NAPA parts seem high priced

Just bought a fuel filter, for one of my machines (nonAC) at Auto Plus, the closest local parts dealer, got it fer $17.87.  was near the local NAPA dealer, today same filter from them woulda been $19.07.  Likely not a dimes worth of difference between the 2, IMHO.  If I am close to NAPA, I buy there, close to home I buy at Auto Plus...

NAPA most of the time is crazy high for thier parts. But for some things, like my dad's 1936 Lafayette they are the ONLY ones local (or even ebay) that has the parts. I usally buy 1 or 2 items a year to keep may name in the system but it is hard to beat the 25% discount off the online price I get at Advanced Auto. NAPA wouldn't give me a discount becuse I don't do enough business there, maybe with a discount I would do more businees there? I guess that doesn't make sense to them.

Ky.Allis wrote: WOW***50% mark-up? Wish I could do that on the farm. I will agree NAPA seems to have good stuff most of the time but unless you are "Somebody" that matters to them you are going to get "Hose Banged".

You're probably getting at least that much if you figure only your seed and fertilizer. Now if you figure your time, your machinery costs, your fuel, the financing cost, on and on, you obviously aren't selling your crop with a 50% markup. By the same token those auto supply houses have their building cost, electricity, insurance, permits, wages, advertising, etc. It's an apples to oranges comparison here.

Greg (Hillsboro, OH) wrote: It's a double edged sword.   We want the cheapest prices, so we go to the chain places and save a few bucks, but we complain about the know nothing people behind the counter.   Those people work much cheaper than the knowledgeable guys behind the counter at NAPA or the local parts place, who have been there a long time or have a mechanical background.  The good places can only stay in business as long as we buy the parts for a little higher price as we are not only buying the part, but we are buying the guys knowledge and service.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/70225733-Allis-Chalmers-B-C-CA-D10-D12-D14-D15-WD45-4-Cyl-Delco-Distributor-Cap/254057297800?hash=item3b26feb788:g:I9gAAOSwBktcM5GW

NAPA    !  My  1st  choice ..  7  miles  away..   If i  ever  have a problem , part is replaced   No questions  asked..   Find  prices  are  decent...   Lots  of  AG  parts.        Tony

There are Napa stores, and Napa stores.  The one closest to me is in the city, very good if you can find it in their website before you go  there.  Otherwise, old tractors are a definite weakness.  The other one is a bit further but in a small rural town, and when I need something that fits, and only have a sample, that is where I go.  They are much better at looking at a part, and going off to the back to find a look alike.  The last one gets most of my business, whatever the cost.

A 50% markup on a low-priced item isn't unusual. It's probably justified too. There's a fixed overhead cost on everything. A 50% markup on higher-priced items such as generators and starters might be a little steep. I've heard that NAPA filters are rebranded Wix filters. If you can buy a Wix filter for less elsewhere, go for it. The same goes for any other part. As others have said, usually you get what you pay for.

Have you ever wondered how Ford/Chevy/Dodge can offer $10,000 off the price of a $40,000 pickup truck? That's seems to almost be a routine thing anymore.


Edited by DougS - 15 Mar 2019 at 8:40am

Yeah, if you are buying filters from NAPA,
 wait for their NAPA gold filter sale.
 I think it's twice a year,.. usually just before you go into the field and once in the fall..
 Some filters are half price or better.

 I buy most of my parts from them and work on other peoples stuff,
 so they throw me a good deal.

When it comes to ignition parts I always have the best luck with Napa. Especially with a set of points, they seem to be better quality.

Napa always is high priced, we buy from Car Quest and them at work and Napa prices are crazy high!

Quality can depend on the management. Our local NAPA does not stock NAPA batteries. His thoughts on the NAPA batteries is that they are junk. Said he had too many returns. He handles Interstate batteries. Less hassle for himself...less hassle for the customer. He basically stocks everything with the thought that the less returns with problems he has...the better it is for the customer.   Den

I recently bought some pinion shaft oil seals from Napa to save a 2 hour round trip to the Agco dealer. Thought the seals might be less expensive too. The seals I got were not very good quality. After using one, I removed it and went to Agco to get a set. Much better quality and ended up $2 a piece cheaper.

System driven; if one location charges a premium price for an item, many companies have computer programs that populate the entire system with the highest price as standard in the system.

Sometimes NAPA is a little higher than Advanced Auto or something, but when I leave the part almost always works and I can have an intelligent conversation with them.