Marketplace Threatens To Drop CarParts.com Over Competing Platform
CarParts.com is facing the potential loss of a major third-party marketplace sales channel after an unnamed partner threatened to terminate its seller relationship if the automotive parts retailer follows through with plans to launch its own competing marketplace in December.
The company disclosed the threat in its Q3 2026 SEC filing, revealing that it received a letter in October from one of its large marketplace partners claiming the planned launch of CarParts Connect creates a conflict of interest. The filing does not identify the partner or say whether it cited a specific contractual provision, exclusivity agreement or marketplace policy as justification for ending the relationship.
In October 2026, we received a letter from one of our large third-party marketplace partners stating that our planned launch of CarParts Connect creates a conflict of interest and that the partner intends to terminate our seller relationship when that launch occurs.
We value this relationship and expect to spend the coming weeks and months in discussions with the partner to find a mutually acceptable solution. There can be no assurance that these discussions will lead to a resolution on acceptable terms or at all. If the partner terminates our seller relationship, sales through this channel, could decline or cease, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
CarParts Connect, announced October 22, will use technology from Mirakl to operate a third-party marketplace and advertising network, expanding CarParts.com's selection beyond traditional automotive replacement parts to include vehicle accessories, electronics, travel and road-trip essentials, pet products, outdoor equipment and other related categories.
The company is seeking qualified third-party sellers, with the marketplace expected to launch in December. Mirakl will provide the infrastructure for marketplace operations, catalog management, seller payouts and advertising, allowing CarParts.com to generate additional revenue from third-party transactions and retail media.
According to its seller recruitment page, CarParts Connect will generally charge a 15% commission, which may vary by category, with no upfront costs or subscription fees. The company also explicitly advertises "no exclusivity," allowing participating merchants to continue selling through other channels, while limiting the new marketplace to US-based sellers shipping new, authentic products from within the country.
CEO David Meniane said:
CarParts Connect gives our customers more of what they need for their vehicles and their time on the road, from more sellers, in one place they already trust. Mirakl brings the technology and experience to help us build it quickly and grow it the right way.
CarParts.com is working to restore profitability after several difficult quarters, reporting $396.9 million in revenue during the first nine months of 2026, down 7.1% year-over-year, with a $9.3 million net loss. The company has significantly reduced losses through lower advertising expenses, distribution costs and payroll following workforce reductions, but remains heavily dependent on existing third-party marketplaces for sales.
According to the 10-Q, marketplaces including eBay and Amazon accounted for a combined 30.3% of total revenue during the first nine months of 2026, approximately $120.3 million. That was down from 33.9% in the comparable period last year, though the company says it expects third-party marketplaces to continue accounting for a significant portion of its business and warns that losing access or facing substantial cost increases could significantly reduce revenue.
CarParts.com has a substantial and longstanding presence on eBay, including its CarPartsWholesale storefront, established in 2004 with more than 18.7 million lifetime items sold. Its Amazon operations include the AutoPartsGiant seller account offering Garage-Pro and other automotive products.
In January 2026, the company announced an expanded commercial partnership with eBay, making eBay the only third-party marketplace where its proprietary Evan Fischer brand would be available. The agreement was promoted by both companies as an expansion of their longstanding relationship, giving eBay exclusive access to a range of replacement and maintenance parts.
At the time, CarParts.com COO Michael Huffaker said, "For years, eBay has been one of our most valued partners. Designating Evan Fischer as an eBay exclusive brand reinforces our shared commitment to giving customers fast, reliable, and affordable access to the parts they need. This is a strong step for the customers we serve together."
eBay VP and GM of Global Parts & Accessories Jesse Kiefer welcomed the addition of exclusive inventory, saying "With the largest online selection of parts and accessories in the U.S., eBay is where people turn to fix or upgrade their vehicles with confidence. Adding Evan Fischer as an exclusive brand on our marketplace gives shoppers access to even more trusted inventory at great value."
Automotive parts and accessories are a key component of eBay's current growth strategy, with the company identifying Motors Parts & Accessories as its largest Focus Category in its 2024 stockholder letter, generating more than $10 billion in annual global gross merchandise volume with over 700 million live listings. A March 2026 investor presentation continued to highlight Motors as one of its top five categories, which collectively generate more than 80% of eBay's GMV.
eBay has invested heavily in automotive-specific shopping tools, vehicle compatibility data and fitment guarantees. Earlier this year, the company also shut down its standalone myFitment service, ending support for Amazon and other third-party platforms as it moved the acquired technology entirely in-platform through Fitment Plus Auto.
Liz Morton
Amazon also has a substantial automotive business, though the category represents a much smaller portion of its overall ecommerce operations than it does for eBay. CarParts.com already competes with both companies in the retail automotive parts market, explicitly identifying eBay and Amazon as competitors in its SEC filings while acknowledging its dependence on them as distribution channels. The company also warns that increased marketplace sales can reduce profit margins due to additional commissions and operating costs.
Value Added Resource has contacted CarParts.com seeking confirmation of which marketplace partner sent the letter and what contractual or policy basis was cited for the alleged conflict of interest. The company has not responded as of publication.
