Buying Auto Components In Canada

[westslope]

Let me guess. Many if not most of us are mail-ordering replacement and upgrade components from the USA or the Gulf of Persia because they are so bloody expensive in Canada, especially the OE parts.

If I understand correctly, this applies not just to Nissan parts but to other auto brand parts in Canada too.

I am economics-trained so I understand the pricing models and I do understand the 'price to market' strategy that multinational companies typically use. But the Canadian markups are just bloody ridiculous!

For context, I am a very free market friendly guy. I have also grown accustomed to higher retail prices for just about everything in the interior of British Columbia. Combine distances with steep mountains and small markets and prices are often higher. Living in gobble's Country comes at a price.

Other than venting my frustration, I would like to ask: what do you folks do to procure components? What is your strategy? Experiences?


My current strategy:

0. Browse various Nissan dealership and nissan part websites in the USA for part numbers. Then shop at:

1. rockauto.com

2. PartsSouq.com

3. nissanpartsdeal.com

4. regional Nissan dealership in Kamloops BC for small orders

5. A local Lordco Auto Parts retail outlet for generic items that I require without delay because otherwise, it is horribly expensive.

I used to roam auto wrecker yards for the 1993 WD-21 pathfinder but now we live too far away from any decent junk yard. Have any of you had any luck in junk yards? I tried a few years ago when still living in Greater Vancouver and the pickings for Nissan Xterras were slim to non-existent.

Comments? Suggestions?

 

[BEEFY]

I'm up in PG so I feel your pain. The auto wreckers up here are more over priced than the parts stores. I deal a bit with cheiftain auto parts, napa and lordco, but order most of my stuff from rock auto. I will buy the parts locally if they arn't to much more than rock auto. But most of the time the local shops are 50%-100% more than ordering online.

 

[westslope]

Parts Avatar is an auto-parts company with offices in several major Canadian cities and India.

The web-site is really well done. And the prices for some components are less than what it costs me to buy and ship from RockAuto.com in the USA.

Does anybody have any experience with this auto-parts company?

 

[BCXterra]

For me it’s usually autopartsway.ca I have found them to be pretty good across a few different vehicles.

 

[westslope]

PartsAvatar is offering a bunch of front end parts on 45% to 65% discounts. As well, PartsAvatar is offering a bunch of advice for wheel bearings.

See Does Your Car Have a Bad Wheel Bearing? and scroll down to the bottom for the discounted parts.


I recently ordered and quickly received a pair of front brake disc rotors recently from PartsAvatar. One of the disc rotors was noticeably scratched despite being packed in a sturdy Raybestos box. I put them on anyways. So far so good.

 

[Nick Nicolas]

Ive used them all. Rockauto is my go to. Courtesy Nissan or Tasca parts for OEM stuff. Dealer for little bits like retainers, nuts and bolts etc.(simply because by the time i realize i need these parts I am usually in the middle of a repair). Btw, rockauto gets me parts from multiple warehouses faster than any of the canadian suppliers.

 

[Sustain26]

Hi, Looking for a Nissan mechanic in Quebec or Eastern Ontario; 2012 manual Pro-4x.

 

[westslope]

Best bet is a Nissan dealership.

Or find a local 4X4 club and/or 4X4 parts speciality store and ask around. If you live in Quebec and are willing to travel to Ontario, have you thought about upstate New York?