Originally Posted By: eljefino
Worse at Radio Shack and Sears Appliance/TVs.
A big X2 on this!
Worse at Radio Shack and Sears Appliance/TVs.
A big X2 on this!
Irritating Experience At Auto Zone
- Thread starter HyundaiGuy
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Don't get me wrong.
I usually consider parts people to be the lowest lemmings on the automotive food chain.
Has anyone [as a stranger] won an argument with any of them?
I gave up long ago.
I usually consider parts people to be the lowest lemmings on the automotive food chain.
Has anyone [as a stranger] won an argument with any of them?
I gave up long ago.
Originally Posted By: HyundaiGuy
Hi All,
Last week I went to Auto Zone to purchase 4 quarts of PU for my wife's Accent. I take the oil to the dealer, they supply the filter, labor, and dispose of the old oil for a very reasonable price.
I get the oil and I am standing at the register. Here is he exchange that goes down with the lady working there:
Clerk: Sir, do you NEED anything. (Attitude right off.)
Me: Yes, to check out.
She looks at the PU and points to a display of some type of "eco friendly" oil they have next to the register- 5 quarts of oil, a drain pan and shop towels, I believe for $16.99.
Clerk: We have that- its a better deal.
Me: No, thank you. This is what I want.
The clerk then shakes her head like I am some type of moron that just doesn't understand.
Clerk: Your total is $32.00. Thats awfully expensive for just oil. I can change it to our special- it isn't too late.
Me: No, I'm fine.
I pay and leave.
I still don't know what to think. She did irritate me a bit though.
And you did the right thing. You were polite and walked away. Sleep well!
I can't tell ya some of the thing going through my head as I'm walking away after paying and listening to the autoparts store employee telling somebody, "Bla-bla-bla, I'm a ******* idiot, listen to me"!
And I mean no disrespect to the good autoparts store employees behind the counter that are really trying to help customers.
Hi All,
Last week I went to Auto Zone to purchase 4 quarts of PU for my wife's Accent. I take the oil to the dealer, they supply the filter, labor, and dispose of the old oil for a very reasonable price.
I get the oil and I am standing at the register. Here is he exchange that goes down with the lady working there:
Clerk: Sir, do you NEED anything. (Attitude right off.)
Me: Yes, to check out.
She looks at the PU and points to a display of some type of "eco friendly" oil they have next to the register- 5 quarts of oil, a drain pan and shop towels, I believe for $16.99.
Clerk: We have that- its a better deal.
Me: No, thank you. This is what I want.
The clerk then shakes her head like I am some type of moron that just doesn't understand.
Clerk: Your total is $32.00. Thats awfully expensive for just oil. I can change it to our special- it isn't too late.
Me: No, I'm fine.
I pay and leave.
I still don't know what to think. She did irritate me a bit though.
And you did the right thing. You were polite and walked away. Sleep well!
I can't tell ya some of the thing going through my head as I'm walking away after paying and listening to the autoparts store employee telling somebody, "Bla-bla-bla, I'm a ******* idiot, listen to me"!
And I mean no disrespect to the good autoparts store employees behind the counter that are really trying to help customers.
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Don't get me wrong.
I usually consider parts people to be the lowest lemmings on the automotive food chain.
Has anyone [as a stranger] won an argument with any of them?
I gave up long ago.
As a parts guy of many years, I'm kinda offended by this.
Don't get me wrong.
I usually consider parts people to be the lowest lemmings on the automotive food chain.
Has anyone [as a stranger] won an argument with any of them?
I gave up long ago.
As a parts guy of many years, I'm kinda offended by this.
Originally Posted By: rat
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Don't get me wrong.
I usually consider parts people to be the lowest lemmings on the automotive food chain.
Has anyone [as a stranger] won an argument with any of them?
I gave up long ago.
As a parts guy of many years, I'm kinda offended by this.
I don't think he was trying to offend parts people in general, but he does make a valid point, even if the wording wasn't optimal. There are a few parts people in this city who I trust as much as a good mechanic. They get me what I want quickly and at a good price, and make appropriate recommendations because they care about their career.
Others are without a clue and can't find anything, even when given the part number. It's the same with some car salesman, or any salesman for that matter. If you don't have an interest in what you sell and enough interest to learn about what you sell, why are you in that business? If one is in that business just for the paycheck, then one should expect to be dismissed as "the lowest lemmings."
I know full well that oil has a very low markup at most parts stores. The owners don't care one bit whether I'm buying Edge or GTX - as long as I buy something.
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Don't get me wrong.
I usually consider parts people to be the lowest lemmings on the automotive food chain.
Has anyone [as a stranger] won an argument with any of them?
I gave up long ago.
As a parts guy of many years, I'm kinda offended by this.
I don't think he was trying to offend parts people in general, but he does make a valid point, even if the wording wasn't optimal. There are a few parts people in this city who I trust as much as a good mechanic. They get me what I want quickly and at a good price, and make appropriate recommendations because they care about their career.
Others are without a clue and can't find anything, even when given the part number. It's the same with some car salesman, or any salesman for that matter. If you don't have an interest in what you sell and enough interest to learn about what you sell, why are you in that business? If one is in that business just for the paycheck, then one should expect to be dismissed as "the lowest lemmings."
I know full well that oil has a very low markup at most parts stores. The owners don't care one bit whether I'm buying Edge or GTX - as long as I buy something.
Originally Posted By: mcrn
LOL don't mean to be creepy at all. I live near there and she sounds just like the girl I have dealt with in there as well! Sounded very familiar. Im glad they were carrying the PU!
If you think about it, that's pretty bad when someone can identify the store's location in a decently sized city with multiple locations by the non physical description of "Ms. Personality" that works there.
And to answer another question, I did not finder to be physically attractive at all either. A real winner, that one.
LOL don't mean to be creepy at all. I live near there and she sounds just like the girl I have dealt with in there as well! Sounded very familiar. Im glad they were carrying the PU!
If you think about it, that's pretty bad when someone can identify the store's location in a decently sized city with multiple locations by the non physical description of "Ms. Personality" that works there.
And to answer another question, I did not finder to be physically attractive at all either. A real winner, that one.
Originally Posted By: HyundaiGuy
Hi All,
Last week I went to Auto Zone to purchase 4 quarts of PU for my wife's Accent. I take the oil to the dealer, they supply the filter, labor, and dispose of the old oil for a very reasonable price.
I get the oil and I am standing at the register. Here is he exchange that goes down with the lady working there:
Clerk: Sir, do you NEED anything. (Attitude right off.)
Me: Yes, to check out.
She looks at the PU and points to a display of some type of "eco friendly" oil they have next to the register- 5 quarts of oil, a drain pan and shop towels, I believe for $16.99.
Clerk: We have that- its a better deal.
Me: No, thank you. This is what I want.
The clerk then shakes her head like I am some type of moron that just doesn't understand.
Clerk: Your total is $32.00. Thats awfully expensive for just oil. I can change it to our special- it isn't too late.
Me: No, I'm fine.
I pay and leave.
I still don't know what to think. She did irritate me a bit though.
Ok, I know I will get blasted for this but I am going to say it anyway...
There is always two sides to every story. None of us were there to know what the clerk's attitude really was. A lot of assumptions here. I think it is "possible" the OP actually was the one with the attitude.
My take on what was said, based on what the OP posted, was an employee doing what they are asked to do who may have acquired her attitude from the OP.
Customer comes to the register to check out and you ask if they need anything else? Not sure what kind of attitude she could have with that? Even if it was asked in a manner that suggested she hoped he didn't at least she asked which AZ employees are required to do BTW!
I see nothing inherently wrong with doing this as I did it myself as a parts guy. I would always ask if the customer needed anything else or I would even suggest additional things that may be needed such as brake cleaner or pad grease when they were buying brakes. IMO the OP's response of "yeah to check out" was inappropriate and certainly would have given me attitude if I was trying to help check him out.
The clerk then recommends the oil they have on sale. Ok, it isn't as good as PU but it was a better $$$ deal and I am sure she was told to do that. Irritating? To BITOG members who are very set in their ways when it comes to brands yes but rude or inapprpriate? Hardly.
I wasn't there so I can attest to her attitude but I see a lot of posts like the OP's here where parts clerks are ripped apart no matter what they do or say. I see nothing wrong by the girl as posted except maybe the hair flip and could that have been just to get it out of her eyes? Don't most people complain about the lack of effort and professionalism by parts people at places like AZ? Here we have a clerk who it sounds like tried to be helpful and the OP got the attitude.
No offeanse to anyone( especially the OP )but I don't quite get this one? I could be wrong and he could be 100% right. It just sounds to me like the OP shares some blame in the attitude blame game for his initial comments.
Hi All,
Last week I went to Auto Zone to purchase 4 quarts of PU for my wife's Accent. I take the oil to the dealer, they supply the filter, labor, and dispose of the old oil for a very reasonable price.
I get the oil and I am standing at the register. Here is he exchange that goes down with the lady working there:
Clerk: Sir, do you NEED anything. (Attitude right off.)
Me: Yes, to check out.
She looks at the PU and points to a display of some type of "eco friendly" oil they have next to the register- 5 quarts of oil, a drain pan and shop towels, I believe for $16.99.
Clerk: We have that- its a better deal.
Me: No, thank you. This is what I want.
The clerk then shakes her head like I am some type of moron that just doesn't understand.
Clerk: Your total is $32.00. Thats awfully expensive for just oil. I can change it to our special- it isn't too late.
Me: No, I'm fine.
I pay and leave.
I still don't know what to think. She did irritate me a bit though.
Ok, I know I will get blasted for this but I am going to say it anyway...
There is always two sides to every story. None of us were there to know what the clerk's attitude really was. A lot of assumptions here. I think it is "possible" the OP actually was the one with the attitude.
My take on what was said, based on what the OP posted, was an employee doing what they are asked to do who may have acquired her attitude from the OP.
Customer comes to the register to check out and you ask if they need anything else? Not sure what kind of attitude she could have with that? Even if it was asked in a manner that suggested she hoped he didn't at least she asked which AZ employees are required to do BTW!
I see nothing inherently wrong with doing this as I did it myself as a parts guy. I would always ask if the customer needed anything else or I would even suggest additional things that may be needed such as brake cleaner or pad grease when they were buying brakes. IMO the OP's response of "yeah to check out" was inappropriate and certainly would have given me attitude if I was trying to help check him out.
The clerk then recommends the oil they have on sale. Ok, it isn't as good as PU but it was a better $$$ deal and I am sure she was told to do that. Irritating? To BITOG members who are very set in their ways when it comes to brands yes but rude or inapprpriate? Hardly.
I wasn't there so I can attest to her attitude but I see a lot of posts like the OP's here where parts clerks are ripped apart no matter what they do or say. I see nothing wrong by the girl as posted except maybe the hair flip and could that have been just to get it out of her eyes? Don't most people complain about the lack of effort and professionalism by parts people at places like AZ? Here we have a clerk who it sounds like tried to be helpful and the OP got the attitude.
No offeanse to anyone( especially the OP )but I don't quite get this one? I could be wrong and he could be 100% right. It just sounds to me like the OP shares some blame in the attitude blame game for his initial comments.
Originally Posted By: rat
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Don't get me wrong.
I usually consider parts people to be the lowest lemmings on the automotive food chain.
Has anyone [as a stranger] won an argument with any of them?
I gave up long ago.
As a parts guy of many years, I'm kinda offended by this.
Me too. Highly offended. I was a very professional and competant parts clerk. I could tell stories about inept mechanics or DIY'ers that didn't know what they wanted for parts and blamed me because they asked for the wrong thing(s). But I won't...
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Don't get me wrong.
I usually consider parts people to be the lowest lemmings on the automotive food chain.
Has anyone [as a stranger] won an argument with any of them?
I gave up long ago.
As a parts guy of many years, I'm kinda offended by this.
Me too. Highly offended. I was a very professional and competant parts clerk. I could tell stories about inept mechanics or DIY'ers that didn't know what they wanted for parts and blamed me because they asked for the wrong thing(s). But I won't...
Having been accused of trying to get one over on Pep Boys by using a valid coupon last month, I think you were treated like a king. 
rat -
Don't be too offended - I have reasons to not like most mechanics either!
Don't be too offended - I have reasons to not like most mechanics either!
$32 was too much for 4 qts of PU. You could have gotten it MUCH cheaper at walmart and you would have gotten a 5 qt jug to boot. I never buy oil at AZ - too expensive. If you do choose to pay $8 a quart for oil, Redline would be a better choice.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
It just sounds to me like the OP shares some blame in the attitude blame game for his initial comments.
Agree.
It just sounds to me like the OP shares some blame in the attitude blame game for his initial comments.
Agree.
Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
Originally Posted By: rat
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Don't get me wrong.
I usually consider parts people to be the lowest lemmings on the automotive food chain.
Has anyone [as a stranger] won an argument with any of them?
I gave up long ago.
As a parts guy of many years, I'm kinda offended by this.
Me too. Highly offended. I was a very professional and competant parts clerk. I could tell stories about inept mechanics or DIY'ers that didn't know what they wanted for parts and blamed me because they asked for the wrong thing(s). But I won't...
+2 I've been a parts guy for about 3 years now and it's a bit offensive. My co-workers and I always recommend the cheapest store-brand oil too. Most of the customers are going to dump it out at 3k anyway, they're not gonna see any benefits from the more expensive stuff. If a customer drives something like a BMW, Audi, or something else that requires synthetic or a certain spec, I will point them to Mobil 1 0w-40 or some other suitable oil, and why they should use it.
Originally Posted By: rat
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Don't get me wrong.
I usually consider parts people to be the lowest lemmings on the automotive food chain.
Has anyone [as a stranger] won an argument with any of them?
I gave up long ago.
As a parts guy of many years, I'm kinda offended by this.
Me too. Highly offended. I was a very professional and competant parts clerk. I could tell stories about inept mechanics or DIY'ers that didn't know what they wanted for parts and blamed me because they asked for the wrong thing(s). But I won't...
+2 I've been a parts guy for about 3 years now and it's a bit offensive. My co-workers and I always recommend the cheapest store-brand oil too. Most of the customers are going to dump it out at 3k anyway, they're not gonna see any benefits from the more expensive stuff. If a customer drives something like a BMW, Audi, or something else that requires synthetic or a certain spec, I will point them to Mobil 1 0w-40 or some other suitable oil, and why they should use it.
A good and experienced parts guy is you friend.
He (or she) can help guide you to the right part, and can steer you away from the troublesome rebuilds, which is great, because lifetime warranty or not, you don't really want to have to do the same job 2X or more.
A really experienced parts person can also help you diagnose troubles.
"It's doing that?"
"Then here is where you should look."
He (or she) can help guide you to the right part, and can steer you away from the troublesome rebuilds, which is great, because lifetime warranty or not, you don't really want to have to do the same job 2X or more.
A really experienced parts person can also help you diagnose troubles.
"It's doing that?"
"Then here is where you should look."
It is real irritating when they sell the Fuel Injection cleaner, as if you need it. All you can do is say "no, thanks."
Then they ask for your phone number and i should somehow say "I dont have a phone."
Just general morons, at Autozone. And they are agressive as all [censored].
Basically, i will go in aparts store once. if my experience is good and they leave me be, i make a note. If they bum-rush me when i walk in the door, i shoe them away like a fly and make a note of that that they wont just leave me be. Then i see how it goes at the counter.... the combination of the two tells me if i will be back, or not.
You are not to blame for being irritated. Ive been to ones where they ask for your phone number and do all sorts of things at the register, to further annoy you, because they are getting off on their "policy".............
Then they ask for your phone number and i should somehow say "I dont have a phone."
Just general morons, at Autozone. And they are agressive as all [censored].
Basically, i will go in aparts store once. if my experience is good and they leave me be, i make a note. If they bum-rush me when i walk in the door, i shoe them away like a fly and make a note of that that they wont just leave me be. Then i see how it goes at the counter.... the combination of the two tells me if i will be back, or not.
You are not to blame for being irritated. Ive been to ones where they ask for your phone number and do all sorts of things at the register, to further annoy you, because they are getting off on their "policy".............
Part of the problem is that Advance and Autozone corporate have gotten away from hiring competent counter people because, lets face it, they don't want to pay what the good ones are worth.
They want people that will make the display look neat, stock shelves, and complete the daily checklist. You simply can't go into one of those places anymore and expect it to be an old Napa or Carquest.
They want people that will make the display look neat, stock shelves, and complete the daily checklist. You simply can't go into one of those places anymore and expect it to be an old Napa or Carquest.
Originally Posted By: rat
Part of the problem is that Advance and Autozone corporate have gotten away from hiring competent counter people because, lets face it, they don't want to pay what the good ones are worth.
They want people that will make the display look neat, stock shelves, and complete the daily checklist. You simply can't go into one of those places anymore and expect it to be an old Napa or Carquest.
As being in line to get a job at Advance in 2009 until they did a "Hiring freeze," I second this. Its no different than a fast food job, except with parts and maybe being the cashier. Stock, cleaning, customer service... knowledge of car stuff not really required. Its all there on the computer, and they are instructed to ask the manager or another team member...
Seriously, they didnt hire anyone new because they were experience the bloodletting of the economy.
Some know their stuff, but strike up a conversation about Oil close to the Additives shelf, and just wait until they start talking about all the benefits of Lucas, and that its on sale for $8.99 or $9.99 instead of the original $10.99 or $11.99. Busted!
Part of the problem is that Advance and Autozone corporate have gotten away from hiring competent counter people because, lets face it, they don't want to pay what the good ones are worth.
They want people that will make the display look neat, stock shelves, and complete the daily checklist. You simply can't go into one of those places anymore and expect it to be an old Napa or Carquest.
As being in line to get a job at Advance in 2009 until they did a "Hiring freeze," I second this. Its no different than a fast food job, except with parts and maybe being the cashier. Stock, cleaning, customer service... knowledge of car stuff not really required. Its all there on the computer, and they are instructed to ask the manager or another team member...
Seriously, they didnt hire anyone new because they were experience the bloodletting of the economy.
Some know their stuff, but strike up a conversation about Oil close to the Additives shelf, and just wait until they start talking about all the benefits of Lucas, and that its on sale for $8.99 or $9.99 instead of the original $10.99 or $11.99. Busted!
LUCAS, ARGH!!!
That is one of the digs I apply to some of the service idiots from Honda, that they are not "car guys" (in any real sense) and could just as well be selling shoes or siding.
That is one of the digs I apply to some of the service idiots from Honda, that they are not "car guys" (in any real sense) and could just as well be selling shoes or siding.
Go cry your mama...She just did her job and did it good; don’t see anything wrong with that. At the same time bringing your oil to dealership sound more like visiting local Pub with your own beer..If I were you, I would just change my own oil or buy oil from where you gonna change it.
Reatil has a very high turnover when it comes to employees constantly quitting and most really don't care about the job when they are making peanuts.
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