Like the title ask, are Rock Auto parts any good or just more cheap auto parts?

I've used them many times and have had very little problems. But when you do the return process is a little cumbersome

I've used them a few times without issue. Buy name brand parts and you'll be OK. Shipping can get spendy if you're not careful.

Especially when shipping from different warehouses / locations

Cab - kind of the range of stuff from cheap-o to name brand, with product details.
I've bought all kinds of stuff from them, even body parts - do I need to clarify, CAR body parts ? - but the trick is to watch shipping costs.
Can't say the stuff arrives quickly, compared to Summit, but it's fine if you don't need the stuff right now.

I have used them lots, up here in Canada. Their shipping is usually great !! Gotta say, you kinda get what you pay for - ie. going for the cheapest versus the higher price . . . but that being said, even the higher price part can be suspect. At any rate, I have found that a lot of the parts, including shipping, are 1/2 the price of local jobbers here. Local Napa used to be pretty good/reasonable . . . but in last couple years, any of the "older parts" for the 50+ year old cars, have gone way up in price, and aren't in stock and take longer to get . . .

I am certainly a Rockauto fan though !

What parts were you looking at ????

First - rock auto isn't a brand. For any given part there can be a wide range of options from high quality-high dollar to "chinese crap".

Second - Rock auto isn't a store like Summit or Auto-Zone. It is a clearing house website. So if you order 3 things, one might ship from summit, one from the manufacturer, and another from a auto parts store that is going out of business

The multi-source shipping is what can be a deal killer. Using that same example of three parts, unlike ordering from summit where it all goes in one discounted rate box, means you pay shipping for each part. I think there is a tool on the site that lets you check to try to get parts shipped from minimum number of sources if they happen to have them available.

All that said, I have used them but not often. Usually with shipping added in I get better deals from summit or amazon. Rock auto IS an amazing source for looking up part numbers, and researching options.

I stick to the name brand stuff. Haven't had any trouble.

I have a nice Rock Auto magnet collection as I've been ordering from there for years. Parts are generally priced low, but, as stated above, shipping can be an issue. The catalogue is pretty good. I will generally look up parts and then play with brands to see what I can do to get them all shipped from one location. I also use Rock Auto to look up part numbers and then search other vendors by the part numbers to find the lowest shipped price. There is almost always a 5% off coupon available which helps somewhat with tax. This 5% off code expires January 15:
221862024193837792

As of late, I look at multiple sources. Often, once I find the part number of what I want, I will search it on Amazon. Since I have Prime, the shipping costs don't add up as much. There have been multiple times when I actually saved quite a bit by ordering from Amazon as opposed to Rock.

I've used Rock Auto for years. Like said before, just watch the brands you are picking and where they are shipping from. I got the entire front end for my truck for less than 1/2 of what the local parts stores wanted for the same parts, even after shipping.
Funny shipping story: I needed a rear door handle for my Silverado. Sherman's used to be at the end of my street. They had them for $45. The same part at Rock Auto was $8, $11 with shipping. To big of a difference to not give it a try. The part shows up with a return address from Sherman's. I saved $30+ by not driving a mile and a half!

Been buying from Rock Auto for many, many years.
Their web catalog is incredible, great images, wide choice of brands/parts and low prices.
Apply the Moparts discount, but watch the shipping costs if parts coming from than1 location they can be high. Also if the ordered part is bulky and/or heavy shipping cost can be high.
Return of cores is painless, they send a UPS pickup tag and credit arrive quickly..

No complaints from me, just be careful when selecting parts..

Just my $0.02..

And I had the opposite experience. Last purchase from Rock was a pad and rotor "kit" for my truck. I bought Raybestos stuff. I took the part numbers from Rock and searched all over.......nobody could touch Rock's "kit" price even with their shipping.......Amazon wasn't even close even with free shipping.

ZERO customer service. Would not warranty a defective part because I had it over 90 days. They lost a customer for life over a $9 part.

I like RA for the basics. WIX filters (gas, oil, air), spark plugs, fan belts, etc. RA has prices the local parts places can't touch. IE- Champion RN11Y plugs all day long 89-99 cents. Local guys 2.89 to 3.19. Good advice on watching the shipping costs.

In the beginning and even now many think RA is a retailer like Summit or Auto Zone. They are a drop shipper who has negotiated FANTASTIC prices on name brand parts. Their price for a brand new AC Delco multi function switch and wiper motor for my 04 LeSabre was less than what the local Chevy dealer cost was. My friend in the parts department told me that. Denso AC compressor new made in Japan for my Camry was under $200 shipped. Just be warned- when you receive the parts its not good to wait too long before installing them as if the time period expires and the parts are wrong it will be more difficult to get it corrected. Starters alternators a radiators and AC compressors are typically a hundred dollars less than local stores.

And as I stated, returns for any reason except cores are cumbersome

I've never had an issue, but then I didn't wait 90 days either. If I remember correctly, they give you a specific date to return the parts by.

RockAuto is great until they aren't. I ordered a specific part and brand name, but they chose to send me another lesser quality item at the same cost. When I tried to return it this is where I found out they are great until they aren't

There is absolutely no customer service on any issues. They don't care if it was their fault or not. They want to charge you either way to return an item and a lot of the times the return cost is more than an item cost.

Over Timken bearing order that they screwed me on I've never bought another item from them in 5-years.

Tom

I agree customer service is a challenge. And you need to install parts before the "return" window closes. On the flip side, I once ordered a fuel tank for my Cuda with the internal electric pump from Rock Auto. It arrived with a softball sized dent in the corner of the fuel tank. I sent them photos and then send a new one in perfect condition. They told me to keep the dented one. So I got a back up fuel pump for free.