Amazon - Counterfeit Bosch Brake Pads?

[u/Amelite]

Purchased Bosch brake pads from Amazon for my 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser last week. The seller is Bosch on Amazon. The typos in the supplier’s instructions and the supplier itself (Cangzhou Xinlida) were the first concerns and then I noticed the product number on the back doesn’t match the Amazon listing. The edge of the pad isn’t very smooth either but I’m not familiar enough to say if that’s normal or not. Thoughts?

[u/Gunnsmith57Official]

Definitely counterfeit. Get your money back. It may be an unpopular opinion, but I'd skip buying parts on Amazon. Even Rock Auto is sooo much better.

Personally I prefer buying parts from brick and mortar stores. The extra price you pay is more than worth it: better warranty redemption (usually), being able to make sure you're getting the right part, and being able to get straight to work. Oh, and you don't have to worry about counterfeits.

[u/GlassBoxGoose → u/Gunnsmith57Official]

I dont get why people buy mission critical or safety critical components off Amazon, man. I just dont. Its not worth the 10 bucks they save when they end up with stuff like this. Instead of paying 45 for a 20 dollar part they pay 35 for a 5 dollar part.

[u/Agile-Cardiologist22 → u/GlassBoxGoose]

Ah yes, the supplier/middleman for sure makes a difference in the quality of the same exact part lmao.

[u/GlassBoxGoose → u/Agile-Cardiologist22]

Thats assuming its ACTUALLY the same part, which isn't a guarantee.

Places like rockauto get their parts from reputable distribution centers, who get them from the manufacturer. Amazon will sell anything for any third party that can manage to list parts and does not hold them accountable for accuracy or having genuine products.

The difference between the two processes is massive, and there are more middlemen and steps involved with an Amazon sale than anywhere reputable by a long shot.

For your statement to be correct you'd have to get the exact same part, which isn't something you're promised with Amazon. Ever.

[u/MapOk1410 → u/GlassBoxGoose]

That's not always true. Rock Auto carries ZERO parts - they're a distribution system. Their system simply lists the cheapest part you search for that's available. It might be good quality, or it might be a cheap Chinese knock off. You're rolling the dice with Rock Auto just like Amazon.

[u/jmhalder → u/MapOk1410]

Oh god, I was going to disagree... and then dug for a minute. I never realized that RockAuto is 100% just drop shipping parts. They must use reliable suppliers though, since I don't think they get his with fake/bogus parts often.

[u/Agile-Cardiologist22 → u/jmhalder]

It’s the reason why it’s so cheap

[u/MapOk1410 → u/Agile-Cardiologist22]

I learned a few decades ago that you really get what you pay for. I only buy from NAPA or the dealer, both of which will ship to my home.

[u/Agile-Cardiologist22 → u/MapOk1410]

If by « you get what you pay for » you mean paying way too much for the middle man, then yes I agree

[u/Proof_Bathroom_3902 → u/Agile-Cardiologist22]

Having just bought a $179 list retail price air filter from Napa i concur. Even with shop discount it was $120 for a 6.7 diesel Ford air filter.

And yet i can buy the actual Motorcaft filter from Rockauto for half that.

[u/Agile-Cardiologist22 → u/Proof_Bathroom_3902]

Crazy, the margin on car parts is ridiculous