Local NAPA is franchise and not so good. We have a corporate account and I can find cheaper pricing without working too hard. NAPA in next town is corporate and gives me good pricing. I get oil from wallmart or shell comercial retailer. Filters from Cat or NAPA depending on vehicle. Subie gets OEM filters for the time being.
Trip to NAPA today - new oil buying paradigm?
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So some NAPAs are very good?
So are some AZ, AAP and O'R's locations.
It's the store manager and the employees who make a location great or awful.
None of the other chains match NAPA's periodic $3.49/qt on their house branded Synpower on any synthetic oil they sell, though.
I've shopped all of them and haven't found any one of them to be superior across the board.
So are some AZ, AAP and O'R's locations.
It's the store manager and the employees who make a location great or awful.
None of the other chains match NAPA's periodic $3.49/qt on their house branded Synpower on any synthetic oil they sell, though.
I've shopped all of them and haven't found any one of them to be superior across the board.
I had a similar epiphany. My favorite local store is an Auto Value Franchise (similar to Napa). Where else am I going to get somebody to spend 15 minutes looking up clutch sizes to fit my Lada Niva and give other good advice. He stocks a reasonable selection of oils and I've pretty much settled on the Wolf's Head because I get good case prices and good UOAs.
This is good information. I stocked up on NAPA filters during the most recent semi-annual sale. But it's nice to know that a decent discount can be had year round, just by asking.
I've found that most of the auto parts stores have their strengths and weaknesses, and not all stores of a certain chain are equal. Bad management, or good management, can make all the difference. I've moved around enough to know that a good relationship with the associates really helps, no matter which store I go to.
I've also found that if I want top quality parts, I almost always find what I'm looking for at NAPA. CarQuest is another decent source for quality parts. But my local CarQuest is set up more for the local farmer, so I don't go there often. If I'm looking for value, I will go to Autozone. Parts are typically less expensive than NAPA, but still decent. And, depending on the store, the associates have a fair product knowledge. About the only time I make it to O'Reilly is when I'm picking up something in particular that they stock. I don't depend on their associates to be of any help. Usually, I know more about what I am buying than they do. Pep Boys is the Walmart of auto parts stores. They seem to be more about cheap prices and selling a lot more fluff than other stores. I don't even bother going in to one any longer.
I've found that most of the auto parts stores have their strengths and weaknesses, and not all stores of a certain chain are equal. Bad management, or good management, can make all the difference. I've moved around enough to know that a good relationship with the associates really helps, no matter which store I go to.
I've also found that if I want top quality parts, I almost always find what I'm looking for at NAPA. CarQuest is another decent source for quality parts. But my local CarQuest is set up more for the local farmer, so I don't go there often. If I'm looking for value, I will go to Autozone. Parts are typically less expensive than NAPA, but still decent. And, depending on the store, the associates have a fair product knowledge. About the only time I make it to O'Reilly is when I'm picking up something in particular that they stock. I don't depend on their associates to be of any help. Usually, I know more about what I am buying than they do. Pep Boys is the Walmart of auto parts stores. They seem to be more about cheap prices and selling a lot more fluff than other stores. I don't even bother going in to one any longer.
I feel very lucky today when I went to my local Advance Auto. A friend needed a new hose from the PCV valve to the intake. Due to the awkward position of the PCV valve and hose, simply cutting a bulk vacuum hose down wasn't going to work. The guy helped me out by finding some vacuum elbows from various cars, and fitting them to various bulk hoses in order to get a vacuum tight fit.
The result worked perfectly. If someone didn't know what an OEM Chrysler PCV hose looked like, they might think the one we built was straight from a MOPAR parts dealer.
Normally, when I have to replace complex vacuum lines, I feel like I am trying to be MacGuyver in the middle of nowhere.
I don't like Pep Boys that much either. It is great when I need an automotive fluid that most people don't know about, such as VW 507 approved oil. However, if you don't know exactly what you want, it isn't so easy to get help. It seems like they make the most selling cheap looking car accessories. I have no interest in buying pieces of plastic that make my car look like it has a GTO Judge ram air hood and Buick portholes.
The result worked perfectly. If someone didn't know what an OEM Chrysler PCV hose looked like, they might think the one we built was straight from a MOPAR parts dealer.
Normally, when I have to replace complex vacuum lines, I feel like I am trying to be MacGuyver in the middle of nowhere.
I don't like Pep Boys that much either. It is great when I need an automotive fluid that most people don't know about, such as VW 507 approved oil. However, if you don't know exactly what you want, it isn't so easy to get help. It seems like they make the most selling cheap looking car accessories. I have no interest in buying pieces of plastic that make my car look like it has a GTO Judge ram air hood and Buick portholes.
I agree with everyone on Pep Boyzz.
BUT, they are one of the ONLY chains which carry Red Line SI-1 right on the shelf, and with their discount coupons which I get e-mailed to me as a Glove Box member, this product costs MUCH less than I can buy it, even in bulk/case lots, from ANY site.
BUT, they are one of the ONLY chains which carry Red Line SI-1 right on the shelf, and with their discount coupons which I get e-mailed to me as a Glove Box member, this product costs MUCH less than I can buy it, even in bulk/case lots, from ANY site.
My local NAPA is a franchise with about 4 stores. They're all pretty good, but their original store is the best staffed in my opinion. Napa is the only place near me that I feel that I can trust to get the right part and not spend an arm and a leg. When I go to Autozone, I feel like I'm bothering the staff and Advance Auto, it's much the same. There's one other local place, but unless the owner is there, they're just rude, but the parts are good.
Customer service gets me to return, I will spend the extra buck for it.
Customer service gets me to return, I will spend the extra buck for it.
Local NAPA store here is pretty good, but Car Quest is also. Car Quest is quite a bit closer so that is where I usually go. Their customer service is excellent.
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