11 Vital Tips for Buying Car Parts Online Like a Car Part Pro
Do you want to upgrade your ride or replace something broken without spending a fortune? Here are 11 vital tips for buying car parts online like a car part pro.
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All cars break.
It’s to be expected!
After all, they’re mechanical machines with lots of moving parts. With constant use over months and years, it’s natural for problems to arise.
Repairs and replacements are just part and parcel of owning a vehicle.
Unfortunately, the work itself doesn’t come cheap. You could be forced to pay as much as $8,200 for certain issues to be repaired.
The good news is that you can save some cash by purchasing the replacement parts for yourself online. The bad news is that you need to be something of a car part pro to avoid the mass of scams and rip-offs that prevail on the web.
Thankfully, we can help.
Looking to avoid costly car part buying blunders? Keep reading for a selection of essential tips for purchasing parts online.
Be Diligent In Your Hunt
Don’t rush your search for car parts online.
It’s a recipe for trouble.
You’ll end up overspending, buying the wrong part(s), or both. An appropriate level of due diligence will ensure that doesn’t happen and will save you money down the line.
Research is the key to success.
Compile a list of every part you need and head to Google to search for them. Rather than stopping at the first opportunity, though, double-check other sites as well. Official dealer sites as well as eBay, Facebook marketplace, and even Craigslist are all potential places to look.
Check them all to find the best offers from the most reputable sources.
Verify the Parts You Need
Don’t stop there, though.
You need to ensure that you’re actually purchasing the right part(s) for the job. The best way to do that is to confirm the part number.
Certain fixes require specific parts that are unique to particular engines and transmissions. A generic part won’t do the trick.
Call the supplier, such as Sport Compact Warehouse, to confirm the part number matches up.
While they’re on the phone, be sure to ask about prior maintenance work that’s been done on the part. Think twice about purchasing anything that’s too old and/or has been around the block too many times already.
Check the Delivery Time
Buying car parts online isn’t like using Amazon.
You can’t necessarily expect next-day delivery!
Some parts can take weeks or months to arrive- especially when they’re coming from overseas. It’s worth checking the delivery-time to ensure it’ll work with your deadline.
Visit Car Forums
Finding car parts isn’t always straight-forward.
The internet is vast, which means the chance of finding what you need is high. Yet certain parts can be few and far between.
You might need to solicit some help to find them.
Car forums are full of like-minded grease junkies who might be willing to lend a hand. Leave messages on popular forums and someone might come forward with the part you need.
Be Wary of Budget Prices
You get what you pay for, right?
Paying more cash for any product/service usually means it’ll be better quality, and vice-versa.
Be wary of parts with prices that seem too good to be true. Parts aren’t cheap, which makes budget offers stand out from the crowd. Crazy discounts get your attention, and that’s the whole point.
The trouble is that the vendor is probably a scam artist. They promise the world and run away with your money. You get sent a faulty (or fake) product that’s good for nothing.
Clarify the Returns Policy
Avoid such a fate by clarifying the returns policy. Alarm bells should ring if there isn’t one.
Be sure to read the small print too, though. The wording in these policies is often purposefully confusing. Unscrupulous sellers will do what they can to avoid giving your money back.
Get the policy in writing and make sure you understand how it works.
Never Buy Without a Warranty
The warranty is just as important.
Without it, new parts could break (or, worse, do further damage to your vehicle) and there’s nothing you can do.
You’re back to square one or even further behind. No warranty spells trouble. It isn’t worth the risk.
Look for comprehensive warranties with extensive coverage. Generally speaking, better warranties suggest trustworthy sellers. They’re willing to put their money where their mouth is.
Check for Promotions and Coupons
You’d be surprised how often buyers fail to look for promos and discount codes.
You’d also be surprised at how often said discounts are available (in the form of coupons, for example). Many sites offer money-off deals for certain purchases.
Make sure you look for them before hitting the buy button. Don’t, and you’re essentially leaving money on the table.
Don’t Forget to Negotiate
Likewise, try to negotiate with the seller.
The price they quote might not be set in stone. It’s worth asking if they can cut you a deal.
Don’t be too pushy though. Someone willing to drop the price might get put off by your aggressive stance. They may change their mind.
Verify Their Reputation
Check for online reviews too.
This is all part of being diligent. Prior customers might have left feedback about the website or company from which you’re about to buy.
Do some sleuthing and look to see what you can find.
You want positive reviews from reputable sources. With those in the bag, you can buy in greater confidence.
Double Check Your Order
Finally, make sure you double and triple-check what you’re about to buy!
Verify that you added the right parts to your online shopping basket. Don’t, and you might end up with a pile of parts you don’t even need.
Buy Your Parts Like a Car Part Pro!
Purchasing car parts online can save you oodles of cash.
The downside is that it’s fraught with potential problems as well. Hopefully, this post will help you avoid the scams and acquire your items like a car part pro.
Want to read more articles like this one? Check out our posts in the ‘Care/Repair’ section of the website now.