How hard is working at autozone?

[Sunnyinhollister]

Just a few basics here.

Start by being on time every day. For My generation that would mean to be early by at least 15 minutes that way you should never be late.

Give an honest day’s work for a day’s wages. There are more distractions today with cell phones by try to stay focused and busy while you are on the clock. Pay attention to detail and stay focused.

Do not talk about religion or politics while on the job, you will stay employed longer. There is a certain segment of the population that seem to want to be upset at something, so don’t let that “something” be you.

Have a positive attitude no matter what. Wait till you get home to blow off steam. No job is perfect, they all have functions or situations that aggravate at times. It’s part of life. Mistakes are easy to make when you are rushing or flustered, try and avoid that.

Integrity is everything. If you make a mistake, own up to it, learn from it, and don’t let it happen again.

Where I work, we have an entry level position with the fancy title of “Logistics Technician” which is a fancy term for dish washer. They breakdown, clean, and re-assemble simple sub-assemblies. It actually pays pretty well for what’s involved, about $35k to $40k a year. We’ve had to fire the last several of them for things like disappearing for large periods of time during the shift; surface the internet, playing solitaire, and looking at illicit web sites when they should be working; and saying the wrong politically incorrect thing to the wrong people multiple times.

 

[Donald]

Think twice about comments from anyone on BITOG who has less that 6158 posts.

 

[AKhan87]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Think twice about comments from anyone on BITOG who has less that 6158 posts.


LOLOLOLOL, talkig about Q I see

 

[Hokiefyd]

I worked at Advance while in college. It was fun; I ran parts most days to the shops around town. That was me in the little white unmarked Ranger. That was 15 years ago, and store/employment policies are likely different today, but much of the experience will still be the same.

You'll enjoy when pretty girls your age come in and need a battery or wiper blades. Even if it's pouring rain outside. Because that's when they come in for batteries and blades. Nobody needs that stuff on a sunny-and-75 day.

If AZ is anything like ADV, you won't have sales commissions, but you will have sales quotas. These have a variety of ways influencing your work environment. At ADV, it depended a lot on what you did (I was a driver, so even though I had a quota, it was okay that I always missed it), who the boss was, etc. I was lucky in that we had some really good people working at that store (N. Main St. in Blacksburg, VA). The bosses were great, and the other employees were great. We were all 'car guys'. None of us were ASE-certified mechanics or anything, but we all had old rides and enjoyed fixing stuff up.

You will get annoyed with some of the regulars who will only speak to "ol' Carl" or whomever he's seen for 20 years, because "ol' Carl" is the only one who ever gives him the right parts the first time. And you'll get annoyed when you tell someone that you can't return something because they've clearly installed it already, and "ol' Carl" comes up and listens to their sob story and tells you to "fix them up". Oh, and you'll get REALLY annoyed when that person coming in for a battery or wiper blades on a stormy day is NOT a pretty girl your age...

I had a blast working at ADV. Have fun at work, make friends with your co-workers, keep a healthy attitude about it, and you'll do great. Be the guy that can cross-reference stuff in "the catalog", too. Many stores today (maybe even AZ) don't have the real catalogs anymore. ADV used to keep them for when the computer network was down but we could still ring sales. If AZ has the catalogs, study those and know how to use them. So when "ol' red" comes in for a starter solenoid for his Ford 8N from 1953, you'll find that it might be the same one that fits a 1988 F-150, and it's GP Sorenson part number such-and-such, and here it is, sir.

Oh...my biggest pet peeve...a conversation that would go like this...

Customer: "ahh, I need a starter for a '75 Chevrolet"

Me: "okay, what model?"

Customer: "1975"

Me: "no sir, I meant what model vehicle, what kind?"

Customer: "ahh, it's a foh-by-foh"

Me: "okay, a truck"

Customer: "yeah, iss a truck"

 

[slug_bug]

I worked at a parts store at 16. It's not difficult, don't worry. It's not about auto parts knowledge, it's about basic work skills and retail customer service. Many things have already been mentioned, but as a boss here's my list.
1. Always be on time
2. The customer is always right
3. The boss is always right
4. Stay busy. The boss pays you to work. If the store is slow, sweep the floor, front the
merchandise, ask how to do new things. Be the guy that knows how to handle gift cards,
or multiple forms of payment or whatever.
5. Be honest, admit if you make a mistake, or you don't know something. Don't guess.
6. Ask questions and write things down. Carry a notepad the first few days. If you have to
remember cash register codes or procedures, write it down so you don't have to keep
asking.
7. Follow the rules.
8. Don't call in sick. Some people will disagree, but I would suggest you drag yourself
in there feeling half dead rather than call in sick.
9. If you need to request days off, ask as far in advance as possible.
10. If you want to advance and make more money learn and volunteer to do any and all tasks.
Drive the truck to the warehouse, turn rotors, whatever. Make yourself invaluable.
11. Always try to be helpful and professional with customers. Don't try to be a
"know it all", but make suggestions.
12. You WILL encounter rude customers. If a situation arises NEVER argue with a customer,
have your planned response ready, "I'm sorry, Please let me get my manager".

Finally, don't compromise your ethics or your safety for a job. 35 years ago when I was at that parts store they told me to stand in a tiny 6x6 unventilated room and count core return brake pads into burlap bags. I told them I was concerned about asbestos (thanks auto shop class). They moved the bins containing hundreds of brake pads outside and asked someone else to count them.

 

[InhalingBullets]

Be friendly, patient, proactive and Honest. Use your knowledge without being pushy or sounding like a know it all. If you see something in the store that needs to be done, do it. Give every customer your full attention including the old, fat and ugly women. Be prepared to figure out what options are on the vehicle they have, many people have no clue.

I was in AZ just the other day and overheard a woman ask for help with a cabin air filter. When asked what vehicle, she said " I think it's a Ford!"

 

[michaelluscher]

Also, keep the following subreddit's bookmarked on your phone

/r/justrolledintotheshop
/r/talesfromretail

.....you'll need it

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: Quest

Don't bother too much with automotive stuff (really). Technologies don't change much in certain areas and not much meaningful, good technical knowledge to gain when you serve in the customer retail section...learn all the other aspects such as logistics, etc. instead.




I disagree with this. It's true that you can get by in a parts store with minimal automotive knowledge if you are a people person and/or good with inventory tasks, but the good jobs in commercial sales require automotive knowledge. Shops don't want to mess with someone who is clueless about cars. This is why many people in commercial sales are former techs. They are often the highest paid people in the store, even above the store manager. Corporate tends to see them as the "goose that laid the golden egg" if they are good at what they do.

That is THE job to have and work towards in a retail parts store. Highest pay, and you are just dealing with shops all day. No HR responsibilities, no inventory responsibilities, just make the commercial customers happy. Build a good reputation with the shops and get them to call you first, and hitting sales targets is no problem.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

Congratulations on the job.

Your automotive knowledge will be an advantage, but the most important things are what a lot of other posters have mentioned--being a good employee and learning to deal with people, even the difficult ones. Some people know nothing about their car (examples above). Others think they know more than you, and still others DO know more than you. Your job is to help each person walk out of the store with what he or she wants/needs.

When things are slow, straighten stock, clean up, whatever. Ask the boss what needs to be done if it isn't obvious. Don't be the dingus standing there piddling with his phone.

Also, I think being a Metallica fan is a prerequisite for working late shifts at Autozone.

 

[PSS]

I'm curious. Autozone pays more than automotive technician?

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: PSS
I'm curious. Autozone pays more than automotive technician?


I don't know about AZ, I work for another chain currently (moving to a Chevy dealer starting next week), but probably so if you are in commercial sales. Not so for a regular sales drone/driver/inventory specialist, etc. Retail side is competitive with say working at a chain tire store or something though.

Commercial sales people can make over $50K a year. Sometimes well over $50K a year. The commercial sales guy at the store I work for was offered a job as a tech by a shop that only works on high end British and German cars...the parts store promptly and without a second thought beat their offer to keep him on board. He drives a paid for King Ranch PSD F-250...this is not "yo, I hopped up my mom's '93 Accord, I know about cars" parts sales.

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
you'll get annoyed when you tell someone that you can't return something because they've clearly installed it already, and "ol' Carl" comes up and listens to their sob story and tells you to "fix them up".

Yes, I'm one of those guys.

Hey, how else can I know I don't want (or need) a part unless I've installed it first.

Love "ol Carl" (or anybody) that does returns no questions asked.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: Rock_Hudstone
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
you'll get annoyed when you tell someone that you can't return something because they've clearly installed it already, and "ol' Carl" comes up and listens to their sob story and tells you to "fix them up".

Yes, I'm one of those guys.

Hey, how else can I know I don't want (or need) a part unless I've installed it first.

Love "ol Carl" (or anybody) that does returns no questions asked.


It's okay when it's "sometimes."

The shops who habitually order every sensor/switch/electronic part on a car, then return most of it it get old.

"So the spark plug was "defective," but you want a refund and not an exchange, and now you need a coil? Okay..."

Doesn't work as good for walk ins.

 

[Fleetmon]

On the subject of returns, I don't want a part that someone has installed, decided they don't need it (meaning that particular part didn't fix their problem!), and then return it. IMO, once installed....you bought it! If someone doesn't agree with this then maybe their troubleshooting skills need improvement.

To you young person....working at AZ will be a good experience!

 

[rat]

You are going to love all the interesting calls from customers expecting you to diagnose their check engine light over the phone. And my personal favorite, the wife that calls in asking for a price on every individual component of the brake system for an old chevy pickup. When you ask her questions, you can hear her repeat the questions to her husband over on the couch busy watching nascar and shouting the answers back to her.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Rock_Hudstone
Hey, how else can I know I don't want (or need) a part unless I've installed it first.


Usually through proper diagnosis.

But the point of that piece was that, as a "counter guy", you have to abide by store policy and push that to the customer. You usually don't have the authority to make the customer service call, even if you think it's the right thing to do.

 

[hattaresguy]

Working retail is a special kind of [censored], the average person is a moron, so that means 50% are below average and quite frankly painful to interact with.

Good luck, I did it to get me threw school.