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US Outside Accessories

So how are you going to keep your new car looking great? See below.

Tires & Wheels - 1010tires.com - the absolute tire and wheel authority
http://www.1010tires.com/

A fantastic site with helpful information, excellent search tools and good customer service offerings. This site is for shoppers in the US and Canada - the appropriate currency will be shown depending on the IP address you are using (I guess that could be a problem if you are visiting one country from the other). Look for the flag in the top right-hand corner of the site.

Pros:
A wide selection of tires and wheels that can be searched in a variety of ways. A comparison of items is available within the search results listing. Items can also be sorted within the results list by a number of different criteria. There are forums and a tech section for any questions you might have or issues you want to discuss with other shoppers. Shopping is secure and you can contact 1010 by a variety of methods including a toll-free phone number.

Cons:
It would be nice if live chat were available on the site to assist shoppers but this is a very small criticism.

AutoAnything: Car, SUV and Truck Accessories
http://www.autoanything.com/

Everything you've ever wanted for your ride -- inside and out. Well-laid out and easy to navigate. Free shipping. Lower price guarantee; good for a full year! This is what e-commerce websites should look like and how they should work.

Pros:
A ton of ways to search from the main page - by vehicle, brand, category and keyword search (top left search box). Remembers your vehicle selection. Helpful customer reviews. Lots of info on site. Secure ordering and toll free help.

Cons:
None!

The Eastwood Company
http://www.eastwoodco.com/

A well done site with lots of items that can be searched for by a variety of methods. I'm not that impressed with how your list of items is displayed but details on individual items are good and there are some neat features within the details screen. Shopping is secure and customer service is adequate.

Pros:
You can find items by searching using the box in the very top, middle area of the page or by category, clearance items, new products etc (links on the left). Details on individual items are good and you can add an item to your wish list, read a customer review of the item or tell a friend about it. There are some great resources in the forum section (Online Restoration Forum) and also in the Tech Library.

Cons:
It would be nice to be able to find items by some additional criteria - such as price range for example. The way that items are displayed is rather cumbersome and a list type format would be easier to navigate - being able to re-sort your list of items would also be very helpful.

Cheap Car Pars - just great parts cheap at CarParts.com
http://www.carparts.com/

You can search by a variety of methods from the main page. The way items are displayed is okay and there is some manipulation allowed (though not much). Shopping is secure and customer service options are adequate.

Pros:
Search by part number or keyword using the search box in the top left hand corner or shop by category, make or brand using the headings on the left. Details on individual items are good and you can re-order the list by price, alphabetically, best selling, specific vehicle results first and by customer review. There is toll free customer service and it's also available in Spanish.

Cons:
It would be nice to be able to compare items you've located to one another. There are no additional pages on this site, such as a 'how to' section or forums, that might be helpful for the parts shopper.

JCWhitney for everything automotive, car, truck, jeep, motorcycle & RV
http://www.jcwhitney.com/

You can search by a variety of methods from the main page. The way items are displayed is okay and there is some manipulation allowed (though not much). Shopping is secure and customer service options are adequate.

Pros:
Search by catalog item number or keyword using the search box in the blue band running across the top of the page just above the main page's graphic. Or you could select one of the categories listed on the left hand side of the page. Details on individual items are good and you can re-order the list by price, best selling, alphabetical, customer reviews or custom fit products first. There is toll free customer service and it's available in both English and Spanish.

Cons:
It would be nice to be able to compare items you've located to one another. There are no additional pages on this site, such as a 'how to' section or forums, that might be helpful for the parts shopper.

TireTrends : Save on tires, wheels, suspension & brakes
http://www.tiretrends.com/

A good site that offers a variety of methods for finding the wheels, tires or other items that are right for you. The method for displaying tires is not that great and can not be manipulated. Details are also not that extensive on individual items. Shopping is secure and there is adequate customer service.

Pros:
You can search for items by four different methods on the right-hand side of the main page or you can use the text 'tire finder' link at the bottom of the page. There is toll free help available. Tires that you find via the main-page search can be re-sorted by manufacturer or price.

A kind of cool feature is the tt test track (accessible from a text link at the bottom of the page). This allows you to put specific wheels and/or tires on your car to see how they'll look in real life.

Cons:
You can't compare items to one another nor are there any forums or much technical help to speak of.

The Official NAPAonline.com E-Commerce Site | Home Page
http://www.napaonline.com/

A good site with a number of search methods available on the main page. The results are displayed effectively and data can be manipulated easily. Details on individual items are good and customer service is adequate.

Pros:
You can search from the main page by specifying your vehicle or use the Keyword search box. You can re-sort the displayed list of items by price, part name or part number. Details on individual items are good and there is toll-free telephone assistance.

Cons:
You can't compare items to each other. There aren't any extra materials on the site that might be useful to a parts shopper.

A.J. Prindle
http://www.ajprindle.com/

A.J. Prindle doesn't sell mufflers, brake pads or tires - rather they sell gadgets, navigation tools and care car and car comfort accessories. This is the place to come if you are looking for something to make a long trip more enjoyable (or perhaps just bearable) or are searching for a gift for someone who spends a lot of time in their vehicle.

Pros:
You can search for items by keyword or item number or use one of the categories on the left. There's toll free and email help. Results can be re-sorted by price or by newest items first. Shopping is secure. There is a helpful gift advisor too.

Cons:
There aren't a lot of the in-depth searching and information tools on this site that there are on other accessory sites - you can't compare items and information on a selected item is quite sparse. There are no forums or tech areas like on other accessory sites - that said, however, the thrust of this site is a bit different. The way items are displayed is rather cumbersome - a list format would be better.

Andy's Auto Sport - Body Kit's and Carbon Fiber Hoods Superstore!
http://www.andysautosport.com/

A good site with a large range of items for sale. Searching is okay but not great and information on individual items could be better. Shopping is secure and customer service seems adequate.

Pros:
You can search by category (tabs across the top) or by indicating your vehicle manufacturer (use the column on the right) or selecting your vehicle (use the box on the left). There's toll free help available, a moderately helpful Learning Center and shopping is secure.

Cons:
Searching could be improved and you can not sort items you have selected (for example sorting by price might be helpful). You can't compare items to other similar items and technical information on items is not extensive.

Truck Accessories - Truck Stuff, SUV & Auto Accessory
http://www.buytruckstuff.com/

A fair number of items for pickup trucks or heavy trucks can be found here. You can drill down via categories and links on the main page but there doesn't seem to be a search function available. Information on individual items is good although better manipulation options would be helpful. Shopping is secure and there is toll free help.

Pros:
You can find items fairly easily by choosing pickup truck or heavy truck on the main page or clicking on one of the category links in the left hand column or further down the main page. Information on individual items is quite complete and you can look at larger images as well as related products. There is a toll-free help number.

Cons:
It would be nice to have a search by brand, keyword or item number/name function on the main page. The way lists of items is displayed is cumbersome and there is no ability to compare items to each other or to re-sort a list of items. There is no additional material on the site that would be of use to shoppers (i.e. 'how to' section, forums).

Sport Wing, spoilers for your car, buy online
http://www.sportwing.com/

A good number of items that are fairly easy to access by a variety of search/drill down methods. Details on individual items are a bit sketchy and there is no ability to manipulate found items. Shopping is secure and there is toll free help.

Pros:
There are quite a few items at this site although most fall in to the category of appearance enhancement rather than practical parts replacement. You can search from the main page by manufacturer (click on the appropriate logo in the center of the page) or use one of the links on the left-hand side. The site offers secure shopping and a toll free help number. They also offer gift certificates if you're not sure what to buy for the car enthusiast in your life.

Cons:
Details on individual items are very minimal and there is no way to re-sort a list of found items or compare one item to another. There are no extras on the site like forums or technical/how to sections - a site like this one could really benefit from a gallery where car owners could show off the enhancements they've made to their vehicles with items they've purchased from the site.

Auto Parts Stores Import Discount Automotive and Car Parts
http://autopartsgiant.com/

You can search by a number of methods from the main page. Presentation of items and amount of detail on individual items could certainly use some work. Shopping is secure and there is help available toll free.

Pros:
As this is a parts' site it is not surprising that you need to specify the vehicle you are looking for parts for with a fair amount of accuracy - this is easily accomplished. You can also begin your search by searching on the categories in the left hand column (under Shop Online) or further down on the page.

Cons:
The amount of information shown on individual items is very poor - there are no pictures, you can't compare items to each other and you can't sort the items displayed. There are no extras on the site - no helpful information, forums or 'tech' area.

Auto Accessories - Car alarms, Euro Tail Lights, Altezza Lights
http://www.slickcar.com/

You can search the hundreds (thousands?) of items on this site by a variety of methods. Unfortunately details on individual items and the ability to manipulate and learn more about items is not as full featured. Shopping is secure and customer service seems adequate. There aren't any special features or helpful information on this site.

Pros:
Search by category (far right), by manufacturer (middle of the page), by using an advanced search (right-hand side between Main and Popular categories), by quick links, price or popular cars (all on the left). Shopping is secure and there is toll free or email help available.

Cons:
You don't get a lot of information on individual items, you can't compare items and item lists can not be sorted. There are no extras on this site to assist or engage the car customizer - no forums, no tech section and no 'how to' area.

Honda Body Parts | Discount Honda Auto Parts
http://www.hondaautobodypartstore.com/

Of course this site is only for those that drive a Honda. There isn't really a search tool on the site - you just drill down based on the type of Honda you drive. Individual item details are sketchy and data can't be manipulated in any way. Shopping is secure and customer service is good.

Pros:
Probably if you are a keen Honda owner/fixer upper this site's bare bones methods of searching and lack of detailed information on individual items will be okay with you. Good customer service offering of 24-hour toll free telephone.

Cons:
No real search method, sketchy details on individual items and no re-sorting or comparison ability. Is it really necessary to have a large website logo watermark partially obscuring each photo - do people really want to steal pictures of Honda fenders and grilles? No additional information on the site for the serious Honda aficionado who might want to fix up their vehicle themselves and see what others have done or ask questions.

Motorbooks.com
http://www.motorbooks.com/

This is another site that doesn't really fit in the accessories category exactly - but where else to put it? If you or someone you love is crazy about Formula 1, NASCAR, restoring old cars or almost any other automotive subject under the sun this is the stie for you. Here you'll find books on almost any car-related topic.

Pros:
Ordering is secure and toll free telephone help is available. There isn't really a great search mechanism in place but you should be able to find if they stock a book that interests you using the search box at the top left of the page or the category links.

Cons:
As this is so different from the other accessory sites I have not assessed its faults (poor search function, lack of detail on individual items) in the same manner.

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