Lawn mowers are machines.
Like all machines, over time their parts wear out and need replacing.
In the past, replacement was not always easy.
A lawn mower repair service would often have only limited parts in stock and mower parts for older models were sometimes impossible to find.
The internet has changed all that.
If you know where to look and what to look for, you can easily find the mower parts you need and have them delivered to your door in no time.
The catch is how to find the best mower parts and where to find them.
When you start browsing, you will often see them described in different ways.
One dealer will boast of selling only "genuine OEM parts" while another will say they sell OES or Aftermarket parts.
What's the difference between these? OEM stands for "Original Equipment Manufacturer" while OES stands for "Original Equipment Supplied.
" There is really no difference between the two of these.
In neither case are these usually actually manufactured by the manufacturer, but they are spare mower parts authorized by the manufacturer.
They are parts made specifically for the brand and model and in many cases were actually part of the original equipment on the equipment, since manufacturers outsource the manufacture and supply of their parts.
Aftermarket mower parts are a different kettle of fish.
These are copies or "knock-offs" of original parts made for older machinery.
They are cheaper than OEM parts for a reason: they are made with cheaper materials to less exacting technical standards.
If you're lucky, they will work for awhile, but they usually wear out very fast and need frequent replacement.
If you are looking for mower parts online, start by looking for OEM parts, but don't stop there.
Look carefully at the credentials of the company you are buying from.
Do they or their parent company have a longer established dealership with a physical warehouse in the United States or other country that complies with trademark and copyright laws? This is very important, because anybody can set up a website and start selling online, but they don't necessarily comply with the law.
Another reason why you want to buy from an established dealership is because you know for sure when they say they offer "OEM mower parts" they are telling the truth.
As authorized dealers, these are the only ones they are allowed to sell.
How easy is it to find the mower parts you need at the supplier's website? There are thousands to choose from and if you have to guess, you won't find you're looking for.
They should provide you with an easy to use menu that leads to an exploded diagram of all the parts surrounding the exact one you need, not just a list.
That way you can see what you need and make your decision accordingly.
Finally, find out if you are dealing directly with the supplier.
To shave costs, some online companies outsource their ordering and customer services.
If you have a problem with delivery or questions about what you need, you want to deal directly with trained service personnel, not someone on the other side of the world who may speak English as a second language.
Take these precautions and you can order mower parts online with full confidence.