Ordering Parts from the US

[AngusMcRat]

Hi,

Whilst you guys in the US are benefitting from a weak Euro, here in the UK it's cheaper to order parts from the US. With this in mind, I have found a company who seem to be purely internet based (which makes me suspicious from the outset) called PartsTrain.com.

Has anybody heard of them or used them and if so were they any good?

Whilst on the subject of ordering parts from the US and going off at a slight tangent, we also have a 1968 Pontiac Firebird needing some parts (brakes, suspension dampers) Does anyone know of a good parts supplier?

Cheers, Neil

[2ndwind]

Never heard of partstrain.com


But you can order parts for your 1968 Firebird here: http://www.napaonline.com

I believe we call suspension dampers shocks:
http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Result ... 60+2060012

NAPA is a national car parts chain with a good reputation.

[So Cal Mark]

Firebird sources would differ depending if you want restoration, repair or performance parts.

[cedarleaf]

I have never heard of Partstrain but a quick look at some reviews on http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews139334.html makes me think you might want to proceed with caution!

[Mathew26]

Partstrain is just another one of those internet based companies that simply carry a lot of belts and hoses. With that they get a ping for lots of stuff, because if you download the entire Gates hoses catalog then you will have some that say "fits Fiat". Then everytime you look for "fiat parts" on google they pop up. Take a close look at what they have it seems mostly to be belts, hoses, and universal inhead thermostats.

My advice stay away from them.

[bajacalal]

http://www.rockauto.com/ is a very large, well known U.S. based internet parts retailer that ships overseas.

I have not personally used them. Some people I've spoke with hate them, others swear by them.

[MNspiderman]

I love http://www.rockauto.com sometimes when you look for a part. you get it dirt cheap. because they only have 3 left. if you don't want the warranty, even cheaper. I bought axis brake pads for like 1/3 the cost of what they should have been. I got gatorback belts for like 5 bucks each. and i am not talking old dusty forgotten about parts. So i always go to rock auto first. I even got an internal steering box seal for a 91 F590F super-duty. They really have some intricate dont know how to find parts.

[bajacalal]

Some follow up to this...

I recently needed a clutch fork for a Volvo 740. Partstrain had it for about $20 less than anywhere else (and most places didn't sell this part at all) so despite my initial hesitation after reading some of the reviews posted here, I ordered the part.

Less than 24 hours later the part was on my doorstep and even had a blue and white sticker on it that said "Volvo - Made in Sweden." So I got an original Volvo part for less than half of what the dealer would have wanted. That said, I don't believe they actually had that part at their location but they could get it shipped to me cheaply and quickly which was what mattered to me. I also think they outsource their customer service line so be sure you know what you're looking for before ordering.