USPS Deliveries - RockAuto....You Have Been Warned!
Discussion
Just wondered if any of you have had any experience of ordering any larger items through RockAuto. I recently ordered a rad and some new pipework and had them send it via USPS (Basically the US postal service) What a joke. They tried to deliver it once and since them haven't bothered to update where the parts are, what they are doing with them or when they might or might not redeliver them.
Now this I hasten to add, is nothing to do with Rock Auto to be fair and they have been very helpful. This is a warning to those of you ordering parts and having them shipped by USPS. The website for USPS is at best useless unless you live in the states. International customers can't find out where anything is other than the rubbish tracking info given so its basically no use to anyone outside the US.
So now RockAuto are assuming parts might be lost. That said perhaps the issue is our bungling postal service as I guess they get Parcelfarce to deal with it our end. So at this stage who knows if I will ever see my parts...thank god it's not a daily driver.
Let's see if they find them down the back of the sofa they lost them down in the distribution depot and I get them some point before Xmas....
Now this I hasten to add, is nothing to do with Rock Auto to be fair and they have been very helpful. This is a warning to those of you ordering parts and having them shipped by USPS. The website for USPS is at best useless unless you live in the states. International customers can't find out where anything is other than the rubbish tracking info given so its basically no use to anyone outside the US.
So now RockAuto are assuming parts might be lost. That said perhaps the issue is our bungling postal service as I guess they get Parcelfarce to deal with it our end. So at this stage who knows if I will ever see my parts...thank god it's not a daily driver.
Let's see if they find them down the back of the sofa they lost them down in the distribution depot and I get them some point before Xmas....

Once they hit the uk they are normally handed over to a uk service like royal mail so usps will no longer be tracking them
Have you tried tracking them via
https://m.17track.net/en
Have you tried tracking them via
https://m.17track.net/en
USPS have always used Parcel Force in the UK, and the tracking has never worked.
And they will also charge around a £13 handling fee on most stuff, as well as the customs prices.
And can be quite slow.....rarely is it the best option.
Previously I would have recommended FedEx, however the last few shipments I got via them, they've f
ked up the import duty costs, by literally making up numbers. I'm still fighting with them at the minute over 3 months later.
Used to be UPS were the worst for this BS...but seems they arent the only untrustworthy fraudulent f
kers.
And they will also charge around a £13 handling fee on most stuff, as well as the customs prices.
And can be quite slow.....rarely is it the best option.
Previously I would have recommended FedEx, however the last few shipments I got via them, they've f

Used to be UPS were the worst for this BS...but seems they arent the only untrustworthy fraudulent f

L2VXR said:
Once they hit the uk they are normally handed over to a uk service like royal mail so usps will no longer be tracking them
Have you tried tracking them via
https://m.17track.net/en
A massive thank you sir. I put the details into that link you said and lo and behold...awaiting payment of customs charges. Yet as yet no letter asking me to pay any charges...typical. I've been here before. Thanks fella, at least I know now. Top work Have you tried tracking them via
https://m.17track.net/en

SturdyHSV said:
Just as a counter I've still had nothing but good results from the FedEx 3 business days option, it's remarkable how quickly stuff gets here all things considered, and at least makes the shipping costs feel a little bit like value for money!
Until a few months ago I'd always have said FedEx were superb.Now I'd be telling people to avoid them. I've had about 4 items from them this year...and 3 of them they f

This most recent was $199 plus $38 postage...and they deiced to charge on $199 plus £95 postage.
Like WTF, they genuinely just made that s

UPS pulled the same stunt a few years ago. Something I paid £50 to ship...then they made up a shipping cost of £400 and added it to the duty calcs !
Surprising to hear you've been having such consistent problems stevie, although presumably you order more often than myself.
I'd say this has been an unusually busy year for me rock auto parts wise, cam swap meant gaskets / bolts / new connector as I broke one / new set of OEM style valve stem seals, so a few orders and always zero problems and bloody good delivery times.
My most recent order was made on Saturday at 10:45 in the morning and it arrived 45 minutes ago so I'm pleased with that
On topic I'd agree the USPS option is only to be used if time isn't a factor, last time that was used I just went and collected it from parcel farce in MK, could pay the charges then and there too so that saved paying them then waiting for that to be processed and then the stuff to have a delivery arranged and then me missing it and then having to go collect it anyway...
I'd say this has been an unusually busy year for me rock auto parts wise, cam swap meant gaskets / bolts / new connector as I broke one / new set of OEM style valve stem seals, so a few orders and always zero problems and bloody good delivery times.
My most recent order was made on Saturday at 10:45 in the morning and it arrived 45 minutes ago so I'm pleased with that

On topic I'd agree the USPS option is only to be used if time isn't a factor, last time that was used I just went and collected it from parcel farce in MK, could pay the charges then and there too so that saved paying them then waiting for that to be processed and then the stuff to have a delivery arranged and then me missing it and then having to go collect it anyway...
stevieturbo said:
SturdyHSV said:
Just as a counter I've still had nothing but good results from the FedEx 3 business days option, it's remarkable how quickly stuff gets here all things considered, and at least makes the shipping costs feel a little bit like value for money!
Until a few months ago I'd always have said FedEx were superb.Now I'd be telling people to avoid them. I've had about 4 items from them this year...and 3 of them they f

This most recent was $199 plus $38 postage...and they deiced to charge on $199 plus £95 postage.
Like WTF, they genuinely just made that s

UPS pulled the same stunt a few years ago. Something I paid £50 to ship...then they made up a shipping cost of £400 and added it to the duty calcs !
I have used Fed Ex since however!
I’ve had good experiences with Summit and the eBay global shipping program this year. Both enable you to pay customs and duty at checkout meaning no nasty surprises. Summit use UPS in the UK, eBay goes to Yodel. Neither were particularly quick but both delivered within their advised delivery windows. eBay delivery cost were surprisingly cheap.
I should add my problems were not with parts supplied from RockAuto. I've only ever sued RockAuto once and the transaction was perfectly smooth.
It was with other sellers, Summit included. But the issue is not with the seller, it's FedEx ( and previously UPS's ) utter incompetence and fraudulent activity.
until this year really, FedEx service had always been first class. Now it is utter rubbish.
It was with other sellers, Summit included. But the issue is not with the seller, it's FedEx ( and previously UPS's ) utter incompetence and fraudulent activity.
until this year really, FedEx service had always been first class. Now it is utter rubbish.
stevieturbo said:
I should add my problems were not with parts supplied from RockAuto. I've only ever sued RockAuto once and the transaction was perfectly smooth.
It was with other sellers, Summit included. But the issue is not with the seller, it's FedEx ( and previously UPS's ) utter incompetence and fraudulent activity.
until this year really, FedEx service had always been first class. Now it is utter rubbish.
Sued? It was with other sellers, Summit included. But the issue is not with the seller, it's FedEx ( and previously UPS's ) utter incompetence and fraudulent activity.
until this year really, FedEx service had always been first class. Now it is utter rubbish.

99PBATR said:
A massive thank you sir. I put the details into that link you said and lo and behold...awaiting payment of customs charges. Yet as yet no letter asking me to pay any charges...typical. I've been here before. Thanks fella, at least I know now. Top work 
Once the shipment arrives in the UK, the process is remarkably slow. Eventually, you'll get a snail mail letter from Parcelforce requiring you to pay (on line) their charges (VAT, customs and handling).
Payment will then release the shipment and it will then proceed through the normal UK delivery route.
We've waited more than a week to receive a US parcel once it has landed in the UK. Paying the charges up front (expedited service as offered by Summit etc) is usually far quicker.
Just make sure you choose the option where you pay customs fee up front, still FedEx but it's often a few quid more; more than saved by not paying a handling fee! You'll get the item super fast that way too as there's no hold up. You'll know you've chosen the right option as the customs fee comes up on the screen before payment!
Gassing Station | HSV & Monaro | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff