You all noticing how most of even your car parts are purchased there now?

i was just talking to my wife, needed an odd oil I don’t normally have for a small motor I just bought. Instead of getting into the car to find the autozone it’s been ordered on amazon, for the same price, delivered to my door.

we are big amazon shoppers it’s only interesting to me that even car parts are now on there with free shipping. No idea how that makes money but it does.

 

I get some of my parts on there (I'd say 25%) but the majority I get from a hodgepodge of auto parts vendors, usually online. If it's the same price somewhere else, I'll go with them in order to support another business since I already give enough money to Amazon. My most recent purchase was spark plugs, and I got them directly from NGK's website since it was the same price with shipping. Sometimes sites like Rock Auto simply give you more choice and easier comparisons.

The availability and compatibility of parts on Amazon has definitely been improving though. It's funny, I remember interviewing for a job at Amazon back in 2009 and we were talking about how they could improve. One thing I said was auto parts - I'd go to search for a part but it would usually be incompatible or simply the wrong item altogether. I had my doubts as to whether or not they could sort through the millions of parts for different years, models, trims, etc. someday as a non-automotive vendor. Fast forward to today, they've more or less done so.

 

I try not to use Amazon wherever I can. F’in slave labor in their distribution centers. And I hate how they have taken over everything. Fluids I buy all mine from the same mfr., Amsoil. Preferred customer membership pays off. Parts I also order from a select list of vendors.

 

There are some things that are just easier to find on Amazon and that is why I buy them there. I am doing a cable railing and I can go to a really spendy building supply place and spen a ton or order them on Amazon. I have ordered oil from Amazon during the very beginning of the shutdown because stores here were closed, but I prefer to run out and buy something locally. Amazon is too big and too powerful and needs a good beatdown.

I will say I ordered a couple things one through Ebay and one from a secondary seller at an Amazon store, one was a tent and another was a carbon fiber bike part. Both were supposed to be shipped from China, and both never made it. They are currently three months over due. Amazon refunded me, and the other is waiting on a Paypal claim. I find it curious that I did not get either and were my only purchases out of China. So I was wondering if Chinese sellers were just ripping people off during COVID or if there was rampant stealing out of China Post.

 

I still like to buy fluids and parts locally , and I like going to get them as I need them same day. I try to avoid Amazon and Walmart as I don't agree with their business models. I will support ebay vendors before the Amazon and Walmart type of services. Much of the demise of North American manufacturing has been caused by the Walmart business model, and Amazon just followed and is in the same boat IMO. I'm not a big political guy, but I'm not blind to the negative aspects of these companies. If I ever had to work in an Amazon plant I'd slit my wrist. So many good companies out there selling car parts and fluids on-line or at local stores, I have no desire to order from Amazon regardless of pricing.

I can respect everyone's right to shop how they see fit though, and there must be some big demand for their services. I know how convenient it can be for some consumers and everyone wants to save a nickel. I don't push my agenda on anyone, it's just how I like to live my life.

 

Amazon is a great assist to small vendors. Amazon doesn't have all this stuff but their partners do and shipping is brilliant. Many times they'll specify "sold by XXX and fulfilled by Amazon" A check directly with them may get the product at less cost since Amazon isn't getting a cut. But Amazon free shipping will often exceed that savings.

Convenience and availability are a big part of it. Example just 10 days ago:

My wide area 33" walk behind lawnmower has two timed blades that are linked with a blade timing belt -- toothed just like an engine timing belt to keep the blades 90 degrees apart so they can overlap. Had a small branch fall on top of the mower deck and wedge under the timing belt which caused the belt to slip and the mower blades struck each other violently. Belt got frayed (or maybe already was) and both blades were trashed. Local parts were not obtainable; my dealer told me he'd have to order them and it would take at least a week. Found the factory belt on Amazon and it shipped from their supplier to me in a total of 5 days. Price was less than direct from the factory. Same with a pair of Oregon mulching blades. Since I mow every 3 days I only had to cut my lawn one time with my 21" mower, not several times. Temps and humidity here in Richmond in the 80s and 90s.

Yeah, we use Amazon!

-- Chuck

 

agreed. Support your businesses. I do the same.

 

I try to avoid it, but more often than not things are simply cheaper via Amazon since many others still charge for shipping. Amazon also has a great/easy return policy which can save some hassle.

 

Slave labor? LOL!

-- Chuck

 

Yeah, pretty sure the jobs there are voluntary and pay starts $15/hr. Work hard, but get paid decent from what I've seen.

Only thing I hate about Amazon is buying 100 shares at $316 and then selling for $665 several years ago thinking I made out like a bandit with a greater than 2x return. Oh well, hindsight....