Guide To Buying Auto Parts Online

What are some guidelines for buying auto parts online?

1. Know your vehicle
2. Do a lot of research
3. Purchase from a safe and secure marketplace
4. Verify the details
5. Compare prices
6. Know the difference between car parts
7. Ask about installation services

You can shop for almost everything online from car parts to toys to kitchenware. However, certain products are tricky to buy, car parts being one of them. You’ll need to know the exact product you’re looking for. Then, you’ll need to check if the online shop is a reliable one.

The hard reality to swallow is that there are still many scammers and sellers who trick customers into being fake or used products.

Below is a guide to buying auto parts online. This will help you make sure that you’re buying the right item for your car at the right shop.

Know your vehicle

Before buying any automobile parts, you need to know your vehicle first. This will assure you that you are about to purchase the right parts for your car’s specific model.

Your automobile’s make and model are located inside its manual. The car make refers to the brand of the vehicle, while the car model refers to the name of a car product. You’ll need to know this when buying your automobile parts online.

This will help you know if the car parts you’re shopping for are compatible with your car. It’ll avoid any mistakes later on.

Do a lot of research

Research is key when shopping online. There are many things for you to check like the costs and the different kinds of car parts.

When shopping for your auto parts, never settle for the first website you stumble upon. Instead, compare multiple websites for their cost. You should check the price for the same part over different online platforms. Through this, you’ll be able to see which sites are overcharging you and which sites are offering you good deals.

It’s also vital for you to do information on the auto manufacturer’s website and store. Find out what kind of parts they’re selling. There are many choices for different kinds of car parts.

1. Genuine. These refer to car parts that are supplied by the vehicle manufacturer. It comes in the packaging of the car’s brand. These are also the parts that are first installed in your car when it is manufactured. Genuine car parts assure you quality at a steeper price.
2. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). There are parts built by the company which made the car parts for the manufacturer. They are the exact parts that are installed into your car but without the logo or brand. These are also very reliable parts, and it also costs less compared to genuine car parts.
3. Aftermarket. These are parts that were made to fit and function in your car. However, they were made and produced by another company. Aftermarket parts are reverse engineered to be as close as possible to their original specification.
4. Used. These are parts that come from a used vehicle. They either come from a scrap vehicle or one that has been wrecked. This can save you a lot of money because of its cheap price, but there are high risks in it being a lower quality part.

It’s important to know what kind of car part is being sold to you on different websites. This helps you narrow down your choices when choosing your trusted online store.

Purchase from a safe and secure marketplace

The biggest disadvantage of shopping online is you never get to see the parts for yourself. You’re left with trusting the photo provided by online sellers. Before hitting the checkout button on a store, you need to know if the shop is a safe and secure marketplace.

During your research, you should have collected all background information possible about the seller. The reality is some shops do sell fake car parts. That’s why this step is crucial. You need to know if you can trust the online shop you’re buying from.

Check if the online shop offers secure checkout of their products. Trusted shops are also upfront about their return policies. You can usually find these in product descriptions or their FAQs page.

Another way to tell if the shop is secure is if they display their contact information. This allows you to get in touch with the seller to clarify any details you have about their products.

Verify the details

When buying your auto parts online, you need to verify the different details and policies of not only the website but also the product.

Make it a habit to read through different product descriptions. This is where you’ll find the details about the product and whether or not it will work for your car. Check what car makes and models the part can be used for to make sure you’re buying the right product.

You should always verify if the online shop offers a warranty for their products. A warranty is a guarantee that the seller and manufacturer make about their product. If the product is defective in any way, the company shoulders its repair or replacement. If the shop doesn’t offer a warranty, you might end up wasting a lot of money on repairs for an already defective product.

Aside from its warranty, read about its return policy. These are rules that allow customers to return or exchange a defective or unwanted product. Depending on the store, the product can be exchanged for another product or store credit. When shopping for your auto parts, a return policy is vital, especially in cases where you buy the wrong product. This will allow you to have it exchanged without worrying about the extra expenses.

Ask about installation services

Some auto parts are easy to install. Customers can get by on a step-by-step manual for these products. However, other auto parts require a more experienced and skilled hand.

Check with the online store if they offer installation services. These can either come for free, or they can also be charged with a small fee.

Key Takeaway

Now that you have a guide to buying auto parts online, you may find it a little bit easier to shop for those parts you need. There’s no harm in being careful especially when it comes to your car. Remember to do your research, check the products, and verify their details.

You can trust Roberts when it comes to car parts. We are a reliable automotive parts supplier in the Philippines that offers everything from leaf springs to catalytic converters. Click here to contact Roberts for any inquiries you have about the car parts you need.