Rant: Auto part store websites

jeepinmatt

jeepinmatt

<-$15k
Moderator
Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Location
Stanley, NC
It seems like everytime I go looking for parts online, I end up frustrated.

Advance Auto: I don't want to select a vehicle. Your vehicle selector doesn't show my tractor. I know you sell a battery for my tractor, but if I can't browse or search by part number, how am I supposed to find it?
Also, why change a very good online display of stock status at local stores? It used to work great, and now I have to enter a zip and select a store for EVERY part I click on.

Autozone: They don't have a place to enter coupon codes on their website, even though they have web coupons...really?

Napa: Great stores, terrible online search function.
 
I feel your pain...but that's why I stopped dealing with chain stores. Between the lack of customer service and knowledge, and the frustrating web pages. Only thing I still go to chain stores for are fluids. And hell, the other day I went to the AZ for some Type F, got to the counter to pay, happened to be Jorge's line. He had a name tag that said Customer Service Specialist, Habla Espanol. Apparently, the line I got in, the register wasn't working...so he pointed to another register, I moved, tried to make some small talk...the guy couldn't even speak english. When I read Habla Espanol...I thought that meant in addition to English.
 
UTfball68 said:
I feel your pain...but that's why I stopped dealing with chain stores. Between the lack of customer service and knowledge, and the frustrating web pages. Only thing I still go to chain stores for are fluids. And hell, the other day I went to the AZ for some Type F, got to the counter to pay, happened to be Jorge's line. He had a name tag that said Customer Service Specialist, Habla Espanol. Apparently, the line I got in, the register wasn't working...so he pointed to another register, I moved, tried to make some small talk...the guy couldn't even speak english. When I read Habla Espanol...I thought that meant in addition to English.
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The one near my house used to be a real decent place.I noticed lately that they have gotten more and more spanish speaking employees.Every time I go there are more and more women behind the counter.Now I don't mind that,I know a couple GREAT women mechanics but the girl I got last time was talking in spanish on her cell phone.I walked up to the counter and I was like"Hey I need to........"That's as far as I got before she put her hand up and Shhhhhh'd me.The phone call she was having on her personal cell phone was more important than helping me with a part number and she was the only person in sight.I just left.
 
Well I guess maybe Im biased on this subject, because I work for auto zone. I will say things like that dont happen in my store. I keep my guys and gals on task at all times. Talking on your personal phone while on the clock is grounds for a write up, and three strikes for the same offense and your out.

You guys are all saying its the big chain stores but I have walked into the NAPA in Harrisburg, which is one of the small independent stores and gotten the same crappy service from them. It all boils down to management. The team in a store is only as good as there leader. There are some people on here that have dealt with me at work, and will tell you that they have gotten good service from me and from my store, and other locations I have worked at. I guess thats the difference. I dont tolerate my crew treating customers other than how I would want to be treated.
 
I went to the Advance near my house to get some flywheel bolts for a 91 Formula Firebird I was working on. I told the guy what I needed and he looked in his computer and said they didn't carry them. While he was looking deeper into his computer I grabbed my phone and logged on to their website, found the part WITH part number saying it was in stock at that very store I was standing in. He couldn't find the part number in his system or anything about it. I left with no bolts. :lol:
 
Thats one of the biggest problems we have now at my store is the stupid computers. The people that program them know nothing about cars. So imformation is input incorrectly. I try to teach all my employees how to use the catalogs. It takes longer but the info is usually correct.
 
amajeepman said:
I try to teach all my employees how to use the catalogs. It takes longer but the info is usually correct.
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I actually used to manage an Advanced Auto and That was one of my biggest gripes along with Customer Averages.I went to that same Auto store I mentioned earlier a couple times ago looking for a Oil Pickup for my 72 Chevelle.I was looking at the same computer as the employee and it clearly said "Check Paper Catalogs " but the employee said"We can't get it" .I said "what about the paper catalogs"?Without ever breaking his look from me he repeated" We can't get it"........
 
I deal with alot of part stores .I have 2 that know me by name I have had their district manager ask me how they are doing if they have a good team .The first team sucked he relocated/ fired them .the team he has now will even pick up parts at dealers I have payed for .I will drive across town to go to one that will meet my expectations. As for nuts and bolt I use Fastenall, Hudson hardware a old fashion store .Or get performance parts from the web or local specialty shops .
 
retroedaddy said:
I actually used to manage an Advanced Auto and That was one of my biggest gripes along with Customer Averages.I went to that same Auto store I mentioned earlier a couple times ago looking for a Oil Pickup for my 72 Chevelle.I was looking at the same computer as the employee and it clearly said "Check Paper Catalogs " but the employee said"We can't get it" .I said "what about the paper catalogs"?Without ever breaking his look from me he repeated" We can't get it"........
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Cutomer Averages?...do tell. Is this where they try and toss in packet of molybdenum muffler bearing grease to boost the total purchase price?
I've seen the paper catalogs used at Napa recently, but honestly dont ever remember seeing any @AZ or Advance.
 
RenegadeT said:
Cutomer Averages?...do tell. Is this where they try and toss in packet of molybdenum muffler bearing grease to boost the total purchase price?
I've seen the paper catalogs used at Napa recently, but honestly dont ever remember seeing any @AZ or Advance.
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Customer Averages is exactly that,or like when you buy brakes and they try to up sell you on the "Gold" pads,plus you are gonna need some of that Goo you put on the back of the pads so that they don't squeak.Then it's "well have you considered Rotors sir?,A lot of times you can get new ones for near what it will cost to have the old ones Turned"??
 
amajeepman said:
Well I guess maybe Im biased on this subject, because I work for auto zone. I will say things like that dont happen in my store. I keep my guys and gals on task at all times. Talking on your personal phone while on the clock is grounds for a write up, and three strikes for the same offense and your out.
You guys are all saying its the big chain stores but I have walked into the NAPA in Harrisburg, which is one of the small independent stores and gotten the same crappy service from them. It all boils down to management. The team in a store is only as good as there leader. There are some people on here that have dealt with me at work, and will tell you that they have gotten good service from me and from my store, and other locations I have worked at. I guess thats the difference. I dont tolerate my crew treating customers other than how I would want to be treated.
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X2 work for the Zone
 
I've run into this problem as well...here in Boone NAPA is the only place worth a :poop: however theyre prices are usually higher. We have 2 Advance store here and for the most part the people there are absolute moron's and shouldn't be trusted with safety scissors let alone give advice or look up parts for vehicle repair.
 
In Kannapolis, I go to O'reilly first. My best friend manages it for one, but I go there because all of the employees are knowledgeable and know how to use the paper catalogs. It's the only store I've seen that pulls out a caliper to check ID/OD on bearings when there is no specific vehicle application. Not to mention they turn rotors. That's just convenient. However, I have had issues with part numbers differing between their website and their local computers. The website has always been correct so when the in-store computer says they don't have it I check the website for a part number and then check the store stock.

Advance Auto here in Kannapolis is pretty decent. I've never seen a catalog pulled, but they've always found what I've needed in the computer.

I won't step foot in auto zone in Kannapolis. I can get over the whole not speaking good english bit, but I can't stand their attitudes. Also seems they aren't willing to go that extra step to find the part I need.

If I'm in Charlotte, I won't go to any other parts store besides the AZ that amajeepman works at. hehehe
 
cltdba said:
However, I have had issues with part numbers differing between their website and their local computers. The website has always been correct so when the in-store computer says they don't have it I check the website for a part number and then check the store stock.
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^^^I know they were having an issue with mis-labeled brake parts not too long ago either. This was confirmed with the district manager. The boxes were right, but the part in it was wrong. Happened on my Bronco, my dad's buick and my gf's civic.
 
jeepinmatt said:
Napa: Great stores, terrible online search function.
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Terrible in store service for the location on 68 south of I-40. Every time I go in there I end up waiting 15 minutes or more to be served. They've got eight customer service terminals, but only two people behind the counter, and one of them is slow as Christmas. WTF?
 
"I won't step foot in auto zone in Kannapolis. I can get over the whole not speaking good english bit, but I can't stand their attitudes. Also seems they aren't willing to go that extra step to find the part I need.

If I'm in Charlotte, I won't go to any other parts store besides the AZ that amajeepman works at. hehehe"


come see me @ az in kanap! ill get what you need. but before working there i always went to see michael (o reillys)too.
 
If any of you ever have a question, you can PM me or buzz me here in the office, and I'll help yah out.

everything we carry here has free shipping on it.
 
The people behind the counter make or break a store. Back in the day I worked at az in Kinston, we had mechanics, drag racers, and off roaders behind the counter (and a little cute meican girl that made a good translator/cashier/floor sweeper) now I refuse to shop at the local 'zone, complete lack of knowledgable people. We've got a good one or two at advance and o'reillys, but the NAPA and CQ guys are all very experienced, and actually remember how to find that oddball conversion u joint or unlisted bearing or even in the case of my '51 F1 a radiator with the right mounting pattern for my core support and the right capacity and hose locations for a '70 302, in the old school paper catalogs I learned how to look up parts in.
 
Im not at a Charlotte Store. I finally got promoted a few weeks ago. Unfortunatly I got a long as drive as a raise. Im in Clover SC now right on the other side of lake wylie.
 
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