After seeing the numerous advertisements for Rock ...

After seeing the numerous advertisements for Rock Auto on TV, I ended up ordering two engine air filters from Rock Auto. Their prices were much cheaper than any B&M store and even Amazon so that is why I decided to order from them.

The filters arrived about a week later and I went to install them in my car. The first filter fit perfectly as I expected, however when I opened the second box and tried to install, the filter wouldn't fit. I examined the filter closely and noticed the part number on the filter did not match the part number that was on the box it came in. I removed the other filter I had just installed to compare it to the filter that wouldn't fit and I confirmed that both filters were slightly different shapes so of course it would not fit.

I don't know how this could happen unless I got an open box item and Rock Auto misboxed it. My order and receipt confirm I ordered two of the exact same item, so this mistake is all on Rock Auto's end.

I called Customer service and they acknowledged that the part was misboxed. They immediately sent a return label for me to return the incorrect part. They authorized the return and after sending off the incorrect part, I went to my local auto parts store and just bought it from there. It ended up costing $15 more, but at least I know I got the correct part this time. I eventually got my money back for the wrong filter. The shipping was not refunded, but that may have been because I only had to return one filter and the shipping would have been the same had I ordered just one filter. So I won't make a big deal out of that.

When I buy parts, I expect them to be the correct part especially when ordering online. I could understand this if I ordered the wrong part, but I clearly ordered the correct items. I don't understand how a completely different part could be placed in a box that says it s something else. I'm not outraged; just a little irritated how a mistake like this could be made especially when the part number is clearly labeled on the part itself and it doesn't match the part number listed on the outside of the box.

This is my first time ordering from RockAuto, but after this experience, I am very leery of ordering from them again. The saying "You never get a second chance to make a first impression" couldn't be more true in this situation. While the customer service rep was polite, authorized the return and I got a refund, I am very wary of trying RockAuto again in the foreseeable future. Luckily for me it was just an air filter this time. Had it been a more expensive item or one that required a more involved install it could have cost me hundreds of dollars in damage.