Interesting video on counterfeit parts

I emailed several "Toyota dealers" on eBay and found that despite having a USA "location" on eBay, they were in fact located in Pakistan or the Middle East with a shipping address in the USA. Their prices for "oem Toyota" parts were way lower than anywhere else. So I steered clear of them.

 

Nothing is so expensive as buying cheap junk to save a buck!

 

I buy packs of toyota oil filters from amazon or ebay, where ever its cheapest, they are probably counterfeit, but still better than a Fram anyday
Toyota OEM is a rip off

 

So you spend what, $2 or 3 less to get cheap filters?

 

I think #24 was a reply to #23 (it was quoted).

[edit: so you'd think I'd have noticed #25 was a reply to #21. ]

 

That's a lot different then junk buying from them because it's cheaper.
You actually KNOW it is a REAL Toyota part. Or, at least should be.

With the filters it's easy, Prius filters anyway. The OEM ones are very firm.
The cheap chinese copies are very weak. Then I saw a video about the cheap chinese
copies. So I went to the dealer and purchase one filter, just to see. I pulled it out of the box
and instantly could tell the difference. I bought 4 more.
The difference in 5 filters was $2.00. I threw the other ones away.

Cabin air filters, maybe engine air filters, not at serious. But an engine filter.... I'll spend the
extra quater.

 

That's a lot different then junk buying from them because it's cheaper.
You actually KNOW it is a REAL Toyota part. Or, at least should be.

With the filters it's easy, Prius filters anyway. The OEM ones are very firm.
The cheap chinese copies are very weak. Then I saw a video about the cheap chinese
copies. So I went to the dealer and purchase one filter, just to see. I pulled it out of the box
and instantly could tell the difference. I bought 4 more.
The difference in 5 filters was $2.00. I threw the other ones away.

Cabin air filters, maybe engine air filters, not at serious. But an engine filter.... I'll spend the
extra quater.

 

Huh. Why yes, I guess I was.

 

Ahmed has a follow-up video on counterfeit parts but this one is about OEM parts but buying the wrong one...cost a guy $1,400! Dang...
(2010 Prius) Parts.toyota.com actually lets you find parts without putting in a VIN and it actually listed two parts saying "exact fit" for a $710 Brake Master Cylinder. (It lists two on there but both say exact fit) Ahmed said one fits the base model and the other is for a Prius 5.

 

Ahmed has a follow-up video on counterfeit parts but this one is about OEM parts but buying the wrong one...cost a guy $1,400! Dang...
(2010 Prius) Parts.toyota.com actually lets you find parts without putting in a VIN and it actually listed two parts saying "exact fit" for a $710 Brake Master Cylinder. (It lists two on there but both say exact fit) Ahmed said one fits the base model and the other is for a Prius 5.

 

^ Yeah we've got one of those, 17" rims and fogs. Interesting. Take away from vid: have your VIN typed out, cut-and-paste it in when searching parts. And if site doesn't allow, shop elsewhere.

Addendum: "tried" entering my VIN here:

Search Toyota Parts and Accessories

And Toyota USA says "no vehicle found"...

 

Yep I've been wanting to replace my headlamps in my 2014 Tundra but it has the motorized elevation system on it and most aftermarket websites won't even mention if the part will use the system...very frustrating. I ended up just using a headlight restoration kit on them while the search continues.

 

Maybe only US VIN's work? Toyota Canada has a "parts site", pretty much useless: sells basic maintenance items, no parts database (at least not that I've found yet), and no place to even enter VIN.

 

This has happened many times on brake boosters due to wheel size, year and even model differences (hatchback vs v wagon) especially when people attempt to buy used parts. Typically the housing numbers may be the same adding to the confusion from salvage yards.

 

This is the right approach.

I personally use Lithia's online store and bypass ebay most of the time, for Toyotas at least. Their prices are very competitive. I have been doing business with them for almost 20 years.

 

Have you seen how they are made, even the fake ones are overpriced.
I will also buy spark plugs from Amazon, or whatever parts that do the same job without issue, I have 4 cars, a boat and 2 motorcycles, I buy oil walmart brand, Amazon brand or kirkland brand, whoever has the best price, I change the oil on every vehicle before manufacturers recommendation, thanks Toyota for saying Prius oil is good for 10k, I do 7500 because I drive 100 miles per day all highway, if that was not the case I would only do 5k the most.
I recycle gallons of oil seems like every month, so no I don't buy filters from dealers

 

How much is the price of rice in china?????

 

You guys do about one repair a year on your car. I need to get two done before lunch. Could you imagine all the comebacks I would have if I had to play with aftermarket junk? I would have no time left over to do intake repairs because I'd be spending all my time on comebacks. People always forget what their time is worth