AutoZone, Dont We Love Em

[XJoshua]

AutoZone is really starting to bug me. I wouldnt have to shop there if the other parts store ever had the parts in stock.

I went in there a couple nights ago to get a radiator flush kit, antifreeze, and antirust additive. The guy followed me around, and I understand I came in late, but he tried so hard to get me to purchase the most expensive antifreeze ever. I grabed the cheap Value stuff and he told me to get the Prestone stuff about 3 times saying it was only $3 dollars more. Now that the blingy intake rice stuff is near the additives he suggested I get a chrome trim cone filter. Then I told him I dont care about "performance" because I have a stroker in the making. Then he questioned my intentions on that saying that a '88 XJ isnt worth putting money into. I told him I disagreed, everything is covered in oil which kepts the underbody in tip top shape, and the interior is spotless minus the missing headliner.

So when I asked him to get the fan clutch and thermostat he questioned me on the thermostat I told him one that pops at 180*F, he said well our computer says you need a 195*F. Almost lost it there, after he questioned all intentions that night. Finally after getting everything he asked if I wanted chrome polish for my rims. That got me fired up because my rims are the stock nine slot, with surface rust all over, and only someone from this town would even suggest me having Dubs on a Jeep.

At one point I wish I had asked him to help me find the headlight fluid so I could run out of the store. I dunno if its just this town, or every AutoZone, but if a customer comes in knowing what s/he wants then the sells person should not suggest and questions all of his/her intentions.:lecture:

[aparke4]

i have never had that problem but my roomate is a manager so i get the discount plus the exact part i need he doesnt try to sell me the bling wheel cleaner of performance cone because he HAS seen my XJ! he suggested a pair of doors when i come in to get parts! haha

[DrMoab]

Just so you know...Your jeep "should have a 195* stat in it.

[OT]

Just so you know...Your jeep "should have a 195* stat in it.
That's right.
It's not a SBC, and actually runs better at higher temps.
Any lower and you're gonna start wasting fuel.

[RTicUL8]

"...everything is covered in oil which kepts the underbody in tip top shape..."

I think I figured out why my jeep has so many squeaks - it's too clean.

[chelms27]

all auto zone's in Cali I have been to are slow, filled with non-english speaking people, and the personnel who work there only get the jobs because they speak spanish...obviously, because they never know what the fuc$ they are talking about! IMO they suck.

[Fish'nCarz]

The AZ here is just fine. Sometimes you get the kids that don't know their ass from a hole in the ground, but usually they are helpful and too busy to be pushy.

[Dirt]

I only go to that place in work clothes.



I never get hassled. :thumbup:

[OT]

I only go to that place in work clothes.



I never get hassled. :thumbup:
Yeah, I don't imagine they would..........



http://www.lasvegas-nv.com/showpics/chippendales.jpg

[IcedXJ]

Yeah, I don't imagine they would..........



http://www.lasvegas-nv.com/showpics/chippendales.jpg
oh that is a picture of me last night...I did some pushups and was walking around the house, and no that is not chippendales :D

[OT]

oh that is a picture of me last night...I did some pushups and was walking around the house, and no that is not chippendales :D
Actually, that was the shot I got of you celebrating, after laying down that sweet bead, the other day.
Didn't think I was watching, did you?

[Dirt]

I'm way better lookin' than that dude.

[XgeekstarX]

sooooooooooo many guys are coming to us at advance from autozone because of the horrible customer service. they are just right across the road, and about 5 times today we had people come in there saying they were fed up with the rude employees and them getting the wrong parts. sure they're marginally cheaper on some stuff, but i'd rather go somewhere i get treated nicely.. plus we offer pricematch so yeah.

[woody]

I get good service from the NAPA & Advance near home, as well as the local (to my work) Auto Zone. Seems like AZ gets the bulk of my business simply due to a more convenient location. (Napa & Advance near work sucks for getting in & out of their parking lots... that alone can add 5 + min to the trip so I avoid it.)

Generally I know the exact part # I want (all these places have websites just so ya know) before getting there... or at least will bring in the old part to match it up with what's offered. I find the staff generally helpful too :dunno:

[imma honky]

I get good service from the NAPA & Advance near home, as well as the local (to my work) Auto Zone. Seems like AZ gets the bulk of my business simply due to a more convenient location. (Napa & Advance near work sucks for getting in & out of their parking lots... that alone can add 5 + min to the trip so I avoid it.)

Generally I know the exact part # I want (all these places have websites just so ya know) before getting there... or at least will bring in the old part to match it up with what's offered. I find the staff generally helpful too :dunno:
That's the exact same I do.
AZ is less than a 3 minutes drive.
Napa is second closest, but off a busy medianed road.
Advance is closer to my work.
I get part numbers first and then go in and order.
No probs with any as of yet.

[88flexj]

I prefer Napa. Although its not much better. The electrical parts seem to hold up better. I made the mistake of getting an alternater from Autozone one time. What an adventure that was, the staff is top notch:dunce:

[OT]

I bought a new alternator at The Parts Store in Moab.
It has a three year warranty from 10-07-04 and damnit, if it hasn't needed returning yet.
I'm hoping for it to fail sometime around next Easter.:D

[IslanderOffRoad]

Wow, I never get any service like that at Auto Zone... matter of fact, its hard enough to get one of the retards to acknowledge me!

I go to Napa 90% of the time now, its worth the extra drive and money for the better service.

[olivedrabcj7]

Well as a previous Autozone employee, I can agree with everyone that hates that place. I worked there for 2 years and was one of, if not THE most knowledgeable people in the store. My first day on the job I overheard a female employee tell a customer to put ATF3 in his manual clutch reservoir, and on another occassion she told somebody that power steering fluid and brake fluid are the same thing.

Autozone will hire anyone who can name random parts of an automobile in the interview. Around here, most autozone employees have very minimal hands on automotive experience. The stores i worked at were full of women whose husbands were "ASE certified mechanics" therefore they knew EVERYTHING. "well my husband does this" blah blah blah.

Even when i worked at AZ i shopped at Napa for most of my parts.


Autozone has a creedo called WITTDTJR. What It Takes To Do The Job Right. And as an employee, if you sell a radiator hose, for example, you get bonus "WITT" points if you sell hose clamps, antifreeze, hose lube, shop rags, etc with it. It pissed me off when my boss would yell at me for not suggesting all that bullshit when the customer didnt ask for it. 9 times out of ten it frustrates the customer to sit there and suggest all this stuff they already have or already know they need.

im off my soap box now. :soapbox:

[IslanderOffRoad]

Well as a previous Autozone employee, I can agree with everyone that hates that place. I worked there for 2 years and was one of, if not THE most knowledgeable people in the store. My first day on the job I overheard a female employee tell a customer to put ATF3 in his manual clutch reservoir, and on another occassion she told somebody that power steering fluid and brake fluid are the same thing.

Autozone will hire anyone who can name random parts of an automobile in the interview. Around here, most autozone employees have very minimal hands on automotive experience. The stores i worked at were full of women whose husbands were "ASE certified mechanics" therefore they knew EVERYTHING. "well my husband does this" blah blah blah.

Even when i worked at AZ i shopped at Napa for most of my parts.


Autozone has a creedo called WITTDTJR. What It Takes To Do The Job Right. And as an employee, if you sell a radiator hose, for example, you get bonus "WITT" points if you sell hose clamps, antifreeze, hose lube, shop rags, etc with it. It pissed me off when my boss would yell at me for not suggesting all that bullshit when the customer didnt ask for it. 9 times out of ten it frustrates the customer to sit there and suggest all this stuff they already have or already know they need.

im off my soap box now. :soapbox:

I tried to work there once. They refused to hire me because I was 17, but they were in desperate need. I'd laugh every time I went in there and they had a long line after that.

[red91]

oh that is a picture of me last night...I did some pushups and was walking around the house, and no that is not chippendales :D


nope it isn't chipanddales...

It's from you upcoming appearance on "The View"...

so did Barbra Walters like the show?

[UNCC_99XJ]

about the only thing they're good for is for me dropping off my old oil.

Napa all the way.

[Cornflake]

My local Autozone happens to have an employee who has a pretty sweet built XJ and seems to know his sh#t. It's nice cause his rig is the same year as mine. Now if he wasn't there it might be a different experience. I prefer usually going to Kragens (closer to home) or our local only shop Franklin's. We have a great Jeep Recyclers place here too and they have a lot of XJ's but the workers seem to fixate on Wranglers.

[JrTxJ]

i don't shop at autozone anymore since two stores refused to take back my less than a year old rotors that rusted really badly, so badly i couldn't sand it off and it was causing my calipers to stick, and this was from 2 1/2 weeks of sitting. they told me i must have parked in water and then blamed the fact that i live 5 minutes from the ocean for causing them to rust. i admitted to them i had never seen rotors rust so fast and have bought sets from them in the past and had no problems, but this pair was defective and they tried to blame me. it really was one of those, you had to see it to believe it sort of things. at one point, they said if you were going to let the car sit you should have prepared the rotors and 'sprayed them with wd40' so they wouldn't rust, to which i countered by saying so everytime you go away on a vacation or if you were in the hospital or away for anything, you make sure you go out of your way to prepare your rotors to sit? they looked worse than brakes sitting in the junkyard for over 6 months... there's nothing like having a warranty and being called a liar when trying to use it to exchange a defective product. it really sucked, so i now use discount auto parts.

[XJoshua]

This isnt the first problem Ive had with them. I swore several times not to return, but I had to since they had what I needed in stock.

When I needed ujoints I asked for greasable ones, and thats what I got but the pin bearings were busted up. So I asked for a exchange and it had a three month warranty. They revoked it, and wouldnt give me another greasable one so I got the non-greasable for $8 more.
Then another occassion when the clerk got me the wrong rubber tubing. They wouldnt give me my cash back since they didn thave the other size on stock. So I asked for a store credit, which was nice, but still didnt get my vacum leak fixed any faster.

Ive tried getting a job there before, but got denied because I was 17 aswell. The guy who was the regional manager knew his stuff though, and was nice enough to tell me not to waste my time at a auto parts store til I turned 18, because I would have just been a stock clerk working a couple hours a week.


Aslo has anyone noticed alot of Jeep parts are over priced. I need a EGR Valve and they told me $132, went to the dealership and got it for $74. Same with the fan clutch.

[XgeekstarX]

a while ago we had the store manager from the one across the road come over and get an application and just today we had the parts manager and a counter guy come over and get applications.

[Del00XJ]

We just don't get served in Delaware at the Autozone's. Of course there's a Pepboy's two blocks away so the mexican/caucasian ratio is farely even depending on how many 89' escorts and AE86 corolla's are in the parking lot. I live closer to the Autozone, have been in multiple times, and not walked back out the door in anything less then ten minutes. PepBoys, I can withstand. Partically like the mallrated cruiser's in the parking lot where the ghetto flex off a curb so everyone can walk by and see them... University of Delaware's a block away, chicks don't know the difference... Bastards!

[XJoshua]

MMmmm AE86 the only corolla I could ever drive, except the new 2007 Corollas Id drive one of those(dunno the designation though).

[Del00XJ]

AE86's are mean little bastards... Cleaned up and boostin' those cars are quite nice... I had a bagged Silverado, Accord... I just can't get used to driving low to the ground again...

[bjoehandley]

I'd probably have left empty handed in this case, screw them. I don't like shopping at Napa either.

[Phager]

Well, since this is a gripe about AZ thread, here's my story. I had an intermittant no start situation that started a couple months ago. I thought I had it fixed by replacing the main grounds, since the old ones were worn through the insulation near the block. Anyway, the problem came back last thursday so I checked the grounds again, and then decided to just pull the damn starter and clean up the mounting surfaces since it grounds to the block, it seemed like a reasonable attempt.

After I pulled the starter, I saw that it had the Chrysler logo on it, which indicated to me that it was pretty old, so I figured what the hell, I'll take it down and get it tested for sh!ts and giggles. I get down to AZ and hand it to the retard behind the counter, and apperantly they have a new tester that put's it in a little cubby with just a small window to see the starter through. Now this... creature... positioned the starter so that the portion of the nose that's solid metal was facing towards the window, and tells me the starter failed because he didn't see the bendix extend out during the test.

Now, I try to be a nice guy, and question as to how he would be able to see it extend when the view is blocked. After going back on forth on this issue, I realized that it was a lost cause and decided to pursue a diffrent tactic and asked him if it was the machine that indicated it failed. His response was "Well, I didn't see the gear come out, so I told the machine that and it failed". Needless to say, I took the starter to a Knechts (I think it's an oregon only store) and asked them to test it, and of course the starter checked out fine.

I've been a pretty loyal customer of AZ because quite a few of the employees are somewhat knowledgeable at my local store. But I'm really starting to question that stance after that little incident.

-Pat

[Dave Meyers]

My gripe isn't about Autozone per se, but frustration about personnel anywhere with limitted knowledge. My biggest pet peeve was when I would ask for parts for my International Harvester Scout. Most personnel would ask, "Who makes that?". I would say, "International Harvester," which was followed by, "That's a Ford, right?". "no, It's an International Harvester Scout, it is an SUV like an old Bronco or Blazer"........"Sir, we don't have parts for 18 wheelers...." But, any parts counter guy over 60 years old knew exactly what the Scout was, and shared many stories about having one on a farm and in his family. I eventually sold the Scout to build up a CJ, and just purchased an XJ daily driver, and I am loving it. It's a plus that everyone knows what both vehicles are. Still, I sometimes get grilled about whether I am buying incorrect parts. Example, engine parts for the CJ; no matter how many times I say it has a sbc, they have a hard time selling me Chevy parts if I say I am putting them in a Jeep. I am done venting. I love working on my vehicles and doing so is still my biggest enjoyment, and I include my 7 year old son, and have done so since he was 8 months old. Dave

[Highlander]

Yea AZ sucks!!!!!


*L* I work there.....

But I will say, they'll give anyone a job. We got some real winners working with me now, unlike my old store where everyone had 10+ years of experience cept me.

[XJoshua]

My gripe isn't about Autozone per se, but frustration about personnel anywhere with limitted knowledge. My biggest pet peeve was when I would ask for parts for my International Harvester Scout. Most personnel would ask, "Who makes that?". I would say, "International Harvester," which was followed by, "That's a Ford, right?". "no, It's an International Harvester Scout, it is an SUV like an old Bronco or Blazer"........"Sir, we don't have parts for 18 wheelers...." But, any parts counter guy over 60 years old knew exactly what the Scout was, and shared many stories about having one on a farm and in his family. I eventually sold the Scout to build up a CJ, and just purchased an XJ daily driver, and I am loving it. It's a plus that everyone knows what both vehicles are. Still, I sometimes get grilled about whether I am buying incorrect parts. Example, engine parts for the CJ; no matter how many times I say it has a sbc, they have a hard time selling me Chevy parts if I say I am putting them in a Jeep. I am done venting. I love working on my vehicles and doing so is still my biggest enjoyment, and I include my 7 year old son, and have done so since he was 8 months old. Dave

This is the best story so far. Also I learned something new, I never knew who made the Scouts, but now I do. Always knew what they were, and thought the were pretty nice, but never who made them. Good thing is I wouldnt have called it a 18 Wheeler.

[D.I.T.A]

I HATE AUTOZONE i have to fight though all the hondas in the parking lot once i get in i have to explain to them what i need one time i was getting a idler arm for my mallrunner and i asked the guy for the part he asked me if its for the engine i said no its for the steering he said no problem one second sir 5 minutes go by he said nobody can find it in the computer so i told him let me find it i found it in under 30 SECONDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HATE AUTOZONE

[dennis461]

.. but if a customer comes in knowing what s/he wants then the sells person should not suggest and questions all of his/her intentions...
It's not just Autozone, PepBoys in NJ would not sell me a tire for my rim with a bald tire unless I told them which vehicle it came off of.
The behavior could be caused by many reasons. "Most" people will try to help even though they don't know what they are talking about or may be wrong.
"Some" people are trying to get more sales to get a raise or more commissions(doubt that the commissions applies to most salesmen.

Don't take it personnel, behave like you're running for President, smile, thank them and say you'll try the other part later.

[tbburg]

no matter how many times I say it has a sbc, they have a hard time selling me Chevy parts if I say I am putting them in a Jeep.Have real fun: Tell them you want shocks for a Grand Cherokee, then when they ask you for the vehicle info, give them the specs for your XJ. "Yes, I know it's the wrong shock, but it's 2" longer, which fits my lift, now sell me the part number I asked you for."
I buy most of my parts from NAPA. 'Went through 3 AZ master cylinders in under a month(but they have a lifetime warranty!) Never again.

[nick86]

is this an Autozone bashing thread? The OP was asking bout u-joints you dumb ass's

[DrMoab]

is this an Autozone bashing thread? The OP was asking bout u-joints you dumb ass's

I just love it when you call someone a dumb ass. It just makes me giggle.

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

When working on an import, i prefer Autozone
when it comes to jeep parts, i prefer Knechts or Schucks, (parts america)

[WB9YZU]

You guys know you are messing in a thread which is over 2 years old, right?

It's not an Autozone, or Pep Boys, or any other of the new parts places, per se. It takes a while to generate a good parts person, and the wages are not conducive to sticking around.

I usually shop on-line and go to the store and pick it up. When I show up at the counter with their part number and tell them they have it in stock, I get an interesting look.

[bluejeepkid]

i personally prefer checker...

[IllianaXJ]

It's not an Autozone, or Pep Boys, or any other of the new parts places, per se. It takes a while to generate a good parts person, and the wages are not conducive to sticking around.
.

Yep. Hence why I don't work at Advance anymore. Pay sucked and I wanted to strangle 90% of the customers that came in the door.

For example, did you know that parts for a Chevy 350 are all the same, no matter what year, model or transmission? Huh, who knew?

I appreciated the people that came in with a specific part # or knew what the heck they were looking for. Made my job 100% easier. People that needed an advanced diagnosis of a "funny noise" their car was making and then got pissed when I couldn't pinpoint the issue and sell them a $2 fix found the door pretty quick.

[GrimmJeeper]

I buy most of my parts from NAPA. 'Went through 3 AZ master cylinders in under a month(but they have a lifetime warranty!) Never again.
thanks for your buisness! NAPA still does its best to source parts from the same manufacturers as OEM parts houses use. we carry a "good" line, and a "cheap" line. our good lines are usually equal to OEM, and our cheap lines are usually the same manufacturers that AZ or kragen and the like use.


I just love it when you call someone a dumb ass. It just makes me giggle.
:roflmao: new keyboard time :cheers:


i'll agree that not every parts guy knows what he's doing, ive worked with a couple. but dont walk in assuming the guy behind the counter is an idiot. if he's not, you're in for a big headache when he gets mad and starts playing with you ;)

[ehall]

AutoZone is good for some things--just today I needed a set of the hose clamp springs for some vacuum line and they have a pack of Dorman clamps that is exactly what I need. Box of oddball vacuum connectors, got that too. For real parts, I either mail order from Rockauto or buy from NAPA, depending on time pressure, cost, etc.

Sometimes the NAPA guys are pretty dense. I bought an A/C condenser there yesterday, then went back for the hard lines later and the guy tried to sell me bare tubing. I kept asking him if they sold the actual lines and he either did not understand or would not look it up. I found the parts in their online catalog later, but ended up buying them from a local mom and pop outfit.

NAPA online sucks balls too. Most of the online sites actually, but NAPA is at the bottom (just above PEP Boys which has nothing)

[GrimmJeeper]

NAPA online sucks balls too. Most of the online sites actually, but NAPA is at the bottom (just above PEP Boys which has nothing)
i'll have to agree with you there, the site used to be haldway decent, but now its completely inavigable. (is that a word? lol)


i get 5 or more complaints a day about the napaonline website.. unfortunately, i cant really doing anything about it lol.


;)

[scottmcneal]

:party:2 years today... LOL :cheers:

[PurpleCherokee]

That's right.
It's not a SBC, and actually runs better at higher temps.
Any lower and you're gonna start wasting fuel.

Oh really? I'm assuming you've dyno'd this?

[MT Mike]

Oh really? I'm assuming you've dyno'd this?

Be sure to let us know when Terry (OT) answers you back. http://www.slicky.net/smilies/mamorufast.gif

[ehall]

My thermostat recently stuck open and with the HD fan clutch the highway temps are 140 or thereabouts. My mileage has dropped about 5%.

[SeansBlueXJ]

AZ is ok by me except for the total lack of knowlage by the staff... you know it's bad when the employees there start asking ME for advice and if the products i bought work/how to use them ect.

[ren]

I got most of the crew down at the local AZ trained to NOT ask me what it is for, but instead what did it come off of. Oh, and most of the time, they let me go get my own stuff...good thing/bad thing...I have been mistaken as a new hire on more than one occurance.

[ehall]

Actually AZ saved my butt today. I needed a distributor, and one of their outlets was the only place in the county to have it (even checked dealer).

[w_howey]

, I either mail order from Rockauto

All of the customer service of the normal counter monkey at Autozone, with barely better prices and you get to pay for the privilege of them sending you the wrong parts...


BTW.... O'Reilleys. Good counter people, Know my name, all but one knows my phone number, give me the parts I ask for instead of what the box tells them.

[Shorty]

dont walk in assuming the guy behind the counter is an idiot. if he's not, you're in for a big headache when he gets mad and starts playing with you ;)


shhhhh-- you're gonna ruin it for us all if you keep giving away the trade secrets! There's nothing better than showing some arrogant schmuck how stupid he is in front of his girlfriend or buddies when he tries to show off and prove how smart he is and fails. There are times when it's better to shut up and let people question your ignorance rather than opening your mouth and proving it.:laugh3:

[XJ Stryker]

Only reason I go to Autozone is for the rewards program The $20 thing works great for Jeeps. Problem with my AZ is they never have what I need I always have to order it.