Is there an alternative to gmpartsdirect.com?

[Gary B.]

Does anyone know of an alternative source for GM parts that is similar to gmpartsdirect.com in terms of the percent discount offered, but where the S&H costs are not so outrageous? My local GM dealer won't even give me a 10% discount, even if I mention NCRS, so they are not an option. The S&H charged by gmpartsdirect for the items I'm looking at is over $50, which represents 24% of the cost of the parts. And the parts in question would fit in large USPS flat rate box that I could ship for $14.50 and that would be via 2-3 day USPS Priority Mail, which is not what gmpartsdirect can match.

Thanks,

Gary

[Peter L.]

Re: Is there an alternative to gmpartsdirect.com?

Gary - I don't know if there are any alternatives to gmpartsdirect and yes I agree that their shipping charges seem high, but I got over their shipping charges when I figured out what it would cost me to drive to the nearest Chevrolet Dealers that are either 30 or 50 miles away. I don't know how it is where you live but the Dealers are probably closer but when I don't have to drive the 30 or 50 miles and don't have to pay tax and the UPS driver delivers the parts to the house, the charges might not be a bargain but they are worth the convenience, etc. Pete

[Alan D.]

Re: Is there an alternative to gmpartsdirect.com?

Also try Willcox Corvette (Chev Dealer) , Jeffersonville, IN
I,ve used them with good prices and fair shipping.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Is there an alternative to gmpartsdirect.com?

Does anyone know of an alternative source for GM parts that is similar to gmpartsdirect.com in terms of the percent discount offered, but where the S&H costs are not so outrageous?...

Try http://www.gmpartshouse.com/ .

In the past, their discount was comparable to gmpartsdirect without the extortionist shipping and handling rates. They sell only currently listed GM parts, and some aftermarket stuff, just like a dealer. No restoration or reproduction parts to my knowledge.

Gene Culley set up this online site after working with a GM dealer that provided discounted prices to Corvette Forum members. I believe the dealer decided to end the discounting, so Gene started his own business. The site is associated with another GM dealer, but to my knowledge, their only function is to provide a dealer connection with GM for Gene.

[Edward J.]

Re: Is there an alternative to gmpartsdirect.com?

Does anyone know of an alternative source for GM parts that is similar to gmpartsdirect.com in terms of the percent discount offered, but where the S&H costs are not so outrageous? My local GM dealer won't even give me a 10% discount, even if I mention NCRS, so they are not an option. The S&H charged by gmpartsdirect for the items I'm looking at is over $50, which represents 24% of the cost of the parts. And the parts in question would fit in large USPS flat rate box that I could ship for $14.50 and that would be via 2-3 day USPS Priority Mail, which is not what gmpartsdirect can match.

Thanks,

Gary

Gary, Do you have a connection with a local automotive or body shops that you can channel your needs through, I run a repair shop and my GM dealers discount is 20 percent off retail. unless I need something overnighted.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Is there an alternative to gmpartsdirect.com?

those high shipping cost are their profit as the prices they quote are dealer cost most of the time

[Joe L.]

Re: Is there an alternative to gmpartsdirect.com?

Does anyone know of an alternative source for GM parts that is similar to gmpartsdirect.com in terms of the percent discount offered, but where the S&H costs are not so outrageous? My local GM dealer won't even give me a 10% discount, even if I mention NCRS, so they are not an option. The S&H charged by gmpartsdirect for the items I'm looking at is over $50, which represents 24% of the cost of the parts. And the parts in question would fit in large USPS flat rate box that I could ship for $14.50 and that would be via 2-3 day USPS Priority Mail, which is not what gmpartsdirect can match.

Thanks,

Gary

Gary------


One thing to keep in mind: the prices which GM Parts Direct show for parts is the actual dealer cost price. So, if they sold the parts for that price + actual shipping cost, they would have a zero profit on the sale (except for any "stock allowances" they get from GM). Obviously, this would not give them much incentive to stay in business.

Basically, except for the aforementioned, all of their profit on the sale of the parts is in the "shipping and handling" charge.

You will also find that many GM dealerships, especially here on the west coast, will actually add a considerable amount to the GM LIST price for a part. So, even with the GM Parts Direct "shipping and handling" charge, the spread between what you pay locally and GM Parts Direct price including shipping and handling is fairly large. It's even more when you consider the 10% sales tax you pay on a local purchase.

[Richard G.]

Re: Is there an alternative to gmpartsdirect.com?

I too have had enough and no longer uses GMPD.
Their no return policy is just too much to take. They even have incorporated a poor attempt to hid the "no return" policy, stating it only applies to parts with a * after the number. Then do not indicate which parts are not returnable till you go to check out. When you check out; every part has the asterisk besides it. At least every part I have ordered.
When you have no help, except the online catalog and it has a huge disclaimer before you can even us it, things happen. The no returns policy hits you hard if something goes amiss. This would be an especially costly mistake on high dollar items. I would even be willing to pay a restocking charge. No such option exists. So if you want no customer service and bottom dollar is your only concern go for it. Otherwise remember "Buyer Beware" is there motto.. Locally the Chevy dealer charges 10% over MSRP. I went to http://www.gmpartshouse.com/ They even seem to care and have even returned phone calls.
Just my .01 worth.
Rick

[Joe L.]

Re: Is there an alternative to gmpartsdirect.com?

I too have had enough and no longer uses GMPD.
Their no return policy is just too much to take. They even have incorporated a poor attempt to hid the "no return" policy, stating it only applies to parts with a * after the number. Then do not indicate which parts are not returnable till you go to check out. When you check out; every part has the asterisk besides it. At least every part I have ordered.
When you have no help, except the online catalog and it has a huge disclaimer before you can even us it, things happen. The no returns policy hits you hard if something goes amiss. This would be an especially costly mistake on high dollar items. I would even be willing to pay a restocking charge. No such option exists. So if you want no customer service and bottom dollar is your only concern go for it. Otherwise remember "Buyer Beware" is there motto.. Locally the Chevy dealer charges 10% over MSRP. I went to http://www.gmpartshouse.com/ They even seem to care and have even returned phone calls.
Just my .01 worth.
Rick

Rick-------


I'm not here to defend GM PartsDirect and certainly I have no interest in that business but I'll offer this: it's been the policy of most GM dealers for a long time that they accept no returns on special order parts. In the old days a lot of dealers actually stocked a lot of parts. Those parts you could return, sometimes having to pay a "restocking charge" (i.e. a charge for the effort they had to go through to make the sale in the first place and the effort to put the part back in stock). These days, dealers stock VERY little and even less for Corvettes. So, virtually all parts are "special order" no matter which dealer you get them from. That's why GM PartsDirect has an "asterisk" next to just about every part number.

The important thing is to know what part you need before you order it. Then, there's no need to return a part. I've been buying parts for well over 40 years and I don't think I've returned more than 5 parts in that time. In fact, the last ones I remember returning were a pair of 69-82 Corvette front spindles about 25 years ago that had no holes machined for the ball studs. The parts counterman at the Chevy dealer where I did business for years was shocked to see me returning parts. When I showed him the problem, he understood, though.

[Richard G.]

Re: Is there an alternative to gmpartsdirect.com?

Yes I understand the economics of the return policies. However a sealed but unopened part (even electrical) should be returnable in my book. However I can live with the electrical parts non-returnablity. Just as a comparison, how about a part I purchased from Toyota two weeks ago. It was electrical and by the time it arrived I had the issue repaired already. They did not force me to buy it nor did they charge me a return fee. FYIO any car repair price is the same price across the country at all Toyota dealers. The pricing is done on Toyota's intranet. And they don't mark the parts price above dealer price. Don't get me wrong I love my Corvettes and it's my wife's Toyota. However I can return unused and in new condition parts at my local part house! The local GM dealer just started opening the parts department on Saturdays. 30 years to late in my book. GM's arrogance continues to get them in trouble.

[Joe L.]

Re: Is there an alternative to gmpartsdirect.com?

Yes I understand the economics of the return policies. However a sealed but unopened part (even electrical) should be returnable in my book. However I can live with the electrical parts non-returnablity. Just as a comparison, how about a part I purchased from Toyota two weeks ago. It was electrical and by the time it arrived I had the issue repaired already. They did not force me to buy it nor did they charge me a return fee. FYIO any car repair price is the same price across the country at all Toyota dealers. The pricing is done on Toyota's intranet. And they don't mark the parts price above dealer price. Don't get me wrong I love my Corvettes and it's my wife's Toyota. However I can return unused and in new condition parts at my local part house! The local GM dealer just started opening the parts department on Saturdays. 30 years to late in my book. GM's arrogance continues to get them in trouble.

Rick------


Basically, parts return policies are dealer policies, not GM. GM does mark some parts packages "not returnable if opened" but dealers could still take returns on these if they wanted (but, would not be able to return the part to a GM warehouse in most cases).

Personally, I completely support GM's policy of marking some parts "not returnable if opened". In fact, I wish they would mark EVERY SINGLE part they sold this way and STRICTLY enforce it. As it is many parts are supplied in boxes that are not sealed, could be rather easily resealed, and not marked "not returnable if opened". When I purchase a NEW part or, for that matter, anything else, I want it to be factory fresh and not previously in the hands of someone that could have done who knows what with it. I will almost NEVER purchase "open box" merchandise or "returned" merchandise even if it's offered at a substantial discount. If I don't want to purchase such stuff, then I don't want to be the source of it, either. That's why I RARELY return things (except defective).

You could certainly buy your parts at a local source that does accept returns. However, you may find yourself paying dearly for that ability through the regular pricing structure of said source.

The way that operations like GMPartsDirect are able to offer low prices is by eliminating all of the costs associated with returns as well as folks taking up a 1/2 hour of a counterman's time to make a $10 sale. If one wants that kind of service, it's available but not at rock bottom prices.

[Jack H.]

Re: Is there an alternative to gmpartsdirect.com?

I've used www.gmpartsdirect.com often and have found their shipping/handling not only high, but very inconsistent. Sometimes I buy from them, sometimes I don't. Another source I've used is www.gmpartsgiant.com.

[Richard G.]