Buy Cheap, Buy Twice: Why Buying Cheap Can Cost You More
There are a lot of car parts that you need, but you also need to find a good balance between quality and price. Is it best to buy OEM or aftermarket car parts? Does buying cheap help you save money, or does it pave the way to the high cost of low prices for your vehicle in no time?
When you need to have your car fixed, you can expect to pay a lot of money because of the high cost of auto parts - sometimes, it’s the high price of low prices. The best way for some people to use parts made by the manufacturer, or "OEM."
Then again, many of you resort to buying cheap, like those aftermarket parts. If this is the case, you have to know both the good and bad things about aftermarket parts before buying something you might later regret. The phrase “buy cheap, pay twice” may ring true in the long run. Here are the benefits and disadvantages of buying cheap parts for your vehicle.
What Are Aftermarket Car Parts?
Aftermarket parts do not come from the same company that made your car. Many people think that aftermarket car parts are used or fake parts or that you pay the high cost of low prices in the long run. This isn't truly the case. The original manufacturer does not make aftermarket parts. Still, they may work just as well or even better than the original. This depends on the type of car you have and what you want.
As it turns out, the quality of aftermarket parts has gone a long way over the last few years, and the idea of “buy cheap, buy twice” is defied by many suppliers. Because these options are cheap and efficient, many car owners are starting to choose them.
PROS
As said before, there are both good and bad things about aftermarket parts. It doesn’t always mean that you pay the high price of low prices. On the good side, you have cost, selection, and quality. You might choose to buy aftermarket parts because they are cheaper than OEM parts. Here are some of the benefits of purchasing aftermarket parts for your car.
1. Cost-effective
As a rule, aftermarket parts cost less than OEM parts, but how much you save depends on the parts you buy. Ensure to shop around to find the best deal and figure out how much that part usually costs. It's a good idea to ask about the part's quality if the price seems too good to be true.
2. Quality can be the same as, or even better than, what the manufacturer makes.
You may end up with a better aftermarket part than you expect. The aftermarket companies work to fix the parts that don't work as well as they should. For example, when an automaker makes brake pads, it has to think about how much they will cost, how long they will last, how noisy they will be, and how well they will work. For better performance and a little extra noise, an aftermarket pad may be the best option for you.
3. Multiple Options
There are a lot of companies that make parts for cars that aren't original. People make different parts for different companies. Some specialize in certain parts, and other companies make almost any part you can think of, too. Having a lot of different things to choose from and different prices mean there is more to choose from.
4. Better Availability
Walk into any gas station, auto parts services or shop, or mechanic, and they're likely to have a part for your car. This gives you more places to take your vehicle for service.
CONS
Even though aftermarket parts can be cheaper, have more choices, and are better than original parts, you also need to consider their downside. More specifically, you need to think about how well aftermarket parts work and how long they last, as well as how much they can cost you in the long run. Think about the following and see if it's worth buying cheap parts for your vehicles.
1. Quality Concerns
Many people worry about the quality of car parts because they can be 50 to 60% cheaper than the original parts. Many people don't think about the quality and durability of the generic parts they're about to buy.
Also, manufacturers put more emphasis on quantity than on quality when they make things for people. There aren't any aftermarket parts that are the same for safety or quality. You might find low-quality items or ones that don't work well with your car.
2. Not Approved
Another problem with generic parts is that they aren't certified and don't have to be tested for how well they work. It can also be bad for the car's service warranty if you use parts not made by your car's company.
3. No warranty
When you buy OEM parts from the original manufacturer, they come with a manufacturer's warranty and are charged the correct price. If something happens, you don't have to pay for another one.
They have a limited or no warranty for aftermarket parts that your car's company does not make. The manufacturer won't have to pay for a new one if it breaks while installing it. Pay extra to get another one.
4. It can deteriorate the car's performance.
Bad gear is more likely to have problems, and it can also make your car run less well. This way, you pay the high cost of low prices. Because if you replace your car's original tires with ones made by a third party, they may not be as strong or safe for your vehicle.
The unoriginal fuses in your car's electrical panel may also make your car's battery work less well. There are a lot of manufacturers, especially those who work in countries that make cheap spare parts for vehicles with low-quality materials and techniques. You essentially get what you pay for - buy cheap, pay twice.
Sometimes you don't have a choice, because buying cheap is the only option for you to be able to afford the repairs and replacements at the moment. Thus, you end up paying the high price of low prices.
There are two sides to how good they are when buying cheap aftermarket parts. You can either get high-quality pieces or parts that won't work with your car at all. You should pay close attention because there are many things to choose from, so make sure you get the right one.
However, is it true that if you can afford the more expensive alternative, which is frequently of higher quality, it is superior to the less expensive option? Well, it may be, or it could not be! Below are tips to help you decide.
- Examine each product. Is one more efficient than the other, or is one built better, or comes with better manufacturer aftercare?
- It's worthwhile to compare the two goods side by side. One may be less expensive, but what are the warranty provisions if it fails? Will the manufacturer replace malfunctioning equipment? At the very least, offer you with a replacement while the broken item is being repaired? A broken piece of equipment results in lower output and unhappy consumers.
- Consider how much turnover the equipment is likely to generate. Isn't it true that a higher-quality product would be a worthwhile investment if it has the potential to generate enough income to essentially "pay for itself"?
- Check out the supplier's Google, social media profiles, and website for product reviews. You'll quickly know whether the product has received positive or negative feedback, which will help you make an informed decision.
As a general rule, if you buy a cheaper product, you run the chance of it failing and needing to be replaced sooner.
How Can Flow Media Digital Help You?
While it can be challenging to tell the quality of aftermarket parts at times, OEM parts can be a little risky, too. You might be fixing a broken or worn-out OEM piece, which means there's a good chance you had to start with the piece itself.
If you're not sure if you should use aftermarket parts for your car repair, you might want to get a second opinion about your car and the parts in question:
- Ask a mechanic you know.
- Check out what people are saying on the Internet.
- Investigate the reputation of the aftermarket parts supplier.
People who know a lot about cars should help you find the best parts and pieces for your vehicle, no matter if they're made by the manufacturer or made by a company.
At Flow Media Digital, we can help you through the process and help you make the best choice for your vehicle's or business needs. We understand that this is important to you. Thus, we treat you and your vehicle or business with the best service you deserve. We also offer many extensive services made just for you to help you reach your maximum potential. This way, you can ensure that your car or business stays in tip-top shape.
Book your FREE consultation with us today!
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This depends on a lot of things, such as what part you’re replacing or what quality you are getting. Sometimes, you can do with aftermarket parts, and sometimes, you don’t have a choice at all due to budget. There are so many types and kinds that all you can do is be cautious and picky where you get your aftermarket parts from. It could be worth it, especially if you are getting quality for a cheaper price compared to OEM parts, as long as it works well with your vehicle and it won’t cause problems later on.
One advantage to buying cheap aftermarket parts is that they’re everywhere. They’re usually easily available and can be found from multiple suppliers, you won’t run out of options. You can find them online or even in repair shops; you just have to make sure that you are aware they’re aftermarket parts. And because they’re everywhere, it might be more difficult to discern which supplier is the best to buy from.
