Reminded why I don't shop at AutoZone anymore.

[ffhdriver]

The only parts store I've had trouble with is NAPA. Manager told me the Mazda mechanic who couldn't mount the NAPA starter on my Miata because the bolt holes were in the wrong place didn't know what he was doing. When I threatened to contact his manager he finally gave me my refund. Haven't used that store since. I had starter problems and after two Mazda starters the dealer allowed me to try a non Mazda starter.

 

[mpvue]

I have a NAPA that I could WALK to from my house, but I don't go there. they are focused on wholesale to the trade and their retail prices are too high.
I try to plan ahead for jobs and will go rockauto if I can, otherwise I'll drive to advance.

 

[occupant]

We don't even have a NAPA in Wichita Falls. The AutoZone is halfway across town from me but I have O'Reilly and Advance a couple minutes away. Could easily walk it if needed. I haven't even tried the AutoZone because the O'Reilly is too convenient. But for large purchases, I'm still hitting RockAuto and/or Amazon for filters, gaskets, and really anything more than $30 or so. I'll still buy my fluids, oils, cleaning supplies, and wiper blades locally, though.

The only annoying part about my local O'Reilly and Advance stores is there are homeless people who bug you for change in the parking lot. So don't go early morning and you're good. Later in the day they are generally passed out drunk behind the car wash, and at night they go beg by the bars on the other side of the base.

 

[mjoekingz28]

Originally Posted By: stephen9666
Originally Posted By: Chris142

90% of the public has absolutely no understanding how a charging system works. When that big red picture of a battery comes on in the dash they assume that the battery is bad.

So they bring the battery into the store and it tests good. Then they get in the employees face about it.


Ugh, tell me about it.

When I used to work at a tire shop, we had a few people coming in complaining about our batteries.

"I'll charge it up and then the next morning it's dead."

Well, that's most likely an electrical drain, not a bad battery. But try telling that to someone who has convinced themselves that it's a bad battery.



I'm guilty of this. I had an Exide battery for a year, then suddenly the dash lights start acting up and flash and the speedo and tach die and come back to life. Had the system checked at AAP since their computer discovered it was a bad battery a year back (AZ's computer said all was well). Well, I take the battery back to Exide and they say the battery was good (maybe it checked good since they tested the battery by itself, whereas at AAP it was all hooked up). Well I just beared it and walked out when the guy suggested the rubber grommets/tabs on the terminals may be the problem. I think, they're not a wear item and have never been a problem in the past. I know nothing about these so i ask for a tool to remove them and the battery worker comes out to my car and cuts them out with his pocket knife ( I need one of these: looking at a Kershaw per the thread). No problems in that area since. What a great help.

I was thinking to myself they just didn't want to warranty the part, but I kept it to myself since I'm commonly wrong.


I noticed with AAP that their warranty is quite fair, but not for life. They will generally replace the part once then no more. I had rotors that warped, returned them and they warped too and wouldn't replace them. Months later the rotors smoothed out. Had a water pump that would leak so I returned it and the new one leaked and caused the coolant light to come on at the same mileage. I just lived with it and would you believe that the leak actually went from a pint every 8-10k to every 15k+? Weird stuff.

 

[calvin1]

All the AZs around here except for one kiss my feet when I walk in, same for the NAPA and AAP. The O'Reillys is in an urban area and if you can get past the ghetto jive they're okay too. OTOH, EVERY ONE of the independents around here act like they can't be bothered to do business with the shade tree DIY guys like me. I guess their garage accounts keep them fed so why bother getting off the stool for me? Whatever ... the ASE flunky across the street at AZ will be happy to help me. He'll also see the thousands of dollars of business I've done with them when he pulls up my phone number because they've consistently taken care of me.

Originally Posted By: Chris142
90% of the public has absolutly no understanding how a charging system works. When that big red picture of a battery comes on in the dash they assume that the battery is bad.
No kidding! It cracks me up when I see people on the side of the road with the jumper cables out. Hey Sparky, how do you think you got that far? I literally see this at least every other week.

 

[Rock_Hudstone]

Originally Posted By: SubyRoo
The employees at my local AutoZone, Advance and Oreillys are like angels compared to the people at Napa. There are three Napa stores within driving distance and I have tried them all and left disgusted every time.


I believe NAPAs are franchised which is barely one step above the old local mom and pop auto parts stores who would grumble under their breath if you dared return a fan belt.
Glad those days are over and we have choices.

It all depends on who is behind the counter. There are two AAP stores by me withing minutes of each other. One is a real PITA and I never go there anymore, the other is generally pleasant and cooperative.

The nearby Autozone is okay but the counter help is often lazy and ignorant, I only use them for certain items. I think parts quality and selection is better at AAP as well, especially if you make them dig in the computer for special order stuff, usually available next day from the warehouse.

Autozone is pushing more and more of their house brands.