AutoPartsPrime.com review: Incorrect product verification system / fraudulent return policy

AutoPartsPrime.com sells automotive parts that appear to come from OEM sources. Their website will verify if the parts fit your specific vehicle by either providing the VIN or through detailed description of year/make/model/details.

I placed order number AAT05118986 on 11/14/2022. The ordered part is a piece of roof mouldling that was verified by AutoPartsPrime.com to fit a 2017 Toyota Tundra Crew Max cab truck.

Upon opening the package, the part appeared to be an OEM Toyota part and was the same part number verified on the website to fit my truck. After opening the package to install the part, it became apparent the part in fact does not fit a Crew Max cab due to the length of the moulding being quite a bit shorter than the length of the cab. I received this part on 11/21/2022 and filed for a return on 11/22/2022 due to the merchant incorrectly identifying the part to be the correct one.

After several attempts on my part to explain their mistake, AutoPartsPrime.com continues to deny the refund because the packing was opened. Yes, of course the packing was opened. Moulding arrives in semi-rolled condition inside of a plastic bag. You're unable to verify fitment until you unroll the moulding and attempt to install it.

Their return policy is deeply flawed and likely in violation of one or more laws or regulations. If their policy is allowed to stand as-is, then they are allowed to provide a customer incorrect verification that they are purchasing the right part. Once the customer attempts to install the part they were improperly sold, the return is denied because they opened the part. There can be no instance where AutoPartsPrime.com doesn't bear responsibility for baiting a customer into the wrong purchase and then denying the return because it's opened.

This is entirely different than shipping the wrong part number, the customer not realizing the mistake, and opening the wrong part. That would fall under AutoPartsPrime.com's policy of not accepting the return. In this instance, I was shipped the correct part number per their website and opened it. The culpability of AutoPartsPrime.com in this instance is they identified the part as correct fitment for my vehicle, which it is not. This is entirely their fault and constitutes deceitful and fraudulent business practices, and negligence at a minimum.