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Tonight's Question - new parts from Ebay

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JPSmit

JPSmit

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I've bought some stuff from Ebay for Ms Triss - mostly trim and mostly in the UK. Lately however the Mazda has been misfiring. My mechanic is almost certain it is coils (though it hasn't given me a code yet)

I did have to replace one coil earlier this year.

Anyways, the car has six coils and they cost $75 each. I can get a set of six (new) off Ebay for about the same price as one or two. What has your experience been? The company has a high rating.

While I am at it, the same question for my wife's New Beetle - it needs new struts and they are a lot cheaper on Ebay and are listed as Monroe (or another brand name)

I am sure they are made in China but then, what isn't?

thoughts? advice?
 
How about doing a price comparison with https://rockauto.com/
They're among the most competitive (price wise), sell an assortment of recognizable name brands, everything's always in stock and they ship quickly.
They're worth checking into.
 
Well, here's my (admittedly very personal) two cents ...

If I know something is made in China, then regardless of price I'll choose a non-China option. In just about everything. I feel the USA employment situation has been suffering from "buy it cheapest!" regardless of provenance, for many many years.

Plus, with online stuff, I really search the Feedback ratings for any vendor. Then I look at the return policy.

One thing pops to mind: most people leave Feedback just after making a purchase. I hardly ever find Feedback saying "part failed in three months".

So even Feedback can be dodgy, as it usually relates to the immediate purchase, and not the quality/life of the item.

Frugal Tom.
 
Tom, I agree with you on replacement parts, regardless where they come from and I try to have original parts rebuilt when ever possible. Example; I could have bought a set of new replacement front shocks for my TF from Moss at a cost of around $1,000. I sent the originals, that were in very bad condition, off to World Wide Parts and had them rebuilt better than new for under $250. I always check with a rebuilder first to see if the part is rebuildable. Only if my back is against the wall, I will buy new and then, hopefully it's American, Canadian or British made. But that's just me! :rolleyes: PJ
 
PAUL161 said:
Tom, I agree with you on replacement parts, regardless where they come from and I try to have original parts rebuilt when ever possible. Example; I could have bought a set of new replacement front shocks for my TF from Moss at a cost of around $1,000. I sent the originals, that were in very bad condition, off to World Wide Parts and had them rebuilt better than new for under $250. I always check with a rebuilder first to see if the part is rebuildable. Only if my back is against the wall, I will buy new and then, hopefully it's American, Canadian or British made. But that's just me! :rolleyes: PJ
Click to expand...

Agree but these are parts for a new car not my classics - don't think anything is rebuildable on them is it?
 
The thing about ebay parts is it's hard to get someone to eat them when defective. I'm glad my defective m/c came from VB and not ebay.
 
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