carid.com

What is CARiD.com

CARiD.com is an American online retailer that sells aftermarket automotive parts and accessories. (Wikipedia) The company was founded in 2008 (originally under the name Onyx Enterprises Inc.) and is headquartered in Cranbury, New Jersey. (Wikipedia) Over time it expanded to cover a broad range of vehicle parts — anything from maintenance and repair components to upgrades, styling accessories, wheels, lighting, and performance gear. (mycentraljersey.com)

CARiD operates under its parent company ID Auto Inc. (previously called PARTS iD). (Wikipedia) Through its platform it offers a catalog with a very large number of SKUs — reportedly around 17 million — covering a vast array of vehicle makes, models, and aftermarket brands. (Wikipedia)

Their business model is largely “asset-light”: rather than warehousing every product themselves, CARiD sources items via a network of distributors and vendors. (Wikipedia) In many cases, orders are drop-shipped directly from suppliers rather than shipped from CARiD’s own warehouses. (Reddit)

On the front end, CARiD provides online tools aimed at helping customers select correct parts — including “fitment tools” that help match parts to specific vehicle models. (CARiD)

Strengths — What CARiD.com Does Well

  • Huge product selection & wide coverage: With millions of SKUs from thousands of brands, CARiD often offers parts that are hard to find elsewhere — especially for older vehicles or less common models. This makes it a go-to for enthusiasts, customizers, or people doing hard-to-source repairs.

  • Convenient online shopping: Because everything is aggregated in one place with search filters and fitment tools, you don’t need to contact multiple dealers or dealers in different states — you can browse, sort, compare, and order online.

  • Competitive pricing: A variety of brands (aftermarket, OEM-equivalent, private-label) and a large vendor network can lead to good prices and occasional discounts, making some parts significantly cheaper than buying directly from a dealership.

  • Good experience for many users: Plenty of customers report fast shipping, accurate orders, and quality products. On review sites, there are positive reviews of lighting, accessories, replacement parts that fit and work as expected. (SiteJabber)

So, for someone needing a hard-to-find part or looking for a one-stop shop for aftermarket upgrades or maintenance components, CARiD offers convenience and variety.

Weaknesses & Criticisms — What Buyers Should Watch Out For

The reputation of CARiD is mixed. While many users are satisfied, there are recurring complaints.

  • Inconsistent shipping & fulfillment issues: Some reviewers say their orders were delayed, got wrong items, or didn’t arrive at all. Others mention tracking-number problems or misleading “in-stock” listings when the item was actually out of stock. (BBB)

  • Return difficulties & customer service problems: When parts don’t fit or are damaged, some users report difficulties returning them — especially if the product is drop-shipped. In a few cases, returns were denied due to “installed items” or damaged packaging (even when the damage happened during shipping). (BBB)

  • Mixed quality of parts (especially cheaper/aftermarket ones): Because CARiD sells a wide variety — from OEM-equivalent to low-cost aftermarket — quality varies a lot. Some customers mention misfit bumpers or lighting that needs rewiring. (SiteJabber)

  • Business history concerns: The company’s parent (ID Auto / PARTS iD) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2023. (Wikipedia) Some customers worry this could affect operations, customer service, warranty support, or future stock reliability. (jeepcherokeeclub.com)

  • Drop-shipping complications: Because many items are drop-shipped, there can be delays or lack of control over packaging, handling, and shipping. This can result in damage or incorrect parts arriving. (Reddit)

In short: when things work, CARiD can be great — but there’s a real chance of hassles. Especially if you order big, expensive parts (bumpers, wheels, custom body kits), or items requiring exact fitment.

What Changed Recently: Ownership & Financials

The company has had a bit of a turbulent corporate history.

  • As mentioned, CARiD started in 2008 under Onyx Enterprises. (Wikipedia)

  • Onyx later became part of a public company: in 2020 it merged with Legacy Acquisition Corp. via SPAC, rebranding to PARTS iD, Inc. and trading under ticker “ID”. (Wikipedia)

  • Up until December 2023, PARTS iD operated CARiD.com. (Wikipedia)

  • In 2024, a majority stake was purchased by Fifth Star Inc., backed by a $35 million investment. (Wikipedia)

  • The shift raised concerns among buyers: bankruptcy filing under PARTS iD sparked doubts about long-term viability, fulfillment reliability, spare-part availability, after-sales support, etc. (jeepcherokeeclub.com)

Because of that history, many people recommend caution — especially for expensive or rare parts.

Should You Buy from CARiD.com?

It depends on what you need, your tolerance for risk, and how important ease of returns/guarantees is for you.

Good reasons to buy:

  • You need a part that’s hard to find elsewhere (rare model, discontinued OEM, specialty aftermarket).

  • You want a wide selection in one place rather than contacting multiple vendors.

  • Acceptable trade-offs: low-to-mid cost parts, non-critical items, or you're prepared for potential extra effort in checking fitment and returns.

Reasons to be careful / consider alternatives:

  • For high-cost, custom, or critical parts (bumpers, lights, wheels, etc.) — where fit/finish matters and return hassles are a pain.

  • If you need strong guarantees, easy returns, or reliable customer service/support after purchase.

  • Or if you're located outside the U.S.; shipping & logistic issues on drop-ship items can add complications.

If you do proceed, make sure to: double-check fitment using their tools, read reviews carefully, keep photos of incoming packaging, and check return/refund policies before paying.

Key Takeaways

  • CARiD.com is a large online retailer of aftermarket auto parts and accessories, with millions of SKUs across thousands of brands.

  • It operates on an asset-light, drop-ship model; not all inventory is held centrally.

  • Pros: big selection, competitive prices, convenience for hard-to-find or specialty parts.

  • Cons: frequent complaints about shipping delays, wrong or damaged parts, customer-service issues, returns difficulties — especially for users ordering complex or high-value parts.

  • Corporate instability (bankruptcy filing, change of ownership) adds uncertainty about reliability, future stock, and after-sales support.

FAQ

Q: Is CARiD.com legit?
Yes — the company is real, has existed since 2008, and has served thousands of customers. (Wikipedia) But “legit” doesn’t guarantee consistent quality or customer-service across all orders.

Q: Will parts from CARiD fit my vehicle?
They provide fitment tools intended to match parts to specific makes and models. (CARiD) That helps reduce mistakes, but since they resell many aftermarket and third-party parts, there’s still a risk — especially for big components or body parts.

Q: What about customer reviews — good or bad?
Mixed. Many users report positive experiences: timely shipments, good-fit parts, correct orders. (SiteJabber) Others report problems: wrong parts, delays, poor customer service, difficulty returning or refunding items. (BBB)

Q: Should I order expensive parts (wheels, bumpers, etc.) from CARiD?
Approach with caution. Because of variability in quality, shipping, and return hassle, many in enthusiast forums recommend buying critical or expensive parts from specialty dealers or local sellers with better accountability. (CorvetteForum)

Q: Has ownership or corporate changes affected CARiD?
Yes. As of 2023–2024, corporate restructuring (bankruptcy of the parent company PARTS iD; acquisition by Fifth Star) has led to uncertainty about long-term service quality, support, and inventory reliability. (Wikipedia)

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