[DanielDudley]

There are different tiers of quality for sure. Even so, water pumps and power steering pumps are not rocket science. When I needed a new throttle body assembly for my Sierra, I bought a Hitachi unit, and it has been very good to me for 1/3 the cost. I wouldn't buy URO relays or parts for my 911, but the Feal sensors I bought instead of Bosch have been great.

My beater truck now has 250,000 miles on it. I'm not going to put 600+ dollar axles on it when I can get an axle with the bearing and seal for 130. Those have been fine for the last 10,000 miles. With a cost difference of almost 1200 dollars, it was worth the gamble, since my labor is free, and it is a mornings work.

Some things, like Chinese knockoff alternators are a crap shoot. When the Autozone one died in six months, I took it back and got a better one. None of these items are hard to swap, and online forums can point the way to the better quality/savings. The Napa unit has been fine.

I still often give local vendors a chance for my business, but if they have to order it and mark it up, I will order it myself. Obviously, online forums can steer you away from painful junk.