As a road tech for 20 years, I always tried my best to reserve the right to choose what part I used for repairs. Some applications require OEM, or you will be right back out there doing a warranty repair. Other repairs aftermarket works. Anything traction and control related your better off using OEM. Obviously if you work for an independant you could have an overzealous parts manager who buys aftermarket and marks it up to an OEM price. Long story short I was the guy touching the truck and on a number of occasions I had to remind not only the parts guy, but also the service manager of that very fact. "If you feel comfortable using an aftermarket part, don't automatically assume I am as well". This statement saved me numerous call backs and built my credibility with my customers. I also informed my customers of the fact that on this particular repair, I don't feel good about an aftermarket part, and they felt good about not only paying more for the part, but the decision I made to inform them of that very fact. Later.