People who rely on dealerships to find auto spare parts are often shocked when they learn about the cost of the replacement parts they need. A small piece that might be worth $5 could carry a 500% premium at some retail counter. You need to know what you are buying before you actually buy it or you will be wasting a lot of your money. So here are some tips to buy auto parts without being scammed.
Research
Research on popular websites selling spare parts for cars and compare their prices. I think every car parts shopper must visit Autodoc.co.no before buying. It offers the largest database of auto parts in the world. Such websites can really help you in buying and getting a fair idea on the prices.
Verify!
Confirm whether the part you are buying is real or not. Call the dealership to do this and confirm your spare part number.
Bargain, but politely
You can always ask for a bargain as most junkyards tend to match a lower price for a spare part at another retailer located in the in the same area. Just remember to compare oranges with oranges and all will be fine. Also ensure that you are polite in your dealings.
Look For Coupons
Car parts retailers are costly. In any case, they don’t need to be. There are online portals that enable you to discover coupon codes or producer discounts that may not fly up when you visit the vehicle parts store on the web. Look for them and save money.
I’ve infrequently discovered starters and alternators that were inside $20 of an eBay or a junkyard find, with the additional advantages of a restricted lifetime guarantee and free conveyance. To me, that additional $20 is justified regardless of the true serenity.
Try these tips and tell us how they worked for you.