New radiator - experience with the champion offer

[knuckleharley]

13 minutes ago, Mike36 said:

Radiator in my Dodge (not Ram!) pickup needed replaced about 4 years ago. I didn't want a Chinese radiator from O'reilley, so went to NAPA and had to order it. When it arrived, the box said Made in China! Needed the truck so I took it. Mounting holes on one side were fine. Other side had to be redrilled. Bottom hose went on fine, top inlet was off about 2 inches. I now have a piece of wood zip tied beside the hose so it doesn't rub a hole in it. Wonderful Chinese quality. I expected better from NAPA.

Mike,the  thing you need to  understand about NAPA is that with all the discount chain  auto stores opening who advertise Chinese junk at low prices to suck in the "low information consumer" who just wants to patch his car or truck together until he can buy a new one. Because of this NAPA now has at least 3 "quality lines" of parts.  The base line is the one most shops and low-information purchases buy. They buy it because it's cheap,and if it lasts 6 months nobody remembers or knows where it came from..

They also have at least one,and sometimes two "upscale" line of parts for their traditional customers,farmers,trucking companies,restorers,and other people more concerned with fixing something right to avoid down time than they are saving 10 bucks  on a part. These are the quality parts most consumers won't buy because they can buy cheap Chinese crap at Advance/etc. Most of the parts guys at NAPA and every other store you go to today assume you are a "price buyer" like most of their customers,so if you don't ask them for their best part,they aren't going to suggest it.

Don't forget,there are still people  out there driving around every day who still don't know you are supposed to check the oil,or how to do it. They care nothing about the difference in quality because they don't understand there IS a difference. What they are most concerned about is the number at the bottom of the bill,regradless if the bill came from a parts store or a garage they hired to o fix the car. They will buy a new cell phone and pay 600+ bucks for it without blinking,but will scream bloody murder if you try to charge them 100 bucks for a  US made water pump for their car.

This is the world we live in today.

[Mike36]

Thanks Knuckle, I didn't realize they were doing that. I don't remember if I requested an American made rad. or not. Just assumed NAPA would have a quality unit. I'm old enough to remember when they only sold the good stuff. Anyone else notice the low level of automotive knowledge most of the parts counter help possess? It is this just a local phenom ( doubt it ). Recently stopped in the best parts store in my area for 1 3/4 freeze plugs. First question; " what's that off of?  Apparently they have 1 3/4 plugs in several boxes according to vehicle brand. Don't even bother asking for brake adjusting hole plugs, nobody in the store will know what they are. After explaining it to the oldest guy behind the counter, he went in the back, returned about 5 minutes later with a card that had 8 or 10 plugs still on it. I bought em all. Guess that's part of being a old dinosaur, I remember when everybody in my local parts store knew cars top to bottom. Now they don't know what a freeze ( core ) plug is. Ok rant over.