Methow Valley premium?

[sergey]

I had a gas spout break on me, so I stopped by Napa in Twisp and got an EZ Pour brand spot. This little piece of plastic cost me over $20 plus tax. I was taken aback by the price - even the employee looked surprised, so I checked it on Amazon. On Amazon, this exact thing is $10. On Napa's own web site, it was listed for $13.99 (I first checked in Seattle, then set the store to Twisp, the price didn't change). The price on my receipt is $20.99.

Interestingly, NAPA isn't even a franchise. It's a national company. But still, someone here is setting up these crazy prices. I honestly doubt this helps profitability - this is my last visit to this store, unless it's a total emergency. Why are local prices so insane?

Sergey Solyanik
Benson Creek

[Reapward]

End of the line is why.
But perhaps you could see if Napa would match the price you found at the online Napa store? Worth a try.

[farm108]

There's a post a few lines below yours: apartment for rent, $1,350/month. This may be related to the cost of your item.

[DeerStew]

IMO Napa is overpriced everywhere, it's almost like a 'convenience' fee for being able to pick an item up on the spot. They know if a person is going in for parts there's a good chance that person is in a pickle. Not the most ethical business model in my mind. That said, they SHOULD honor a different price listed online, especially if it's listed for that particular store.. a matter of false advertising if not.

[DeerStew]

In fact, just had the same experience today trying to order brake pads. Napa: ~$100 for brand name general duty pads, Online auto parts retailer ~$35 for equivalent quality pads.

[melcooke1951]

An alternate scenario.

Everyone buys cheaper, sometimes of less quality, items online. Local NAPA goes out of business. I don't know how many people work there but these neighbors no longer have a job. Now we get to drive to Omak to get something we need "now" or once again put money in Jeff Bezos' pocket so he can send his girlfriend on an outer space fun trip. More brown trucks running around our neighborhood.

According to Don (KTRT) 13 cents of every dollar spent online comes to the valley. 47 cents of every dollar spent locally stays in the valley.

Your choice of course.

[Slade]

I will shop NAPA if they are close on price, or if I have to have it faster than shipping. They don't sell the junk stuff (ok, "inexpensive") you may find online, so brand matters. Stuff they can't get quickly, or sometimes at all (what can I say, I work on some old cars), gets ordered online. I've found that sometimes I have to go OEM, which is not their forte. Fords and Toyotas can be picky about electrical parts.

Their computer sometimes gets the prices wrong, so I would go back with the receipt and the online price and they should take care of you.

Bob

[jimbo]

As Slade and Mel point out well….paying a little extra is what we should do….so as not to have go to Omak/Wenatchee and spend our $$ at places like Mal-Wart and Home Despot.

Or…even worse…buying on-line.

NAPA is a national brand - but the store here is owned and operated by a long time local.

Supporting local is always better.

[DrewJohnson81]

What's your time worth? Napa is the only auto parts store that you can all but guarantee your parts will fit and be quality every time. Most others are selling parts of dubious quality that you will be replacing more frequently. Not to mention the value of a good parts guy/ gal. They are "unicorns" these days and somehow the twisp Napa is full of them. These folks go above and beyond to help make sure you get the correct parts even if they aren't in the Napa catalog.
Look beyond the price tag to find the true value.