AutoZone busted!

[Chris142]

An auto-parts chain accused of charging above-advertised prices and improperly disposing of hazardous waste has agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle a civil suit filed by state and county prosecutors.
District attorney's offices in San Bernardino, San Diego, Monterey and San Joaquin counties joined forces with the state attorney general in an environmental- and consumer-protection civil suit against AutoZone. The lawsuit was filed in 2005, the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office said Friday.

The suit charged that AutoZone violated safe-storage and hazardous-waste disposal laws. The hazardous waste, including motor oil, was left in store parking lots and trash bins, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors also accused AutoZone of advertising one price but sometimes charging customers a higher price at checkout in stores across the state. Customers were also charged more than prices listed on the shelves.

AutoZone officials agreed to an injunction, which calls for changes in the handling of hazardous waste and pricing policies. In addition to a $1 million fine, the business agreed to pay $300,000 in investigation and prosecution costs as well as $200,000 to environmental training programs.



http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_6044177

 

[SLM]

Yeah, I've noticed that the zone doesn't always have the deals as advertised, but that was mostly due to lack of rebate forms. They have great parts selection, you need it they got it. The disposal issue is bad, it shows a lack of mangagement at the store level.

 

[01rangerxl]

I guess they got caught in CA, but I wonder if there will be the slightest ripple nation-wide. My guess is no.

 

[oilyriser]

In Canada, we have the Scanning Code of Practice, in many larger stores.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

Tony Soprano's waste management team.

 

[Pablo]

You saw nothing. Yet you choose not to run away. I like that.

 

[kkreit01]

Oh man. That's where I always take my used oil. I always properly dump it in their tank. I promise!

 

[Laminar Lou]

Hold on a minute, did they confirm that it was autozone employees putting stuff in the trash bins? How do we know it isn't customers?

 

[JHZR2]

Around me, the AZ that I go to (in an urban enterprise zine, so the sales tax is half the normal rate) is filled with non-english speaking people that use the AZ parking lot as their location to do auto repair.

Its not really AZ's fault that there is such a mess, as these people are disrespectful and leave their trash everywhere. They dont/cant read the signs that state that no work is to be performed in the lot.

That said, since most everyone in the store speaks spanish, they should go out and tell them to leave the lot at once... but they dont... so I suppose AZ deserves a fine! Thats what they get for catering to that crowd, I suppose?!?!?

JMH

 

[SLM]

Quote:

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Its not really AZ's fault that there is such a mess, as these people are disrespectful and leave their trash everywhere. They dont/cant read the signs that state that no work is to be performed in the lot

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Its the zone's fault, they need to keep the place clean, it belongs to them. Here in Oregon our grocery stores have to take back cans for redemption. I worked at store and thus was always having to deal with the bottle return, I found the best way to keep the place clean was regularly dumping the trash and picking up when I was out there. Keep it clean, customers will too. People returned cans and left plently of solid waste. If you don't they feel entitled to leave a mess. I don't blame the zone for catering to "non-english" speakers, they can't afford to pay somebody else for repairs. Also every parts place has big trash cans out front, thus making them for use by the public. If they don't empty them only one thing will occur.

 

[JHZR2]

Quote:

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Quote:

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They dont/cant read the signs that state that no work is to be performed in the lot

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Keep it clean, customers will too. People returned cans and left plently of solid waste. If you don't they feel entitled to leave a mess. I don't blame the zone for catering to "non-english" speakers, they can't afford to pay somebody else for repairs. Also every parts place has big trash cans out front, thus making them for use by the public. If they don't empty them only one thing will occur.

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What part of "No Repairs Allowed in the Autozone Lot" can;t they understand???

Likely all of it. They feel entitled to do whatever they want.

Youre right, it is AZ's fault for having idiots working there, and for not standing up to their rules that they post outside. Its a liability issue amongst other things, but likely these folks are looking for a decent lawsuit to fill their pockets anyway.

JMH

 

[GeaugaFletcher]

"AwfulZone" we call it.

It's a cut rate store with merchandise ranging from worthless to half-decent in quality, although the batteries have been very good for some time now. It's a money-grubbing, work your employees hard & pay them as little as you can, typical huge company. $1.5 million is pocket change to an organization like that.