Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Putting on belt: revisited, lawn mower forum, quality aftermarket

Question
Hi Michael,

I wrote the other day about not being able to put a belt on my riding lawn mower.  I wanted to let you know that the belt was not the right size, as you had suspected.  I went to the Toro site and looked at the part, and while that didn't tell me the length of the belt, I found it on another site:  102".  In the meantime, I had talked with some folks on a lawn mower forum, and one guy said he gets his belts from Johnson Bearings, and gave me the link to it.  I called them and they were very nice, and told me that the belt I had was 102" on the outside but only 100" on the inside.  Well there you go!  I didn't take that into account, and will know forevermore how to measure correctly.  He sold me a belt for $5.85.  Some of the guys on the mower forum said they wouldn't buy a belt unless it was FHP rather than OEM.  No one explained what those mean, and I hope I am not making a big mistake by ordering a non-Toro belt.  The Toro guy wanted $33.70 for the belt, and was rude and condescending as usual.  Someday I hope to call them and tell them how I just bought a brand-new zero-turn radius Toro with a maintenance agreement and I didn't get it from them.   

I wanted to thank you for your help and let you know what happened.  The new belt should be here in about 4 days.  Hope I am not calling on you again because it snapped in two after 10 minutes!  Take care,

             Jo

Answer
Hi Jo,

You have done well.  Good work!
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufactured and means dealer/factory parts and usually more cost to buy. I dont know what FHP stands for.  Maybe it refers to aftermarket parts.  I ususlly have no problem with quality aftermarket parts.  $5.85 sounds a little too inexpensive but may work fine.  Even if that belt fails you may be able to buy a Gates brand or equivalent for $20 which will work as good as the Toro belt.
Many counter guys are gruff and act like THEY are doing YOU a favor by talking to you.  Some even treat other guys like this.  If you can go elsewhere then do so.  

Good luck with the new belt.  For that price, you have little to loose.

Michael