PACARs prices are almost criminal.

Yep, that is the only purchase I made at CAT that day, their paint.

Had to go there a couple weeks ago for two thermostats, gaskets, 2 gallons of coolant for $150. Local parts shops were the same exact price though.

 

I replaced both of my hood springs. Funny how they both broke the same year. But they lasted about 1 million miles. They were outrageously priced. I had forgotten about it. I guess I just blocked it out. Truck will possibly have a different owner when they need to be replaced again.

 

This marketing trick has been going on since Ford brought out the Model T. If you aren't selling new vehicles, simply make up the profit loss by jacking up the price of replacement parts. The "will fit" parts industry has been the balancing spring for this for a long time. Problem has always been how to determine quality, especially in this era of Chinese imports. Even OEM parts are suspect these days.
I don't have any great answers other than look far and wide for suppliers and remember the better ones.

 

Need to replace the power steer hose. Dealer was over $200. Went across town and had one made for $35 and it was rated at almost twice the PSI as the dealer hose.

They hose you all day long at the dealers.

 

And in your case, literally.

 

I priced around my area some Donaldson high flow mufflers. The m100463
I called kw dealer and they said call Stewart and Stevenson, they are the distributor for this area.
Stewart wanted $145 plus tax and shipping.
I called truck pro and they could get them for $131 plus tax and shipping.
So why the distributor wants more money when they get them direct?

 

It goes across the board in most cases. When purchasing an all-in-one scanner/printer/copier, went to Best Buy and saw their price, which was about $275 for the one I wanted. My wife, who is (at times) the expert shopper, said she could get it on Amazon for $225 and they advised they would match any price, so we saved that $50. Just went back to get a cartridge for the same printer, $75; asked them to check Amazon and it was $45, so saved another $30. Doesn't hurt to ask anyone if they'll match the better price you found elsewhere.

 

If you consistently use one place for parts you can build a working relationship with the counter guy, they have LOT of leeway in what price they give you.