ordering parts

[grumpyvette]

I had a minor accident recently with the wifes mercury the insurance adjuster listed the parts and said the cost to repair was $(X) and because the cars 9 years old he informed me they might use mostly salvage yard parts as the dealerships might not have most body parts available

I looked up every part he listed here
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

parts prices here were similar so I ordered the required parts as I cant see paying big bucks to someone in a body-shop to unbolt a few components and bolt on new parts , as its all minor cosmetic damage and 90% is replacing plastic lights and a bit of grill plastic.
I might not save a great deal but at least Ill know its done correctly and at least get a few tanks of gas out of the difference in cost

 

[grumpyvette]

well ROCKAUTOS
http://www.rockauto.com/
parts arrived today, a 18 wheel truck pulls up and delivered a pallet that was about 48" x 80" with a huge card board box on it large enough for two full size standard refrigerators standing size by side, the driver lowered the tail gate and pushed the pallet about 4 feet off the street into my dirt drive way, it was much to heavy to allow one or even two guys to easily move it still wrapped as a unit on the pallet over soft ground on my dirt drive way.
now to be fair theres no way an 18 wheel,semi trailer truck can drive up my drive due to the huge trees lining the drive way, but that still left me thinking I must have gotten the wrong order, because all but one part I ordered would easily fit inside a 24" x 36" x70" box, and I could have easily fit 4 of those size boxes inside the box on the pallet.
I cut open the box and inspected the contents , all my parts were individually packed and there was a bunch of pressure filled empty plastic bag cushions separating the contents plus a couple hundred feet of tape and cardboard boxes used as filler.
this meant I was forced to unpack and separately transport each component to my shop, by my self because as soon as I signed for the pallet the driver and delivery truck vanished in seconds
obviously I don,t know about the precise fit and finish of the ordered parts yet but so far things look promising

 

[grumpyvette]

well today I went out looking to purchase auto paint for the repair on the wifes car.
the first place recommended too me by the local body shop was ,B & P Auto Paints it was closer to my home than the guys I regularly use , so I dropped by, that was an absolute total waste of 22 minutes, I was waiting just for some moron too even talk too!
after 22 minute I gave up and walked out, never having even had one single employe step up to the counter and talk to ANYONE, and there were 3 customers waiting to be served.
they obviously have more money than they need!, because they sure don,t want new customers!
THE next stop was the guys Ive used for decades
Finishmaster Inc
1936 Church St
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
(561) 684-5408
I was greeted as I entered and asked what I needed, I discussed what I wanted and the guy gave me several options and discussed each option and cost and application difficulty and asked me lots of questions, then not only sold me the paint, thinner,activator, etc. he provided written instructions on how to mix and how to paint, I got out with all the supplies I needed for under $200 for all components and the 1/2 gallon of paint I think Ill need in under 30 minutes feeling like they gave a rats ass about me and wanted a repeat customer.
BTW for those that don,t paint cars much $200 for all the auto paint, and supplies is not dirt cheap, but its certainly a bit lower than average for quality auto paint and supplies



related info

viewtopic.php?f=61&t=7075&p=23529&hilit=paint#p23529

 

[Indycars]

I was waiting just for some moron too even talk too!
after 22 minute I gave up and walked out, never having even had one single employe step up to the counter and talk to ANYONE, and there were 3 customers waiting to be served.

Must of been one of those self-service places.