Situations like this are why autoparts stores are starting to keep records of individuals that return parts that are "Unused/Wrong size/not needed" and enter the transaction into a database for the store. They should also be verifying the parts are in fact still undamaged and in the correct box. The fault of the Autoparts Store Employee in not verifying the parts were Not damaged lays with that poor employee, NOT the Auto Mechanics Shop. Theft is wrong and anyone who calls out the thieves to do better should NOT be treated with Libel accusations.
@RainmanRaysRepairs is it possible that those were warranty returns? those seals are either 1 year or 2 year warranty, depending on the product line. the store doing the warranty may have done everything properly. Then the distribution center put them back on the shelf for whatever misguided reason. It happens... Frequently...
@@johnkubiak5407 Not a chance, the inner seal had zero wear, they were installed and then removed, prolly bcc someone forgot something (like installing the bearing) and had to take it apart again.
Harbor Freight is the worst for this practice. People will buy a tool, use it, place dirty tool back in the box, then use HF’s no questions asked return policy. HF doesn’t inspect the product, puts tape on the box to reseal, and back on the shelf it goes. Now if HF wants to get into the tool rental market, I think it would be great for several products, and I would more than likely use the service. But to blindly accept any return, to me is criminal. When I used to work for an auto parts store as a shift manager, I would personally open ALL returns to be sure we were not being scammed. Caught several people trying to return used parts, claiming that they didn’t need the “new” parts. I would also open all boxes when selling parts to show the customer that the parts they were purchasing were indeed new and unused. I think I might have pulled bad parts off the shelf maybe twice. But they didn’t go back on the shelf. I would also see who had the last transaction with that part and conduct training.
Always call it out Ray. If people get mad at you for doing it, they are part of the problem and probably guilty of returning those old parts as new parts.
Or someone who realizes that the guy behind the counter making $11 he may be using his job to swap his own personal parts out for free. In which case the store that hired that employee is liable for the employee's behavior while on the clock. Making it the parts store's fault. Maybe it was a custom and not an employee. I don't know, and neither do you or this mechanic making the video. So to say it's NOT the store when you have no proof it's not the store is pretty silly
A few years ago, I bought my son a lego set from Walmart, got home, and it wasn't the one on the box. Went back to return/complain. I did get a refund, then I watched her tape up the box and put it back on the shelf. When I got the attention of the manager, I was told not to tell them how to do their job. I contacted corporate, never heard back. Haven't been in any Walmart since.
A smart store would refund, then put the item in a landfill. Or at least sell in bulk to surplus. Amazon trashes lots of stuff - too costly to identify and restock (the stocking warehouse could be far away from return center.)
Unfortunately for me Mal-Wart is a necessary evil since they've nearly ran out all local ownership around me. Then the jungle website has done a number on them as well. It's my last resort if I need something in a hurry.
You're not wrong, Ray! It IS theft, it inconveniences you and your customer having to wait again to get a new properly functional part. Imho, I think that the parts stores need to do a better job of inspecting returned parts. That smashed up seal should NEVER have been returned to the parts store's inventory and sold to another customer. Most honest stores give a replacement or money back on parts that maybe don't fit or were ordered in error. It should be up to the parts store to check the condition of the returned item before issuing a replacement or refund. Failing to do this results in these types of scenarios and makes the parts suppliers look really bad😢
Was living in sacramemto for a while and befriended a neighbor who was building a mustang for his daughter. He mentioned a swap meet a couple hours away and he found a pair of what looked like brandnew in the box six inch speakers. We got all the way home until he opened the box, old beatup pair under brandnew grills. Good thing was we knew that setup was still there, drove all the way back on sunday to confront the scammer, who said we were trying to rip him off. Well unfortunately for this guy, the same day he sold another pair of speakers to, lets just say some guys you wouldnt want to mess with, and they showed up right as we were arguing with him. They over heard us, got involved, guy refused to give either of us the money back and these three dudes proceed to not only beat the tar out of him, but they trashed his stand then ripped open every box of speakers there. Funny enough all of them had old speakers in new boxes with grills. I swear that guy must have lived near a car audio shop because that is exactly how we would throw them away after putting new speakers in cars.
Free sales floor rentals. They do not want to rent one. When I once worked at The Home Depot, I saw this happening all the time. They would come in and buy a $400.00 electric plumbers snake that goes into your pipes when there is a blockage go home and use it once to unblock the drain. After using it, and unblocking the drain they would come back and return it. They do not want to call Roto Rooter, or go to a rental place to rent one. At The Home Depot, they also rented those too.
Ray you have the right to be mad!! Your Time is money and now a lift is taken up! Once it happens to someone else they’ll be mad! Stop apologizing you are running a business and a YT channel to help people the cry babies screw them! You have plenty of supporters out here!
Yep. They been blasting me all day cause i had the same issue with a blower motor. Saying its the parts guy they should check it. Well a blower motor is considered an electronic part and cannot be returned if opened. Even showed my old blower motor i removed. Smh
We call those parts 'tryagnostic' parts.... Shop buys part, installs part, doesn't fix problem, Attempt to return the part. IF a shop has an account and returns 'tryagnostic' parts... we simply don't credit their account for the part. When the shop asks 'why didn't they get the credit' we simply tell them 'we didn't sell you a used part and we're not going to give you credit for the one you returned'. Yup, we've pissed off our share of shop customers, but they either quit doing business at our store or they didn't try to pull that crap again. Yes... we also check 'suspicious' boxes when they are sent from our warehouses and have found a LOT of used parts, wrong parts, missing components, etc. It's only gotten worse in the past 45 years I've been working at various auto parts stores.
But hard for them to actually pin it down, as those are not serial numbered, and neither is the packing. All they can go by is that, at some time in the past, those were returned, and the only hard cut off is when was the last time that bin was empty, and got fresh stock from the manufacturer delivered. Might be more than a few years of the parts coming and going when those returned ones came back and were restocked, either by somebody who failed to check, or who was the one who knew they were swapped, but did it anyway for some reason.
@@SeanBZA in my experience distribution center's do not have time to check parts without visible damage to the outer packaging. So what likely happened is the seals came back from a store with other returns that were supposed to have been checked and certified. What probably happened is the seals were returned damaged and the associate receiving the return didn't bother to check or depending on procedures the person who was assembling the return didn't bother to check. And because the box came back to the dc in good shape and from a store the implied trust was there that they'd been checked. now the kicker is what will come of this probably not much as $16 in parts doesn't justify the 6-8hours of multiple peoples time to figure it out. if it becomes a pattern tho yeah.
Ray, thanks for speaking up. When people do this kind of thing it drives the price up for everyone, makes lit more difficult for those trying to do a job.
This is becoming a problem. I NEVER EVER buy anything from Home Depot or Lowes that has a previously opened package! That goes for Pep-Boys and Advance Auto as well. O'reilly's seems better, though I have taken to checking parts while in the store with them too. And it isn't just in the automotive world folks. I fly 767's for a small cargo airline and we wrote up an item a few months ago and maintenance came out and replaced it. The problem still persisted; It turns out the replacement part that the outstation had in stock was BAD from the factory and we spent the night with the airplane earning no revenue while they got a tested part back to us. This is happening more and more often! Great video!
@@brapamaldi7666 I have no idea what Maintenance does with parts like this. Obviously this has to be reported to the FAA, and what they do with it I have no idea. I am concerned with inoperative components, if they will affect my flight, and keeping the paperwork straight at my end. The FAA is all about paperwork..... Thanx!
Advance is getting bad. I have bought many sets of brake pads over the years at Advance and it was usually hassle free. Now, I have to always opened the box to see if the brake hardware is in the box. It usually never is anymore. Of course that's assuming I get a box that isn't oil stained and the pads are all unwrapped.
@@ItsAlwaysRusty-The only time I go to Advance anymore is if nobody else has it local and I need it like now. Their stores are staffed by people with less intelligence than my neighbors cat and half the crap they sell is broken from the factory.
I used to work at a store that sells masterpro parts, when ever I would get a return I would check it to make sure the numbers match or make sure they aren't damaged. If I sell the part I'd take it out of the box and show the customer to make sure it's what they are looking for.
Former parts store employee here, I worked for 0'Reilly auto parts for 7ish years. I worked the front counter, was an assistant manager for some years, store manager for 1 yr and worked back counter for almost 2 years. I learned to check all returns, but you know what? I had more used/damaged parts come back as "new" from mechanics shops then I did from regular retail customers. I had shops that would install parts, and if it didn't fix the issue they would clean up and return them. O'Reilly auto parts has a relatively strict inventory control in each store. O uses DMV data by vehicle registration to stock parts in their stores. If the outlying area has a higher percentage of a certain model, they will stock more parts for that vehicle. They will also stock parts whereas the OEM parts have a higher failure rate. If a part is ordered that is not normally stocked in the store, depending on the internal cost, it will be on report to be scanned in and sent back to the DC the next day. Most backroom parts are sent back via this method. If a store only stocks 2 seals, and somebody returned 2 the same day. Those seals have a high chance of being sent back. For every extra backroom part not part of the normally inventory, is less inventory value that store carries, so less parts they have. I've had to order the "rare" nobody can get these parts before. I hated it. You 100% have a right to be upset with your parts store, the longer the vehicle sits on your lift, the less money you make. Unfortunately when the system is ran by imperfect people, the processes of that system, thus, are imperfect. I have driven to other stores, in my personal vehicle to get parts for shops that came in wrong before, or would take to long to get via the internal store transfers. If a used part came in, and I noticed id reorder call the shop and let them know. Sometimes I would sent a driver, if possible, to get the part. Or I would go get it. If i couldnt, once the 2nd order came in, the shop would be a priority delivery for me. Frankly, not all associates saw it or worked how I did.
Imperfect people I get but people are outright thieves now. Returning used parts, the wrong part in a new box, keeping some of the hardware and just returning what they don't need. Just crooks plain and simple.
Same type of thinking, where people believe it's OK to shoplift from a store. It's reached the point where they do it in front of the store employees and they know nothing will happen to them. Our state and federal politicians and lawmakers have brought this on and it needs to stop!
Sadly, Ray, I think it will get worse. I believe in your integrity. Just start having you and the whole team start checking incoming parts. That’s about all one could do. God bless brother 😁👍
Ultimately the blame lies with the thief. A parts store employee somewhere compounded that by not caring enough about their job (or it was an inside job). But yes, the majority of the blame is with the thief who set this all in motion in the first place.
I have been running a small business for nearly 30 years. What people need to realise is the time/opportunity cost of such an event. You order the part, you wait for the part, you discover said problem with part, and then you have to order another one, and meanwhile i now have a roadblock in my work because i planned to finish something, move it out of the way and work on something else. So now not only is my schedule having issues but perhaps multiple customers now have to wait. Domino effect and invariably my small business takes the heat and the cost. Very frustrating.
Working in a dealership parts department, I can tell you that a lot of times the guys doing the selling don't have direct contact with the parts as they arrive to stock. There are shops that will put used parts back in a box and send them back as new. The local city maintenance garage has done it on more than one occasion, we've even had other dealerships try to send stuff back that is open and installed.
Naaw, you're not the bad guy, Ray. It is the jerk who figured he's save a few dollars by returning a used part in a new part box. Now you're out the time and money on this part and a dark cloud has been put on your supplier. Scumbags are everywhere and sooner or later it will catch up with them. Good for you for putting this out there.
Good for you Ray. We all need to bring these things to light so that it stops or that more checks and balances will be put into place to prevent this type of problem. Not just the parts you ordered but for anything people buy.
I outright refused a part recently after the clerk handed me a part that was in an oil stained box and that was obviously handled and possibly mounted. I told the clerk that if I pay for a new part it better be new and unused/unopened. He tried to explain that they take back parts all the time due to mistaken orders and they stand by the part. I countered with, if this was your car would you accept a previously used or opened part? He said no I'd be pissed. Case closed.. I got the new part.. An opened and dirty part is used in my opinion.
305th! I have a dealership issue today Ray, my Mercedes S550 is coming up for a service, so I looked up what the service entails, oil change and fluid check,break check,general inspection, at the cost of $600. It just came off warranty so this one was on me. I took it to my mechanic and was told it was going to cost around $100 for same service. I went on line and found out how to rest my service schedule, very simple. They wanted me to buy an extended warranty, but I saw your video about how the dealership and the warranty company are in kahoots to rip off the customer, so I said no. Thanks for the advice, saving me a chunk of money. Roger in Pierre South Dakota
Well done for calling this out. Sadly, I don't think the people that do it will stop, but it might make the parts people check returns better. If nothing else it costs them money and potentially you if you can't finish a job.
I feel your pain, I picked up a 5 quart jug of oil to do my own service and drained out the pan and opened the container only to find it was full of used oil!
Hey ray, you are completely justified in getting mad about it. It is incredibly frustrating like you said to go online or call the store to have them find the part you need, wait two days to get it. All to find out that the part was etheir already used and returned or were the wrong part that someone had bought and then damaged it in the process of trying to install. Then go I don't care, I'm not the one who's going to get the bad part! Has happed to me. And I'll say I didn't handle it with as much grace as you!😅 in my opinion really the only person responsible is the guy that returned the part. I get it!! Things are tuff right now, but your not helping anyone out by doing crap like that!
I agree with you Ray! I do appliance and HVAC repair and I arrived at a custo.ers house with a $200 timer for their dryer to open it and find a used timer! Like you this came from a trusted supplier. This is just wrong in so many ways!
It has happened to me many times before. I was an auto mechanic for 30 plus years. I feel your frustration. I look forward to the van build for the good folks that’s coming
Ray I do understand it really isn't the money this time but the time to make it right is what always gets me in the end I love your channel and I have never commented on any TH-cam ever but I had to today because no matter what I can tell from watching your videos that you have character and it's good from What I have seen please keep it up thank you Bruce peckham
I bought a couple 5 qt jugs of oil from Walmart. Get home to change oil. 1 of the jugs was used oil. They put the foil over opening somehow and cleaned the jug up. Could tell till I began to pour it out
Typical Walmart story. Clerks don't give a sh-t and just issue the return. At auto part stores I will not accept any part that was previously opened, stained or unwrapped. I paid for NEW parts not someones oopsies, mistakes or down right thievery. The clerks get miffed but I'm not getting burned anymore.
Worked at a parts store for years. We had people trying to returned used parts like seals, head gaskets, bearings and seals. Had some PO'd customers, but it is what it is.
I worked at a lumberyard decades ago. A lady came in with a 5-gallon pail of paint to return. I went around the counter to pick up the pail and the contents shifted when I picked it up. There were BRICKS inside the pail!
Years ago my brother bought a transmission from a reputable shop. It didn’t arrive on the expected delivery date. The crate showed up days later looking like it had been drug through the desert on a chain. He opened it up and found cement blocks and old pillows.
The long and short of it .. don't leave your parts counter without opening the boxes for your own sake. I recall a few years back a channel working on a hemi that got used lifters, and then got back the same lifters that they'd returned earlier.
Quite a few mechanics that upload to TH-cam ran across a similar issue with flat tappet lifters on multiple engines. Uncle Tony was rebuilding a 60s Mopar 383, his big name cam supplier sent him a set of mismatched, worn out used lifters with a new camshaft. He the reached out to a local parts store for lifters. Every lifter there was used garbage as well. The Car Wizard had 2 engines that were machine shop rebuilt. New camshafts for both engines. A small block 305 Chevy and a 340 Mopar V8 in a Cherokee. The Mopar camshaft was destroyed by the junk lifters during break-in, which then trashed the bearings and locked the motor up, and cracked the block. He had a backup motor from a junked, rotted out Cherokee that went back to the machine shop. That build got a retrofit roller camshaft. On the Chevy, same issue, but they caught it before failure because the lifters were so worn out that it kept dumping oil pressure and shutting off. That engine also wound up with a retrofit roller camshaft. The flat tappet issue is they stopped making the lifters in the early 2000s. The Chinese were supposedly reconditioning used lifters, but just repackaged dirty, worn out used ones. No effort made to clean, inspect, regrind, reclean, and reinspect whatsoever.
Unfortunately there are some folks that can't repair things correctly and they dump their trash (they mis-ordered or damaged) back at the parts supply merchant. Yes- "scum bag", yet so common now. 😥
It happens to everyone, I learned my lesson a long time ago and try to check before I leave the store if I notice it's been opened, kind hard to do if you're ordering it and getting it delivered though
5 will get you 10.. It was a customer. We've seen that happen more often in our area where the employee won't even look at the part when it gets returned. I've seen it with brake calipers, alternators.....etc... "Opps.... I purchased the wrong one, and I need a refund"... The employee (usually a worker barely trained....) won't know to CHECK or care. I've gotten winged by Rock Auto for the same issue. Thankfully they refunded the seals and bearings on the one order.
Just replied about Rock Auto earlier. Ordered some rotors for a Mercedes. I open the box and the rotors weren't even close to what they should have been. Someone obviously bought two sets of rotors, one cheap for another brand of car and one for a Mercedes. Mounted the Mercedes rotors and returned the cheaper rotors in the Mercedes box. Stole the difference in price. Rock Auto has been getting worse and worse.
As a counterman and now an assistant manager at a parts store, this is why I check every single return I make, and if the box looks opened or damaged, I inspect the parts WTIH the customer, BEFORE the sale. And if I can prove that another store I ordered parts from accepted a used "return" I damn well call them out on it. It's called accountability and pride in your work.
It's not just auto parts. I saw instances online of someone buying a Milwaukee tool from a big box store. Box looked sealed up. Got it home and discovered it was a used and broken tool. They tried taking it back to the store and got no refund for it. Another case was a big TV from Walmart that the customer discovered wasn't even the right one in the box (also used). OPEN your stuff AT THE SERVICE DESK of the store if you can.
Bad behavior should ALWAYS be called out. Kudos. People think 'oh it's just some big company and they can afford the loss', without realizing that they're just raising the prices of their future parts they'll need to buy next time around. They'll then justify the same behavior because parts are even more expensive, and create a vicious circle which always leads to them being able to justify bad behavior.
Back in my day, I've received red boxes old parts too. Not a new thing, but sad that it still happens. I quite understand how you feel, Ray. Those who are talking from the hip probably aren't techs. Just check what you order when received.
You're right Ray, and you never 'lost it' getting mad either. The problem started when someone returned the faulty parts in their boxes, and was compounded by lack of adequate quality control at the parts depot which shipped them back out to new customers. This has cost time and money right down the chain, ultimately making everything more expensive to compensate.
Ray, You Sir have integrity. A commitment to serve and do right for your customer, and so have every right to call out breaks in your supply chain. It is up to those who run that supply chain to maintain their integrity.... And a little publicity of integrity is never bad.
It's shenanigans like this, I checked the short, that end up hurting the business or store selling parts. People will look elsewhere until they get good parts or the parts they actually ordered. I feel that way. I've had to eat my losses on stuff I've bought in the past.
Haven't personally had this happen, or if it did, it's been awhile, but what I HAVE noticed is the in general cheapening of parts from previously "trusted" suppliers. 199K on my wife's Explorer when we bought it, they installed new front hubs/wheel bearings as part of the sale. Those were allegedly Motorcraft parts, sourced from the dealer's own parts stock. If that's the case, why have they failed just over 40K miles later? Both of them, even! I'll be tackling this repair soon but I'm thinking of buying another brand because if the Ford dealer Motorcraft top dollar parts aren't good enough to last a quarter of the distance of the originals, what brand is? Certainly none of the reconstituted garbage on Amazon. Absolutely none of the bargain basement parts store brands. The only thing left is to buy one of the other premium brands, for example Moog ($150) or Timken ($185) I suppose. They cost almost as much as the $250 Ford unit, but if the Ford unit can't last 40K miles before groaning constantly, why pay their price for a subpar part. Subpart? Is that a new term? MAYBE...but the other option is to buy the cheap reconstituted reformed remanufactured rebuilt reconditioned regurgitated parts from overseas. HEAR ME OUT, at least I can afford to replace them FIVE TIMES for the Motorcraft part price, BUT will they last 1/5 as long as the $250 part? Who wants to change wheel bearings every 8000 miles? Not me, although since it's BEEN done now it'll be easier to do this time. Nothing seized together as long as the dealer did a good job and used antiseize where appropriate. If they didn't, I certainly WILL. If the $50 part can last the same 40K miles as the $250 part I'd be happy to change them every 3 years and 15 years from now I'll break even on cash, if a little worse for wear with my labor times.
Aside from working my home garage shop, I work at an auto parts store. We sometimes have new employees that aren't wary of returned parts and don't know/forget to check returned parts before processing them. It's a problem at every parts store. Customers that return installed parts, or even more brazenly, return old used defective parts as a scam to get a free part. I, as well as experienced parts people, check every part returning and being sold. It is sad that we have to do this, but it is what people have made it. I have caught several parts in this condition as I bring these parts off the shelf. I would rather suffer the embarrassment when I initially bring the part off the shelf, than have a customer get home and find a bad part. I have been on the receiving end of that before. I completely understand how the customer feels when that happens. The warehouse doesn't know any better. They can't/don't check every part coming back from the stores as they are supposed to be checked when processing the return. They see a package labelled good and send it back out. In my store, we even check special order packages coming from our hub. A bad part in a box is the fault of nefarious customers and a missed check of the part during processing. So, it's generally a combo of factors that leads to a bad part being sold.
"A bad part in a box is the fault of nefarious customers and a missed check of the part during processing" Not always - it can be the work of a nefarious employee anywhere in the chain of custody - they need a part, steal it, repackage the core, place it back on the shelf so inventory is correct. In the 60's, I worked as a pump jockey at all-night gas station. There were stands at the pumps with rows of motor oil cans. Some of them had punctures on the bottom - an employee was certainly involved in that theft, either for himself or a friend.
Hey Ray I am with you. I buy all my parts from my local NAPA parts store, every time I pick up parts my guy opens up the box just to show me and make sure its right
Yep happened to me. Bought a set of wipers at Walmart. Opened when I got home and both were used. I take them back and the clerk looks at me like I was the one trying to pull a fast one. Check your returns people before you issue a refund.
I think it shows you're an honest guy. I would be angry. If people keep stealing or swopping parts, the companies just pass the costs onto everyone. So we all pay in the end. Keep up calling them out Ray.
I deal with the same issue but it’s with food delivery I get to store and they tell me another driver just picked up order so I have to waste my time to call customer service so someone can eat someone’s lunch there’s been a few times they say I’m the third driver to show up so two other drivers just pass problem to somebody else that’s the mentality of a lot of people now they just care and they will steal anything keep up with the great work the three Amigos
I know a shop that recently got old OE Toyota injectors shrink wrapped in new boxes. They had come from and out of state warehouse for a major parts company. It happens far more than anyone wants to think......
I've witnessed this same issue here in the UK too. Someone buys the part, fits it, cleans up the old part, puts it in the box and returns it for a refund. Usually happens with expensive parts. I've seen failed clutches, returned as a 'warranty' failure, that were not of the right manufacturer. An old part, cleaned, returned, re-stocked. Then resold, and the fitter did not realise it was old, fitted it, for it to fail. Old part returned was from a manufacturer never used by that parts supplier. Parts store returns should be carefully checked. Sadly, no expertise, or desire to check.
I can't imagine why someone would think you don't have a right to be pissed. You have a customer's truck tying up your lift and costing you money. Nobody should be called out for voicing their displeasure.
I got got on a box of 4 spark plugs. When I brought back the used plugs, they said it's a good thing I had a commercial account because they wouldn't take them back if I didn't. I told them maybe they need to start checking returns.
Ray, this problem is bigger than you know, this is being done deliberately, parts stores and repair shops are knowingly doing this. Returning used parts and reselling them. I work for a large distributor in Alaska and you would be shocked at what I see. There attitude is this is a billion dollar company, it's nothing to them they will just toss it and move on. But it's the smaller honest business that unfortunately gets some of these returned parts that's having to deal with the shady people returning these used parts. You have kids taking parts back they don't check what they are returning and most are cash sales. If a box is returned that looks unopened they just put it back on the shelf for the next guy to buy. There is no accountability and the people doing this know it. It's the honest people that are getting taken advantage of. Awesome job calling them out on this. More people need to show what's going on. Keep up the awesome work Ray There should be more honest people like you out there....
When I come across situations like this. My parts store who missed it usually give me rags or shop towels. Which I like a lot and I have no issues or complaints whatsoever when stuff like that happens.
This is why I insist on inspecting every part I buy before I check out. I have been cheated with damaged/returned/defective/used parts a few times. Out west where I worked it was commonly 40 or 50 miles each way to go get the parts. You brought the old part in with you and compared the old with the new side by side.
Same thing happens in the body shop! I’ve gotten “Brand New” headlamps and taillights that were used!!! Someone took the new lights and put the broken used ones back in the box!!! Parts department always accused me lol!!!
I have worked for said auto parts chain, in another state,(I broke free about 3 years ago) And sadly yes that happens, but it's not just the DIYer that tries to be sneaky about that. Sometimes it is also a "professional" customer that will attempt this as well. And the store that took it, probably needs better training, as there is a way to return items in said condition and they don't go back into circulation.
I'm with you. Its the fault of the original customer that "returned" the parts and of the store that accepted the return without verifying the contents of the boxes.
Years ago I bought a set of boxed 4 spark plugs for my car. When I got home I found that there were four different used plugs in the box. Always have the cashier open the part box before you leave. Or in your case do not accept delivery if possible until checked. What is baffling is you have been in this business for years, this larceny has been happening for years, cut back on the caffeine, take a chill pill before your beautiful wife has to visit you in the hospital due to a heart attack. It could be a lot worse, you could be running a shop in smoggy, crime ridden California. Where you need to wear a bullet proof vest 24/7. Your still our favorite. God bless. 🙏👍😁
I noticed many small parts falling out of the box while still in transit at the post office. Amazon needs to pack the box better so nothing will fall out.
If whichever store accepted the return would just inspect the part before issuing a refund or whatever it would put a cold stop to it. Some store manager probably decided they don't want to lose a customer, trying to keep their numbers (bonus) up.
It happens more than you think my mechanic told me. And ball joints for my car came in and one was used in box. And new shocks wore out in 6 months that was name brand.
I work at Edvance's auto parts so I have personal experience with this. At least 10 different people handled the part in it's journey to you, from the original consumer, to the employee that originally handled the return, to the manager on duty who approved the return, to the employee who put it back on the shelf, to the employee who sold it to you, maybe even the delivery driver. It's hard to place blame. **the more you know**
Seems to me this sort of thing happened in a prior video regarding a steering gear box that was cleaned and repainted, then returned to the parts store, to later be sold to you, when all the while, it was worn out crap !
ANOTHER possibility you didn't consider... I once had a return for my wife of unused auto parts from a job I did, and I left the receipt sticking out of the box ready for return. She took those parts AND some boxed-up old parts for return sitting next to the real return item. By the time I noticed she had returned more than I wanted a couple days later when I looked at the credit - the parts were already sent back to distribution and the parts store couldn't track them down... So sometimes there are other reasons - so I've learned NOT to put old parts into the original boxes unless it is for a core refund! Oh, and the latest seal I just purchased cost a LOT more than $17... The front main seal with a new wear sleave cost $180! The dealer wanted $330!!! For one seal!
Short Video mentioned earlier: Scumbag Auto Parts Theft! th-cam.com/users/shortsB9YQOXKFozg
Yay more rainman content! More more! :D -drops armchair comment- Bad parts are bad! booo!!!!
Situations like this are why autoparts stores are starting to keep records of individuals that return parts that are "Unused/Wrong size/not needed" and enter the transaction into a database for the store.
They should also be verifying the parts are in fact still undamaged and in the correct box.
The fault of the Autoparts Store Employee in not verifying the parts were Not damaged lays with that poor employee, NOT the Auto Mechanics Shop.
Theft is wrong and anyone who calls out the thieves to do better should NOT be treated with Libel accusations.
@RainmanRaysRepairs is it possible that those were warranty returns? those seals are either 1 year or 2 year warranty, depending on the product line. the store doing the warranty may have done everything properly. Then the distribution center put them back on the shelf for whatever misguided reason. It happens... Frequently...
@@johnkubiak5407 Not a chance, the inner seal had zero wear, they were installed and then removed, prolly bcc someone forgot something (like installing the bearing) and had to take it apart again.
I agree with you Ray, but post and forget is the name of the game. Don't let the comments eat at ya ;-)
Ray you’re not wrong for calling out people who steal. I hate thieves.
It needs to stop
Harbor Freight is the worst for this practice.
People will buy a tool, use it, place dirty tool back in the box, then use HF’s no questions asked return policy. HF doesn’t inspect the product, puts tape on the box to reseal, and back on the shelf it goes.
Now if HF wants to get into the tool rental market, I think it would be great for several products, and I would more than likely use the service. But to blindly accept any return, to me is criminal.
When I used to work for an auto parts store as a shift manager, I would personally open ALL returns to be sure we were not being scammed. Caught several people trying to return used parts, claiming that they didn’t need the “new” parts.
I would also open all boxes when selling parts to show the customer that the parts they were purchasing were indeed new and unused. I think I might have pulled bad parts off the shelf maybe twice. But they didn’t go back on the shelf. I would also see who had the last transaction with that part and conduct training.
I Hate LIARS worse.............................
Especially lemon stealing who...
Stealing from our precious lemon tree.
@danaszalajeski4416 this issue is not specific to any one company.
Our economy is full of sloppy employees.
Always call it out Ray. If people get mad at you for doing it, they are part of the problem and probably guilty of returning those old parts as new parts.
Or someone who realizes that the guy behind the counter making $11 he may be using his job to swap his own personal parts out for free.
In which case the store that hired that employee is liable for the employee's behavior while on the clock.
Making it the parts store's fault.
Maybe it was a custom and not an employee. I don't know, and neither do you or this mechanic making the video. So to say it's NOT the store when you have no proof it's not the store is pretty silly
Were with you ray!!! You call out scumbags and thats only fair!!! Its an inconvenience when ppl are so dishonest!!!
You don't know who I'm with. Speak for yourself please. Leave me out of it. Thank you.
@@rjm7168 If you're not part of the solution; then you're part of the problem
A douche is a douche
People who have a problem with this been called out .Need to be part of the solution ,instead of part of the problem . Theft is theft !
I think you were pretty calm. I'm not mad at you.
A few years ago, I bought my son a lego set from Walmart, got home, and it wasn't the one on the box. Went back to return/complain. I did get a refund, then I watched her tape up the box and put it back on the shelf. When I got the attention of the manager, I was told not to tell them how to do their job. I contacted corporate, never heard back. Haven't been in any Walmart since.
A smart store would refund, then put the item in a landfill. Or at least sell in bulk to surplus. Amazon trashes lots of stuff - too costly to identify and restock (the stocking warehouse could be far away from return center.)
Wally-Fart is a sewer. I NEVER go in one.
Unfortunately for me Mal-Wart is a necessary evil since they've nearly ran out all local ownership around me. Then the jungle website has done a number on them as well. It's my last resort if I need something in a hurry.
Problem is it costs your time(money) to wait on other parts while you could be finishing the customers vehicle.
Then it's your reputation that's damaged when it takes longer for the customer's vehicle to be repaired...
Plus the lift is occupied meaning you can't work on another car (at least on that lift) while waiting for replacement parts.
And your customer is inconvenienced by not having his/her vehicle back in a timely manner
You're not wrong, Ray! It IS theft, it inconveniences you and your customer having to wait again to get a new properly functional part. Imho, I think that the parts stores need to do a better job of inspecting returned parts. That smashed up seal should NEVER have been returned to the parts store's inventory and sold to another customer. Most honest stores give a replacement or money back on parts that maybe don't fit or were ordered in error. It should be up to the parts store to check the condition of the returned item before issuing a replacement or refund. Failing to do this results in these types of scenarios and makes the parts suppliers look really bad😢
Came here to say exactly this!
Was living in sacramemto for a while and befriended a neighbor who was building a mustang for his daughter. He mentioned a swap meet a couple hours away and he found a pair of what looked like brandnew in the box six inch speakers. We got all the way home until he opened the box, old beatup pair under brandnew grills. Good thing was we knew that setup was still there, drove all the way back on sunday to confront the scammer, who said we were trying to rip him off. Well unfortunately for this guy, the same day he sold another pair of speakers to, lets just say some guys you wouldnt want to mess with, and they showed up right as we were arguing with him. They over heard us, got involved, guy refused to give either of us the money back and these three dudes proceed to not only beat the tar out of him, but they trashed his stand then ripped open every box of speakers there. Funny enough all of them had old speakers in new boxes with grills. I swear that guy must have lived near a car audio shop because that is exactly how we would throw them away after putting new speakers in cars.
😂Great story!
As a Former Corp Investigator, we call those...."Sales Floor Rentals" LMAO!
Free sales floor rentals. They do not want to rent one. When I once worked at The Home Depot, I saw this happening all the time. They would come in and buy a $400.00 electric plumbers snake that goes into your pipes when there is a blockage go home and use it once to unblock the drain. After using it, and unblocking the drain they would come back and return it. They do not want to call Roto Rooter, or go to a rental place to rent one. At The Home Depot, they also rented those too.
Ray you have the right to be mad!! Your Time is money and now a lift is taken up! Once it happens to someone else they’ll be mad! Stop apologizing you are running a business and a YT channel to help people the cry babies screw them! You have plenty of supporters out here!
Yep. They been blasting me all day cause i had the same issue with a blower motor. Saying its the parts guy they should check it. Well a blower motor is considered an electronic part and cannot be returned if opened. Even showed my old blower motor i removed. Smh
We call those parts 'tryagnostic' parts.... Shop buys part, installs part, doesn't fix problem, Attempt to return the part.
IF a shop has an account and returns 'tryagnostic' parts... we simply don't credit their account for the part. When the shop asks 'why didn't they get the credit' we simply tell them 'we didn't sell you a used part and we're not going to give you credit for the one you returned'.
Yup, we've pissed off our share of shop customers, but they either quit doing business at our store or they didn't try to pull that crap again.
Yes... we also check 'suspicious' boxes when they are sent from our warehouses and have found a LOT of used parts, wrong parts, missing components, etc. It's only gotten worse in the past 45 years I've been working at various auto parts stores.
Presumably the original return was recorded, so the distribution centre will know the culprit.
You are correct, but depending on the turnover of those seals, it won't be able to be tracked to the store who returned them
But hard for them to actually pin it down, as those are not serial numbered, and neither is the packing. All they can go by is that, at some time in the past, those were returned, and the only hard cut off is when was the last time that bin was empty, and got fresh stock from the manufacturer delivered. Might be more than a few years of the parts coming and going when those returned ones came back and were restocked, either by somebody who failed to check, or who was the one who knew they were swapped, but did it anyway for some reason.
It is 100% not worth the time, money, or effort to do that for a seal. They will issue a refund or replacement and move on.
@@SeanBZA in my experience distribution center's do not have time to check parts without visible damage to the outer packaging.
So what likely happened is the seals came back from a store with other returns that were supposed to have been checked and certified.
What probably happened is the seals were returned damaged and the associate receiving the return didn't bother to check or depending on procedures the person who was assembling the return didn't bother to check.
And because the box came back to the dc in good shape and from a store the implied trust was there that they'd been checked.
now the kicker is what will come of this probably not much as $16 in parts doesn't justify the 6-8hours of multiple peoples time to figure it out. if it becomes a pattern tho yeah.
And shops Walmart...
Your reaction was justified.
You did what was right Ray!! You called it by its name LARCENY...there is no 2 ways about it...... Looking forward to part #3 of that repair.
I gladly stand behind you Ray. Good on Ya for calling these people out.
Ray. Just went through this very same thing with my wife's 07 Edge.... Passenger side front CV axle.
Ray, thanks for speaking up. When people do this kind of thing it drives the price up for everyone, makes lit more difficult for those trying to do a job.
Ray, 100% of genuine people are 100% behind you on this!
This is becoming a problem. I NEVER EVER buy anything from Home Depot or Lowes that has a previously opened package! That goes for Pep-Boys and Advance Auto as well. O'reilly's seems better, though I have taken to checking parts while in the store with them too.
And it isn't just in the automotive world folks. I fly 767's for a small cargo airline and we wrote up an item a few months ago and maintenance came out and replaced it. The problem still persisted; It turns out the replacement part that the outstation had in stock was BAD from the factory and we spent the night with the airplane earning no revenue while they got a tested part back to us. This is happening more and more often!
Great video!
Did that 767 part get returned by Boeing?
*jk, please dont kill me boeing*
@@brapamaldi7666 I have no idea what Maintenance does with parts like this. Obviously this has to be reported to the FAA, and what they do with it I have no idea. I am concerned with inoperative components, if they will affect my flight, and keeping the paperwork straight at my end. The FAA is all about paperwork.....
Thanx!
Advance is getting bad. I have bought many sets of brake pads over the years at Advance and it was usually hassle free. Now, I have to always opened the box to see if the brake hardware is in the box. It usually never is anymore. Of course that's assuming I get a box that isn't oil stained and the pads are all unwrapped.
@@ItsAlwaysRusty-The only time I go to Advance anymore is if nobody else has it local and I need it like now. Their stores are staffed by people with less intelligence than my neighbors cat and half the crap they sell is broken from the factory.
Our particular Harbor Freight is notorious for putting returns back on the shelf.
I used to work at a store that sells masterpro parts, when ever I would get a return I would check it to make sure the numbers match or make sure they aren't damaged. If I sell the part I'd take it out of the box and show the customer to make sure it's what they are looking for.
Former parts store employee here, I worked for 0'Reilly auto parts for 7ish years.
I worked the front counter, was an assistant manager for some years, store manager for 1 yr and worked back counter for almost 2 years.
I learned to check all returns, but you know what? I had more used/damaged parts come back as "new" from mechanics shops then I did from regular retail customers.
I had shops that would install parts, and if it didn't fix the issue they would clean up and return them.
O'Reilly auto parts has a relatively strict inventory control in each store. O uses DMV data by vehicle registration to stock parts in their stores. If the outlying area has a higher percentage of a certain model, they will stock more parts for that vehicle. They will also stock parts whereas the OEM parts have a higher failure rate.
If a part is ordered that is not normally stocked in the store, depending on the internal cost, it will be on report to be scanned in and sent back to the DC the next day. Most backroom parts are sent back via this method.
If a store only stocks 2 seals, and somebody returned 2 the same day. Those seals have a high chance of being sent back. For every extra backroom part not part of the normally inventory, is less inventory value that store carries, so less parts they have.
I've had to order the "rare" nobody can get these parts before. I hated it.
You 100% have a right to be upset with your parts store, the longer the vehicle sits on your lift, the less money you make.
Unfortunately when the system is ran by imperfect people, the processes of that system, thus, are imperfect.
I have driven to other stores, in my personal vehicle to get parts for shops that came in wrong before, or would take to long to get via the internal store transfers.
If a used part came in, and I noticed id reorder call the shop and let them know. Sometimes I would sent a driver, if possible, to get the part. Or I would go get it. If i couldnt, once the 2nd order came in, the shop would be a priority delivery for me.
Frankly, not all associates saw it or worked how I did.
Imperfect people I get but people are outright thieves now. Returning used parts, the wrong part in a new box, keeping some of the hardware and just returning what they don't need. Just crooks plain and simple.
Nice book, bro.
@@DeeGee-mv6eq You can keep scrolling, bro. 🤷♂️
@@joeyk803cI actually liked it fr. 😊
Not improper to call out theft. Well done for doing so.
Same type of thinking, where people believe it's OK to shoplift from a store. It's reached the point where they do it in front of the store employees and they know nothing will happen to them. Our state and federal politicians and lawmakers have brought this on and it needs to stop!
Sadly, Ray, I think it will get worse. I believe in your integrity. Just start having you and the whole team start checking incoming parts. That’s about all one could do. God bless brother 😁👍
Ultimately the blame lies with the thief. A parts store employee somewhere compounded that by not caring enough about their job (or it was an inside job). But yes, the majority of the blame is with the thief who set this all in motion in the first place.
I have been running a small business for nearly 30 years. What people need to realise is the time/opportunity cost of such an event. You order the part, you wait for the part, you discover said problem with part, and then you have to order another one, and meanwhile i now have a roadblock in my work because i planned to finish something, move it out of the way and work on something else. So now not only is my schedule having issues but perhaps multiple customers now have to wait. Domino effect and invariably my small business takes the heat and the cost. Very frustrating.
Rainman Ray.. Man I hate a thief.. They should be called out for doing that.
Working in a dealership parts department, I can tell you that a lot of times the guys doing the selling don't have direct contact with the parts as they arrive to stock. There are shops that will put used parts back in a box and send them back as new. The local city maintenance garage has done it on more than one occasion, we've even had other dealerships try to send stuff back that is open and installed.
Naaw, you're not the bad guy, Ray. It is the jerk who figured he's save a few dollars by returning a used part in a new part box. Now you're out the time and money on this part and a dark cloud has been put on your supplier. Scumbags are everywhere and sooner or later it will catch up with them. Good for you for putting this out there.
Good for you Ray. We all need to bring these things to light so that it stops or that more checks and balances will be put into place to prevent this type of problem. Not just the parts you ordered but for anything people buy.
Any parts store that hands me a part that's been opened or doesn't have an intact manufacture seal, that part is being checked before I accept it.
Yep, I've found oil filters swapped out for cheap ones... And that's just an oil filter.
The vast majority of parts do not come sealed new from the factory. It's just stuff in boxes.
@@Toastybees Yeah, I check the contents of most parts boxes 😂
Cheaper and easier to check immediately than having to return later.
I outright refused a part recently after the clerk handed me a part that was in an oil stained box and that was obviously handled and possibly mounted. I told the clerk that if I pay for a new part it better be new and unused/unopened. He tried to explain that they take back parts all the time due to mistaken orders and they stand by the part. I countered with, if this was your car would you accept a previously used or opened part? He said no I'd be pissed. Case closed.. I got the new part.. An opened and dirty part is used in my opinion.
Ray doesn't get to check every part that comes in to his shop. They drop of a bunch of parts and go. Maybe Ray's not even there.
305th! I have a dealership issue today Ray, my Mercedes S550 is coming up for a service, so I looked up what the service entails, oil change and fluid check,break check,general inspection, at the cost of $600. It just came off warranty so this one was on me. I took it to my mechanic and was told it was going to cost around $100 for same service. I went on line and found out how to rest my service schedule, very simple. They wanted me to buy an extended warranty, but I saw your video about how the dealership and the warranty company are in kahoots to rip off the customer, so I said no. Thanks for the advice, saving me a chunk of money. Roger in Pierre South Dakota
Well done for calling this out. Sadly, I don't think the people that do it will stop, but it might make the parts people check returns better. If nothing else it costs them money and potentially you if you can't finish a job.
I feel your pain, I picked up a 5 quart jug of oil to do my own service and drained out the pan and opened the container only to find it was full of used oil!
Hey ray, you are completely justified in getting mad about it. It is incredibly frustrating like you said to go online or call the store to have them find the part you need, wait two days to get it. All to find out that the part was etheir already used and returned or were the wrong part that someone had bought and then damaged it in the process of trying to install. Then go I don't care, I'm not the one who's going to get the bad part! Has happed to me. And I'll say I didn't handle it with as much grace as you!😅 in my opinion really the only person responsible is the guy that returned the part. I get it!! Things are tuff right now, but your not helping anyone out by doing crap like that!
I agree with you Ray! I do appliance and HVAC repair and I arrived at a custo.ers house with a $200 timer for their dryer to open it and find a used timer! Like you this came from a trusted supplier. This is just wrong in so many ways!
It has happened to me many times before. I was an auto mechanic for 30 plus years. I feel your frustration. I look forward to the van build for the good folks that’s coming
Ray I do understand it really isn't the money this time but the time to make it right is what always gets me in the end I love your channel and I have never commented on any TH-cam ever but I had to today because no matter what I can tell from watching your videos that you have character and it's good from What I have seen please keep it up thank you Bruce peckham
If the parts came from a distribution warehouse it was most likely an employee who switched the parts.
I'm with you Ray, some people just suck.
Good on you. These pricks stealing and ripping of the other guy needs to come to a stop
I agree with you. Like you said, the problem is with the store where the item has been returned.
I bought a couple 5 qt jugs of oil from Walmart. Get home to change oil. 1 of the jugs was used oil. They put the foil over opening somehow and cleaned the jug up. Could tell till I began to pour it out
Typical Walmart story. Clerks don't give a sh-t and just issue the return. At auto part stores I will not accept any part that was previously opened, stained or unwrapped. I paid for NEW parts not someones oopsies, mistakes or down right thievery. The clerks get miffed but I'm not getting burned anymore.
Worked at a parts store for years. We had people trying to returned used parts like seals, head gaskets, bearings and seals. Had some PO'd customers, but it is what it is.
I worked at a lumberyard decades ago. A lady came in with a 5-gallon pail of paint to return. I went around the counter to pick up the pail and the contents shifted when I picked it up. There were BRICKS inside the pail!
Years ago my brother bought a transmission from a reputable shop. It didn’t arrive on the expected delivery date. The crate showed up days later looking like it had been drug through the desert on a chain. He opened it up and found cement blocks and old pillows.
The long and short of it .. don't leave your parts counter without opening the boxes for your own sake. I recall a few years back a channel working on a hemi that got used lifters, and then got back the same lifters that they'd returned earlier.
Quite a few mechanics that upload to TH-cam ran across a similar issue with flat tappet lifters on multiple engines.
Uncle Tony was rebuilding a 60s Mopar 383, his big name cam supplier sent him a set of mismatched, worn out used lifters with a new camshaft. He the reached out to a local parts store for lifters. Every lifter there was used garbage as well.
The Car Wizard had 2 engines that were machine shop rebuilt. New camshafts for both engines. A small block 305 Chevy and a 340 Mopar V8 in a Cherokee. The Mopar camshaft was destroyed by the junk lifters during break-in, which then trashed the bearings and locked the motor up, and cracked the block. He had a backup motor from a junked, rotted out Cherokee that went back to the machine shop. That build got a retrofit roller camshaft. On the Chevy, same issue, but they caught it before failure because the lifters were so worn out that it kept dumping oil pressure and shutting off. That engine also wound up with a retrofit roller camshaft.
The flat tappet issue is they stopped making the lifters in the early 2000s. The Chinese were supposedly reconditioning used lifters, but just repackaged dirty, worn out used ones. No effort made to clean, inspect, regrind, reclean, and reinspect whatsoever.
Most auto repair shops have parts delivered and they are too busy to check inside the boxes for every boxed part that shows up.
Unfortunately there are some folks that can't repair things correctly and they dump their trash (they mis-ordered or damaged) back at the parts supply merchant. Yes- "scum bag", yet so common now. 😥
My mom would be upset with you. She always said "People don't get mad, People get angry". Your premise, however, is 100% correct.
It happens to everyone, I learned my lesson a long time ago and try to check before I leave the store if I notice it's been opened, kind hard to do if you're ordering it and getting it delivered though
5 will get you 10.. It was a customer. We've seen that happen more often in our area where the employee won't even look at the part when it gets returned. I've seen it with brake calipers, alternators.....etc...
"Opps.... I purchased the wrong one, and I need a refund"... The employee (usually a worker barely trained....) won't know to CHECK or care.
I've gotten winged by Rock Auto for the same issue. Thankfully they refunded the seals and bearings on the one order.
Just replied about Rock Auto earlier. Ordered some rotors for a Mercedes. I open the box and the rotors weren't even close to what they should have been. Someone obviously bought two sets of rotors, one cheap for another brand of car and one for a Mercedes. Mounted the Mercedes rotors and returned the cheaper rotors in the Mercedes box. Stole the difference in price. Rock Auto has been getting worse and worse.
As a counterman and now an assistant manager at a parts store, this is why I check every single return I make, and if the box looks opened or damaged, I inspect the parts WTIH the customer, BEFORE the sale. And if I can prove that another store I ordered parts from accepted a used "return" I damn well call them out on it. It's called accountability and pride in your work.
It's not just auto parts. I saw instances online of someone buying a Milwaukee tool from a big box store. Box looked sealed up. Got it home and discovered it was a used and broken tool. They tried taking it back to the store and got no refund for it. Another case was a big TV from Walmart that the customer discovered wasn't even the right one in the box (also used). OPEN your stuff AT THE SERVICE DESK of the store if you can.
Absolutely. The store shouldn’t have to check. Sadly stores need to check and call it out.
Bad behavior should ALWAYS be called out. Kudos. People think 'oh it's just some big company and they can afford the loss', without realizing that they're just raising the prices of their future parts they'll need to buy next time around. They'll then justify the same behavior because parts are even more expensive, and create a vicious circle which always leads to them being able to justify bad behavior.
Back in my day, I've received red boxes old parts too. Not a new thing, but sad that it still happens. I quite understand how you feel, Ray. Those who are talking from the hip probably aren't techs. Just check what you order when received.
You're right Ray, and you never 'lost it' getting mad either. The problem started when someone returned the faulty parts in their boxes, and was compounded by lack of adequate quality control at the parts depot which shipped them back out to new customers. This has cost time and money right down the chain, ultimately making everything more expensive to compensate.
Ray, You Sir have integrity. A commitment to serve and do right for your customer, and so have every right to call out breaks in your supply chain. It is up to those who run that supply chain to maintain their integrity.... And a little publicity of integrity is never bad.
Good job Ray!! Your in the right place to expose these infractions!!
It's shenanigans like this, I checked the short, that end up hurting the business or store selling parts. People will look elsewhere until they get good parts or the parts they actually ordered.
I feel that way. I've had to eat my losses on stuff I've bought in the past.
Having been a professional mechanic for 30+ years. Hell yes, you (Ray) can get mad about it!!
Haven't personally had this happen, or if it did, it's been awhile, but what I HAVE noticed is the in general cheapening of parts from previously "trusted" suppliers. 199K on my wife's Explorer when we bought it, they installed new front hubs/wheel bearings as part of the sale. Those were allegedly Motorcraft parts, sourced from the dealer's own parts stock. If that's the case, why have they failed just over 40K miles later? Both of them, even! I'll be tackling this repair soon but I'm thinking of buying another brand because if the Ford dealer Motorcraft top dollar parts aren't good enough to last a quarter of the distance of the originals, what brand is? Certainly none of the reconstituted garbage on Amazon. Absolutely none of the bargain basement parts store brands. The only thing left is to buy one of the other premium brands, for example Moog ($150) or Timken ($185) I suppose. They cost almost as much as the $250 Ford unit, but if the Ford unit can't last 40K miles before groaning constantly, why pay their price for a subpar part. Subpart? Is that a new term? MAYBE...but the other option is to buy the cheap reconstituted reformed remanufactured rebuilt reconditioned regurgitated parts from overseas. HEAR ME OUT, at least I can afford to replace them FIVE TIMES for the Motorcraft part price, BUT will they last 1/5 as long as the $250 part? Who wants to change wheel bearings every 8000 miles? Not me, although since it's BEEN done now it'll be easier to do this time. Nothing seized together as long as the dealer did a good job and used antiseize where appropriate. If they didn't, I certainly WILL. If the $50 part can last the same 40K miles as the $250 part I'd be happy to change them every 3 years and 15 years from now I'll break even on cash, if a little worse for wear with my labor times.
Aside from working my home garage shop, I work at an auto parts store. We sometimes have new employees that aren't wary of returned parts and don't know/forget to check returned parts before processing them. It's a problem at every parts store. Customers that return installed parts, or even more brazenly, return old used defective parts as a scam to get a free part. I, as well as experienced parts people, check every part returning and being sold. It is sad that we have to do this, but it is what people have made it. I have caught several parts in this condition as I bring these parts off the shelf. I would rather suffer the embarrassment when I initially bring the part off the shelf, than have a customer get home and find a bad part. I have been on the receiving end of that before. I completely understand how the customer feels when that happens. The warehouse doesn't know any better. They can't/don't check every part coming back from the stores as they are supposed to be checked when processing the return. They see a package labelled good and send it back out. In my store, we even check special order packages coming from our hub. A bad part in a box is the fault of nefarious customers and a missed check of the part during processing. So, it's generally a combo of factors that leads to a bad part being sold.
"A bad part in a box is the fault of nefarious customers and a missed check of the part during processing" Not always - it can be the work of a nefarious employee anywhere in the chain of custody - they need a part, steal it, repackage the core, place it back on the shelf so inventory is correct. In the 60's, I worked as a pump jockey at all-night gas station. There were stands at the pumps with rows of motor oil cans. Some of them had punctures on the bottom - an employee was certainly involved in that theft, either for himself or a friend.
@@john_nip_nop I won't deny that doesn't happen either. In my younger days working the pumps. I had seen that happen too.
Hey Ray I am with you. I buy all my parts from my local NAPA parts store, every time I pick up parts my guy opens up the box just to show me and make sure its right
I've stopped buying wiper blades at the usual car parts locations. For the same reason.
Yep happened to me. Bought a set of wipers at Walmart. Opened when I got home and both were used. I take them back and the clerk looks at me like I was the one trying to pull a fast one. Check your returns people before you issue a refund.
I think it shows you're an honest guy. I would be angry. If people keep stealing or swopping parts, the companies just pass the costs onto everyone. So we all pay in the end. Keep up calling them out Ray.
I would have been fuming
I deal with the same issue but it’s with food delivery I get to store and they tell me another driver just picked up order so I have to waste my time to call customer service so someone can eat someone’s lunch there’s been a few times they say I’m the third driver to show up so two other drivers just pass problem to somebody else that’s the mentality of a lot of people now they just care and they will steal anything keep up with the great work the three Amigos
I can totally understand your frustration!!!!!!!
I know a shop that recently got old OE Toyota injectors shrink wrapped in new boxes. They had come from and out of state warehouse for a major parts company. It happens far more than anyone wants to think......
Still agree w. Ray!!!
I've witnessed this same issue here in the UK too. Someone buys the part, fits it, cleans up the old part, puts it in the box and returns it for a refund. Usually happens with expensive parts.
I've seen failed clutches, returned as a 'warranty' failure, that were not of the right manufacturer. An old part, cleaned, returned, re-stocked. Then resold, and the fitter did not realise it was old, fitted it, for it to fail. Old part returned was from a manufacturer never used by that parts supplier. Parts store returns should be carefully checked. Sadly, no expertise, or desire to check.
I can't imagine why someone would think you don't have a right to be pissed. You have a customer's truck tying up your lift and costing you money. Nobody should be called out for voicing their displeasure.
I got got on a box of 4 spark plugs. When I brought back the used plugs, they said it's a good thing I had a commercial account because they wouldn't take them back if I didn't. I told them maybe they need to start checking returns.
Ray, this problem is bigger than you know, this is being done deliberately, parts stores and repair shops are knowingly doing this. Returning used parts and reselling them. I work for a large distributor in Alaska and you would be shocked at what I see. There attitude is this is a billion dollar company, it's nothing to them they will just toss it and move on. But it's the smaller honest business that unfortunately gets some of these returned parts that's having to deal with the shady people returning these used parts. You have kids taking parts back they don't check what they are returning and most are cash sales. If a box is returned that looks unopened they just put it back on the shelf for the next guy to buy. There is no accountability and the people doing this know it. It's the honest people that are getting taken advantage of. Awesome job calling them out on this. More people need to show what's going on. Keep up the awesome work Ray There should be more honest people like you out there....
I've gone through that with Auto Zone they don't check returned parts. So now I open every part box on the store
Spot on, Ray!
When I come across situations like this. My parts store who missed it usually give me rags or shop towels. Which I like a lot and I have no issues or complaints whatsoever when stuff like that happens.
This is why I insist on inspecting every part I buy before I check out. I have been cheated with damaged/returned/defective/used parts a few times. Out west where I worked it was commonly 40 or 50 miles each way to go get the parts. You brought the old part in with you and compared the old with the new side by side.
If they get mad maybe they never been in that situation
Keep up the good work Mr Ray !!!
You are right Ray .
The people selling them should check them if they are returned to make sure they are not damaged...or charge for returns which may help.
We used to get used parts in new boxes at least on a weekly basis.
Same thing happens in the body shop! I’ve gotten “Brand New” headlamps and taillights that were used!!! Someone took the new lights and put the broken used ones back in the box!!! Parts department always accused me lol!!!
Excellent video, Ray.
Ray you said it all.
I have worked for said auto parts chain, in another state,(I broke free about 3 years ago) And sadly yes that happens, but it's not just the DIYer that tries to be sneaky about that. Sometimes it is also a "professional" customer that will attempt this as well. And the store that took it, probably needs better training, as there is a way to return items in said condition and they don't go back into circulation.
Unfortunately, this kind of thing happens far too often here in the UK as well.
I'm with you. Its the fault of the original customer that "returned" the parts and of the store that accepted the return without verifying the contents of the boxes.
You have the right to be angry and call people out sod the negative comments
Years ago I bought a set of boxed 4 spark plugs for my car. When I got home I found that there were four different used plugs in the box. Always have the cashier open the part box before you leave. Or in your case do not accept delivery if possible until checked. What is baffling is you have been in this business for years, this larceny has been happening for years, cut back on the caffeine, take a chill pill before your beautiful wife has to visit you in the hospital due to a heart attack. It could be a lot worse, you could be running a shop in smoggy, crime ridden California. Where you need to wear a bullet proof vest 24/7. Your still our favorite. God bless. 🙏👍😁
I noticed many small parts falling out of the box while still in transit at the post office. Amazon needs to pack the box better so nothing will fall out.
If whichever store accepted the return would just inspect the part before issuing a refund or whatever it would put a cold stop to it. Some store manager probably decided they don't want to lose a customer, trying to keep their numbers (bonus) up.
It happens more than you think my mechanic told me. And ball joints for my car came in and one was used in box. And new shocks wore out in 6 months that was name brand.
I work at Edvance's auto parts so I have personal experience with this. At least 10 different people handled the part in it's journey to you, from the original consumer, to the employee that originally handled the return, to the manager on duty who approved the return, to the employee who put it back on the shelf, to the employee who sold it to you, maybe even the delivery driver. It's hard to place blame. **the more you know**
Seems to me this sort of thing happened in a prior video regarding a steering gear box that was cleaned and repainted, then returned to the parts store, to later be sold to you, when all the while, it was worn out crap !
Just had this same issue with O’Reillys with a 350 dollar ls oil pump someone put a cheap eBay 99 dollar pump in the box glad I was paying attention.
ANOTHER possibility you didn't consider... I once had a return for my wife of unused auto parts from a job I did, and I left the receipt sticking out of the box ready for return. She took those parts AND some boxed-up old parts for return sitting next to the real return item. By the time I noticed she had returned more than I wanted a couple days later when I looked at the credit - the parts were already sent back to distribution and the parts store couldn't track them down... So sometimes there are other reasons - so I've learned NOT to put old parts into the original boxes unless it is for a core refund! Oh, and the latest seal I just purchased cost a LOT more than $17... The front main seal with a new wear sleave cost $180! The dealer wanted $330!!! For one seal!