Autodoc - taking the ****?

[S54B32]

morning chaps

just a little rant/enquiry to those of you who use autodoc for bits. I got sick of ECP and the like with their daft "offers". Started using Autodoc last year

...but it seems they've joined the wacky price brigade. I've been building a basket of mostly hard to get bits for a couple of cars, but the prices are different every time I look. Perhaps it's always been like this and I just never noticed. I normally just order the parts and get it done, but I've been adding bits to the basket for a week or so...for example

Brake discs for the daily

• added to basket £25 each
• £30 at the weekend
• now £36??

Is there anywhere left that we can get parts from with stable pricing? Where did this business model come from? Anyone else fed up of it?

[d_a_n1979]

S54B32 said:

morning chaps

just a little rant/enquiry to those of you who use autodoc for bits. I got sick of ECP and the like with their daft "offers". Started using Autodoc last year

...but it seems they've joined the wacky price brigade. I've been building a basket of mostly hard to get bits for a couple of cars, but the prices are different every time I look. Perhaps it's always been like this and I just never noticed. I normally just order the parts and get it done, but I've been adding bits to the basket for a week or so...for example

Brake discs for the daily

• added to basket £25 each
• £30 at the weekend
• now £36??

Is there anywhere left that we can get parts from with stable pricing? Where did this business model come from? Anyone else fed up of it?

Don't use Autodoc; they're another 'bagofdicks' ; prices all over the show (the app is generally better for prices). Their delivery is a pisstake; tracking only ever updates once it's out for delivery to you (so last minute) and they like to stick the wrong things in the right boxes...

Been burned by them a good few times over the last year; will not use them at all now. Had to get my CC company involved both times to force a refund

[liner33]

It’s demand pricing , Amazon do the same , I use autodoc and just keep an eye on the price for a while before ordering , I don’t use the basket though I use the wish list

[sxmwht]

I saw a few of these sorts of companies - disguised as UK companies, they all end up shipping from Germany, and they all use exactly the same website format, so I imagine they are all linked.

I ended up buying the part I needed from a known UK site. Yes, it was more expensive, but it arrived in 2 days vs an unknown duration

[Jhonno]

I use Autodoc all the time. No issues, much cheaper than Euros etc. You just have to allow a week for delivery, so no good in a rush.

They have a different price offer daily.. I just wait for a 36-41% day to order.

[g3org3y]

S54B32 said:

morning chaps

just a little rant/enquiry to those of you who use autodoc for bits. I got sick of ECP and the like with their daft "offers". Started using Autodoc last year

...but it seems they've joined the wacky price brigade. I've been building a basket of mostly hard to get bits for a couple of cars, but the prices are different every time I look. Perhaps it's always been like this and I just never noticed. I normally just order the parts and get it done, but I've been adding bits to the basket for a week or so...for example

Brake discs for the daily

• added to basket £25 each
• £30 at the weekend
• now £36??

Is there anywhere left that we can get parts from with stable pricing? Where did this business model come from? Anyone else fed up of it?

I've started to use eBay. Plenty of big car part suppliers on there and you can get the same OEM stuff as ECP but cheaper (obviously don't buy random cheap Chinese parts).

I check the part I need on RealOEM (BMW) and then search eBay via part number.

Not had any issues so far.

This is only effective if not a rush for parts. Obviously if same day, resort to ECP store/click and collect.

I understand another issue with Autodoc is the delivery time?

[JakeT]

Lots of online retailers tend to do this now which is really painful. I try not to use Euro Wrong Parts but having branches everywhere means they normally have something in stock, or can sort issues if they have any.

I like a smaller motor factors, too. They can have access to some good stuff with proper service.

[JakeT]

g3org3y said:

I've started to use eBay. Plenty of big car part suppliers on there and you can get the same OEM stuff as ECP but cheaper (obviously don't buy random cheap Chinese parts).

I do the same. Auto doc I tried once and cancelled my order. Why are they so insistent I use their app!?

[vikingaero]

I've found with many sites it's better not to add the item to your basket and bookmark the page instead. Once you add to basket the prices seem to go up more often than down.

[Pica-Pica]

In the past I have used RealOEM for BMW part numbers, then ordered off Cooper BMW.
Service spares were quite reasonable. Trim type spares, not so much so.

I once ordered an E36 headlamp from Euro car parts because it was much cheaper than BMW. When I got it it was crap. I managed to fit it but it just looked poor and the adjustment was hard to achieve.

[rxe]

I use Autodoc for “stock” parts - occasionally they have OEM consumable parts that are cheap. For anything where I actually care when it is going to be delivered, I avoid like the plague.

[Court_S]

Autodoc have been ok when I’ve used them, but delivery is frustratingly slow. They’re ok for planned stuff, less so if needed sharpish.

ECP/GSF seem expensive these days although they seem to have constant promotions on. Carparts4less have been good and ironically the stuff I’ve ordered has been dropped off in an ECP van (I’m aware they’re the same company but still made me smile).

[Belle427]

Autodoc for me have been pretty good on the few times I've used them touch wood, delivery times around a week.
I'd agree that the sales are annoying but I still buy all my service bits from car parts 4 less.

[S54B32]

interesting replies cheers, I have ordered bits from eBay before with half decent results. One recently annoyed me a bit though, car parts in motion they are called.

400k ebay feedback, 2 million active listings...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/carpartsinmotion/m.html...

I ordered some parts from there with the next day delivery option ticked. Needed them for a trackday 2 days later, they took 3 days to arrive (Tues > Friday).

Definitely just a reseller who orders the stock from elsewhere, but I have got many parts from there before with the eBay 10/15/20% off deals.

Glad to see a few of you are team FU autodoc

[Limpet]

Court_S said:

ECP/GSF seem expensive these days although they seem to have constant promotions on. Carparts4less have been good and ironically the stuff I’ve ordered has been dropped off in an ECP van (I’m aware they’re the same company but still made me smile).

Always fun flitting between ECP and CP4L and seeing which one, combined with whatever promotion they have on that day, comes out cheaper for an identical order. I've had differences from a few pence to more than a tenner.

I won't use Autodoc due to the slow delivery, and too many horror stories of wrong bits turning up, and the return process being a nightmare.

[Taita]

Wish I had seen this thread before ordering some track rod ends / drop links

Courier updates from Autodoc are crap.

[sxmwht]

vikingaero said:

I've found with many sites it's better not to add the item to your basket and bookmark the page instead. Once you add to basket the prices seem to go up more often than down.

You need to use porn mode

[g3org3y]

S54B32 said:

interesting replies cheers, I have ordered bits from eBay before with half decent results. One recently annoyed me a bit though, car parts in motion they are called.

400k ebay feedback, 2 million active listings...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/carpartsinmotion/m.html...

I ordered some parts from there with the next day delivery option ticked. Needed them for a trackday 2 days later, they took 3 days to arrive (Tues > Friday).

Definitely just a reseller who orders the stock from elsewhere, but I have got many parts from there before with the eBay 10/15/20% off deals.

Glad to see a few of you are team FU autodoc

I've actually ordered quite a lot of stuff from them, one of the cheapest around. But TBF, I've never been under time pressure so delivery not an issue.

As I mentioned, if I know I need the stuff urgently, I'll just crack on with ECP. Been caught out before waiting for bits to arrive from various places.

[Krikkit]

g3org3y said:

I've actually ordered quite a lot of stuff from them, one of the cheapest around. But TBF, I've never been under time pressure so delivery not an issue.

As I mentioned, if I know I need the stuff urgently, I'll just crack on with ECP. Been caught out before waiting for bits to arrive from various places.

Me too! They usually carry pretty much the whole Febi catalogue, which is a great balance between price/quality for things like gaskets etc.

If I'm desperate I always go to Euros. I've tried a few of my local factors but they never offer anything but the absolute cheapest crap like Moog and Firstline, then roll their eyes if you ask about special orders.

[anonymous-user]

I just buy everything on eBay now, with some of the prices I just don't know how they can even make a profit.

Set of genuine Bosch glow plugs, £23 delivered
Set of rear brake discs that ECP wanted £120 for, £45 delivered and got them next day
Brake pads £10 delivered
Genuine Renault air filter for a Megane, £4.50 delivered.
5 liters of 0w40 Mannol oil £27 delivered
Genuine Renault Diesel Filter £17 delivered

Never had a single issue although I do my investigation before I order.