Start-up FrugalMechanic.com, an online product search engine for auto parts, received seed funding for an undisclosed amount from Seattle venture capital firm Founder’s Co-Op. The fund typically invests between $250,000 to $500,00 in start-ups.
FrugalMechanic, like a Froogle for auto parts, has gained a niche following of mechanics and consumers as a nifty price comparison tool in the auto market. Founded in July of 2008, the site doubled traffic from December 2008 to January 2009 and boasts over 5 million auto parts from 50 retailers. In an economy where everyone is looking for a deal, FrugalMechanic’s growth isn’t surprising. And when cash and credit are tight, consumers may be looking to repair cars with new auto parts instead of buying new cars.
FrugalMechanic plans to use the funding add new consumer-friendly features to the site as well and to offer a greater selection of parts by adding new categories. In an efforts to cross-brand the site, FrugalMechanic recently partnered with CarDomain.com to allow automotive enthusiasts an e-commerce solution to searching for parts on their own sites.
Here’s a screen shot:
I saw these guys at the npost.com demo even last year and I’m very excited for them. Great CEO and great idea.
Finally! A start-up that has a good shot at success.
They are frugal with the fundraising, address an important niche, and have countless monetization opportunities for their traffic.
The service seems very useful and addresses a real need, especially in a time when people are cutting back on spending and looking for ways to save money. I can’t say the same for many other start-ups that get written up here and raise millions in funding.
Thanks for the kind remarks so far.
Regards,
Eric
President & Co-Founder FrugalMechanic.com
nice site…just bought some parts. it better arrive on time !
Woo-hoo! Eric
50 stores my ass. Every time you search, it just returns results from Amazon.
also from the looks of it, these guys are just about to be sued by Nintendo for infringing on their Mario trademark
This is a great site, everyone should use it
Excellent website and some of the best prices I have found for parts for my cars. It is really nice to be able to compare prices so easily.
Some of these comments sound fake.
This is the best site ever. Anyone who doesn’t use the site to check prices is doing themselves a disfavor.
This is a great investment, the company is going places.
Good site. One of the few covered by Techcrunch. Covers a tight niche. provides a useful service. What not to like?
It’s a me, a Mechanico. Let’s a rescue the princess with a my big a tool.
You best believe there’s gonna b some competition.
AutomotiveLocator.com – drive yourself
Typo. Fund range should be $500,000 and not $500,00 .
Finally, some great recognition for a truly innovative startup. Looking forward to hearing more about these guys.
Its a big market and they have been very smart about organizing their data for the search engines. Check out the recently quoted market sizes from US Auto Parts.
Yup, most of these comments are definitely fake. Idiots.