2002 Jetta clutch kit w/flywheel LUK brand 218.42 CDN @ Rock Auto
Same kit at Jobber 415.00 NAPA was 438.00
Tony - glad to see you saving at RockAuto...me to.
I have been a loyal AMSOIL customer, for close to 20 years....not any more, found some better engine oil fluids.
- but their Cdn pricing started to skyrocket...$15/L of synthetic oil
Did some research, and been using Pennzoil Ultra Platinum (NG base stock is 99.5% clean) / plus the new WIX XP Platinum syn. media filter (re-branded for Amsoil).
- local UAP/NAPA was $34 incl. HST for one cartridge WIX XP filter / for Toyota RAV4 3.5L-v6
- ROCKAUTO was $8 for an XP filter, so I bought 4 and a few filters for my 5.7L Silverado...ship charges was $5, to CanAm Parcel Pickup (Port Huron MI)
- AUTOZONE MI store was $19 an XP cartridge filter.
Now saving $24/Platinum XP oil filter, using RockAuto - on wife's SUV and doing premium oil changes every 10,000 Km.
- used oil still have 1/2 its honey color
-- Edited by Beaumont67SD on Tuesday 25th of July 2017 08:46:25 PM
As a general rule I always try to buy local - it helps to keep the brick and mortar shops in business and people in jobs.
If I can't find it locally, I will shop online but I am concerned that one day I won't have a choice because people are not supporting local businesses. Might be Amazon for all of us - order, wait a week for delivery, hope that it's not damaged and that you don't end up with unexpected duties, brokerage fees, etc.
As a general rule I always try to buy local - it helps to keep the brick and mortar shops in business and people in jobs.
If I can't find it locally, I will shop online but I am concerned that one day I won't have a choice because people are not supporting local businesses. Might be Amazon for all of us - order, wait a week for delivery, hope that it's not damaged and that you don't end up with unexpected duties, brokerage fees, etc.
A GIANT THANK-YOU! Finally, this whole topic put into perspective.... Yes, we all bitch about the prices... unfortunately it is in my generation where options are easily found.... (and at times, rightly so) Since I am a Centennial kid who is still in the workforce and runs his owns business, what about the generations before us that are now retired? What would those guys have done if more options were readily available? That monopoly was there for them and most if not all of them will say, thank goodness for that... How many of those pulled in a great income because of it? Lets talk, for a change about the plumbers, the electricians, the carpenters, grocery stores, tire shops the roofers or any affected store or business that depends on the people around them that if we as customers, bought those supplies needed south or any other direction of the border... in vast quantities... where would we be? Open your eyes and see how many Mom and Pop stores are left..... and if you have to ask yourself why, well......
Like Mark said, its about keeping our local people, kids and friends in jobs..... most of you must have 1, the other or all of those people in your lives that depend on the local economy for their income? Punt then to the unemployment line as well..... If we quit buying locally, why don't we all move south....... My $.79 CDN....
-- Edited by 67Poncho on Wednesday 26th of July 2017 03:29:17 PM
As a general rule I always try to buy local - it helps to keep the brick and mortar shops in business and people in jobs.
If I can't find it locally, I will shop online but I am concerned that one day I won't have a choice because people are not supporting local businesses. Might be Amazon for all of us - order, wait a week for delivery, hope that it's not damaged and that you don't end up with unexpected duties, brokerage fees, etc.
PEI is different animal in some cases. With a population of 137,000 total there are sometimes not a lot of selection/options for buying local. Internet is king.
__________________
Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
As a general rule I always try to buy local - it helps to keep the brick and mortar shops in business and people in jobs.
If I can't find it locally, I will shop online but I am concerned that one day I won't have a choice because people are not supporting local businesses. Might be Amazon for all of us - order, wait a week for delivery, hope that it's not damaged and that you don't end up with unexpected duties, brokerage fees, etc.
A GIANT THANK-YOU! Finally, this whole topic put into perspective.... Yes, we all bitch about the prices... unfortunately it is in my generation where options are easily found.... (and at times, rightly so) Since I am a Centennial kid who is still in the workforce and runs his owns business, what about the generations before us that are now retired? What would those guys have done if more options were readily available? That monopoly was there for them and most if not all of them will say, thank goodness for that... How many of those pulled in a great income because of it? Lets talk, for a change about the plumbers, the electricians, the carpenters, grocery stores, tire shops the roofers or any affected store or business that depends on the people around them that if we as customers, bought those supplies needed south or any other direction of the border... in vast quantities... where would we be? Open your eyes and see how many Mom and Pop stores are left..... and if you have to ask yourself why, well......
Like Mark said, its about keeping our local people, kids and friends in jobs..... most of you must have 1, the other or all of those people in your lives that depend on the local economy for their income? Punt then to the unemployment line as well..... If we quit buying locally, why don't we all move south....... My $.79 CDN....
-- Edited by 67Poncho on Wednesday 26th of July 2017 03:29:17 PM
Thanks for the kind words. On a similar vein I often fume about automated cashiers and computerized phone answering systems for the similar reasons. Every one of those means there is somebody who no longer has a job doing it. I won't go there in this thread though. Let's just sum it up to say that I'm tired of the corporate world choosing profit margins over people and leave it at that.
As a general rule I always try to buy local - it helps to keep the brick and mortar shops in business and people in jobs.
If I can't find it locally, I will shop online but I am concerned that one day I won't have a choice because people are not supporting local businesses. Might be Amazon for all of us - order, wait a week for delivery, hope that it's not damaged and that you don't end up with unexpected duties, brokerage fees, etc.
PEI is different animal in some cases. With a population of 137,000 total there are sometimes not a lot of selection/options for buying local. Internet is king.
You have to do the best with what you have. But there still must be some local businesses that you prefer to support vs buying over the net. You can probably save a few bucks buying from Amazon, but in the end it's a losing proposition for the reasons that Vince mentioned. That's what I'm getting at.
As a general rule I always try to buy local - it helps to keep the brick and mortar shops in business and people in jobs.
If I can't find it locally, I will shop online but I am concerned that one day I won't have a choice because people are not supporting local businesses. Might be Amazon for all of us - order, wait a week for delivery, hope that it's not damaged and that you don't end up with unexpected duties, brokerage fees, etc.
A GIANT THANK-YOU! Finally, this whole topic put into perspective.... Yes, we all bitch about the prices... unfortunately it is in my generation where options are easily found.... (and at times, rightly so) Since I am a Centennial kid who is still in the workforce and runs his owns business, what about the generations before us that are now retired? What would those guys have done if more options were readily available? That monopoly was there for them and most if not all of them will say, thank goodness for that... How many of those pulled in a great income because of it? Lets talk, for a change about the plumbers, the electricians, the carpenters, grocery stores, tire shops the roofers or any affected store or business that depends on the people around them that if we as customers, bought those supplies needed south or any other direction of the border... in vast quantities... where would we be? Open your eyes and see how many Mom and Pop stores are left..... and if you have to ask yourself why, well......
Like Mark said, its about keeping our local people, kids and friends in jobs..... most of you must have 1, the other or all of those people in your lives that depend on the local economy for their income? Punt then to the unemployment line as well..... If we quit buying locally, why don't we all move south....... My $.79 CDN....
-- Edited by 67Poncho on Wednesday 26th of July 2017 03:29:17 PM
^^ A GIANT THANK-YOU! ...I don't think so, not so fast:
The argument for buyers choice to support the local brick & motor business, is not remotely cut & dry anymore.
I know 2 families in the auto parts business, and supported them for decades...but not any more.
- one owner is worth several million while the owner with multiple stores has a financial empire of $200M
- I can no longer pay $700 for premium rotors & ceramic pads...from dear old ma & pa / Thks but NO-thanks !!
- when better quality is only a phone call away, and a $200 kit (4 wheel) gets shipped out of the Toronto/GTA area
I don't have a Govn. job making 6 figure $$ with a pension to die for...and wish I did or win a lottery win-fall.
- I worked 3 decades as an Eng. in the sector Govn. termed "dirty manufacturing" that went by-by, after 2008 stock market crash
- a profitable operation, with insane Hydro costs
^^ If I can save $500 ordering parts, simply placing one phone call...no quilt on my part.
I guess the over-priced locals will continue to see leaner times now / can happen to us all !!
-- Edited by Beaumont67SD on Thursday 27th of July 2017 09:17:05 PM
As a general rule I always try to buy local - it helps to keep the brick and mortar shops in business and people in jobs.
If I can't find it locally, I will shop online but I am concerned that one day I won't have a choice because people are not supporting local businesses. Might be Amazon for all of us - order, wait a week for delivery, hope that it's not damaged and that you don't end up with unexpected duties, brokerage fees, etc.
A GIANT THANK-YOU! Finally, this whole topic put into perspective.... Yes, we all bitch about the prices... unfortunately it is in my generation where options are easily found.... (and at times, rightly so) Since I am a Centennial kid who is still in the workforce and runs his owns business, what about the generations before us that are now retired? What would those guys have done if more options were readily available? That monopoly was there for them and most if not all of them will say, thank goodness for that... How many of those pulled in a great income because of it? Lets talk, for a change about the plumbers, the electricians, the carpenters, grocery stores, tire shops the roofers or any affected store or business that depends on the people around them that if we as customers, bought those supplies needed south or any other direction of the border... in vast quantities... where would we be? Open your eyes and see how many Mom and Pop stores are left..... and if you have to ask yourself why, well......
Like Mark said, its about keeping our local people, kids and friends in jobs..... most of you must have 1, the other or all of those people in your lives that depend on the local economy for their income? Punt then to the unemployment line as well..... If we quit buying locally, why don't we all move south....... My $.79 CDN....
-- Edited by 67Poncho on Wednesday 26th of July 2017 03:29:17 PM
^^ I don't think so...the argument for buyers choice to support the local brick & motor business, is not remotely cut & dry anymore.
I know 2 families in the auto parts business, and supported them for decades...but not any more.
- one owner is worth several million while the owner with multiple stores has a financial empire of $200M
- I can no longer pay $700 for premium rotors & ceramic pads
- when better quality is only a phone call away, and a $200 kit (4 wheel) gets shipped out of the Toronto/GTA area
I don't have a Govn. job making 6 figures with a pension to die for.
- I worked 3 decades as an Eng. in the sector of "dirty manufacturing" that went by-by, after 2008 stock market crash
- a profitable operation, with insane Hydro costs
^^ If I can save $500 ordering parts, simply placing one phone call...no quilt on my part.
I guess the over-priced locals will continue to see leaner times / happens to us all !!
Surely not a cut and dried simple argument one way or the other. I've also heard it asserted that eliminating the low level jobs means that people will be able to get the skills and do more interesting work, but I'm not sure it works that way either. All I've actually seen is that companies are running leaner and expecting their employees to do more for less pay.
You have to do what you have to do. All I was getting at was that when local shops (not just auto parts - I was talking in more general terms) close because they are not price competitive with large corporations with centralized warehousing, what happens to the jobs? Sure, you can say the jobs will be replaced by Amazon workers, but where is that? I don't have any Amazon warehouses near where I live.
Not to mention that now several choices have been reduced to one or two choices, and none of them benefiting anybody locally except the local mail carriers I suppose. The ripple effect can be far reaching - once local jobs are lost, then people can't afford to go to restaurants, buy new cars, use local services, etc. etc. It just snowballs from there.
I have also long been disgusted with the many many large corporations who have moved their manufacturing overseas for their cheap labour and higher profit margins. Again, resulting in losses of local manufacturing jobs, such as yours, and customers only being given the choice of buying poor quality overseas junk.
Anyhow, I wasn't trying to step on toes. If the only way you can afford to be in the hobby is to buy online, then you have to do it. No harm no foul. I was just trying to make a point about supporting local businesses before they are all gone, that's all.
Hard to support local business for our hobby in this area.
If I can buy something on line for say 75% of local, maybe. If its 50% of local, I'll buy on line for anything say $75 and up. I always shop local with this philosophy. If they charge "too much" all the time to everybody, they will not be in business and it won't be my fault.
Mostly right now, I can't buy much stuff made locally for most things. Its made in China, any technology of any kind, any thing at all. The bosses outsourced and closed the local plant any time they could.
My theory is, when all of China is rich, they'll not need to sell us stuff, we'll have no manufacturing plants left, the dollar will be worth 20 cents on the Chinese currency and we'll be the low cost center. And very poor.
My boss makes $10-15 million, he's doing fine.
__________________
63 Parisienne sport coupe (The Big GTO), black, maroon interior, 409 4 speed; former owner of a 59 El Camino, 63 Corvette SWC, 62 Chev Bel Air SC. 1963- Pontiac top selling car in Canada
Mahone Bay, NS Still not old enough to need an automatic
Yeah, good points. You can only stretch a dollar so far, and there aren't really any mom and pop businesses locally where you can buy parts for a 50 year old car.
I was speaking in a broader sense though, which in retrospect doesn't have much to do with an old car forum I suppose.
However, it doesn't bother me if a local business owner is really successful and becomes rich, as long as the money is being made honestly. At least if the money is going to a local business, then it will probably be spent locally and go back into the local economy. If you send all your money to the US or China, then it's no longer doing your neighbourhood, your town or city, your province or your country any good.
I've posted far more than I was intending to on this topic, but I guess I'll always be a strong supporter of my province and my country. I can't or won't change that.
As a general rule I always try to buy local - it helps to keep the brick and mortar shops in business and people in jobs.
If I can't find it locally, I will shop online but I am concerned that one day I won't have a choice because people are not supporting local businesses. Might be Amazon for all of us - order, wait a week for delivery, hope that it's not damaged and that you don't end up with unexpected duties, brokerage fees, etc.
A GIANT THANK-YOU! Finally, this whole topic put into perspective.... Yes, we all bitch about the prices... unfortunately it is in my generation where options are easily found.... (and at times, rightly so) Since I am a Centennial kid who is still in the workforce and runs his owns business, what about the generations before us that are now retired? What would those guys have done if more options were readily available? That monopoly was there for them and most if not all of them will say, thank goodness for that... How many of those pulled in a great income because of it? Lets talk, for a change about the plumbers, the electricians, the carpenters, grocery stores, tire shops the roofers or any affected store or business that depends on the people around them that if we as customers, bought those supplies needed south or any other direction of the border... in vast quantities... where would we be? Open your eyes and see how many Mom and Pop stores are left..... and if you have to ask yourself why, well......
Like Mark said, its about keeping our local people, kids and friends in jobs..... most of you must have 1, the other or all of those people in your lives that depend on the local economy for their income? Punt then to the unemployment line as well..... If we quit buying locally, why don't we all move south....... My $.79 CDN....
-- Edited by 67Poncho on Wednesday 26th of July 2017 03:29:17 PM
^^ A GIANT THANK-YOU! ...I don't think so, not so fast:
The argument for buyers choice to support the local brick & motor business, is not remotely cut & dry anymore.
I know 2 families in the auto parts business, and supported them for decades...but not any more.
- one owner is worth several million while the owner with multiple stores has a financial empire of $200M
- I can no longer pay $700 for premium rotors & ceramic pads...from dear old ma & pa / Thks but NO-thanks !!
- when better quality is only a phone call away, and a $200 kit (4 wheel) gets shipped out of the Toronto/GTA area
I don't have a Govn. job making 6 figure $$ with a pension to die for...and wish I did or win a lottery win-fall.
- I worked 3 decades as an Eng. in the sector Govn. termed "dirty manufacturing" that went by-by, after 2008 stock market crash
- a profitable operation, with insane Hydro costs
^^ If I can save $500 ordering parts, simply placing one phone call...no quilt on my part.
I guess the over-priced locals will continue to see leaner times now / can happen to us all !!
-- Edited by Beaumont67SD on Thursday 27th of July 2017 09:17:05 PM
It's obvious that your opinion of ma and pa are quite different than the ma and pa I was trying to portray... don't get me wrong, I too use e-bay but for the things I can't get here.... living in a small town, don't know where you live, my small business depends on those around me.... if I didn't support those in return, as a person with a sense of community, how would I expect them to support me?
As for the old 6-figure attempt, I worked as a GM tech for 20 years...you definitely don't have to tell me about the pension or the "great" wages made in my years of wrenching at the dealer... as an eng, as you stated, you still did better than I... (I would sorely hope) But it isn't about what we make for wages so it doesn't matter anyways! As Mark stated, once again, a strong supporter I am, of Province and Country.... I too will not and won't change that....
Just remember, buying local, as in your Country as a whole, provides the infrastructure we use daily.... including health care.....
One more thing as for the locals seeing leaner times now, the previous generation were the ones that generally had it better and did well in their work life.... but being retired, I find that they are the ones that complain the most about the cost of things today and looking for the deal that their customers of the day had no outlet to! They seem to forget that the cost of living is relative to the wage earned back then as well.... If we look at it that way, who are the fatcats?
As my Dad use to say.... and not solely directed at you... "whatever turns your crank"......
-- Edited by 67Poncho on Friday 28th of July 2017 08:51:01 AM
I compare pricing all the time for everything not just auto parts. Always have, always will. I've been a GM parts god for 43 years now and have seen just about everything in pricing disparity. I only deal with internal parts replacers (mechanics, techs, whatever). Therefore, I only get blamed for price fixing by a few idiots and other techs.
I will buy white box stuff for select parts. I know what works on my own vehicles and buy accordingly. I purchased a lot of stuff from Rock Auto and had it shipped to a friend in the states to save the border hassles and excessive shipping costs. I picked it up when we all got together for vacation so I incurred no further costs. Great service from them and quality name brand product.
I get decent pricing at work because it' written into the contract, but if I didn't, I might not purchase G.M. parts as much.
For anyone in Ontario some good quality parts are available through Prime Choice Auto Parts near Ottawa. I got a pair of mirrors for my Silverado for less than my cost for one GM mirror. Had them at my door two days later. Only difference was the wires were longer than OEM.
Speaking of Prime Choice I got a set of ceramic pads and rotors for my wife's 2004 Echo for $54 (and free shipping)! I actually just needed the rotors but figured at that price I might as well get the pads. The quality is much better than I expected and they work great. No squealing etc.
here in BC LORDCO has pretty much knocked mom and pop out already,becoming a monopoly of their own and fred gets this discount and barney gets this discount Ive used prime choice for my 98 GP work commuter for brakes and bearings way cheaper than Lordco but you get what you pay for IE a starter for wifes Monte Carlo 03 rebuilt bosch from lordco was 220 a brand new one from wrench monkey was 108 to the door yes overseas part but lifetime guarantee thats a hun i can spend somewhere else
-- Edited by timbuk on Sunday 30th of July 2017 06:41:56 PM
