Rant about Autozone
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 283
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Get into proper context.
Lets not confuse up-selling with making sure you have everything required or possibly should replace when there. ie: t-stat, clamps, or bypass hose -w- upper hose replacement.
This is a service a good parts person will do.
I never required my employees to sell "non job related items" as that was just annoying. If however, you were saved a return trip by getting that suggestion.
Your shopping experience was better and you will probably go there again because of the good suggestions.
I remember the guy who had it in his mind that he needed a starter. Then returned to say our starters were s###. Upon testing, the starter was fine. He says " Yea thats all it does on the car too. Cranks & cranks but it wont start my car."
The guy went from HOT to apologetic in .00000002 sec.
We never were rude or condesending as this was our area of "expertise".
I felt that he knew his business and came to us when he needed help.
I know i'll never use the "vacectomy" or "root canal" do it yourself kit.
Keep the communication channel open. The crystal ball look-up system is off-line.
Just my 2-cents. C-ya. Rich.
This is a service a good parts person will do.
I never required my employees to sell "non job related items" as that was just annoying. If however, you were saved a return trip by getting that suggestion.
Your shopping experience was better and you will probably go there again because of the good suggestions.
I remember the guy who had it in his mind that he needed a starter. Then returned to say our starters were s###. Upon testing, the starter was fine. He says " Yea thats all it does on the car too. Cranks & cranks but it wont start my car."
The guy went from HOT to apologetic in .00000002 sec.
We never were rude or condesending as this was our area of "expertise".
I felt that he knew his business and came to us when he needed help.
I know i'll never use the "vacectomy" or "root canal" do it yourself kit.
Keep the communication channel open. The crystal ball look-up system is off-line.
Just my 2-cents. C-ya. Rich.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,741
Likes: 3
I don't mind that either, but when fast food idiots ask you if you want fries, then ask if you want the combo, and then ask if you want a drink, all on the same transaction...
that's when I have to be restrained...
-blaine
that's when I have to be restrained...
-blaine
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Murfreesboro, TN
I actually have a good Auto Zone down here where I live. They just built a new 3 miles from my house and they brought the manager from another store that is real good (read: doesn't put up with re-tards) and knows his parts. Went in Sunday and told him I needed a radiator hose to fix my washing machine ( hose from tub to pump split) and he let me go to the back and find what I needed 
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, MO
The autozone i go to is not the closest to my house, but the manager there is a friend and has been there for over a decade. If i need some loaner tool sets, i just ask him when we are picking our kids up from school (our son's are in the same class), and he will have it for me the next day.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 593
Likes: 15
From: Wichita, KS
Originally Posted by Loud & Proud
You know the easiest solution to anyone's problem(s) with a part's store is to NOT GO ANYMORE! It's ...
And the price does sway me a bit too. I know that the higher price pays for the expertise, but sometimes, the higher price is WWWAAAYYY higher, and I just can't see spending 2X the money on an already expensive part.
Dave
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
Originally Posted by bucks77ford
Maybe parts stores should be attached to mechanic shops. That way you always have a mechanic around.
Jim
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 3
From: Anchorage Alaska
pepboys is a ripoff.. i though eveyone knew that already.. they do the bait and switch.. and charge you for repairs they dont make.. i like autozone allot they are well stocked and have better prices then checker or anyone else.
Ray
Ray
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 3
From: Anchorage Alaska
the ol bait and switch
ya they lure you into the shop for a 39.99 alignment.. later to leave with a 179.00 alignment since they had to knock out facotry plugs in holes on the adjusters (which i knocked out the day before when i installed the lift)
Ray
Ray
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,635
Likes: 0
From: The Wilderness
Had a funny incident this morning at the autozone close by that (has never given me a problem before) when I was going to pick up a new volt meter.
Went there 15 minutes after they opened, walked in and the employee said hello, I am sorry, we are not open yet because the computers are down, we will open in about a half hour.
I thought it was funny, since somebody previously talked about them being helpless without their computers. Although, (in their defense) it wasnt their lookup computers, but the ones that run their checkout portion. So, they couldnt complete transactions... OK, I am done now.
Went there 15 minutes after they opened, walked in and the employee said hello, I am sorry, we are not open yet because the computers are down, we will open in about a half hour.
I thought it was funny, since somebody previously talked about them being helpless without their computers. Although, (in their defense) it wasnt their lookup computers, but the ones that run their checkout portion. So, they couldnt complete transactions... OK, I am done now.
The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,245
Likes: 7
From: Cloverdale, BC
Ya know, I've never had that problem. If the tills are down, they are happy to hand write the invoice. They usually have a calculator to figure out the taxes, and if they are wrong, they fix it (for me) or eat it (for them). That's with Lordco or Napa. Canadian Tire? Good luck.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 593
Likes: 15
From: Wichita, KS
Originally Posted by bigrigfixer
Ya know, I've never had that problem. If the tills are down, they are happy to hand write the invoice. They usually have a calculator to figure out the taxes, and if they are wrong, they fix it (for me) or eat it (for them). That's with Lordco or Napa. Canadian Tire? Good luck.
Dave
