Advance Auto Parts Let Me Down

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Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Your mistake was buying parts for a German car from a chain store. Should have just ordered the calipers online from a specialty BMW website.

Carquest is even better since they bought Worldpac.

Your mistake was dealing with idiots, that's what happens. AAP is good for rags and car wash, maybe an alternator for a Chevy if you get into a bind.


So how about some evidence that nugeon rebuilds from pelican, worldpac, eeuroparts, etc. are better than the fenco rebuilds that I got.

Mine are painted grey and coated with an anti-corrosive coating. Ive seen some reports that the nugeon calipers need to be painted.

Nugeon rebuilds, which is what youll get from the German parts houses only are given three thumbs up from Pelican parts, a "good" rating... Not exactly reassuring.

Im not sold on the fact that besides the QA someplace in the process that left the bracket out, that Id do any different from other rebuilders. However, I am still upset that it is the fact, regardless of vendor. Ive seen lots bad on cardone, not necessarily anything either way on the others. So evidence would be helpful.

I like DIY rebuild, but after a seisure, overheat, salt and corrosion, sometimes having a real rebuild is a good move. It was here.



I never said the parts are any better or worse, although IMHO usually they are are poorer quality. Rebuilt brake calipers are hit and miss anyway.

What really matters is not having to deal with the idiots that work at these places. I seek out parts stores that are not staffed by idiots who don't know anything beyond punching stuff into the computer.

Its all about the drama, I like avoiding it.


that's true.

Thing is, my griping aside, when something is wrong (because IMO they all are hit or miss like you said, at least unless going OE from the dealer), calling the store and driving 3 miles to pick it up next day is sure better than having to cycle through UPS and mail cores, broken/bad parts, then wait for the next one which might be coming from CA, etc...

I wish it was easy to say brand X is the best rebuilder and then that's that... But it isnt.

Ill say that the piston on the caliper I just got and installed was very nicely machined.
 
Advance isn't the only parts store that's going down the tubes. For as long as I can remember AW has been able to get me the import parts I need faster than almost anyone else and they'd always have decent quality. Things have changed lately.

Now I can pretty much assume they'll get some part (probably the wrong part) on the promised day if I call them three times. Once I get an actual wrong part I can get them to look up the right part and tell me when/if they can get it. If I get lucky they had the right part but sent it to someone else but will go and fetch it back for me later in the day.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino

Still, it's a great system. I can order online using my wife's name (we share a cc) and she can swing by the store on her way home from work, and get exactly what I want. Few to no other online/ B&M retailers are this well integrated.


I buy a lot from Advance the same way. I earn 4x airline points by buying from AAP online, and I just arrange to pick up at the store. Not all stores have everything, but they have several stores near me so I can usually get everything without having to special-order.
 
Maybe as a counter to the original post, I had an excellent experience at Advance Auto Parts this weekend. I needed to replace the rear upper control arms on our Acura this weekend, due to the ball joints on the SPC arms having failed. Rock Auto had the Moog arms for about $60 each. Local Advance Auto had them for $113 each. I asked if they'd price match Rock Auto, as they sold them for $60. The manager said that he probably couldn't go down that low, but he'd see what he could do. He type $60 into the computer and it wouldn't let him mark them down to that. Then he tried $80, and it would let him do that. He tried $70, and that was a no-go. I said, "$80's fair, I'll pay $80 for those to be able to do the job today." And so I did.

I thought it was excellent customer service to attempt to match a price to an online parts house. Many stores flat out refuse to even consider the idea.
 
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd

I thought it was excellent customer service to attempt to match a price to an online parts house.


Wow, they do that? I never thought to ask.

I probably posted before about the motor mount I needed for my Cobalt. Rock Auto had it for $54, but when it arrived it was the wrong one. Bolt holes were in the wrong locations. I returned it but was leery of ordering another in case it was wrong also. I tried to find one locally I could inspect but no one had one nearby. But the variety in prices was most interesting! Autozone had it for $99, Advance for $139 and Pep Boys wanted an eye-popping $238 for it! All for the same brand name. I finally ordered one from the GM dealer and paid just $79. It pays to shop around.
 
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Maybe as a counter to the original post, I had an excellent experience at Advance Auto Parts this weekend. I needed to replace the rear upper control arms on our Acura this weekend, due to the ball joints on the SPC arms having failed. Rock Auto had the Moog arms for about $60 each. Local Advance Auto had them for $113 each. I asked if they'd price match Rock Auto, as they sold them for $60. The manager said that he probably couldn't go down that low, but he'd see what he could do. He type $60 into the computer and it wouldn't let him mark them down to that. Then he tried $80, and it would let him do that. He tried $70, and that was a no-go. I said, "$80's fair, I'll pay $80 for those to be able to do the job today." And so I did.

I thought it was excellent customer service to attempt to match a price to an online parts house. Many stores flat out refuse to even consider the idea.


See, the store I was in down in VA told me essentially what they did for you.

The store that I had to go to for one brake hose gladly matched the coupon.

Its just the local store that gave me a hard time (after telling me they would match the coupon).

The card on the AAP computers states how the counter clerks should discuss parts on the phone. One of the last items states that if the customer isnt willing to buy right away, to offer a price match.

So why I got a hard time is beyond me.

Had more hassle when I picked up the replacement caliper too...
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
See, the store I was in down in VA told me essentially what they did for you.

The store that I had to go to for one brake hose gladly matched the coupon.

Its just the local store that gave me a hard time (after telling me they would match the coupon).


Is the local store located in New Jersey by chance?
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Its just the local store that gave me a hard time (after telling me they would match the coupon).


We're friendlier down south...
wink.gif
 
Originally Posted By: satinsilver
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
See, the store I was in down in VA told me essentially what they did for you.

The store that I had to go to for one brake hose gladly matched the coupon.

Its just the local store that gave me a hard time (after telling me they would match the coupon).


Is the local store located in New Jersey by chance?


Yes, the local store is in NJ. As is the store I picked up the hose from who took the competitor's coupon no problem...
 
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
When I saw the thread title, I thought this thread was going to be about their worthless "Lifetime Warranty".


What is worthless about the warranty??
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
When I saw the thread title, I thought this thread was going to be about their worthless "Lifetime Warranty".


What is worthless about the warranty??


They won't honor it.
 
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
When I saw the thread title, I thought this thread was going to be about their worthless "Lifetime Warranty".


What is worthless about the warranty??


They won't honor it.


This is news to me. I used to work at Advance, and can assure you we honored the "lifetime warranty" all the time! Too often in my opinion, but that's what it was... It says right on the receipt what the warranty for an item is, and I've never had Advance question a warranty return.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
When I saw the thread title, I thought this thread was going to be about their worthless "Lifetime Warranty".


What is worthless about the warranty??


My local AA is a decent place with a good manager. I never had any problem with their warranty.
I had a rack fail after 2 year they replaced the rack and gave me $300 for labor not in store credit either, cash.

IMO their calipers and other rebuilds are no better or worse than anyone else's. I buy a lot of parts from all over including Rock and this stuff happens all the time, not company is exempt.

I just assemble the parts before i do the job first so i can work around this sort of thing before it bites me.
 
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
^^^We have used that warranty many times and never had any issues.

Please elaborate on your story so we can share the pain...


Easy, my struts wore out and I did save the receipt, but they say won't honor the "Limited Lifetime warranty" because I have had them for years and put 100,000 miles on them.

There is no shortage of similiar stories on the internet:
http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/advance-auto-parts-fairborn-ohio-c152495.html
I bought some AAP best brake pads three years ago, and the receipt stated they had a limited lifetime warranty. Well, needless to say, they wore out in three years, but when I took my receipt to get new ones, I was told the part numbers didn't match, so I must have bought them for a different car. The guy checked the system, and all the records of my purchases prior to 2012 had been purged. I thought it was a pretty neat scam to offer a limited lifetime warranty to entice purchasers, purge past records, and change the part numbers as well. I just bought some new brake shoes, because three years wear ain't that bad and just laughed it off. Anyone buying parts from AAP and expecting them to honor a limited lifetime warranty should shop elsewhere. After all, everything wears out eventually.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Advance-Au...nd-Maine-943662
I always but parts with lifetime warranties whenever possible. The manager at this particular Advance Auto parts seems to have a problem with warranting items. He even stated tyhat since I didn't seem to have good luck with Advancxe Auto Parts, I should go somewhere else. I did call Advance Corporate office to get this situation resolved but still have not heard back from them in a week. Once agin, big talk and no followthrough (all mouth no trousers!)

More talk about it here:
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/103-3r...ty-gimmick.html

Plus numerous complaints about a "lifetime" and their database purges info that's more than 2 years old.
 
Funny, all our info is always there by our phone number.

I have exchanged batteries and water pumps but that's about it.

Never had a problem. I certainly can understand your frustration...
 
Originally Posted By: css9450
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd

I thought it was excellent customer service to attempt to match a price to an online parts house.


Wow, they do that? I never thought to ask.

I probably posted before about the motor mount I needed for my Cobalt. Rock Auto had it for $54, but when it arrived it was the wrong one. Bolt holes were in the wrong locations. I returned it but was leery of ordering another in case it was wrong also. I tried to find one locally I could inspect but no one had one nearby. But the variety in prices was most interesting! Autozone had it for $99, Advance for $139 and Pep Boys wanted an eye-popping $238 for it! All for the same brand name. I finally ordered one from the GM dealer and paid just $79. It pays to shop around.
What brand name mount was it? Anchor? If it was Anchor, just avoid it, it wouldn't last 1 year. Even GM's worst engine mounts are.

Your story is similar to one I had. Advance and Autozone wanted $200 for a rebuilt P/S pump for mom's 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It was one of those cheap pumps with carelessly applied paint, no pulley, and no reservoir. I paid $180 for a reman pump that looked and felt exactly like the OEM pump, pulley and reservoir already installed!

Sometimes the dealer has the best price
 
It's always frustrating when you plan what should be a pretty straightforward job and then run into snags involving parts availability, particularly when you think you've got that aspect dialed in.
I've never had a problem with AAP but that doesn't mean I won't in the future.
Having parts shipped to your door usually works well and you can usually get delivery within a couple of days even selecting the cheapest shipping option.
You could have ordered your parts online from AAP, used a coupon code and had them delivered to you free.
This might have been cheaper, easier and less frustrating for you.
A sticking caliper would not ground your car, assuming it wasn't siezed tight and it's not as though you don't have any alternate vehicles.
 
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