295 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

One thing that I've found Amazon to be amazing on is car parts. I've got a 2013 F-150, and I've ordered the multi-function turn signal stalk, the temperature sensor for the cabin fan speed control, air filters, etc from Amazon, all at substantially less than I can purchase from Canadian Tire or the like. I've no doubt that what I've purchased is made in China, but then many of the stock bits and pieces on any Ford, GM, or Chrysler are also made in China.
So far (knock on wood), no car parts I've purchased from Amazon have given me any grief whatsoever.

Have you tried Rock Auto? I guarantee you it’ll be far cheaper, even with shipping. Add additional parts like air filters, oil filters, wipers (for ridiculously cheap) and the shipping cost becomes negligible per item, and you’re buying quality OEM or quality brand alternatives, not fly by night knock offs.

Just looking at that switch now, Motorcraft is priced at $45CAD on Rock Auto. There’s one variety with additional functions some models may have, priced at $55. That’s legit OEM. There are other cheaper options.

On Amazon, I see only Chinese knock-offs. Canadian Tire won’t sell Motorcraft, usually.

[Mike K.]

Found the part on Amazon, at $82. Rock Auto = $45.

The other variant is $80 on Amazon, $55 on Rock Auto.

[Blair M.]

I'll check out Rock Auto, thanks for the tip Mike.

 

I used to buy Ford's Motocraft windshield wipers for their obvious high quality, but the last Motocraft pair I bought were crap, so I'm looking for a new brand that will last at least one winter.

[Fox]

Looks over at the 100+ rock auto magnets on my desk...  Rock auto is great, no I'm not addicted to rock auto, i swear.... 

 

You need to be a bit careful when selecting parts, use their select for me for lowest cost option.  You pay shipping based on each warehouse, so selecting the same warehouse for the majority of the parts is ideal to reduce costs.

 

That being said, google a discount code, they always have a 5% off coupon you add into the "how did you hear about us box".  313703787276285987 should be a current code.

Edited by Fox, 03 September 2025 - 01:04 PM.

[LJ]

I have had no problems with Dragonfly deliveries, they show up on time and deliver it to the door. They don't drive up my driveway however, so no problems there.

[vortoozo]

I'll check out Rock Auto, thanks for the tip Mike.

 

I used to buy Ford's Motocraft windshield wipers for their obvious high quality, but the last Motocraft pair I bought were crap, so I'm looking for a new brand that will last at least one winter.

 

Bosch Icons are great wipers. Canadian Tire stocks them for about $30 each...  Much less than Amazon / NAPA sell them for.

Whatever you do, stay away from the Michelin ones at Costco. I've had two separate sets of them leave several scratches in my windsheild.

[Mike K.]

Extended life 22” Anco beam wipers C22UB, among the best, are $9.46 on Rock Auto. $30.05 on Amazon, and that’s each. Even Motorcraft OEM wipers are $17.30 each, if you really want to stick to OEM.

You get to truly see the Canadian price disparity when you shop stores like RA. Canadians are facing a calamitous economic situation, when our local retailers online or offline are pricing the same product 2-3x the CAD price of that exact item in the US.

[Sparky]

^ Ya Mustang restoration parts are like that. Gotta be careful.

[Victoria Watcher]

[dasmo]

Haha

[aastra]

I suppose it was inevitable that some bit of advertising somewhere would eventually utilize an offensive phrase or premise. Maybe we should be thankful we had to wait until the year 2025 for it to finally happen.

 

Now if you'll excuse me I need to go ask my doctor for the medication the cute cartoon character was singing and dancing about. I have no idea what that medication is supposed to do, but it sure has a cool space-age name.

[Victoria Watcher]

Christmas is coming and Amazon in Sidney is hiring seasonal staff

 

30 new employees at the Greater Victoria centre will be hired now through December

 

https://www.vicnews....l-staff-8285089

 

 

 

The seasonal hiring campaign comes as Amazon confirms new investments in its compensation and workplace benefits. The company increased its average hourly wage for eligible employees to $24.50 – a 4.3 per cent increase over 2024 – and introduced an Employee Prime Benefit to eligible frontline employees by the end of the year. Frontline Amazon employees working full-time will earn a minimum annual salary of $50,9601.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 05 October 2025 - 12:21 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Amazon acquires Rightbot, adds to Robotics Delivery and Packaging Innovation team

 

 

 

Truck loading and unloading is a task ripe for automation because it is strenuous and happens in all kinds of weather. However, competition is stiff. Amazon.com Inc. has acquired Rightbot Technologies Inc., which developed a robot for unstructured load handling.

 

The companies did not specify the terms of the transaction. Amazon has added a team of Rightbot’s employees to one of its own teams, an Amazon spokesman confirmed today to The Robot Report.

 

“We are always evaluating opportunities to create efficiencies in our operations that ultimately benefit our customers and improve the safety of our employees,” he said. “We are excited to bring a group of innovative team members from Rightbot to Amazon’s Robotics Delivery and Packaging Innovation (RDPI) team and look forward to accomplishing much together.”

 

https://www.therobot...nnovation-team/

 

Several companies have taken a variety of approaches to automating the loading and unloading of containers, trucks, and trailers. Dextrous Robotics shut down in January 2024 after developing a chopstick-like robot.

 

Slip Robotics has built SlipBot, a mobile platform that unloads an entire trailer at once. Mujin and Honeywell have used a mobile conveyor to reach into a truck to pull out boxes. Most truck-unloading robots use suction cups.

 

For instance, Boston Dynamics‘ Stretch uses suction cups and is more stable than its Handle predecessor. Gap, DHL, and Lidl are among Stretch’s users, with DHL ordering more than 1,000 robots.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 09 January 2026 - 01:07 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Amazon stock falls 10% on $200 billion spending forecast, earnings miss

 

https://www.cnbc.com...eport-2025.html

[Mike K.]

Down just about 15% if you include today’s trading.

Tech has been pounded this week. Gather up your chips because there will be an upswing.

[Mike K.]

Amazon is gunning for UPS and FedEx with its new logistics services for business.

Reuters: https://youtu.be/alX...J5Z3O_T9ytQSr9w