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Avoid GMPartsDirect.com

michbc3

michbc3

Well-Known Member
I want you to be aware of the shady business practices of an internet company that calls itself GMPartsDirect.com. This company is not associated with GM.

Trying to help a neighbor, I ordered a hubcap for Beverly's 86 Corvette based on the part number stamped into the back of it. Apparently GM (the real GM) used the same part number for two different caps which has caused this problem.

The internet company that sold this part to me says that it is a "special order part - not returnable - according to their policies". They have been unable to tell me what defines a "special order" part.

It looks like I'm going to get left hanging here, out $34 for the overpriced 3" center cap part and their ridiculously high $12.95 shipping and handling charges. Even if they took it back, they would charge a $20 restocking fee, plus return shipping and handling. So, at best I'm going to get a measly $15 back.

I just wanted you to be aware of this company in case you are ever looking for GM parts. This business practice is borderline illegal to me - selling people parts that they don't need and not allowing returns.

Best, BC3
 
they arent a bad place to deal with, but for older stuff esp items that are old or have had multiple part number changes I would avoid them
 
15 years ago or so,I had an '86 grand prix 2+2 aerocoupe that I was semi restoring. I was new in town and knew nobody in the business. I walked into the Pontiac dealership, introduced myself to the service manager and said " Hey, I'm restoring this Pontiac and need a thousand dollars worth of parts, what can you do for me?" he walked me over to the parts counter and said to the parts manager." Grant this fella wholesale on everything he pays cash for"

I have never paid retail since....and never paid tax on anything either....as long as I pay with cash and am not concerned about who's name is on the receipt.

It's always just a couple bucks more than GM parts direct...but I pay no shipping.

That dealership has closed and the service manager did the same thing for me when he moved to another GM dealership. Wholesale...no tax.

I've spent in excess of $35K with them in vehicles,parts and service since then and have made some good friends too.....And I never get the wrong part.
 
Same as me,
Only I go thru a Body Shop.
Parts come from Phoenix, and I don't pay shipping.
Cash only, no tax.

:beach:
 
Well, GMPartsDirect.com is not "great for me" any more. They were "great for me" when I bought a MAP sensor a few months ago. But eventually "just like me", one may encounter a GM part number change that was not apparent when the part was ordered. Then you're going to get "stuck like me" because they are too lazy to return the part to GM and they have your money anyway. The two caps shown below carry the same part number. One is black. The other is silver.

I'm not saying not to use them if you have to. But my advice is to avoid anyone with this kind of business practice. There are bound to be better "middle-men" businesses out there.

As opposed to when I lived in Michigan, I have not been able to work out a "mechanics" discount with a local dealer in VA. When you buy at the dealer, returns are no problem. So why is GMPartsDirect.com any different?
 
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True or not, it was explained to me that GMPD is nothing more than a regular dealership in the Carolinas somewhere,that has an ambitious parts dept.
They do nothing more than take an order, charge you close to or less than wholesale and make a some money on the shipping to them and then onto you.
It seems their profit is made in shipping and handling and maybe they have vaulted themselves into high volume discount from GM.

That all being said...all we're saying is that at your local GM counter you would have clearly seen,and been told, there was some sort of descrepency between those two centercaps and would have gotten the correct one.

GMPD is not concearned about correct parts, as the burden of correct part numbers is on you.

And all I'm saying is...make friends locally.
 
I think that you have most of the facts straight. But unlike a dealership, they have no overhead or inventory since they only act as the "middle-man". They get breaks on buying the parts and charge high shipping and handling to make the basic profit. When they DO accept returns, their policy is a $20 restocking fee. This is a winning strategy, but not for the consumer. When I typed the part number into their web site, it was for a cap that fit the year of car that we are talking about. Had it come up with: "engine block" or something else that is obviously wrong, I would have questioned the part number and not ordered it. THEN the burden of correct part number would have been on me. This web site gave me no indication that there was anything wrong. I was robbed.
 
QUOTE: "they have no overhead or inventory since they only act as the "middle-man". They get breaks on buying the parts and charge high shipping and handling to make the basic profit.

not correct.. they are a dealership as WS6 mentioned.

... and NEVER rely on a part # printed on or cast into a part.. when a part has multiple parts.. you will have another part number for the collective assembly.

(BTW.. talking about parts .. theres a series of NEW NOS TTA emblems on ebay if anybody has the money - here is the header emblem Item number: 330343141879 (Lars.. if you still looking for an NOS)
 
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I think we are all in agreement about avoiding them in general, and for all the reasons you outlined.
 
I bought some lifts for my old '92 Blazer's rear glass a few years ago because none of the after market lifts would hold the glass up. They were hella cheaper than any chevy dealer local. Took a couple weeks, but I got the parts I needed.

I even suggested them to a co-worker for a part on his '86 Caprice and he had no problems with them.

It just might be a crap-shoot with them.
 
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