I miss Auto Parts stores

[alamantia]

I went to the Advance in Passaic (cause thats always a fun experience) and waited on line to get someone to translate for me so that I could order oxygen sensors in English. I said may I please have 2 Bosch O2 sensors #15284, she said what is your vehicle? I said I am telling you the part number already, just look it up by a search. She says she doesnt know how to do that so rather than going back to asking me what my vehicle is or letting me use the computer she goes to ask a manager who is helping some guys find a way to appkly hub caps onto a 84 ford escort with no treads on the tires or working tail lights but they have sticker flames and a glued on hood scoop. So she came back to ask another clerk who was flirting with a 300lb black woman with a fly stuck to her greasy hair who refused to believe that Advance doesnt carry scotch guard. Finally she came back to me to say she will just have to do it by vehicle. I said fine. 2005 chevy tahoe.... 4WD.... 5.3.... ok what do you need? I said I need 2 Bosh O2 sensors #15284 she says they dont show it. I said yes they do, she says let me go get my manager. By this time he had 3 of the 4 hub caps on the escort. He said that they dont have it. Didnt even look at the computer. Just said they dont have it. She comes back to me to repeat exactly what he said. I said may i look, she turned the computer towards me, i typed in 15284 and what do you know. Bosch O2 Sensor 1 on hand. She says thats an Oxygen sensor, you told me O2 sensor... blank stare. Listen, I need two of these, when can you get another. She looks it up and tells me there is one in their Saddlebrook location. I said but I am in your Clifton location. She says well there is on in Saddlebrook. I said listen, is it possible that if I come back tomorrow you could have 2 of these sensors here. She said yes.

Today I go back. Guess whos workin, i say did my O2 sensor come in? She says you need a O2 sensor? I said yes... perplexed. She says what is the make and model of your vehicle? ~sigh~ Do you remember me form yesterday? Oh yeah you needed a part and it was in Saddle brook right? Yes, that was me. Did it come in? What is the make and model of your car? ~sigh~ 2005 Chevy Tahoe 5.3, and what do you need? I need 2 Bosch O2 sensor #15284... its not showing an O2 sensor for your car, let me ask my manager.... HOLD ON.. try. Oxygen sensor. ok, yes we have one of those, is there any thing else? I need 2 of them, ohhh im sorry we only have one in stock, let me check my other store in Saddlebrook and see if they have one, I just said never mind and walked out.

[Tru2Chevy]

Oh wow....fun times.

I had to rent a harmonic balancer puller from Autozone a few months ago, and the clerk didn't even know what a harmonic balancer was, let alone they you need a special tool to remove them and that her place of employment rented them out.

:facepalm:

- Justin

[mc73nova]

LOL I hear you on that, the closet place to my house is an auto zone. If you dont have a specific year and make they cant help you. Keep your eyes open for a new high performance parts store in the future :wink:

[bobb1589]

i have been given the same runaround at autozone too ... it is almost worth going to speed shops and paying a little more to talk to people that not only have good knowledge about cars, but are also enthusiastic about them.

[WildBillyT]

When the Kar Parts chain got sold to Autozone it was a dark day. There is still one of them open as "Driver's FX" on Rt 22 and even though it's out of my way, it's where I go.

[alamantia]

I had a 84 camaro with a rochester 4 barrel. The choke was stuck open, So i went to Pep boys to get a choke coil.... ohhh boyyy, I'll never get that hour of my life back.

[GP99GT]

ive gone behind the counter at autozone before to find my own parts :lol:

[deadtrend1]

great story. Unfortunate but entertaining.

There is a NAPA around the corner from my work, dudes are pretty knowledgable there. Only had one issue trying to get the AC tensioner pulley for my LS1.

[Kojak]

Sounds like an Abbot and Costello routine lol.

[Knipps]

:lol: I'm lucky, I have more than non-chain parts places near by, they actually know what I'm talking about

[GP99GT]

:lol: I'm lucky, I have more than non-chain parts places near by, they actually know what I'm talking about

same here, that autozone i was talking about was in edison when my mustang's smog pump seized and smoked the belt

i used to work at a "real" auto parts store actually

[madness410]

yeah dude that is unfortunate..but they hire people that know nothing about cars. it would be great if they could make a quiz that prospective employees need to pass to get the job.

luckily by me there is an autozone and an advanced with knowledgeable people right across the street.

[Whiplash Performance]

LOL they really don't hire people that know anything!
All Advance Auto is good for is them scanning your computer for codes for free!

Well I had a day off from work so I went to visit my girlfriend at work she worked at the pep boys in Parsipany. Well my Grand Prix has those special keys with the chip in them so I had the guy who did keys cut it for me. What do you know the key was cut completely wrong. I was lucky i ordered two of them. What a waste of a trip.

[FlyingDutchman]

haha thats better than the guy at autozone asking my friend who makes 'camaro' :lol:

[NastyEllEssWon]

the local parts store has no problem with me using their computers while they help the other customers out. i have even gone to pick my part off the shelf back there as well. it helps to become friendly with them. if you explain that you are a mechanic and that they use a generic version that most parts places do and how you can navigate their system better than you....most times they will be like....IF YOU CAN DO IT BETTER SHOW ME...actually hoping that you fail....just setting themselves up for some ownage.



score 1 for me 8-)

[nj85z28]

Yea i just go behind the counter myself if theyll let me. its pretty annoying. and i swear this kid working in the franklin advance is seriously retarded for real. if i have to call there and he answers i just hang up and call someplace else.

[ib4200]

When the Kar Parts chain got sold to Autozone it was a dark day. There is still one of them open as "Driver's FX" on Rt 22 and even though it's out of my way, it's where I go.

i live sorta near there but have never been to there store, maybe i'll have to start going there for parts

[B4C]

I got lucky the last time I went to the advanced in turnersville. The guy knew what I was talking about and he got me $300 off my edelbrock top end kit. :nod: Most of the time they dont know shiz but advanced has my buisness for now. most of the time at autozone they walk away from me because they cant find what I want that really pisses me off.

[BurninrubberGT]

i order my stuff online, i dont even bother going to the autozone near me

[BigAls87Z28]

Well **** you all then!!!!
My autozone isnt that bad. The girls might be a little ditzy. The other day, the one girl asked me if a coupe is a two door or four door. I gave her the look...

[thunder]

She says thats an Oxygen sensor, you told me O2 sensor... blank stare.

haha thats the best part

[Blackbirdws6]

Some are better than others. All depends who is working behind the counter. I'm happy I have a NAPA distribution center right by my place so they usually have whatever I want. Getting them to find what I need is a different story.

[WildBillyT]

Well **** you all then!!!!
My autozone isnt that bad. The girls might be a little ditzy. The other day, the one girl asked me if a coupe is a two door or four door. I gave her the look...

Technically speaking, it can be both...

[BonzoHansen]

LOL.

I either order online or at least look the parts up online before I go in - sometime I'll print out something and say "I need this". And I know the computer in front of them makes them plug in info so I'll play along with "1977"..."Chevy"..."Camaro"...."350/VinL"....balh blah blah...it makes all our days better. :)

If I think I'll need help I'll go to the Napa in West Trenton. The older guy there (Jim?) is good. And they have books.

[camaro2you]

That pissed me off reading that lol.....Im lucky i know a few people at my local advance and they somewhat know a thing or two about cars...

[foff667]

its sad but there are no less than 5 of these threads per year regarding autozone/advanced auto incompetence. It's sad to say but I just grin and bare it now.

[LTb1ow]

Its always fun going into one of the those stores, I try to avoid it as much as possible, but sometimes its just not worth buying stuff online.

[DrivenZ28]

Buywise ftw!...Jersey City and Union locations. Always have the part I need on hand and carry Delco parts! Plus the staff is super knowledgeable with at least seven dudes working the counter slinging parts. Try them out if you are in the area.

[Scrat's_Camaro]

pepboys isnt any better.

[CamaroJoe1987]

ive got to local places that have never given me any issues, Northvale Auto Parts, i used to work for that guy so i get deals from him, and he has an 86 camaro himself that he never touches so he has all my parts, and then I use Miele Auto, always good service there.

the last time i went to an Autozone, it was for shocks and springs, they had the right shocks, and the front springs, the rears, i hwas told to wait 2 days for. so i went back 2 days later hoping to pick them up, but the guy behind the counter told me they werent in so i asked him to check the boxes. so he walks past this white box like its not there, and im thinking thats them, he comes back and tells me to try 2morro, and i told him to check that whits box, he doesnt turn to look at it and tells me thats not them.
so I go back the next day and instead of dealing with the same ass from last time, i ask for the manager and he turns around to the white box on the floor and picks them up and brings them to me, so i yelled to the kid "that was them thank you very much" so i grabbed them and walked out, when i got home, i opened the box and realized i waited 3 days for another set of front springs. i took everything back, and just went to my mechanic to order the parts, actually cheaper from him

[Knipps]

So after all that the kid was right and you're mad at him for that? Awesome.

[Teds89IROC]

entertaining story but I feel your pain. I had a similar issue trying to get a brake hose for the t-bird. I use the local store as much as I can but when its either after 6 or Sunday and they're closed, I have no choice. The only advantage to using the huge chains like autozone and the like are that parts seem to be a good amount cheaper.

[sweetbmxrider]

ahahaha that story was great. luckily i deal with a few different stores with people who have been in the business for 20 + years. they get it. i can also order parts online, cutting out the potential dumbass 8-)

[maroman88]

i use NAPA for any "real" parts or sensors and watnot... i use autozone for all my cleaning and basic maintainance items

[alamantia]

update... i got one O2 sensor and haveing one 02 sensor is 50% of the battle

[sweetbmxrider]

i thought they only had an oxygen sensor? :lol:

[BigAls87Z28]

Technically speaking, it can be both...

Yes, I know, but would you really want to try to explain that to someone of that caliber?
Exactly.
Coupe = 2
Sedan = 4
KISS system works well from time to time.
I will say that working for a place like Autozone can be fustraiting when you have the younger/newwer people asking you bone-head questions. It almost slips you up.
We also have a problem with the people that designed the software.
If you are looking for axle bearings or seals for, oh lets say a GM 10 bolt. It will say "Not Yet Available" or NYA.
But...if I look up rear WHEEL bearings/seals for a whatever whatever car...tada!!
Example was recently when I was looking for the bearings for the 9 bolt. Said NYA.
So I put in "wheel bearings-rear"
TADA! Set9 bearings.

[NastyEllEssWon]

rockauto.com ftw :nod:

[HeadlessNorseman]

Yes, I know, but would you really want to try to explain that to someone of that caliber?
Exactly.
Coupe = 2
Sedan = 4
KISS system works well from time to time.
I will say that working for a place like Autozone can be fustraiting when you have the younger/newwer people asking you bone-head questions. It almost slips you up.
We also have a problem with the people that designed the software.
If you are looking for axle bearings or seals for, oh lets say a GM 10 bolt. It will say "Not Yet Available" or NYA.
But...if I look up rear WHEEL bearings/seals for a whatever whatever car...tada!!
Example was recently when I was looking for the bearings for the 9 bolt. Said NYA.
So I put in "wheel bearings-rear"
TADA! Set9 bearings.

Yeah the software has a sh1tty cross reference system. For example, I tried finding a fan switch for any jeep 4.0. Its called a coolant relay or something like that, cooling fan switch, rad fan switch, none of that works. Our store in neptune really isnt bad, our managers and most of the sales people know what they are doing for the most part. But, autozones training/application process places 0 emphasis on knowledge of cars/parts. Its all about following rules, selling useless stuff, coming to work on time and not stealing money. Thats all they care about. Its no different than Kmart or target.

[BigAls87Z28]

Yeah the software has a sh1tty cross reference system. Try finding a fan switch for any jeep 4.0. Its called a coolant relay or something like that, cooling fan switch, rad fan switch, none of that works. But yeah, in autozones training/application process, they place 0 emphasis on knowledge of cars/parts. Its all about following rules, selling useless stuff, coming to work on time and not stealing money. Thats all they care about. Its no different than Kmart or target.

Im telling your boss!!







oh wait...:twisted: Truck day tomorrow sucka...you are putting away my ****!!! muahahahahahahah

But yes, Joe is right. Its more about having a smile on your face and being happy, not stealing, and add-on sales then actual knowlage of parts. And to be honest, for 95% of the customers that come in there...its perfect.
Half the time, they dont even know what they need because they
1) dont know what car they drive
2) thier mechanic told them to come here to get something, and they arent sure what they said it was that they needed
3) throwing parts at a problem.

[sweetbmxrider]

cooling fan relay??

[HardcoreZ28]

Sad but true....that's all I can say.

Back when I was in high school me and UBG worked together at a Strauss Discount Auto in Somerville.....that was a parts counter!

[BonzoHansen]

The only advantage to using the huge chains like autozone and the like are that parts seem to be a good amount cheaper.you get what you pay for, in most cases.

[Blacdout96]

Im typing from NAPA right now haha. Im so glad I got this job, and you're treated here like your knowledge is top priority. I miss working at Advance in Absecon, back in the day when our employee members actually had knowledge, especially this guy Joe Andrews, if he never heard of a part on a SBC, it was never made. After we all left ,the place went to ****, and from now on I go behind and check the computer myself, and as long as the super new guys arent there, they let me go and get my own parts behind the counter.

Another great thing we do here is if it's not in the computer we don't just say oh it's not in here, we actually use the books on the racks. I love it here, and im so lad I got away from that douche bag of a boss at Shore Toyota.

[BigAls87Z28]

Fyi I have one in stock.....the o2 sensor that is.

[Blacdout96]

Fyi I have one in stock.....the o2 sensor that is.

:lol: So do I. How about giving Al and me some business, We'll make sure you get the right parts ;)

[CamaroJoe1987]

So after all that the kid was right and you're mad at him for that? Awesome.

kno, tha box was for me, but they ordered the wrong ones anyway and just pretty much wait for nothing, they all have their eads up their asses over there, after that, i just stick with my 2 regulars and haven't had a problem like that since

[maroman88]

sooo yesterday i order and pay for my headlight motor at the bergenfield autozone, its a special order part and they tell me itll be in today at 3pm... i get outa work at 3 and call today, guy takes my name and number and says he'll call back in just a few minutes.... 4 hours later i call back, get a differant guy, who tells me the part was shipped to a paterson store by accident and that they wont be getting another truck until monday, which is a holiday anyway... soooo there goes my project for tomorrow!!!

[Icemansghost]

I got a good story for you guys, so I'm in autozone off street rd, also a side note I use to borrow the obd2 scanner to scan my car down in florida when I was stationed there recently, so all said I go to the on in bensalem, pa... SO I ask the clerk can I borrow your obd2 scanner. he said no Ill do it... I said ok.. So we go out to my car, you know they wont delete codes off the computer... I tried to slip him 5 bucks, he said NO sir I cant take that. I cant delete it either... So I said what stops me from buying it then returning it... He says I wont return it, then I will go to a different store then, just to be an ass to him, He was being a douche... so I left mad, and went to my old mechanic and he handed me his snap-on 10x the price obd 2 scanner, and I deleted it.... I hate autozone! NAPA is honestly way better service! Also autoparts wharehouse in bensalem is pretty good they deliver to your door, and the salesman are really good too...

[BigAls87Z28]

We cannot legaly delete the code since we are not a state authorized facility. If you want to do it on your own time, thats fine, but we would like to stay in business without law suits, thanks.

[Tru2Chevy]

We cannot legaly delete the code since we are not a state authorized facility. If you want to do it on your own time, thats fine, but we would like to stay in business without law suits, thanks.

Never realized that. When I had my Jeep scanned at our local Autozone the guy offered to delete the codes for me without me even asking.

- Justin

[BigAls87Z28]

There are usually big signs, with the verbage highlighted and posted in every store, so that customers and employees can read.
Whats good is that now that the temps are getting up, people are asking us to install R134a into thier cars.....
Dangerious in more ways then one.

[HeadlessNorseman]

I just wasted 26 bucks on one of those big cans of r134. It was at 15 psi or so and as soon and as soon as it was up to pressure and blowing super cold it blew a hole in a damaged part of the condenser and it all leaked out :-x What a waste of money. But yeah at least 5 or 6 people today came in asking about us fixing it. Some spanish speaking guys asked for "gasoline" for their AC. Jim was like uh you dont put gasoline in your ac...haha

[BigAls87Z28]

I belive I was there for that. Hey kept saying "gas for ac".
I turned back to my desk and said "this is where I leave.."