Ebay parts vs store parts vs OEM

[Cuong Nguyen]

I am seeing a lot of cheap prices and parts on Ebay and it is so tempting to buy them. I was considering getting the timing belt kit on ebay which is half the price sold in stores and same goes for the water pump. Does anybody have any experience with Ebay auto parts?

[TrailChaser]

I was tight on $$$ when I did my timing belt/water pump and bought a kit that contained everything to do the job. I can't remember the price, but it was a lot cheaper. They sent the timing belt with the square teeth first and the auction description said it would fit any pathy from 87-95. When I contacted the seller he told me no problem the rounded tooth belt was instantly shipped and I had it fast. He told me to do whatever I wanted with the square toother so I gave it to Bryan(hoohaa) since he was wheeling a 93 model.

 

That was quite a while ago and it's still going strong, but I haven't been in there to see how it looks. I looked to see if I could find the seller I used but it was too long ago.

[GoPathyGo]

I've bought both parts and tools extensively on fleabay. Saved me tons of $ and allowed me to buy things I wouldn't have otherwise. I stick to top-rated sellers (98% or higher feedback) who specify where they got the part from, e.g., junkyard, generic manufacturer, clearance, used out of their own toolbox/rig etc etc. Out of the 100-150 transactions I've done on eBay(buying and selling), I've had only 2 bad experiences. In one, a guy sold me clearly used impact sockets as "new". I asked him to return them, he refused. I disputed it with eBay and Paypal. He issued a refund. In the 2nd, a guy bought an LCD screen from me, bust it and returned it saying it was broken. I had pics of it working before it left. Disputed again with eBay. Took longer but they made him pay for it.

 

So overall, I'd say I'm very positive on it. Just be careful.

[MY1PATH]

The thing about e-bay is the products can be top of the line or run of the mill. Ask the seller for a brand name if your not sure of the product quality and then go compare that bands price/ quality at actual online store. Allot of nice parts find their way to ebay for simple reasons like, overstocks, wherhouse closings and such. So, unlike the local dollar store, there is high chance your getting a good deal and not a crappy product.

[ahardb0dy]

I just looked up the timing belt kit (belt,tensioner) on rockauto and they range from $26 to $73, on E-bay I found them for around $35 and it was a brand name I've never heard of before. My local auto parts store (advance) has the kit from $35 to $77. You can always find the discount code for rockauto online and I have had nothing but good customer service from them, the last order I placed for a buddy was missing a part and they sent a new one no questions asked, I think if you were going to order a part I would suggest rockauto over e-bay, unless you can't wait for a part and need it right now.

[Tungsten]

OEM

[Kingman]

PAY ATTENTION TO THE BRANDS BEING SOLD IN THE ADS!

 

It's extremely important...

[ahardb0dy]

OEM is always better but not everyone can afford the premium that OEM parts usually cost.

[GoPathyGo]

OEM is always better but not everyone can afford the premium that OEM parts usually cost.

 

Amen. I used to go exclusively OEM on everything till I started comparing parts in detail. Now I go good-quality aftermarket on "wear" items (air/oil/fuel filters, poly belts, coolant/engine oil/PS fluid) and OEM on "long-life items" (water pumps, control arms etc). Good-quality aftermarket can be anything from Royal Purple to Purolator to Goodyear; all high-quality stuff made by companies that will issue refunds or returns but are still cheaper than OEM. Even OEM "wear" items ordered online add up once you add in shipping. For reference, by going aftermarket for the filters and coolant, I was able to buy the long-life poly belts...

 

Anyway, matter of preference. Overall, I've had a great experience on both eBay and online stores.

[Kingman]

It also helps if you know who makes the factory parts. Exedy for example, makes Nissan's and many other manufacturers' clutches and always has. On Ebay, a full replacement kit from Exedy for a Pathfinder is around $130. This is where it's stupid in my opinion to purchase "OEM" because it has the Nissan label on it, and that's where the huge price gap comes from. A label.

 

And also, if you go to an auto parts store and buy the cheapest no-name brand part they have, it is no different than buying the cheapest no-name brand on Ebay.

 

It's got nothing to do with Ebay as far as part quality goes, you as a consumer need to research the product before buying... no matter if it's from a parts store or online.

 

We buy a lot of things off Ebay and have never had a bad transaction.

Edited November 25, 2010 by Kingman

[ahardb0dy]

I was thinking the same thing before, someone has to make the OEM parts and most would probably be available thru the aftermarket.

[adamzan]

For me it depends what I'm buying. I usually go to the parts store and get moog for suspension parts, buy once and free for life.

 

Like stated above, with ebay you have to be careful and read the whole product description and look carefully at the pics. I've only had one issue on ebay, and it was with those aftermarket headlights for the pathfinders. 3 months after I bought them one filled with moisture. Of course, the guy told me tough luck I must have broken it installing them. What do you expect when you pay 70 bucks for a set of cheap plastic headlights.

 

Timing belt stuff, I got from Nissan because I was scared that the cheapo belt wouldn't last the full 168,000kms.

Edited November 25, 2010 by adamzan

[teixeira]

If it wasn't for eBay I wouldn't have bought the parts for my Terrano at a fair price or wouldn't have bought them at all.

As far as my experience goes (some years, now) I LOVE EBAY. Had a bad deal, too, and also turned out great, just have to have everything documented and as for the parts, you have to be sure that that is what you need without a doubt.

[Tungsten]

If you are buying something from the dealer that they consider to be a "maintenance item" then that doesn't come with the high premium and is usually sold at a parts store price.

[nunya]

99% of the time I try to go "pre-owned". You just can't beat some of the prices on j/y parts (here at least). If I'm goein new and it's not a 'need it now' thing like brakes into rotors or the likes I like rockauto.com (or if it's something available through rugged rocks I don't mind throwing some business to a member), otherwise we have a couple regular parts stores that take care of us good at work (Manager at te local carquest, he definatly kicks azz ) Dealer? No offense to the fiew gurus that work at em, but I have no reason to call em.

[adamzan]

If you are buying something from the dealer that they consider to be a "maintenance item" then that doesn't come with the high premium and is usually sold at a parts store price.

Not always. A timing belt is a maintenance item and my parts guy can get one for 15 bucks but Nissan wanted 50....