I bought some front end parts for my '57, along with a spring compressor that I couldn't use because it wouldn't fit (I built my own out of all-thread).
Returning it was simple at the time, but that was before the pandemic.

 

I have received a reply from them through the BBB offering to refund the price I paid for parts, minus shipping. That's all I wanted. RA's rep referred me to their website with instructions on printing a label. The returns part of their website is where I had trouble, so we'll see...

 

They could certainly take a lesson on customer service from Summit racing or Jegs but look at all the money they save my not having a customer service department with humans.

 

RockAuto is good for one thing, low prices. After that they are useless. Only buy them as a last resort.

 

I've found there is no phone contact. Online only. One time they sent me front ball joints for my 72 Lemans and they were different in the box. Yes, one was wrong. They agreed to pay to ship back and send me a new one. But, the time I was prepared to do the job and stalled was frustrating. Even though my local parts house is more, I like not being surprised with ill fitting or wrong parts.

 

Maybe look into U.S.P.S. Priority Mail Flat Rate box and just send it that way?

A large Flat Rate box can be up to 70 pounds in weight and costs $22.80 to send Priority Mail which usually gets it there in 2 to 4 days if no holiday.

 

You can do that on the online return you can either get a shipping label from them or arrange your own shipping they give you a address to ship to & you send them the tracking # once shipped.I've done it both ways.Might be cheaper or not worth checking.

 

Yeah.......Rock Auto. i have purchased from them, and probably will continue, but i have learned that i really need to make sure i am ordering the part i need, by double checking part numbers elsewhere, and that im willing to take the chance on the part not working out, because getting returns or cores to them is a major hassle. I have always heard getting someone on the phone was impossible. i ordered a steering box through them for my Monte Carlo, and i think returning the core was either such a hassle, or it was going to cost more to ship than the core was worth, so it just went to the big metal dumpster at work. A lot of times price of part + core at RA is still less than most others, so usually even not sending back the core is cheaper than getting the unit and core at Napa.
i was ordering rotors for our Ram trucks at work through them, then a few of the Bendix rotors came through with out being taped for the reluctor ring or something. again, they just went into the dumpster rather than fooling with a return to them.

 

Yeah.......Rock Auto. i have purchased from them, and probably will continue, but i have learned that i really need to make sure i am ordering the part i need, by double checking part numbers elsewhere, and that im willing to take the chance on the part not working out, because getting returns or cores to them is a major hassle. I have always heard getting someone on the phone was impossible. i ordered a steering box through them for my Monte Carlo, and i think returning the core was either such a hassle, or it was going to cost more to ship than the core was worth, so it just went to the big metal dumpster at work. A lot of times price of part + core at RA is still less than most others, so usually even not sending back the core is cheaper than getting the unit and core at Napa.
i was ordering rotors for our Ram trucks at work through them, then a few of the Bendix rotors came through with out being taped for the reluctor ring or something. again, they just went into the dumpster rather than fooling with a return to them.

What I am taking away from your response here is that your version of "went in the dumpster at work" is like Tony Soprano saying "he went into Witness Protection!"

 

They have good prices & good selection of different brands for your application But you really have to compare your local parts house cost add in the cost of shipping from Rock Auto & make sure you order the correct parts just because of what you are experiencing when you have to return but that's worse than any return shipping cost I've ever had with them.For instance when you have something with a core charge then shipping sometimes it's better to buy the same in New versus remanufacture.I learned to be careful what I order from them & try to make sure whatever it is it's the right option for my vehicle if you order the wrong option then they aren't going to pay the shipping cost on the return been there done that more than once.

 

I always price shop, and in this case, they were cheaper even with shipping. I had ordered and installed the rear set and went back for the front. I expected to pay for return shipping (even though the description fit my application), but let's be reasonable. They suggested we split the cost and my part of it would be almost a hundred? I'd find my own shipper if I could talk to someone there. I'll try the phone number, but I've read of other's complaints that no one answers. I have already contacted the BBB FWIW.

 

Hi everyone, does anyone know how I can talk to a live person at Rock Auto?
I bought a pad and rotor kit and it doesn't fit. I spent $130+ including shipping. When I went through there return process on the website, my refund was going to be 27 dollars and some change. This was because of shipping and handling, which they were generously dividing with me. (So, twenty something to get the parts, but nearly two hundred to ship it back.)
Got me once, won't get me again.

Greg

If they sent you the wrong parts then they pay everything to return. So it sounds like you're taking some blame here

 

Sure, I'll take some of the blame, I am the one who looked the parts up. (The description fit my application.) My frustration is they want nearly the amount I paid for my whole order to mail it back. I'll be happy to pay to have it shipped back at a reasonable price.

 

Hi everyone, does anyone know how I can talk to a live person at Rock Auto?
I bought a pad and rotor kit and it doesn't fit. I spent $130+ including shipping. When I went through there return process on the website, my refund was going to be 27 dollars and some change. This was because of shipping and handling, which they were generously dividing with me. (So, twenty something to get the parts, but nearly two hundred to ship it back.)
Got me once, won't get me again.

Greg

RockAuto Phone Number (Call Customer Service)! RockAuto Discount

 

Thanks Shadetree, I'll give that a try.