Yes, they ship from vendor facilities all over the country. They don't own those facilities or set the selling price from them. They do have rules that must be followed unlike eBay.
it is a website with a very nice catalog system. Their home office is a small building with, maybe113 employees another source says 69. If they own any inventory I would be shocked.

 

What is the difference between ACDELCO GOLD and GM Geniune ?

 

Response from RockAuto :

We apologize if the part you received is not what you expected. Sometimes manufacturers buy parts from other manufacturers and re-sell them as their own. In doing so, they declare the quality of the part worthy of their name and stand behind the product with their warranty. We understand that it can be frustrating to find a AcDelco part inside a AcDelco box labeled with 323-1642 which is considered the GM Genuine product. Please understand that we do not have control over manufacturer supply chains.

What I understand is that there is no difference at all. They look visually the same and have the same product description when it comes to testing and they offer the same 24 months warranty ? This is fraud to me.

 

If it's remanufactured the originality is gone.

 

Send it back, order the cheaper one, since they're the same. We have no control over GM or RockAuto.

I agree, you were deceived. But you're not going to get any satisfaction bringing the issue here.

 

I disagree. This topic is legit and everyone who might pay for the expensive parts should know they are being stolen. This should not remain a secret and should be exposed publicly.

As for my options now, I think they do not refund the shipping. Maybe I just return the old one only and take the rebate.

 

Most people know that GM OE and ACDelco are the same thing. When you buy recon parts you never know who did the work, notice the label states "remanufactured FOR ACDElco" not BY ACDelco. Anybody can print boxes and contract with a corporation.

And, I guess I need to say it again; You don't know exactly who you bought from, Rockauto is basically a clearing house, you chose which vendor/facility to buy from.

 

I didn't say it wasn't a legit topic. I just don't think there is much more to say other than this: push them harder. They should not be listing the same part at (significantly) different prices. That you are more than dissatisfied. That you feel deceived.

 

I appreciate the information and support. I asked to be refund the difference between the falsely advertised GM Geniune starter and the ACDELCO GOLD. Let's see.

 

Pretty much just the name.