WTF is going on @Rock Auto?

The Rock has been a solid vendor for me over the past couple of years but two issues recently have me a bit annoyed.
First, my account of three years suddenly disappeared. I order parts usually on a weekly basis, for my own and my clients cars. I went to log in and it wouldn't recognize my user ID and password. So I tried the "forgot password" route and it said the account didn't exist. So I had to create a new account. I used the SAME user ID and password. I thought maybe it would link my order history but no, it's gone. I contacted them twice and they assured me that they would find where it went. They have done nothing. My three years of order history and account has vanished into thin air and "customer service" (in quotes because it's not service) has no intention of fixing it.
Second, I noticed a new tab for "closeouts only" about a week ago. So I was looking in there for items for my truck and saw an AVS hood deflector on clearance for $16.00. What a great deal, so I put it in my cart and went to check out........SHIPPING WAS $38.99!!! So now this "clearance" item is very close the same (regular) price I saw on another site. Total scam.
This gets better. I was on closeouts yesterday for my car and saw Duplicolor touch-up on clearance for $7.00 dollars (which is less than half the price at Auto Zone). Sooo, I put the correct color in my cart and went to check out and shipping was a whopping $16.99!!!!! That's what it costs at Auto Zone, now add the the "clearance item" and I'm paying $7.00 MORE than going to my local store. ANOTHER scam..... how can you justify 17 dollars to ship a tube of touch-up?
These things aren't life or death problems but losing my personal information into thin air, and then overcharging for items in the clearance section via shipping costs really got me to thinking maybe I should spend less money with them and more to my local jobber (who is reliable and a PHONE CALL AWAY if I have a problem).
I never "karen" on anything, I usually will just walk away and never do business again.....chalk it up to experience. However, I felt the need to give my friends on here a heads up and share this. From here on, I am going to be very suspicious dealing with a vendor that I had complete trust in before.

 

I’ve seen similar things on rock auto that are a much better price that anywhere else, but then shipping is somehow ridiculously high for simple items.
Then there has also been other things that are decently priced and shipped fast. No complaints there.
I suppose we just got to pick and choose the parts.

 

Even though your account is gone maybe RA can see your shopping history and is dazzling you with low priced items you already would be likely to buy. Then they make up for the discount in shipping if you don't notice it is no longer a deal.

 

I don't think it is some nefarious scheme. You need to do your homework when you buy stuff, we all know this. I had tremendous trust in RA, but it has somewhat eroded.

 

But you get a magnet. That alone is worth the price of shipping.

 

I got mikes Toyota this last time

 

Those magnets give you mysterious powers if you line them up just perfectly.

 

rockauto has always had insane shipping prices. i don't know why they charge so much for shipping. the discounts aren't even worth it when they charge so much.

 

i didn't even get a magnet with my last order

 

I can vouch for that. My toolbox lid is entirely covered. Suddenly I can do things I couldn't.

 

If you complain they used to send you a couple. I used to think there was a price threshold, but now I'm not so sure.

 

Someone else besides myself has figured out Rock Auto F***ing Sucks!
I only use that website to look up part numbers then search the internet and mostly buy from Amazon sadly. It’s just that Amazon search engine sucks big time that’s why I use RA for part numbers.
I will NEVER ever buy anything else from RA I’ve learned my lesson the hard way…
Go to the BBB of their home state and look at all the complaints‼️ RA is Non-Accredited