massive debt I've perused Amazon and actually bought a few things. So far I've been pleasantly surprised. Figured a thread with real world feedback on Amazon parts would be handy. I'm currently waiting on a Chinese gennie shifter knockoff to come in that I'll add later. But I'll start with the radiator I scored a year ago. Under $200 shipped and works REALLY well. And not only that it fit better than the damaged afco radiator I used for mockup that originally cost $700 a couple years ago lol


https://www.amazon.com/Blitech-Alum...0f-8d97-8da47c395940&pd_rd_i=B07NPLG3D1&psc=1

 

I can't speak for a lot parts. But I cross reference all the rockauto part into Amazon and sometime will get it sooner and cheaper through Amazon. And the returns are easier if needed.
Mostly like dining AC Delco and Standard ignition parts there. Also Felpro gaskets
As far as custom items like a fake Gennie shifter. I have yet to get stuff like that. Maybe the led tailight parts to get custom brighter taillights.

you have know how to find stuff and use the part numbers from rock auto.

 

I don't buy anything from amazon. He does not have good intentions for us peasants. support small business

 

Most recently Ive bought Alan Grove brackets straight through them. Ive also got some Dorman branded speed bleeders and a set of Mr. Gasket dust covers, a Powermaster Altetnator & Starter all for the same project.
Also bought parts for our OT boat & dirtbikes with ease. If I can find it there first & the price is right I get it. Ive wasted far to much time shopping for stuff locally only to wind up empty handed. Then end up ordering it from Amazon.

 

Make no mistake....aside from stuff like my radiator I was extremely happy with period and not just happy over price.....most of what I buy off Amazon I buy expecting to replace later. But figure the lower price is justification to buy it as a full gap to replace later after build progresses and funds recover a bit. Like with the shifter I ordered I can't do carpet till shifter is in place. And if the shifter actually turns out decent it'll save me more than the carpet will cost.

 

I don’t either. Never been able to figure out their site. I’ll stick to RockAuto and eBay.

 

Im with you rusty valley , support small business even if the cost is more, if you dont one day small business wont be there.

 

Amazon’s auto parts catalog just plain sucks. No reason they can’t have something straight forward like Rock.

I say that well knowing that there are a bunch of posters on here that can’t get used to year, make, model, engine methodology and are prone to rant almost to the point of having a stroke every time the clerk at their local chain auto parts store starts with that protocol.

 

It's inevitable. With the continuing success of the various online merchants, the local retailers will come under increasing pressure and will cease business and have to close. The world is changing and fast. I winter in he Florida Keys which is a harbinger of things to come. Because of land values, logistics, etc.. retail trade is disappearing down here. We have bars, restaurants, and lots of "T-Shirt" stores down here but no "regular" retailers. Last year, a friend of mine couldn't even find a place to buy a pair of sweat socks.. With the rise of online retailers and the emergence of more efficient delivery services, "brick and mortar" retailers will be reduced to a few specialty shops. and everything else will be online. Even now, Rock Auto and Amazon are my "go to" places for ordinary auto parts.

Oh yeah; our great-grandchildren will be driving electric cars, if they even choose to drive at all.

 

I don't like doing business with Amazon, but I have bought several cheapo radiators off there. I would like to support US radiator builders but I just can't afford it. I prefer to buy as much as I can from other guys in the hobby and then good suppliers like Bert's and then big shot stores like Speedway...

 

Amazon is a last resort for me. When you get a manufacturer's part number its pretty easy to get a better deal then from Amazon.

Many manufacturers are willing to discount from Amazon prices to simply bypass them.

 

I go to my local NAPA store 5 miles up the road for auto parts, no way I wouldn't support them. They used to be a Carquest then changed over. I know I could drive 15 miles to save a few bucks but I hope to help with my part of keeping them open.

 

......

 

You do know that name brand companies sell through Amazon right ?
I agree the parts description sucks, but you can easily look up the part on Summit get the part number then go back to Amazon.
Many times the shipping is cheaper and faster vs. "handling fees", through the same companies like Jegs, Summit, Speedway on their main online sites.
You can also find it cheaper sometimes through a different seller even though it's drop shipped through the main company.
Like anywhere do your research, if you buy solely on cheap price expect to get a cheap offshore product in return.

 

I’ve been on a kick to try and only by USA made products. Very difficult by the way. I hate that you google, Amazon or EBay something American and instantly get the Chinese shit thrust upon you. Have to weed through the Chinese shit to get to the USA made stuff. Definitely more expensive to by American but I think it is worth it.

 

I pick up a few small non essential items now and again. Grommets, clamps and electrical connectors just to name a couple. The quality seems to be a parr.

 

Yeah why I was even on Amazon for shifter stuff. Was actually hoping to find a closeout shifter mounting kit by gennie lol. Didn't find an actual gennie product though

 

I buy off Amazon due to the shipping costs are better. If I find it locally without added shipping, I go there.

 

Remember that some of the stuff on Amazon is the lowest quality found anywhere. If it's no-name, or has a gobbledegook name, chances are you couldn't find a lower quality version if you tried. In my business I see Amazon stuff brought in by my customers to install that would never be sold by a legit business in this country., and is unusable. " But it was such a good deal!" exclaims the guy who is about to pay for a functional product from my shop that actually works, unlike the crap he brought me.
Not saying all, or even most of the time, but when the ultimate seller doesn't give a shit, you're taking chances.

 

Much of what is sold on Amazon is from small businesses that use Amazon to get the word out there. You seem pretty uninformed.

 

You may think Im uninformed, how ever I do know amazon like walmart and other giant box stores force comanys they allow in their stores or on their sites to sell at the price they demand weather or not the small business makes a reasonable profit or not. Maybe your uninformed.

 

Your point probably would have been made better had you utilized the proper grammar and spelling of what you are trying to get across.

 

Thanks for the pointers tubman however you understood the point regardless of the spelling and grammar. Did not realize I would be graded for that on the hamb. lol From now on I will be more mindful of my P's and Q's, thank you.

 

Anyway in an attempt to get this thread on topic....I really don't care about anyone's opinion of Amazon. There's forums to debate business ethics if that's what you want....but not here. If I stuck to the mantra of support small businesses my car would be in pieces across multiple states instead of almost ready for the road. Pretty sure the majority of people bashing Chinese parts have a box full of hobo freight tools. ....most of mine are snap on lol.


Anyway the point of this thread is actual specific products off Amazon that are actually really good or horrifically bad. In a sorts of creating a list of affordable parts for people actually intending to drive their cars yet have a tight budget. My next example is the gennie knockoff shifter I previously mentioned. Aside from potentially needing a better locknut on the main shaft I'm actually really happy with it. True shift gate that actually locks into gear. And fit was fairly decent along with coming with parts for three different mounting positions.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CD75NL4B?ref=ppx_pt2_mob_b_prod_image

 

I buy quite a bit thru Amazon, and a good chunk of that comes from small retailers. You just have to look for the quality stuff. I can't get diddly locally. Rock auto has very few items for my particular application, and some stuff I get through Amazon comes from them anyway.
The other thing is transaction security. Some of these internet retailers are just plain crooks. Amazon at least has a decent level of transaction security.
My wife jokes that Amazon has delivered half my truck!

 

Got anything specific you'd recommend to someone else? Would really like to create a database of sorts lol

 

You just have to do a search. The off brand stuff is very apparent.
I've even bought raw material, such as a 2" x 72" chunk of 6061 aluminum bar stock, a 3/4" thick chunk of aluminum plate, seat foam, ABS panels, cutting tools, among other things.
Amazon isn't always the cheapest. But some of these retailers charge so much for shipping, it ends up being less money overall. Of course Amazon doesn't have everything a guy needs either. You also have to have certain retailers that have stuff unique to your own ride. For my ol' Furd, that's C&G Ford parts, Affordable Street Rods, Speedway, etc.
And yes. I realize I am supporting "The Great Satan".

 

I have had Amazon orders not even get delivered. I avoid buying from amazon. You have to wait for Amazon to refund (credit back your card) your money for about a month. I think they want you to wait so you might forget.
Thieves use amazon as a front to steal your money

 

I use it often enough. You have to know what you are looking for, brand, part #, be an informed shopper and go from there. For example I can get a name brand (Castrol) gallon of transmission fluid delivered cheaper than buying 3 quarts locally. Also locally, speed shops have dried up to next to nothing. Rock Auto is another avenue I now use for parts.