America’s century-long love affair with automobiles shows no sign of ending. From trucks, hotrods, hybrids, classic cars, imports and hundreds of other makes and models, drivers today have a variety of vehicles to choose from.
In 2015, there were about 263.6 million vehicles registered in the U.S., with the U.S. second only to China as the world’s largest automobile market. That’s a lot of cars on the road. That’s also a lot of cars that need parts and service to keep them in peak operating condition.
That’s where CarParts.com comes in. We’ll take a look at what this leading online aftermarket retailer has to offer, its key features, what people have to say about them, their customer support system and other facets of the company.
About CarParts.com
Here are some details about the company, its website and other information to make you an informed customer.
Company
CarParts.com is one of the flagship websites owned by U.S. Auto Parts, a leading online provider of aftermarket parts that was created in 1995. The company is based in Carson, Calif., and lists 451 employees.
U.S. Auto Parts utilizes its network of websites to provide consumers with a wide selection of competitively priced products. It uses a proprietary database and programming to sort through vehicle makes, models and years. U.S. Auto Parts other flagship websites are www.autopartswarehouse.com, www.jcwhitney.com and www.AutoMD.com.
Website
A few short keystrokes to CarParts.com and you’ll immediately notice a well-designed homepage that makes it easy to navigate. Prominently placed on the top left side of the page is the company’s interactive Vehicle Finder widget that allows you to select from 46 makes of cars, their models, years, submodels and the type of engine. Start here and all the parts for your car will show up in your search results.
Also, very conveniently placed are smaller sections below the main banner that show the top selling parts categories. This is a smart move because it allows visitors to quickly find parts that others have already purchased on the website. These categories include alternators, brake rotors and pads, body mechanical and trim and belts.
The top of the homepage has a huge search engine field for those who know exactly what they’re looking for. Underneath the search field are four section titles the break up the website into four main sections: auto body parts and mirrors; engine and drivetrain; headlights and lighting; and brakes, suspension and steering.
Top Features
The company’s huge inventory makes, low prices and secure online system makes it likely that they have the part you need at a competitive price you want. Enjoy peace of mind that your information remains secure, too.
Huge Inventory
CarParts.com boasts a complete section of high-quality parts, citing an inventory of more than one million parts and accessories. It has warehouses across the U.S., strategically placed so delivery can be made directly from its stock to customer’s shipping address.
Convenient and secure online shopping
The company strives to make your online buying experience as easy, convenient and secure as possible. This all starts with the Parts Finder interactive widget. Consumers can also shop by part, SKU number or via the search engine. You can then sort those your search results by best match and price.
CarParts.com also guarantees the security of their website to give you peace of mind that the personal and financial information you enter will remain safe and secure. This information is only used to process and ship your order as efficiently as possible. The company also encrypts all information it sends across the Internet using Secure Socket Layer technology.
In fact, the website is tested regularly and is certified secure by Norton, a leading online security software company, to ensure your data remains private and locked down. You can learn more about its Norton security by clicking on the Norton badge on the homepage.
Prices
People shop online because of convenience but also because of low prices. CarParts.com leverages both to provide you the best deals in aftermarket parts.
Low prices
CarParts.com conducts all of its business online (it sells on eBay, too) so it has less overhead costs than store chains. Their prices are among the lowest online because they pass on these cost savings to customers. When you buy directly from CarParts.com, your parts ship straight from their warehouses.
Low-price guarantee
The company backs up its claim of low prices with a Low Price Guarantee. Simply put, if you find a part from another retailer that’s cheaper than what it offers, CarParts.com will beat or match that price. To take advantage of this great guarantee, you’ll need to submit a form and follow the instructions.
Of course, there are a few requirements to get this deal. For example, the part must be made by the same manufacturer, have the same part number, must be in stock and the price must be advertised. Shipping and handling costs must also be included in the total cost of the price match.
Payment methods and options
There are several payment methods once you’ve found that great deal on your parts and are ready to purchase them. CarParts.com accepts payments via all major credit cards, checks, money orders and even wire transfers, although this may take longer to process.
If you’re more a digital payments type of buyer, PayPal, Amazon Payments and Visa Checkout are also accepted.
Sales tax
When it comes to paying sale tax, CarParts.com will collect it from customers who live in a state where the company has warehouses and facilities, as required by law. Currently, these states are Illinois, Virginia, Kansas, Tennessee and California. No sales tax will be collected If you’re in another state making a purchase.
What people are saying
Customer reviews, comments and posts are all part of doing business online today. Here’s some feedback on CarParts.com.
Google reviews
CarParts.com has a 4.5 out of 5 Star rating on Google Reviews, with an impressive 87 percent positive feedback rating from 11,271 reviews in the past 12 months. Google data shows that the average delivery time is a respectable 3-5 days and that orders are accurate and undamaged about 95 percent of the time.
What people say
Positive feedback from customers include comments that say CarParts saved them $200 and that the parts were exactly as shown and described on the website. One review said: “I found the part I needed within a few minutes. Placed my order and received the part exactly when I was supposed to. Very easy site to use. I will definitely use them again!”
As with any retailer, there will also be negative feedback. Such comments found online about CarParts.com include complaints about defective or wrong parts, or delayed orders. Still, others defended the company, saying don’t let a few negative comments stop you ordering and experiencing their service firsthand.
Customer Support
As a longtime online retailer, CarParts.com prides itself on customer service, especially having experts in the field deal help you.
Chat
CarParts.com’s customer support system makes it easy for you to get answers to questions, both before and after you buy. One of the easiest and most convenient ways to contact a sales representative is via its chat system. You simply enter your name, email address, phone number and type of request before starting the chat.
Orders
Once you’ve placed an order, you’ll be given a username and password that you can use to view your order status with your order number. You’ll receive notification via email when you order ships that will include a tracking number so you’ll know when your package is arriving.
Because orders are automatically processed and sent to the warehouse electronically, the company asks that any order cancellations be placed within 24 hours if the order has not yet shipped or before you receive the invoice-payment voucher in the mail (you are only billed once your order ships). The quickest way is to call them at 1-877-702-1308.
Shipping and Returns
CarParts.com parts are shipped via Federal Express, UPS and AGS. If you’ve ordered an engine, they are shipped via R&L Trucking. You have the option of requesting overnight or 2-day shipping for an additional charge.
Returns are accepted within 30 days of the date the customer received the product, and the item must be in their original condition. Custom-made products cannot be returned. You’ll need to obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number using an online form to begin your return process.
Final Thoughts
Buying parts for your car shouldn’t be a hassle, and with CarParts.com it isn’t. The company’s intuitive website, low price guarantee, a vast inventory of parts, payment and customer service options make it easy for car enthusiasts to maintain their vehicles, no matter where they live in the U.S.
In fact, CarParts.com also offers an affiliate program for individuals who love the company so much they actively use it as part of their business. The affiliate partner program allows you to earn as much as 12 percent in commissions that have the potential to earn participants $10,000 or more a month. Learn more about this program at AffiliateHelp@CarParts.com.
