AA... bad experience, may go elsewhere

[simple_gifts]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
The best thing to do it to confront them right there, you don't have to have a smart reply, or be visually aggressive, upset or raise your voice, just a simple look in the eye and "Excuse me, what was that?" would put the guy in his place.


^^Right on!

I'd approach with long range scanners; you can never tell what someone else might be dealing with.

 

[javacontour]

Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
Originally Posted By: Anies
To me at least certifications mean squat. They used to mean something in the 90's.

Take care example A+ certification, to me means squat. I know far more than most people with A+ and I am self taught, a hobbyist who had a passion for PC's, not getting into the field because of the money.

Only upper tier certs have merit, CCNA, CCDA etc. I am not sure if there is a higher ASE cert, but I would assume there is.


Never got my A+ either. Never had the money or time when I should of got it. Probably would still be in IT if I did but I'm not complaining. Most of my interns got theirs and I trained them and on a few made me laugh. As far as upper tier just depends on who's taking it. Some can't take the knowledge and apply to real life.


Agreed!

I hold many Sun high level certifications. I even taught the classes for Sun during most of the 1990's. Many of my students just wanted to "pass the test."

I wanted to teach them how to best use their systems, configure networks, etc.

I probably didn't help too many who just wanted to pass as I wouldn't teach to the test.

But I have customers today who remember me as their instructor 10 years ago, and are happy to see me when I'm the guy working on their problem.

 

[fdcg27]

This guy was disrespectful to you and to everyone else in the store.
It may be that the guy was simply having a bad day, or had had an unusually bad week.
It may also be a case of someone who neither likes nor respects himself. Such people are miserable to be around, but they are their own punishment. Life is full of joy and we should never let those who can't feel it take ours from us.
Having said that, I would drop AA a quick e-mail and simply tell them what you experienced. I would tell them that you buy parts and supplies for your vehicles regularly and that you can just as easily go elsewhere.
AA needs you and me and everyone like us. Commercial accounts alone won't keep most locations alive and those people won't take the attitude either.

 

[HM12460]

in this ultra competitive age and economy, there is absolutely no excuse for customer service of this caliber. i'd have a talk , in person, with him first and then his immediate superior. sorry, having a bad day is no excuse for this kind of job performance.

 

[kc8adu]

had a similar experience at aa here.got cussed at by the manager of a local aa when i returned for the third time with a busted windshield wiper motor for my olds.they would work a week then refuse to park or shut off.
i guess i had some nerve to expect a rebuilt to last the rest of the cars useful life after the original lasted 20 years and 400k mi!
i called corp on him and he got canned.his replacement purged the stock of those wiper motors and got me one from a different supplier.end of problem.everyone at that store has been so nice to me since then.wonder why?

 

[HM12460]

you did good kc8adu. i will never tolerate poor customer service from anyone, at any time, for any reason.

 

[Slick 55]

I had an "associate" swear in front of my 3 year old. I called him out and he turned and hid in the back of the store.

 

[PT1]

I had a salesman at a Porsche dealer swear in front of my 5 year old daughter while showing me a 944. I was pretty upset about it but later on the way home my daughter reassured me when she said "Aw F-him Daddy...He's trash"

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: PT1
I had a salesman at a Porsche dealer swear in front of my 5 year old daughter while showing me a 944. I was pretty upset about it but later on the way home my daughter reassured me when she said "Aw F-him Daddy...He's trash"

^^Haha! That`s classic!

 

[Hootbro]

So with all this effort to post this on the internet, you could have just called the manager over and made a complaint and be done with it.

While I do not condone what happened, it is a auto parts store and not church. Plus I am sure your 13 year old son has learned more "festive" language and could tell you a few more than you already know.

 

[Gilitar]

I have had it with AA. Their prices are high and the specials they run aren't all that great anymore. I know a thing or two about retail and I believe that AA's focus is strictly on numbers and not the customer. I'm willing to bet corporate puts all the focus on profits and micro-manages every aspect of store operations making for an awful work environment. Everytime I walk through the door I get and unpleasent feeling.

 

[Saturn_Fan]

Originally Posted By: Gilitar
I have had it with AA. Their prices are high and the specials they run aren't all that great anymore. I know a thing or two about retail and I believe that AA's focus is strictly on numbers and not the customer. I'm willing to bet corporate puts all the focus on profits and micro-manages every aspect of store operations making for an awful work environment. Everytime I walk through the door I get and unpleasent feeling.


I AM OFFICIALLY DONE WITH AAP AS WELL!

I am tired of the employees dropping F-bombs every time I am in there. I am tired of the counter guy eating chicken McNuggets and fries while I am giving him my debit card to pay for my purchases. It is also crazy how many of them stand across the parking lot smoking their Marlboros and run inside when a customer arrives. Then you have to smell that [censored] on their breath while they are ringing you up.

And finally, I am tired of of how truly expensive that store really is. Check some of the prices on non-sale items like simple CRC Carb Cleaner, "cheap" car wash soaps, etc. They are ridiculously expensive.

Heck, their sale prices aren't even a bargain anymore. Say what you will about going to a certain store headquartered out of Arkansas, but I can get oil for a decent price every day, not just once a month on a sale day.

If I need auto parts I am going to Rockauto.com for larger items and O'Reillys and Napa for smaller everyday items where this doesn't seem to happen to me.

 

[fdcg27]

AAP is rather expensive on everyday items.
The $10.00 coupon represents the only current deal they offer that actually saves you any money.
I have found Rockauto really easy and convenient.
I've spent probably $6-700.00 with them in the past year and have never had an issue with either their parts or their service.
You just have to watch how many times you are being charged for shipping on a given order. The shipping thing makes it sometimes cheaper to use a dealer's online parts sales operation.

 

[The_Jeff]

Rotors for my saturn have gone from $15 to $29 in not too long at AAP. As much as we'd like to blame raw materials and transportation prices, they're down from last summer and I suspect someone is making a tidy profit. AAP used to be hungry for my business with aggressive pricing, now, less so, but still my first stop.

It does irk me to be ignored in person while an employee helps a customer on the phone. My last AAP visit the clerk put the person on hold though to help me. Come on, prospective customers, use their website to check prices and availability. I already did and have cash in hand to buy...

Just heard some employee cussin' at NAPA so they're not G-rated either.

 

[Allan_G]

I Went to AAP after having too many problems with the zone. I am very dissapointed. I called in their looking for a warrnaty on a CV axle. I know I bought it from them, but cant find the slip. Even when you can they usually fade or go blank. The counter guy tells me that they only keep your warranty records for 2 years, the rest is up to you! Now mind you with personal vehicles and vehicles for customers I have spent 8K plus a year with them. I am Done. I have been using local parts stores for a better price and product. My local NAPA will warrant most parts I get from them. Why is it the AAP name is going downhill? I understand they make very little for the job they do, but oh well.