Walking into part store just for oil filter.

[Tdbo]

I think the manager was "protecting" the cashier. Corporate likely tracks or monitors sales and they know what employee did each transaction, so they'll see an oil-filter only sale and target that employee for not upselling and adding items to the sale. The manager telling the employee to direct the customer to the self-checkout removes that corporate oversight.

This is probably the reason. However, it is poor form to dress down the clerk within ear shod of the customer.
I'd return them on principle. I'd guess the OP is grown enough to determine whether or not they want the "Big, fat, OC deal."

 

[BHopkins]

I would never go back to that auto parts store again after hearing that. What a jerk.

I suspect every major auto parts chain has a similar policy, so you will be boycotting a lot of stores.

Adding accessories to a sale is a strategy as old as time.

Yup. It has been probably 15 years since my youngest son worked for Autozone. From his earliest years working for them, Autozone has always required their employees to try to sell you more.

Remember the small single use packages of dielectric grease and such that Autozone used to keep at the registers? The employees were expected to ask if you needed these any time a customer was checking out with related items. Spark plugs? Do you need dielectric grease? Gasket? Do you need RTV? Brake pads? Do you need brake clean or brake fluid?

If a manager caught you failing to upsell, you would be scolded, and it would reflect on your next review. Today, with advanced software for stores, I'm sure they track it pretty carefully.

The culture that this corporate policy created is one of the reasons my son quit working for Autozone.

 

[MetalSlug]

I suspect every major auto parts chain has a similar policy, so you will be boycotting a lot of store.

This why I just ignore it or else I be boycot Alot of store lol

 

[dishdude]

I can't put my finger on what happened to parts stores...or when it happened. We went from hubs of old-school knowledge and professionalism to peddlers of floor mats and air fresheners...most of which come from China. It often pains me to watch some of these parts people fumble through helping customers while tapping a keyboard and having almost zero basic knowledge. It's particularly sad to watch some of them fumble through trouble codes with their OBD-II readers, offering only parts purchases instead of actual analysis.

Pepboys started this, sold everything but auto parts I'm sure due to the margin. Where are they now? I don't even think they have any parts stores left open.

 

[Sayjac]

Sounds silly and especially anal retentive by the manager. If he/she felt compelled to inform the employee, it should have been done in private. But the self check out concept doesn't sound too bad to me. As I know what I want before entering an AP store, bypassing the counter jocks not the worst thing that could happen, imo.

As a related aside, recently I've had several excellent AAP experiences with filter, oil, and Valvoline Restore and Protect/CQ Premium OF bundle purchases. And saved some $$$ along the way. Probably the most I've purchased from them in years.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

I have to admit a major reason I steer clear of the big parts stores is that I find them personally offensive. When I was in college I worked at - and eventually managed - the largest parts store in Milwaukee. The store was huge, all counter jockeys had to be certified, and we received almost constant training from our myriad vendors. In addition, we had an excellent speed shop for customers to keep their hot rods rolling. We didn't have computers at the counter -- only a few large banks of product catalogs. You had to know what you were doing, plain and simple. Our store had a large local client population, many of whom knew us all by name.

The counter guys (yes, guys) were bonafide gearheads, with many of our part-timers coming from the local high school's automotive tech program. Our cashiers up front were all girls, most of whom were students. They were the best. I married one of them almost 31 years ago.

I can't put my finger on what happened to parts stores...or when it happened. We went from hubs of old-school knowledge and professionalism to peddlers of floor mats and air fresheners...most of which come from China. It often pains me to watch some of these parts people fumble through helping customers while tapping a keyboard and having almost zero basic knowledge. It's particularly sad to watch some of them fumble through trouble codes with their OBD-II readers, offering only parts purchases instead of actual analysis.

I seriously never know whether to simply laugh or just shout "Are you kidding me?"

Sadly, Its NOT just parts stores is ALL retail that went from "Professionalism to floor mats and air fresheners" WE the Customer are to blame! Thats how I see it anyway...

In the early to mid 90's us Customers decided and made the choice with whom we spent our money, voted with our wallet and now we got what we wanted, at that time anyway... At that time We CHOOSE and demanded THE LOWEST price possible, at ALL COST!

At one time in the 80's and early 90's Retail Sales people were not paid six figures ( in todays money ) but many earned that via "Commission".

This was long before the age if the internet, IF the average Joe customer wanted to be educated it required lots of reading and perhaps a subscription to Consumer Reports but your average Vacuum & Sewing machine sales person at Sears was required to do weekly computer product training and many had been selling 20-30 years as a full time position with health care and retirement. Many took pride at his / her work and knowledge and was far from a high school age cashier we have today! Back then a Joe customer could actually receive educated advice from Simply walking into a Sears or Circuit City.

IF Joe Customer walked into a SEARS Vacuum / Sewing department he didn't stand around looking for help as back then an average $400 Vacuum or Sewing machine paid a sales person as much as 13% to 18% of that $400 product and 10% commission of the extra extended warranty!

One vacuum a day paid for dinner and the good sales people were always hungry and hungry to help, some considered it "pressure" some considered it "high pressure" but IT was help!

Fast forward to 2026...
IF you want to buy something as just one example take Home Depot, grab your rolling cart as you enter ( as you are on your own buddy ) and find your way to that lawn mower garden department. Don't even think about asking someone walking past in his orange apron what weed killer is the best or what is his best push mower or if he has 0% on the Home Depot Credit Card as he will quickly tell you thats NOT his department as he keeps walking past you... ( tell me i'm wrong ) He may say I'm just a vender as he keeps walking whatever that is?

True story, a few Christmases ago I'm in a Sam's Club and this old man is standing in the middle of TV section having a melt down! He is actually screaming at the top of his lungs " CAN I GET SOME HELP, WHY CAN"T I GET SOME HELP" I NEED HELP!!!! and he don't stop, has his eye closed and loosing it at the top of his lungs, a true Christmas MELT DOWN for all to see! However, not one employee is in view and and I thought and almost said something to him, I wanted to say YOU are why YOU can't get any help!

MR, You required and DEMANDED the lowest price on everything your purchase, YOU choose Shopping Clubs ( and paid for a membership ) YOU choose Walmart and BIG BOX Everything so now Gone is Circuit City when a Sales pro would have greeted you with his coat and tie and mandatory clip board and mandatory handshake as ask what kinda TV you looking for today Sir? How Can I HELP You?

And now Amazon...
We ALL got what we wanted and demanded...
However, as just one example, Amazon will deliver to my house a 8 oz Amazon Grocery brand Cream Cheese for a low $1.84 and will deliver it TODAY ( same day ) FREE with Prime between 5pm and 10 pm in a ice packed insulated bag as long as its a $10 minimum order.

Looks like NO Pro sales people or even a cashier will be needed much longer...

 

[Hootbro]

Unless I was actually told to go to self checkout while in line for a cashier checkout, it is a "them" problem and not a "me" problem to get worked up in how they want to run their employees.

 

[Hall]

Retail employees are not technically sales people.

Yes, they are. They are also floor sweepers, wiper-blade-and-battery-installers, and so on. In the case of Autozone, those people we deal with are in fact "RETAIL SALES ASSOCIATES" and their job description includes "Recommend products, services, and promotions to enhance customer experience, while contributing to sales goals and store performance metrics".

However, it is poor form to dress down the clerk within ear shod of the customer.

OP went from the manager "reminding" the worker to "sounded angry" Bit of a swing, so who knows....

 

[travis8352]

Yes, they are. They are also floor sweepers, wiper-blade-and-battery-installers, and so on. In the case of Autozone, those people we deal with are in fact "RETAIL SALES ASSOCIATES" and their job description includes "Recommend products, services, and promotions to enhance customer experience, while contributing to sales goals and store performance metrics".

OP went from the manager "reminding" the worker to "sounded angry" Bit of a swing, so who knows....

I never go to autozone but now it makes sense why the last time i did the guy told me it would really help him out if i bought some techron lol

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

I never go to autozone but now it makes sense why the last time i did the guy told me it would really help him out if i bought some techron lol

Back in the day a $29 roll of Monster speaker cable paid me a $1spiff! I sold a lot of speakers and a BIG BUNCH of speaker wire! Pay me $1 and 'll sell it! I wonder does Techron and Lucas pay a cashier $1?

 

[ATex7239]

Yes, they are. They are also floor sweepers, wiper-blade-and-battery-installers, and so on. In the case of Autozone, those people we deal with are in fact "RETAIL SALES ASSOCIATES" and their job description includes "Recommend products, services, and promotions to enhance customer experience, while contributing to sales goals and store performance metrics".

OP went from the manager "reminding" the worker to "sounded angry" Bit of a swing, so who knows....

Call them whatever you like based on whatever metric you want but it doesn’t change their capabilities, experience and training. Just cause they sell you wipers it doesn’t make them any more of a sales person than them installing batteries makes them a mechanic.

 

[Hootbro]

Just about anybody under the age of 50 probably cannot remember the days of true retail sales professionals that @SOUNDMAN5000 described. There really is no frame of reference for most people of what true sales professionals were and it is easy and to some degree justifiable to label what is basic store counter workers today as "sales" people as that is the new adjusted norm.

 

[Hall]

Call them whatever you like based on whatever metric you want but it doesn’t change their capabilities, experience and training. Just cause they sell you wipers it doesn’t make them any more of a sales person than them installing batteries makes them a mechanic.

I'm not calling them anything. What I quoted is directly from Autozone's job posting page. Autozone considers them "sales" people.

 

[BHopkins]

Pepboys started this, sold everything but auto parts I'm sure due to the margin. Where are they now? I don't even think they have any parts stores left open.

In name only. IIRC, the most of the remaining Pepboys stores got bought up by Autozone, along with the rights to retain the Pepboys name on the stores. I think a few Pepboys are still owned by the same company. Not many though.

Sounds silly and especially anal retentive by the manager. If he/she felt compelled to inform the employee, it should have been done in private. But the self check out concept doesn't sound too bad to me. As I know what I want before entering an AP store, bypassing the counter jocks not the worst thing that could happen, imo.

Yeah, when retail store shift managers are typically little more than the employee with the most experience, fewest discipline issues, and best attendance record, you can't expect much in management skills.

 

[dbias]

If I'm told to use the self checkout by a counter person, I'm just going to walk out with out the filters.

I’m absolutely giddy that AZ has the self checkout. Why wait in line behind someone getting parts for a rebuild when I can walk in and grab what i need, scan it, tap my card, choose email receipt and get on with my day

 

[Patman]

I’m absolutely giddy that AZ has the self checkout. Why wait in line behind someone getting parts for a rebuild when I can walk in and grab what i need, scan it, tap my card, choose email receipt and get on with my day

That’s why I loved it when Costco added a self checkout area. I typically only buy 1 or 2 items at a time so I used to hate being stuck behind 5 people with full carts. Now I’m usually out of there in 5 minutes (which gives me extra time to eat a $1.50 hot dog)

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

I’m absolutely giddy that AZ has the self checkout. Why wait in line behind someone getting parts for a rebuild when I can walk in and grab what i need, scan it, tap my card, choose email receipt and get on with my day

My local AZ does not have a self checkout, just this week I walk in and grab my Red Line S-1 Cleaner and go to pay and the store is empty, The Only employee is out front helping a lady with wiper blades so I'm at a stand still till he finishes...
A self checkout may not be a bad idea given my last experience....

 

[Zee09]

That’s why I loved it when Costco added a self checkout area. I typically only buy 1 or 2 items at a time so I used to hate being stuck behind 5 people with full carts. Now I’m usually out of there in 5 minutes (which gives me extra time to eat a $1.50 hot dog)

The Dollar Stores dumped them all because of constant theft.... they are handy though

 

[GSCJR]

I don't think the manager explained himself correctly to you @MetalSlug; just playing devil's advocate here.

That’s why I loved it when Costco added a self checkout area. I typically only buy 1 or 2 items at a time so I used to hate being stuck behind 5 people with full carts. Now I’m usually out of there in 5 minutes (which gives me extra time to eat a $1.50 hot dog)

Are you still buying those rotisserie chickens?

The Dollar Stores dumped them all because of constant theft.... they are handy though

I once busted two ladies stashing entire packages found near the registers (gum/chocolates) under their larger loose garments. They watched me as they slowly returned the items back on the shelf; I still reported them to the employees as they were distracted (tactic of often used) They asked me to describe the perpetrators, and they immediately knew who I was referring to. Their response was that these ladies are know to frequent and steal from dollar stores along a stretch of road.

 

[Zee09]

I don't think the manager explained himself correctly to you @MetalSlug; just playing devil's advocate here.

Are you still buying those rotisserie chickens?

I once busted two ladies stashing entire packages found near the registers (gum/chocolates) under their larger loose garments. They watched me as they slowly returned the items back on the shelf; I still reported them to the employees as they were distracted (tactic of often used) They asked me to describe the perpetrators, and they immediately knew who I was referring to. Their response was that these ladies are know to frequent and steal from dollar stores along a stretch of road.

The employees here said the police wouldn't even bother coming out.