[samahi72]

When I had to pay $3.00 for a .50 cent flywheel key from the local repair shop, I knew there had to be a cheaper place to buy parts. The cheapest I have found is Tulsa Engine Warehouse. The only bad thing with them is the $8.95 shipping charge. So I try to make it worth while by buying in bulk. If you spend $200.00 with them, shipping is free. I am just a small guy, fixing a few lawnmowers here and there and I can't afford to spend that much on parts just to get free shipping.

Anybody know of a place that has cheap prices AND free shipping?

 

[Brad]

I don't know of any place that would work out, but hey, here's an idea. Get a group of guys together to make a larger order, have it shipped to one guys house, and he splits it up and mails it off to the rest. If 10 guys had a $20 order each, free shipping to one guy, then maybe a couple dollars to mail each of the others stuff out. Just a thought. Maybe you could find some "partners" here and set up an e-mail group to see who is going to need what. Or if someone is ordering $200 worth, just post a note here. Then if anyone needed a .50 cent part they could add to their order. Might help each other out. One thing, this would have to be handled amongst yourselves, as MLMF isn't going to get involved if there are problems between the parties.

 

[junebug1701]

What I hate about these companies is they almost always insist on using UPS ground as the cheapest method. I find that USPS Priority Mail is much cheaper and usually faster. Also, in my area, UPS delivers late, usually after 6 PM. With the regular mail, I get it around 1-2 PM which is much more convenient.

 

[bwdbrn1]

I know some parts at specialty shops can be pricey because they might be specific to a particular model, but I've also found that more generic things can be found at local farm stores. Like in my area, Farm and Fleet is a good place to check. I tend to prefer doing business with a local merchant, but at the same time, I recently found that I could buy a complete new carb for a Honda GCV160, including shipping, from an online dealer for less than my local dealer wanted for the same thing. A member's only parts co-op like Brad suggested might have some merit.

 

[badbart]

I use Pat's Small Engines Plus....just type in PSEP.... good prices and shipping is a little more reasonable. I believe it's $6.99. It was $5.99 but went up.

 

[samahi72]

I use Pat's Small Engines Plus....just type in PSEP.... good prices and shipping is a little more reasonable. I believe it's $6.99. It was $5.99 but went up.

It is now 7.99, so not much difference from Tulsa Engine.

 

[gregg]

Tractor Supply and Napa Auto Parts. The local Napa dealer gave me my own small engines parts manual so I can order the parts over the phone.

 

[Mark / Ohio]

I still support the local people if at all possible even if it means paying more. They could well be paying the same price due to purchasing in small quantities as what you find on the internet. But they have to get something for their own time involved.

 

[bwdbrn1]

I try to buy from local retailers, unless there is a big difference in the price. I've found many items that are quite a lot less through internet retailers, including shipping, than what the local people charge.

 

[tmlong]

If it is a part i need quick,i use J.thomas.Sjipping is pricey,but usually order several items,order it one morning,usually delivered next day.Always have the part i need.

 

[Austen]

I usually always buy all my mower parts at a local lawnmower shop. If their prices are quite a bit higher than what I can get them online for like on Ebay or something, then I'll just buy them over the web instead.

 

[Mark / Ohio]

Anyone besides me have a strange fascination with shipment tracking information when you order something?

To me it's like watching a live demo of capitalism unfold. It's a time line of the American worker. Office workers collecting web orders, accounting and billing departments processing credit card information, warehouse employees pulling orders, packing department boxing up the order for shipment and contacting the shipping company for pickup. Then once on the truck, drivers on the road during the night, depot workers transferring the goods from one truck to another with a common destination area overnight, delivery drivers starting early in the morning traveling to who knows how many houses in a days time.

Complain as we might about manufactures, retailers, the US mail and other shipping companies, given the number of people involved to make it all work no matter how small the order and the fact that most of the time it does work, it is really quite amazing.

Cue the theme song from "Made in America!"

 

[Austen]

Anyone besides me have a strange fascination with shipment tracking information when you order something?

Yeah, just as long as it's updated often. I just don't like it when it gives the status of something like 'at so and so sorting facility' and it's like that for a couple of days without changing.

 

[Mark / Ohio]

.... I just don't like it when it gives the status of something like 'at so and so sorting facility' and it's like that for a couple of days without changing.

My washer kit for the kitchen sink from Kohler has been on route from Chicago Ill. for two days now. Finally it checked in and back out of Grove City Oh. over the last two hours about 20 mile away. Figured it must have been on a trailer layover somewhere in between on Sunday. So looks like it should be still on schedule to arrive tomorrow. It will probably check into Groveport, Oh. in another hour or two which is a couple more miles closer and get loaded on the home delivery truck from there. It left Green Bay, WI early evening on the 7th. (Fed Ex ground)

 

[geogrubb]

If you have a Harbor Freight close you can buy an 80 piece box of assorted for about $8, same with other keys and "O" rings, save a lot of money even if you throw most of them away, I have been using the "O" rings for carbs for several years. Have a good one. Geo

 

[bwdbrn1]

"Anyone besides me have a strange fascination with shipment tracking information when you order something?"

Funny you should say that. I once followed a set of blades all the way to my door. Well actually, my neighbor's door. I had checked in the morning, and UPS reported it was out for delivery. Woo hoo! Later that morning I heard the unmistakable sound of a UPS truck. I happened to be on the computer and checked. Sure enough, it was updated to delivered. I thought it was unusual they didn't ring the door bell, and even more unusual when I didn't find the package at either door. Looked across the street, and there was a long narrow package, like what mower blades would be in, on the front step of the neighbor's house. They get things delivered quite often, so the UPS guy probably went there out of habit. I just walked over and did my own delivery. So, yeah, you're not the only one.

 

[TC]

To Samahi72 and all,
If you want to save a few bucks on mower parts, always start at Amazon.com. I know that this may sound a bit unusual but just give it a try. You can search by part number or desc. and select your supplier from a list of several. The service is excellent and sometimes the shipping is "free" with a $25 order. They will keep you informed as to the status and location of your goods. I do believe that you may find some bargains there.
WTC

 

[user77]

when the local shops dont have my lawnmower parts in stock, try using www.ereplacementparts.com...i've had success with that site and they stock parts for a lot of other power eqipment as well...