Toyota Camry Driver Finds Brakes And Rotors On Advance Auto Parts For $68.99. Then She Goes To RockAuto: ‘That's Insane'
"So I was tinkering on RockAuto.com and..."
A woman says she saved more than she expected after comparing brake and rotor prices online before buying parts for her Toyota Camry.
Kandi (@theonlykisforkandace) says that shopping around for parts for her 2008 Toyota Camry Solara led her to a deal she says was far cheaper than what she found at a traditional auto parts retailer.
Kandi says she was looking to buy new brakes and rotors when she stumbled across a “wholesaler closeout” on RockAuto’s website.
She says she was able to buy a complete set of front and rear brake pads and rotors for just over $122.
“And that includes shipping,” Kandi says, showing viewers a screenshot of her receipt. “That’s RockAuto for you, bro.”
To see how good the deal really was, Kandi says she checked Advance Auto Parts. There, she says, the cheapest rotor she found cost about $50. On RockAuto, she says, comparable rotors were selling for around $11 or $12 each.
“That’s insane,” Kandi says.
After scoring the deal, she says she has one more question.
“Should I change my brakes myself?” she asked viewers.
Kandi says she successfully replaced the brakes on a previous vehicle but hasn’t tackled the job on her Solara. As of this writing, her video has more than 78,900 views.
Why Is RockAuto So Cheap?
Kandi isn’t the first driver to notice a big price difference between RockAuto and a traditional auto parts store.
Part of that comes down to how the companies operate. Unlike retailers such as Advance Auto Parts or O’Reilly Auto Parts, RockAuto is an online-only seller, meaning it doesn’t operate storefronts, offer in-person service, or stock inventory at thousands of retail locations. These factors allow it to keep overhead lower.
The company also sells parts from a wide range of manufacturers (its branding says it sells “all the parts your car will ever need”), giving shoppers options that range from economy to premium brands.
Another reason prices can be especially low is the site’s “wholesaler closeout” section—the same one Kandi said she used. Those parts are typically being cleared out by suppliers that no longer want to carry them. That doesn’t necessarily mean there’s anything wrong with the part, but once the remaining inventory is gone, it’s typically gone for good.
That lower price can come with tradeoffs, though.
Because parts often ship from multiple warehouses, shipping costs can add up if an order is split across locations (though car experts have seemingly found ways to circumvent this).
Returns may also be less convenient since there is no physical store to walk into. Buying locally usually also means you can get the part the same day, avoid shipping delays, and return or exchange it in person if something doesn’t fit.
That said, RockAuto can be a great option for DIYers who know exactly what they need and don’t mind waiting a few days for their part to arrive. But if your car is already falling apart or you need help confirming it’s the right part, paying more at a local parts counter may be worth the convenience.
Drivers Shared Their Favorite Places To Buy Parts
Kandi’s video quickly turned into a discussion about where drivers find the best deals on replacement parts.
Some viewers wanted to keep RockAuto a secret.
“Stop telling everyone,” one commenter joked.
“It’s not a military secret, babe,” Kandi replied.
Others recommended competing online retailers.
“Partsgeek is good as well,” one viewer wrote.
“I heard of this site! I never tried them, though,” Kandi responded.
Other viewers pointed to another reason they continue buying parts online.
“Yeah so O’Reilly’s and Advanced Auto charge 3 to 4x the amount on purpose because that’s how they make [their] money,” one commenter wrote.
Kandi seemed to agree. “There’s definitely a charge for convenience!” she replied. “And people pay it because they need it nooooow.”
Motor1 reached out to Kandi via TikTok direct message and RockAuto via email. We’ll update this story if we hear back.
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