Parts store logistics rant

[eljefino]

Found myself needing a little stub of a molded heater hose, ASAP.

Advance carries it for $9 and there's a coupon for buying online. But they don't have it in my store, so I'd have to go there in person to order it, go back a day or two later to pick it up, and maybe even pay shipping to the store. (!)

AutoZone has a similar situation and price, though it's in stock 65 miles away. Can't get it re-delivered to my local store.

OReilly's thought they had it for $19 at the second-closest store to me and they were open on Easter Sunday (!) but actually didn't have it in stock. Dude did offer he could order it for me, but I can order stuff for myself. If I do, I can have it at 9 am tomorrow.

NAPA is like O'reillys, order today, it goes out on a hub run overnight, and I can pick my store. $19.

AZ and AA have lost the narrative of what it's like to have a web presence mixed with brick & mortar stores. I search by part number but they keep bumping me to a different (wrong) part that fits the car that's in my browser cookie. So I have to operate in a private browsing window to actually be allowed to see the part I asked for by number. They don't have an "ignore my car" button like the more competent stores. They offer free shipping to my home if I spend over a certain limit but what I'd really like is free shipping to their nearest location. I know it's not "free" to them but they do hub runs every night to "equalize" stock over various stores in the chain, anyway, so it's close to it.

 

[ripcord]

I'm lucky to have a Napa distribution store a little over 20 minutes away.

 

[bdcardinal]

FWIW the Autozone Pro site lets you search by p/n, same with OReillys.

 

[Kira]

Can't get it re-delivered to my local store.

With all their stores and fleets of delivery cars? That is just wrong.

they keep bumping me to a different (wrong) part that fits the car that's in my browser cookie. So I have to operate in a private browsing window to actually be allowed to see the part I asked for by number.

You can't change the "My Vehicle" in your preferences? ...or are the cookies unchangeable?

, but I can order stuff for myself. If I do, I can have it at 9 am tomorrow.

I guess this shows you how much they prefer to fill orders electronically and involve as little counter help or parts drivers' involvement as they can. Still, they lose a sale.

 

[eljefino]

You can't change the "My Vehicle" in your preferences? ...or are the cookies unchangeable?

It's an "off label" use, like an oversized oil filter. I would have liked to have ordered it and moved on.

I also have a NAPA distribution center which is wonderful. Just wish their competence could somehow spread to the discount parts stores. I guess they know they suck, so they're cheap. On the flip side Walmart is both cheap and competent in inventory and logistic matters.

 

[Kira]

On the flip side Walmart is both cheap and competent in inventory and logistic matters.

The nature of auto parts specificity -year.make,model, trim and more for every part- compared to 3 choices in X grocery items doesn't make for a fair comparison.

Walmart, incepted during the computerized age, has a tech advantage over systems which likely had to be patched together.

 

[wander2039]

Thats one thing I’ll miss when we move. Within 5 miles of Napa and Autozone hubs, and if I order at the right time the same day for OReillys. Rarely go to Autozone and Aap never. Finding a competent person behind the counter is the hardest part.

 

[RaymondP]

Seems to me that the brick & mortar stores are failing to recognize their competitive advantage vs shopping online. Willing to pay extra (not excessive) for convenience and availability, but so often I find basic items NOT available, or on special order with accompanying higher prices plus shipping costs, even if collected from the store later.

Really like the O'Riely's near me. Staff and the manager are always helpful and friendly. Regularly visit to recycle my used oil, check their prices and buy the odd item as well as rent their tools. Have had a heart-to-heart talk with them on pricing as really don't want to see them close but doubt it will make a difference. Deals can be had but rare.

Also struck up some good conversations with other customers and exchanged good advice and info. Will remain my first port of call except for oil as they can't compete with Walmart.

 

[D60]

Found myself needing a little stub of a molded heater hose, ASAP.

Advance carries it for $9 and there's a coupon for buying online. But they don't have it in my store, so I'd have to go there in person to order it, go back a day or two later to pick it up, and maybe even pay shipping to the store. (!)

AutoZone has a similar situation and price, though it's in stock 65 miles away. Can't get it re-delivered to my local store.

OReilly's thought they had it for $19 at the second-closest store to me and they were open on Easter Sunday (!) but actually didn't have it in stock. Dude did offer he could order it for me, but I can order stuff for myself. If I do, I can have it at 9 am tomorrow.

NAPA is like O'reillys, order today, it goes out on a hub run overnight, and I can pick my store. $19.

AZ and AA have lost the narrative of what it's like to have a web presence mixed with brick & mortar stores. I search by part number but they keep bumping me to a different (wrong) part that fits the car that's in my browser cookie. So I have to operate in a private browsing window to actually be allowed to see the part I asked for by number. They don't have an "ignore my car" button like the more competent stores. They offer free shipping to my home if I spend over a certain limit but what I'd really like is free shipping to their nearest location. I know it's not "free" to them but they do hub runs every night to "equalize" stock over various stores in the chain, anyway, so it's close to it.

Is there any reason you don't have an O'Reilly commercial account?

I've found their "civilian" website will make it look like they don't have and can't really get many things, but the FirstCall site will allow you to seamlessly order from a neighboring store or their hub for arrival later in the day (regional stores) or next day (hub).

It may depend on your store Mgr but you shouldn't need to carry a balance or apply for credit. They should allow you to just keep a card on file and if you never want delivery you can just pay cash when you pick up in-store. Again, some of this may depend on the store management but my local manager wants every little account she can get. It makes sense to a degree like airlines: you're already paying your commercial guys and maintaining a fleet, so might as well maximize business

 

[Chris142]

FWIW the Autozone Pro site lets you search by p/n, same with OReillys.

You have to click the little button that says search without vehicle too. Took me a while to figure it out myself

 

[Chris142]

Is the part you need available on Amazon. Order early enough and it's usually there same day.

 

[Fordiesel69]

2025 is a sucky time to be doing any manual labor of any kind. Nobody stocks anything anymore. None of the store associates or managers even care enough to help with issues like this.

 

[AutoMechanic]

My friend who used to work at O’Reilly said they weren’t allowed to have things sitting on the shelves for months and months it all had to be rotated so if something didn’t sell it regularly it was axed from everyday on hand inventory. So common parts like brakes they can keep but odd stuff like that no. My dealership is the same way unfortunately.

 

[D60]

My friend who used to work at O’Reilly said they weren’t allowed to have things sitting on the shelves for months and months it all had to be rotated so if something didn’t sell it regularly it was axed from everyday on hand inventory. So common parts like brakes they can keep but odd stuff like that no. My dealership is the same way unfortunately.

The sheer number of manufacturers and models has increased so much since the 70s and 80s, I can hardly blame them.

I think if we can perfect something like drone delivery or just improved last-mile logistics it will increasingly make sense to keep parts in huge regional hubs like the Borg ship, and a picker pulls them from a row, shelf, bin location.

If done properly it will benefit everyone because even the guy with the oddball Cressida or Plymouth Laser can get his parts within hours. Or, at least hope springs eternal.....

 

[bdcardinal]

My friend who used to work at O’Reilly said they weren’t allowed to have things sitting on the shelves for months and months it all had to be rotated so if something didn’t sell it regularly it was axed from everyday on hand inventory. So common parts like brakes they can keep but odd stuff like that no. My dealership is the same way unfortunately.

Dealers are like that too. If there is too much obsolesence on hand (anything over 12 months of no movement) that starts to affect our backend money from Ford. One of the nice things about our RIM (Rapid Inventory Management) program is anything brought in under that program can be sent back after 9 months of no movement. It makes literally no sense whatsoever to stock parts that are just going to collect dust on a shelf. It is a waste of the owner's money.