Steven (the store's GM at this location) is an absolute buffoon. I've given my business here for many years--long before he was GM. He used to be at the 102nd & Silver Spring location. No idea why he relocated, but since he moved, I've had nothing but problems.
When I shop AutoZone, I buy parts and accessories in advance. Any DIY'er knows you grab what you might need and return what you don't. Common sense, right? Apparently not to Steven.
Multiple times, I've tried to return perfectly fine items here--bought within DAYS or even HOURS--only to be hassled. Today I came in with the original bag, receipt, and unopened tools. Steven examined them like a detective, holding parts inches from his face looking for the slightest flaw. He does this Every. Single. Time.
For context: I was returning a chrome socket and ratchet. Anyone who works on cars knows chrome sockets almost always have blemishes straight off the shelf due to shipping. Chrome scratches easily--it's unavoidable. Yet Steven claimed my tools were "used," even though they never left the bag from purchase less than 24 hours earlier.
It's one thing if a tool looks dragged down a road, it's another to purposefully inconvenience a loyal customer over a $20 return. Newsflash Steven: saving AutoZone mere Pennie's to their billion dollar company isn't getting you that DM promotion.
This isn't a one-off. I've learned to skip the argument and just drive to another AutoZone. There, I return the exact same unopened merchandise with zero hassle. Moreover, I've learned that If Steven isn't working, the other employees at this location process returns with no issue. So clearly this is about one man on a power trip.
To demonstrate this room temperature IQ specimens laughable incompetence, let's perform an experiment. I took an additional two sockets off the shelf and placed them amongst the one I tried to return in the attached photos. Please, Steven, tell me which was the one I tried to return and which are the "new" ones I pulled off the shelf for comparison.
If you have a functioning frontal cortex, you'll notice they're entirely indistinguishable.
Congrats, Steven. In trying to block a $20 return, you lost a customer who's spent thousands here over the years and would have continued to do so. My experience since you arrived has been the equivalent of being raked over hot coals. read more