1A Auto Vs Rockauto | One Wins On Price, One On Help

This vs That / By

For online auto parts, choose 1A Auto for free shipping and phone help; pick RockAuto for the widest catalog and bargain brands.

Buying car parts online affects more than price—it shapes how fast you finish the job and how smooth the process feels. One brand leans into free standard shipping and easy human help. The other wins by offering a massive catalog with wallet‑friendly options. This guide gives you the quick verdict and the trade‑offs that steer most buyers one way or the other.

In A Nutshell

If you want predictable totals with $0 standard shipping to the lower 48 and a phone line when you need it, go with 1A Auto. If you care most about brand choice and chasing the lowest part price—even if shipping varies by warehouse—RockAuto is the better fit. Both cover returns, but the refund window is longer with 1A Auto.

Side‑By‑Side Specs

Feature 1A Auto RockAuto
Cost $0 standard shipping to lower 48; expedited offered Live shipping quote; fees vary by warehouse mix
Refund Window 60 days for unused items 30 days for unused items
Warranty Limited lifetime on many items; see part page Manufacturer warranty; coverage varies by brand
Help Channels Phone + email; US‑based team Online help portal; no phone line
Shipping Speed (Standard) Typically 3–5 business days Depends on warehouse mix and method
International Orders Not offered; US, AK/HI exceptions with fees Ships worldwide (where allowed)
How‑To Resources Large video library for common jobs Light educational content; newsletter tips
Brand Variety TRQ house brand + OEM/aftermarket picks Extensive economy‑to‑premium range
Core Returns Per‑item instructions; ship back as directed Accepted with original box; ship back per rules
In‑Store Pickup No No

1A Auto — What We Like / What We Don’t Like

✅ What We Like

  • Free standard shipping to the lower 48, which keeps totals predictable on most orders.
  • 60‑day refund window for unused items—useful if a project slips a weekend or two.
  • Phone help available if you’d rather talk through an order or a fitment question.
  • Big library of step‑by‑step videos that make common jobs less stressful.
  • Many items include a limited lifetime warranty, handy for long‑term parts like window regulators or mirrors.

⚠️ What We Don’t Like

  • Return labels for warranty swaps aren’t covered in most cases, which adds a small cost if a part fails.
  • Catalog depth for rare trims and niche European models can be thinner than the giant marketplace rival.
  • International shipping isn’t offered; AK/HI and territories ship with separate fees and timing.

RockAuto — What We Like / What We Don’t Like

✅ What We Like

  • Enormous brand selection per part number, from economy to premium and OE.
  • Frequent closeout deals that can slash the part price on older models.
  • International delivery options for buyers outside the US.
  • Helpful cart cues (truck icons) to reduce shipping boxes and fees on multi‑item orders.

⚠️ What We Don’t Like

  • Refund window is only 30 days for unused parts, so verify fitment soon after delivery.
  • Shipping can add up when items ship from different warehouses; totals vary cart to cart.
  • No phone line; all order changes and issues are handled online.
  • Warranty coverage is set by each brand, and replacements generally don’t include labor.

1A Auto Or RockAuto: Which Fits You Better

Catalog & Fitment

Both sites center their catalog on a vehicle selector, which keeps results focused on parts that match your year, make, model, and options. RockAuto leans into choice—multiple brands per part number, with economy, mid‑tier, and premium lines side by side. That breadth helps price hunters and owners who want a specific supplier name on the box.

1A Auto skews curated. You’ll see the TRQ house line often, along with carefully chosen OEM and aftermarket options. Many of those items ship with a limited lifetime warranty, which makes sense for assemblies you expect to keep for years. If you like a simpler list with fewer near‑duplicates, this style feels less noisy and faster to scan.

Shipping & Delivery

Here’s the split most buyers feel first. 1A Auto lists $0 standard shipping to the contiguous US and shows typical delivery in three to five business days, with faster methods at checkout. That policy applies across the cart, so you’re not juggling extra per‑box fees. If you order before mid‑afternoon on a weekday, same‑day shipment is common.

RockAuto quotes shipping live in the cart. Rates depend on which warehouses your mix of parts comes from, and you’ll often see a chance to reduce boxes by choosing the same brand across items. On larger orders, spending a minute to regroup items can shave dollars off the final total. The site also ships beyond the US where allowed, which helps buyers supporting cars built for other markets.

ℹ️ Good To Know: On RockAuto, the little truck icon marks items that ship from the same warehouse. Matching those icons across your cart can cut extra boxes and trim shipping fees.

Returns & Warranty

Return timing is the big difference. 1A Auto offers a 60‑day refund window for unused items. Installed parts shift to exchange‑only if they’re covered by a limited lifetime warranty, and you’ll generally pay the shipping to send back a failed item for replacement. That’s typical for most online parts sellers and is spelled out clearly on the policy page.

RockAuto’s refund window runs 30 days for unused items. Warranty terms are set by each manufacturer, so coverage length varies; replacements are common, while labor and incidental costs aren’t. The self‑service portal handles returns, order changes, and warranty claims. If you value a longer refund runway because your project timing is unpredictable, weigh that when you compare totals.

Pricing & Packages

There’s no membership on either site. 1A Auto keeps totals predictable by baking in standard shipping for US customers in the lower 48. If you’re the kind of buyer who builds a cart once and checks out, that certainty feels great—your subtotal usually matches your out‑the‑door number unless you add expedited shipping or ship to AK/HI/territories.

RockAuto often shows the lowest part price line by line, which is why so many buyers start there. That said, shipping varies by warehouse mix, so the final number swings more than it does on a $0‑shipping site. The best move is simple: add your zip code early, then nudge brand choices to consolidate boxes when it doesn’t compromise quality.

Help & Ordering Experience

If you prefer a call, 1A Auto lists a number and email for questions around orders and general fit. The site also invests in how‑to content—thousands of videos that reduce second‑guessing once the parts arrive.

RockAuto runs a full self‑serve model: a Help Center for how ordering works, plus an Order Status & Returns page that controls changes, cancellations, and problem reports. It’s quick once you’re used to it, and it’s open around the clock, but there’s no live phone line.

Policy details and exceptions come straight from official pages: see 1A Auto shipping & delivery and RockAuto’s return & warranty help for the fine print.

Price, Value & Ownership

Factor 1A Auto RockAuto
Standard Shipping $0 to contiguous US Live quote in cart
Refund Window (Unused) 60 days 30 days
Warranty Return Shipping Covered No (you ship back) Usually no (brand rules)
International Shipping No Yes, where allowed
How‑To & Guidance Extensive video library Light; brand catalogs & newsletter
Brand Depth Curated list with TRQ focus Very broad—many choices per part

Free standard shipping and a longer refund window tip ownership costs toward 1A Auto. RockAuto’s value shines when you pair a low part price with smart cart building that keeps items in the same warehouse.

Where Each One Wins

Where Each One Wins:
🏆 Shipping Cost — 1A Auto
🏆 Lowest Part Price — RockAuto
🏆 Return Window — 1A Auto
🏆 Brand Variety — RockAuto
🏆 How‑To Help — 1A Auto
🏆 International Orders — RockAuto

Decision Guide

✅ Choose 1A Auto If…

  • You want $0 standard shipping and predictable out‑the‑door totals.
  • You like having a phone line and clear policies when a part doesn’t work out.
  • You prefer a simpler product list and how‑to videos to guide the install.

✅ Choose RockAuto If…

  • You want the broadest brand range and like comparing economy, mid‑tier, and OE.
  • You’re willing to tune your cart to combine warehouses and cut shipping cost.
  • You’re fine handling returns and warranty claims through an online portal.

Where Most DIYers Should Start

If you value a smooth checkout with no shipping surprises, start with 1A Auto. Free standard shipping to the lower 48 and a 60‑day refund window remove stress when projects stretch across weekends. The video library adds confidence, especially for first‑time fixes.

If your top goal is the lowest part price and you don’t mind spending a few extra minutes organizing the cart, RockAuto can be a money saver. Consolidate items by warehouse, watch for closeouts, and your total can undercut most other options. Buyers outside the US also benefit from the site’s international delivery.

Both brands serve US buyers well. Your best pick comes down to how you prefer to shop: predictable all‑in pricing and human help, or a giant catalog tuned for price hunters. Either route can get your vehicle back on the road without drama—just choose the path that fits how you like to buy.

Facts and policies referenced above come from the brands’ official pages, including 1A Auto returns & warranty, 1A Auto shipping & delivery, RockAuto’s return & warranty help, and RockAuto’s ordering & shipping help. Review the part’s own page in your cart for the final warranty terms.