Piston rings thru Amazon???

[Dan Marx]

Rings for GMC V-6 and V-12 engines are difficult to find.  However, here they are listed on Amazon with a

1- 2 month delay. 

http://www.amazon.com/Hastings-2M6306-6-Cylinder-Piston-Ring/dp/B0049N8MI6?SubscriptionId=AKIAIN5HK5BFVBOCQQZQ&tag=weluma-us-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B0049N8MI6&ascsubtag=56b6bf504bf1a5.65985728

 

What are your thought on this.

Thanks

Dan Marx

 

 

 

 

Edited February 7, 2016 by Dan Marx (see edit history)

[RansomEli]

I have purchased auto parts through both eBay and Amazon. With eBay, the quality can be dubious - you really have to be careful.

 

With Amazon, I can check the part manufacturer via other auto part websites to verify quality.  But, what is more important, Amazon offers an excellent return policy (unlike eBay). Amazon will protect you.

 

My past three purchases have been through Amazon. In each case, I verified that the part manufacturer was recommended by other purchasers. In all 3 cases I have been very happy.

 

If there are recommendations/reviews, read them. If not, then feel save in ordering the part, knowing that Amazon will let you return the item if it does not meet your standards (or takes too long to deliver).

[DonMicheletti]

Just go straight to Hastings Ring Manufacturer. They have everything and are really helpful.

[joe_padavano]

Rings for GMC V-6 and V-12 engines are difficult to find.  However, here they are listed on Amazon with a

1- 2 month delay. 

http://www.amazon.com/Hastings-2M6306-6-Cylinder-Piston-Ring/dp/B0049N8MI6?SubscriptionId=AKIAIN5HK5BFVBOCQQZQ&tag=weluma-us-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B0049N8MI6&ascsubtag=56b6bf504bf1a5.65985728

 

What are your thought on this.

Thanks

Dan Marx

 

 

 

Amazon is just a reseller. Actually, in this case it's really just an advertising venue.  It's no different than buying Hastings rings through Summit or JC Whitney.  If you read the ad, the rings are coming from Hastings.  If the price is lower, why WOULDN'T you buy from Amazon?  Just be sure to include shipping costs and any other fees in your price comparison, for a true apples-to-apples.

Edited February 7, 2016 by joe_padavano (see edit history)

[captndan]

Just go straight to Hastings Ring Manufacturer. They have everything and are really helpful.

With something this important I'm not taking any chances just to save a few bucks. To me, saving money, worrying about the quality after the fact, tearing down the engine again, and returning the parts just because I can doesn't make any sense. " Fool me once shame on me" is really a pile of crap!

[joe_padavano]

With something this important I'm not taking any chances just to save a few bucks. To me, saving money, worrying about the quality after the fact, tearing down the engine again, and returning the parts just because I can doesn't make any sense. " Fool me once shame on me" is really a pile of crap!

 

So Hastings rings are only "good" if bought from Hastings?  Other sellers are selling Hastings rings that are not Hastings rings?  I guess by this reasoning, one should only buy groceries directly from the manufacturer, not the supermarket, or plywood directly from Weyerhaeuser and not from Home Depot.

 

Well, your money, your choice.

[60FlatTop]

It is interesting that you don't need to designate std., 020, 040 or other cylinder machining variation. I don't think I'd just put a set in my Amazon cart.

Bernie

[captndan]

For me when an overhaul is warranted I want the best and that starts with the machine shop. I tell the shop that I want the best rings and no mention of brand. The rest is up to the shop. The shop that I use does not sell groceries or plywood. I do not tell the shop to buy the rings from Amazon or any other specific place. Yup, it's my money and I'm not a gambler. In fact the shop I use does not let the customer bring in their own parts unless pre authorized and may void the warranty on their work.

[joe_padavano]

It is interesting that you don't need to designate std., 020, 040 or other cylinder machining variation. I don't think I'd just put a set in my Amazon cart.

Bernie

 

Well, the specific part number in the link the OP provided (Hastings 2M6306) is described by Hastings as a standard size set, so no, there is no need to designate size.  Oversize sets have different part numbers.  Also, Northern Auto Parts, a reseller with which I've done a lot of business, sells the same P/N for $361 vs the $215 at Amazon.

 

Sometimes manufacturers dump overstock or poor-selling products on Amazon (and other sites) at a deep discount to avoid the warehousing and storage costs.  One has to admit that there isn't a big market for GMC V12 parts.  In this case, I would suspect that there is nowhere near the market for standard size ring sets as there is for oversize sets, so perhaps this is a "dump the overstock" situation.  I have previously purchased brand name auto parts from Amazon with no issues (Borg Warner, Edelbrock, etc).  The parts come in factory packaging, usually shipped directly from the manufacturer's warehouse.  Personally I don't have the luxury of spending almost twice as much for the identical part just because I don't like the name of the seller, but others may be fortunate not have this concern. I will spend my money where it does make a difference, like on the quality of the machine shop.