Local parts store going back to US made stuff

After extensive warrantys, complaints, requests, etc.... one of our local "real parts stores" here in Tucson is getting back to the better stuff, regardless of price. Since I don't work there, I won't name names, but this is how we turn the boat around!

Last 2 water pumps I did at work were USA made.
Our voices are being heard, just wanted to let y'all know without getting political.

 

well its about time..

i hope they can find enough stuff made here to fill their shelves

 

This is awesome!

 

yeah was gonna say ,,might be hard to have a complete inventory

 

If you name names, more people will know to vote with their $$ there. Otherwise it is just your secret parts hookup.

 

Yeah, spill the beans.

 

I don't know how it's possible but best of luck to them and kudos for trying.

 

you should give there name that way other people can support them and do business with them

 

That's always great to hear!!

When I bought steel to build my digger trailer I was very adament on getting good steel and definitely NO CHINESE STEEL. The guy at the steel place ***ured me they don't get ANY of the "cheap" steel anymore - too many problems. I was delighted when the order was dropped off that it was all MADE IN USA !

 

There not having a limited inventory, just doing what they can when they can. Some parts are only available Chinese, and thats what we get. This comes from my Merle's connection.

 

i sell auto parts. we have the cheap **** and the good ****. i'm selling more and more good ****, because people are getting tired of the chinese junk failing. even if it does have a warranty.

 

yeah merles................... i'm spending my cash there now!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I really hope the guy can make it work for him . It really takes a big set of balls to do something like that ! Hats off to the GREAT AMERICAN PARTS STORE ! I wish him the best and will he have a website where we can order from and mail order parts ? I would rather wait and but American !

RetroJim

 

always had a choice between the two at Bumper to Bumper near me

 

Merle's is a real good REAL PARTS HOUSE. They have books and know how to use them. I was stranded at home and one of their delivery gals brought the part to the house! Actually there was a choice of 3 parts and she brought them all for match up. Needless to says she got a dammm good lunch and a big tip.
Thanks for mentioning them, I'll go there more often. Closest one is about 15 miles from home but thats ok.

 

Good to see this happening. Only downside will be when someone calls around and finds they can "save" money at another store by not giving a damn about the origin of parts. And while they are there will pick up everything else thay need regardless of the price.
The lowest price mentality is so entranched in the thinking process of americans it would take a couple of decades for it to change. Good luck to your parts store. I hope they can survive until the tide changes.

Frank

 

These guys have a rep for knowing their ****! and most guys and shops that know what they are doing already deal with them here. you can find them at merlesauto.com so send your money and show them your support,Im heading over there this afternoon for stuff for my 56 chevy,and they have 8-10 stores and a HUGE warehouse

 

For many years I generally only use Merle's..I'm at the one on east 22nd St..WAY TOO MUCH..

Parts guys that know what they sell..been there awhile. On my speed dial..
I never price them against cheap AZ..or Pep Boys...why ?

I want to do it once..and correct..
Never been disappointed..

 

Brake pads were the first thing I found in improved quality of parts from Merles, talk about a difference in lasting!
The delivery part was nice when I had my shop down by the swap meet. That shop on Ajo did pretty good machine work.

 

I think they started buying them from "Tommy Boy". Ha.

I ordered an Idler pulley from Autozone online because nobody stocked them. I ordered on the 18th, they didn't ship it out till the 21st . I still don't have it, and I could have had one at the store three days ago.

Now it's a matter of principal. I E-mailed them back and let them know as soon as I get it, I will take it directly to one of their stores and get my money back. I don't care if I need it or not.

 

Can I purchase parts online from Merles? I am from central Illinois....don't think they will deliver to me!

 

i would shake the hand of whomever made that decision and i would make sure to buy all my parts from their store ,

 

It's about making informative decisions.

I'd hate to have a store go under becuase they had limited "USA MADE" merchandise. I do however like the idea of a store INFORMING me that they try carry as many USA MADE products as they can.

Big high-five to this store!!!!!

 

FWIW, I bought a NAPA life time warrantyed new SBC water pump so as not to ever have trouble with it and guess what was on it, made in China. It's hard not to buy made in China. I'm pulling for you Merles

 

I agree with you about the lowest price stupid **** of people ! You don't get what you paid for that way . This was brought on big by Hell mart when they say how cheap we are and if you don't like it bring the **** back . If it was a better US made item you shouldn't have to bring it back ! I do really go out of my way to by from AMERICANS that sell AMERICAN made items even when I know it will cost more ! I like to save like everyone else but what saving do you get when you have to keep taking the ****ty item back ! Nobody thinks of the time you loose plus the gas to get the right parts and hope like hell it will last ! I really wish we had a good old style parts store around where I live . I have gotten into the habit of asking "WHO MADE IT " when I get parts for my hot rods ! Tired of cheap *** Chinese **** ! You will pay more in the long run with cheap overseas parts , having to replace them more often doesn't save me money , does it ! We need to start insisting on AMERICAN MADE PARTS ! It will take time but nothing happens over night . They rely on sales and if they can't sell items from overseas then they won't carry them !

RetroJim

 

I have to agree, let's hope that this works.

 

Nice thought, but not possible to stock just USA parts. I've been in the biz for 22 years & we stock all the best brands: Walker, Gates,Timken,Standard Ignition, Fel-Pro, Wagner, Moog, etc. & most of them have at least some overseas parts. To the best of my knowledge, there is no one making drums & rotors in North America anymore. When Raybestos went to China, Wagner swore they would never! Six months later, guess what? This is the global economy our government has helped create over my lifetime. Buy US made while you can. Hopefully, we can slow the exodus.

 

Way cool.

 

This is great to hear. I try to buy all car parts that are "made in USA"...hell I even buy socks that are made in the USA. I actually refuse to buy anything made in china. no matter how bad I need it, I wont buy it.

Good luck to this guy for doing this. If i can I will gladly buy parts from him even if Im in NJ.

 

Glad someone is stepping up to the plate to do this. I think the majority of us working on our own rides prefer the parts to be made here. Nice to know a company out there gives a ****. Unfortunately I see lots of customers getting their car serviced that want the cheaper stuff, they think it saves them money..I always strive to put Made In The USA in my Chevrolet.