Stock v. OEM v. Aftermarket?

[max magraw]

As I go along through these boards for the last few years, I have yet to clearly define what each of these mean. If I search the boards here, I get lost for hours reading about cool stuff, but never clearly find my answer. I am positive there are many with same questions.

EG. If I need pads and rotors for a 99 4R(or any Toyota), I can:

1. Call the Toyota dealership and pay full retail price for parts that I may get cheaper?

2. Call a place called KOI Motors. They told me they sell OEM parts for my truck.
(I don't know if this is a rare thing in my area. As I was growing up and to this day locally, we have a phone company called Cincinnati Bell. I assumed that every city had a phone/cell provider with (ANY BIG CITY) Bell. Not the case, this local "Cincinnati Bell" is extremely unique. I am wondering if KOI is unique as well?

3. Is it possible to buy OEM at retailers like: Autozone, O Reillys, PepBoys?

Any reference to OEM part articles for a fundamental understanding would be great.

4. Are parts at KOI, OEM, exactly what they sell at dealership with only different packaging and brand name?

NAMES FROM KOI are: Centric Rotors and Akibono and Advics? All OEM, Same as dealer with different name?

Thanks to all!

 

[macoyle]

Stock is basically OEM. OEM is original Toyota equipment. Aftermarket is other brands or alternatives.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

~Stock means factory parts from Toyota

~OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer, this can mean either Toyota brand parts OR parts that MEET Toyota's specifications (but are not necessarily branded Toyota)

~Aftermarket simply means Non-Toyota branded parts