I worked at a small independent auto parts store years ago as a means of putting myself through college, so I've always had a beef with the "big box" stores such as Advance, or Auto Zone. Seeing as how there are very few independents around anymore, I'm kinda stuck going here because it's close to my house. I've been here a few times now and I feel that it is acceptable, as long as you know what you need. I'm a "handy" guy well versed in the ways of the "parts guys", so I can hold my own. I read reviews of other parts stores and often sympathize with the clerks when they are given a bad rap. It seems to me that most people who have bad experiences are probably just bad customers.
Here's a list of rules for being a happy customer at any auto parts store:
1. KNOW WHAT YOU NEED. Don't let the guys behind the counter diagnose your problem. They are not always mechanics themselves, or probably don't have the same kind of car that you do.
2. KNOW WHAT YOU DRIVE. If I had a nickel for every time a customer said "it doesn't matter what engine/year I have, "They're all the same." Bullshit, they are not. They change little shit all the time. Especially the parts that fail.
3. UNDERSTAND THE RETURN POLICY. Much like "you break it, you buy it," if you buy an electronic component and install it, you can't take it back. Period. Don't blame the guy behind the counter when he tells you that he can't take that $250.00 coil pack back because it didn't fix your problem. (see #1)
4. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Yes, you can buy brakes for a sports car for $20.00 or a muffler for a BMW for $40.00, but don't expect them to be as good as the OEM.
5. BUY AN OWNERS MANUAL. My Jeep insists that I use only the OEM spark plugs or else I could have big problems. Advance shows at least a dozen options for "high-performance" or "long life" plugs. All of the Jeep blogs I have read insist you avoid anything but the standard plugs. I'm sure none of these guys know that.
In summation, as a customer of any auto parts store, you need to be educated as to what you need, and what you are doing or just take you car to a professional. Pay attention to what you are getting and find out what your options are. The guys here were fine. They seem confident in what they were doing and always have had what I needed. The store is big and clean. There is lots of parking, but most importantly, it's close to my house. A-OK for my needs. (sorry for the anti-customer rant).
Funny story my from "auto parts years" as told by a former coworker:
" A guy calls up and says he needs some parts for a "gooolie". Of course, I asked as to what he was referring to. He insisted that he had a 1988 Pontiac "gooolie. It says that right on the trunk." Apparently, he couldn't read very well. He actually had a Pontiac 6000LE." I'm guessing this guy didn't make a very good customer. read more