How to buy genuine car parts – 5 effective tips
How many times have you purchased an auto part only to realize that it lacks some significant features or has some minor imperfections, which could have been prevented had you been more aware? Well, you are not alone. We all have been in such a situation at least once.
And one industry that has experienced a drastic and rapid change with the growth and advent of online shopping is the auto-parts industry.
Irrespective of how uncomplicated our lives have become with the internet, auto parts should never be purchased on a whim as it can lead to wastage of time, money, and effort.
Therefore, we discuss four important tips on buying genuine car parts so that you can make an informed decision.
1. Check What You Need
Firstly, you need to prepare a list of all parts that are required and their quantity. Only include those parts that are an absolute necessity and will impact your car’s performance if not purchased.
You’re planning to replace the AC condenser of your car, first check what other supporting components (hoses, pipes, etc.) are required for the condenser installation and then order all the components accordingly. Having a list also helps cut down on unnecessary purchases.
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2. Research
Research without groundwork is ineffective. Once you have decided what parts you require, start researching about these components to check whether options from other reputed brands are available or not.
Various factors to look for can be the price difference, whether buying online is more economical than offline, etc. You can also connect with the authorized service station or local spare parts distributors to check if they have what you need. Make sure to compare different brands’ prices and ensure the part is compatible with your car.
3. OEM Part Numbers3
Before you purchase any spare parts, the most significant thing is to verify the component’s genuineness, and whether it is in a proper working condition or not, or if it meets your requirements.
The best way to distinguish between genuine and fake components is to cross-reference with the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) website. For example, if you have browsed through a website for buying Toyota Parts and shortlisted a product, cross-verify it from the OEM website. If you find the same product there, that means the product is genuine.
You could also browse through the user manual to check for its genuineness. Remember to check the component details (like the part number), compatibility information, description, etc.
Also, be wary of any heavy discount on a component. There might be chances that the component is fake or faulty. Usually, in such cases, it is just a merchant trying to clear the existing stock.
4. Check for Installation services
The final step in this process is the installation part.
You can save a great deal on part installation if you know how to use a wrench, but some parts require technical knowledge and specific equipment or professional tuning.
Hence, you must choose a parts seller that offers you installation services as well. If you’re buying auto parts online, then check if the vendor has a presence near you; if not, then check if the vendor sends an expert from the company. The vendor can also engage its local partners who could assign a technician to install your recently bought part.
Conclusion
Buying auto parts in haste will increase the chances of a bad decision, along with the wastage of time, effort, and money. Therefore, understanding the four tips mentioned in this article will save you from a lot of hassles while buying auto parts online. Keep these suggestions in mind, and you’ll never have to worry about buying auto parts online, ever!
