So just thought id quick share this i recently did outer tie rods on my 01 gs300 and needed some fast couldn't order oe parts so went to autozone and bought duralast ones and to my surprise stamped on the tie rod didn't say made in mexico or china but it said made in japan! Ha works for me cheap price good quality and a warranty

 

jdmboyee,

Auto zone now match eBay prices if the seller on eBay offer one or more years of warranty on the part that selling on eBay. I recently bought all 4 O2 sensor, Denso brand. The two motor mount and the transmission in auto zone. The supervisor match the price and better quality than eBay. Auto zone supervisor he told one of the employee at the front me, I prefer match the price and take him money and keep it as close to my as customer, that hi go and purchase online because at the end you and I lose the job for not match those prices that are online. we have to compete with online prices. It makes a lot of sense what the supervisor told the employee and I heard. So, if you need the part faster, go to your auto part and buy that way. BTW, I do not work in Auto Zone, I just want to share this too. :-)

 

Well shoot Mcon, if thats now true, I'll start posting fake ebay listings for all the parts I need at $5 bucks a pop with a forever warranty then go to Autozone and show them that they're $5 bucks and not $400

 

Hahahahahahahaha. Good one Mr Jokster. Thank you for making me laugh.

But is true. My Auto Zone Manager do that for me.

 

You can get anything in the box when you buy store branded parts, they don't manufacture anything they get them from existing manufactures. You lucked out and that store got a batch of what is likely unstamped wholesale moogs. This absolutely does not mean that everyone can run to their local autozone buy duralast tierods and get japan made/moog in the box. It's a crapshoot everytime.

 

Guess it was just your day on the tie rods! Your GS will appreciate the Japanese quality.

I touch off topic but I think Ebay is a crapshoot. According to several books I've read, between 25-50% of the new stuff on Ebay are knock-offs. Fakes, usually made in China, to look just like the original, but often incorporating less expensive materials and engineering practices. Check out China, INC. at the library if you are a reader.

Interesting....

 

I guess now ill open the boxes before purchasing to see whats stamped on the part from now on 😀

 

dde00 ? Lol must not be emoji friendly well try this one