What's Happening with Sparesbox? Is It Going under?

Laxus350 on 18/12/2022 - 11:16
Last edited 18/12/2022 - 11:25 by 1 other user

To preface: I've made several purchases from Sparesbox in the past few years (usually off eBay, sometimes the website) and the transactions have all been very smooth.

My most recent purchase (25th November 2022), not so much. I bought a pair of brake rotors during Black Friday which was a great deal, about 25% off. Payment was made, feedback left - and now nothing. We're in mid-December and the item hasn't been marked as posted. I opened a case with eBay which is pending (also paid via PayPal).

My issue isn't trying to get the transaction resolved; I'll have no problem getting a refund if that's the last resort. As I'm a sucker for the best price, I bought some additives the other day (Sparesbox eBay) and it clicked that maybe my brake rotors aren't a one-off incident. A quick read of recent Google reviews/eBay feedback shows a lot of people are having issues with their order as of late - lack of communication/unable to contact, delays (2-4 weeks) or non-postage of items etc.

Which begs the question: Is Sparesbox going under? Usually when retailers go quiet and orders aren't being fulfilled/there are major problems, it's a big red flag.

Automotive Sparesbox

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Sparesbox
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Comments

  • brendanm on 18/12/2022 - 11:30

    Sparesbox sucks. They list things that they don't have in stock and can't get. Cancel, buy from someone else, hint - not automotive superstore either.

  • Empharand on 18/12/2022 - 11:32

    @sparesbox What's the deal bucko?

    [Apparently it notified them so let's see if they respond]

  • chuneeperformance on 18/12/2022 - 11:32
    +1

    DBA rotors? I have purchased plenty from them a they don't stock these. It's sent directly from DBA Australia and takes a month atleast… Plenty Times I have purchased and this is the case. Their support is abysmal

    • axus350 on 18/12/2022 - 11:38

      Yep - DBA rotors. Good to know; i won't request a refund as I'd like to get them (even if it is slow)

      I tried my luck with RDA rotors and they've been crap for my car. Warped within 6 months of fitting, machined after 12 months as the shudder was quite severe. Rotor lasted a further 8 months before it warped again.

      • MS Paint on 18/12/2022 - 12:05

        Are you tracking the car or just very spirited driving?

    • Euphemistic on 18/12/2022 - 11:38

      So you are suggesting the sparesbox is a drop shipper?

    • Judojim181 on 03/04/2023 - 20:33

      Sorry to rezd your post 3 + months on. I am in the same boat. Did you eventually get the rotors

  • mksc09 on 18/12/2022 - 12:11

    Seems that you either get the parts quickly or takes a month or 2 with shitty communication

  • dassaur on 18/12/2022 - 13:14

    They are slow but regularly the cheapest for DBA rotors and pads on their specials.

  • USER DC on 18/12/2022 - 13:29

    I got those horsepower (coated) rotors they weren't bad

  • knasty on 18/12/2022 - 16:44

    They sell stuff they don't have in stock. Sometimes their suppliers send it quick, other times it can take many weeks. I've have both experiences and am happy to buy from them for non-urgent items but definitely not if you need something within say the next month.

  • iratepirate on 18/12/2022 - 17:46

    They have moved to a drop ship model and have very little stock themselves.
    If you ask what is taking so long they lie to you then ignore you and then cancel the order.

  • mini2 on 18/12/2022 - 19:21

    I doubt it they’ll be going under, they’re own by Repco’s owners. Sparesbox keep listing stuff they either can’t get or it’s been discontinued by their suppliers.

  • mickyb80 on 31/01/2023 - 18:29

    +1 for them being useless…

    2 weeks since order was placed for a heap of gear and still 'processing' despite a 8 business day delivery. Thats well and truly past.

    Asked for an update after 1 week and had a 'its processing and marked for 8 days delivery'.

    48 hrs since last comms sent and still no reply. Every single time with these guys. Think this will be my last order with them.

    Terrible thats all I got… Worse than a 1 man band drop shipper type of setup… P155 poor effort and CS from Sparesbox…

  • mickyb80 on 02/02/2023 - 16:52

    Just a follow on, results i found interesting.

    Cancelled the order with Sparesbox.
    Went to repco and SCA.
    Had the screen flipped around and found the same parts (varying OEM suppliers) with stock on hand and in most cases when, looking at the options and not just the bits on the web… the parts were actually cheaper!

    Got the call today (less than 24hrs) and while not all parts had arrived, most are now in my hands.

    Seriously, sparesbox. Time to consoder why you cant get things together… sad, super sad…

  • Hackney on 03/02/2023 - 05:47

    I make a lot of purchases from them, but they are hit & miss when it comes to getting the products out.It can take up to a few weeks, other times it is within a week.I put it down to product availability, nothing else.

  • Judojim181 on 03/04/2023 - 20:18

    What a total scam of a company
    Take your cash and give lip service
    DBA rotors were too good to be true
    Digging deep into directors time to knock on their doors

  • Mick88 on 12/04/2023 - 10:56

    They are impossible to contact!!! Online form response is super slow, live chat is offline and their phone goes to an automated messaged and states they don't answer due to covid restrictions. I needed to cancel an order but it was shipped before I got a response. They need to change the website with a cancel order button if they've got no customer service agents to respond in a timely manner

  • wouldntyaliketoknow on 13/04/2023 - 01:32

    This post is 4 months late however:
    They aren't going anywhere. They are owned by GPC Asia Pacific. They same people who own Repco, Motospecs and NAPA.

    In saying that I've had better luck with Rolan

  • Mungulz on 13/04/2023 - 06:29

    I buy from them but typically only on eBay. There's usually a deal or a coupon so it just makes sense to. I've had one or two orders cancelled quickly, stuff seems to come okay otherwise. And eBay has decent buyer protection imo. I wouldn't buy from their website.

  • Hackney on 13/04/2023 - 09:18

    They are certainly not going ‘under’, they can be a bit slow when it comes to getting products out.But other than that I have never had an issue with them.

  • eciuj on 13/04/2023 - 15:43

    I buy from Sparesbox expecting it to be delayed. Just put a reminder in to follow up with them at the original ETA. 99% of the time they'll say it's back ordered and should arrive in x weeks/months. The common items seem to be readily stocked (oil, car wash, grease, coolant). I think it's the less common items (rotors and a K&N panel filter for a Renault in my case) that isn't stocked. A lot of their prices are hard to beat with the eBay 20% off. Not good if you need it urgently though.

    • billadm on 01/07/2023 - 09:36

      I ordered and received in due time a coolant which resulted not to be genuine nor brand new, something like refurbished.
      I immediately complained to them, their automatic reply said they're very busy so it might take time, then I looked online for feedback and I found so many complaints and that sounded the alarm bell.
      Since I paid with PayPal and I was worried by the many complaints and I needed a coolant, I decided to buy it elsewhere.
      Long story short, I was contacted by Sparesbox and the matter was finalised (professionally) in one week, was that because of the PayPal complaint?

  • awdavgds on 14/04/2023 - 19:48

    I thought Sam Young said on his Youtube channel that they'd gone under? Maybe I misunderstood

    • wouldntyaliketoknow on 14/04/2023 - 23:45
      +1

      You mean the bloke that's a s**t for the highest bidder, currently: Fulcrum & Automotive Superstore. Thinks that a dirty moe is enough of a personality replacement…

      • awdavgds on 15/04/2023 - 09:53

        I assume we are talking about the same person so yes?

        • wouldntyaliketoknow on 15/04/2023 - 14:33

          Wouldn't take anything he says as gospel

          • awdavgds on 15/04/2023 - 16:23

            @wouldntyaliketoknow: I have no history to base an opinion of him on. I take it at face value he was stating a fact, if you know more about the fact then Im happy to be corrected.

  • ozeebee on 17/04/2023 - 10:50

    Sparesbox is pretty much a glorified freight forwarder with a pretty website. They sell stock they don’t have to keep costs low. Their business plan is to take your money first and worry about sending it later if they can source the part, all while taking their commission upfront.

  • rooster7777 on 31/05/2023 - 18:05

    A bit late, but highly relevant…. OP posted:

    My most recent purchase (25th November 2022), not so much. I bought a pair of brake rotors during Black Friday which was a great deal, about 25% off. Payment was made, feedback left - and now nothing. We're in mid-December and the item hasn't been marked as posted. I opened a case with eBay which is pending (also paid via PayPal).

    "Payment was made, feedback was left- and now nothing"

    I'm baffled about how some people operate. What is the point of feedback? Clearly to help other buyers form an opinion about a seller's transactions.
    Why the hell do people give feedback before the transaction is complete… giving worse than useless ratings based on their imagination.

    TLDR…. Don't give feedback immediately after you order something, don't give feedback before you receive it (unless it is solely about the lateness of the delivery), don't give feedback after you receive something, before you actually use or test it.
    sheesh…..

  • Bilby s on 04/06/2023 - 09:19

    I’ve bought several times from them and their service is shite. Unresponsive, uncontactable but I got the items at a great price after a few weeks. I suspect it’s a one person business.

  • nwa on 06/06/2023 - 09:40

    Something must have happened at Sparesbox, I've bought from them in the past and they have always been quick to post. Now I buy and order is sitting there for a week which forced me to buy same product elsewhere. I don't think I'll buy from them again even if I don't need it quick as it will be a hassle to keep following up or getting a refund.

    • jorf on 06/06/2023 - 09:51

      They've been doing this for a long time. They sell stock they don't have all the time - you've probably just been lucky in the past.

      I won't buy from them again after they took over a month to send me a windscreen wiper.

  • Euphemistic on 06/06/2023 - 11:45

    Are we now paying for the online ordering discounts? Companies dont stock actual products and just drop ship because it’s ‘cheaper’.

    Bricks and mortar looks good. Yes, you pay a premium but the mostly run on a model of having stock on hand to either pick up or have in store in a day or three.

    Personally, I’ve moved my regular business for pets to the local mob that supply mechanics in town. Almost always have what I want in stock, and if not can get it within 24hrs - assuming I order it before their afternoon cutoff. Online is only for things I want in advance and the part isn’t essential to running the vehicle.

  • skillet on 17/06/2023 - 11:17

    I made an order on the 22 May 2023.

    9 items in total. All showing in stock.

    They split my order into two no idea why.
    First tracking no receive on the 25th May.
    Second tracking no 26th May.

    This is my best experience so far.

    Normally SCA and repco would have my parts ready within a few hours for pickup. I don't mind waiting for Sparesbox as they normally have better pricing on most things. 3 work days dispatch is fine with me.

  • Leadfoot6 on 01/07/2023 - 14:58

    My recent, pleasant experience with Sparesbox here:

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/13904433/redir

    I was very happy with my order.

  • browser on 10/11/2023 - 19:30

    Had good experience with them before, but lately they have gone down hill. Massive delays, zero communication, and don't respond to messages.

    Their poor service is not worth the savings.

    • billadm on 11/11/2023 - 22:30

      It looks like a wide issue lately, Automotive Superstore also tell a lot of BS like 1-3 dispatch time when they do not even have the stuff in stock!

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