Which alternator would you buy?

Some of you must know more than I do...

I have a '94 Infiniti Q45 that is seems to need an alternator.  I am considering buying from RockAuto.  Here are the purchase options from $81 to $139

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/infiniti,1994,q45,4.5l+v8,1172797,electrical,alternator+/+generator,2412

How does "core" work with RockAuto?  Do I have to pay shipping again to send back the core?  Am I provided a label or do I have to create my own or source my own return box?  

$103 gets me the No-Namer, Power Select and no core to return. 

$81.79 get me a Remy but on the hook for $70 core.  That is $21 cheaper than the $103 model but if I spend $21 trying to get back my core, what have I saved?  

Hitachi looks maybe a smart move.  I don't know, do they make good Reman'ed alternators???  $136.79 net cost after core.  The AC Delco mentions Mfr: Hitachi.  At $111 am I getting the same $136.79 unit for $111????   Both are $45 core.

Advance auto has the Hitachi unit but it is $238 straight.  No core.  Amazon also has the Hitachi for $220 straight.

Amazon also has a brand called DB Electrical for $80.58, straight or another, Premier Gear for $105.79, straight.

Since Rock Auto will have shipping charges and Amazon is free shipping, the $80.58 DB Electric is "the cheapest" but do I want the cheapest?  

Obi Wan, what should I do?  

Personally, I pay a little extra and get Lifetime Warranty at a local store.  That said, O'Vato Zone had a run of bad Remans.  I think they are better now, but that LT warranty was worth it.

I've bought stuff with a core on Rock Auto.  If I recall, they give you a label, no charge to you.

My question is how hard is it to R&R the alternator? Then decide if you want to do it more than once if you get a cheap one. But even an expensive  lifetime one can fail. 

Do you have a local electrical shop the repairs/rebuilds alternators and such ?

In reply to John Welsh :

Shipping is out of your pocket. Hit the Advance Auto website, they often have a 20% off coupon for online orders - but if a local store has it in stock, you can pay online, get the discount, then drive over & pick it up. 

Reman store brand is 103 at advance if you get the popup to enter your email for 25% off

John, Advance Auto does price matching.

Dr. Hess got me thinking about warranty.  Not the most popular car in the world (but popular in my driveway, ha)  

The Hitachi only offers 1 yr from any source.  Autozone brand and Advance House Brand is LT and they are both $137.    I like Advance I and I do play their on-line order/discount game.  So, like Pat mentioned, Advance House Brand is Lifetime.  The Bosch at Advance is only 90 days.  All the Rock Auto offerings are 1yr including Hitachi except the AC Delco (by Hitachi) which claims 2 yrs.  

Advance: 

$137.99 - 33.25 for 25% - $5 loyalty = $99.74

$41 core and tax makes for $150.24 onto credit card

etifosi said:

John, Advance Auto does price matching.

Will they match RockAuto or Amazon?  

Since every retailer has their own name on their private label, will they match private to private?  

From aa's website:

Advance Auto Parts Price MatchGuarantee. Advance Auto Parts willmatch the price of any identical or comparable product available the same day at any competitor's store or website. If we match an online competitor's price, it must include the shipping charges in the price of the product.

Pete Gossett said:

In reply to John Welsh :

Shipping is out of your pocket. Hit the Advance Auto website, they often have a 20% off coupon for online orders - but if a local store has it in stock, you can pay online, get the discount, then drive over & pick it up. 

So, on Rock's cheapest of $82 the shipping from Rock is $8.99 so it is then logical that it will cost me $8.99 (or more) to send it back so that is $18+ in shipping.  The Advance version neted down to $99.74 with free shipping and drop off at store core.  

The $82 Rock version plus $18 shipping would be $100.  I'll choose Advance.    

etifosi said:

From aa's website:

 

Advance Auto Parts Price MatchGuarantee. Advance Auto Parts willmatch the price of any identical or comparable product available the same day at any competitor's store or website. If we match an online competitor's price, it must include the shipping charges in the price of the product.

Wow.  I did not know!  

Amazon had a free ship (not Prime ship but free/slow ship) for $80.58 and no need to send a core.  It is NEW and all Advance sells is Reman.  I wonder if that would exclude the match?  

I only use carquest remans (also sold thru advanced auto parts stores in kansas city area.)Put it on and forget about it. usually a little more expensive but worth it.

In reply to sanderscharley2 :

Good to know.  What I bought was a Carquest Reman via Advance.