The way it worked some 30+ years ago was…A independent would buy the part from NAPA (or who-ever) at a DISCOUNTED price you and I could NOT get. Then they’d mark up the price and the final price usually was close to what you and I would pay if we walked in off the street to buy. I know many independents still get this discount…but from what I’ve seen recently in this forum…either
A) The discount is no where near what it use to be…OR
B) Some independents are now marking up the price some 50 to 100%…
Many independents will let you supply the parts. They won’t guarantee the part, but they’ll guarantee the labor.