Ton ton
Well-known member
I'm starting to appreciate my local AutoZone. Does anyone else like AutoZone,?
AutoZone review.
- Thread starter Ton ton
- Start date
TheLawnRanger
Well-known member
It's a good store. They usually have what I need or will get it quickly.
nieuport17
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2014
- Messages
- 466
Autozone is ok. I normally don’t go out of my way to go there.
Napa has been the one that’s really close to me so I go there more often.
Napa has been the one that’s really close to me so I go there more often.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
never had a bad experience at autozone and their loaner tools have come in clutch a bunch of times.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Autozone is ok... but they smell like a Harbor Freight going on a tinder date.
Battery selection alone is worth their existence.
Battery selection alone is worth their existence.
Rewind97
Well-known member
To me all the parts stores are the same with the same stuff, just different names on it. They are ok for some items or when you're in a clutch, but for planned work on my vehicles I shop on line to get better quality parts at (usually) better prices.
DFB
Well-known member
AutoZone out here has wider selection of tools than Advanced and though AA is closer I don't care for their main store that much. I can order online and pickup at smaller parts store an independent car quest shop that became affiliated with now.
Oriellys is more expensive on a lot of the parts than either store above but they will deliver in 24hrs to my rural residence for just a small fee ($5.95) I was impressed.
I have to say made my last 6 purchases thru online ordering including Amazon and other parts house distributors A1 and JC Whitney too, headlight including turn signal assembly for my gals E250 van and a tail light lens assembly for her Grand Caravan, tail light lens asy and front turn signal/marker for my Durango, also blower motor, exhaust pipe section and clamps, and all ignition tune up parts for the SUV too.
Oriellys is more expensive on a lot of the parts than either store above but they will deliver in 24hrs to my rural residence for just a small fee ($5.95) I was impressed.
I have to say made my last 6 purchases thru online ordering including Amazon and other parts house distributors A1 and JC Whitney too, headlight including turn signal assembly for my gals E250 van and a tail light lens assembly for her Grand Caravan, tail light lens asy and front turn signal/marker for my Durango, also blower motor, exhaust pipe section and clamps, and all ignition tune up parts for the SUV too.
They are ok, but it all dependents on the person at the counter. I have been to about 4 different autozone in my area, 1 in my parents in remote towns and it's all dependent on the person working. Some are really good, some are bad, some just don't give a **** attitude.
Their premium brake parts are pretty good, their basic ones are just rip off 99 cent quality.
Their premium brake parts are pretty good, their basic ones are just rip off 99 cent quality.
Chevy-SS
Well-known member
I've been using AutoZone for many years. They have pretty good customer service and usually have what I need in stock. If not in stock, they get it same day, or next morning.
I'm running their premium brake pads on my truck, work very well.
I'm running their premium brake pads on my truck, work very well.
DFB
Well-known member
Have to say I just priced out front brake pads from AutoZone (closest one to her location) for the E250 van my gal uses for her market setup. Thought it all looked good.
TuxThePenguin
Well-known member
They carry a good variety of oil filters; some stores only carry 1-2 brands (and one is, unfortunately, always Fram). They have some quality parts but they also have some non-quality parts. Typically you can get the same stuff online (RockAuto, Amazon, whatever) for cheaper but of course not same day. Tool loaning is nice (Advanced also does it). I don't generally like the batteries they carry as I typically see only Johnson Controls stuff there (I like East Penn and Odyssey - Diehard Platinum should be the latter and I actually saw those at Advanced the other day - I'm not sure if Autozone is carrying those these days as I don't think I used to see those at Advanced either).
One thing about parts though. Often times aftermarket replacement parts are as expensive or even more-so than dealer parts. I just replaced a control arm on my Subaru and it was $140 at the dealer and I believe $130 at both AZ and Advanced. It would've actually been $90 if I'd ordered it online from a Subaru dealer, but I wanted it same day.
So, whether or not you like AZ/Advanced or even Napa or O'Reilly, make sure to check the dealer price on parts first.
Aftermarket parts can be as good or better than OEM/dealer parts, but in my experience, not usually.
Edit P.S. Napa Legend is East Penn, so I'd buy that over any of the JC batteries that the other stores carry.
Edit 2: I know my post was pretty rambly so to sum up, my opinion on Autozone is basically that it's a decent store, neither bad nor great, and that it can often help you get a job done same-day, but that you should still check your dealer for parts first in many cases.
One thing about parts though. Often times aftermarket replacement parts are as expensive or even more-so than dealer parts. I just replaced a control arm on my Subaru and it was $140 at the dealer and I believe $130 at both AZ and Advanced. It would've actually been $90 if I'd ordered it online from a Subaru dealer, but I wanted it same day.
So, whether or not you like AZ/Advanced or even Napa or O'Reilly, make sure to check the dealer price on parts first.
Aftermarket parts can be as good or better than OEM/dealer parts, but in my experience, not usually.
Edit P.S. Napa Legend is East Penn, so I'd buy that over any of the JC batteries that the other stores carry.
Edit 2: I know my post was pretty rambly so to sum up, my opinion on Autozone is basically that it's a decent store, neither bad nor great, and that it can often help you get a job done same-day, but that you should still check your dealer for parts first in many cases.
Last edited:
Honda guy
Well-known member
I usually go to Advance since it's closer, or NAPA, since I know the owner.
Auto Zone is ok too, except for one bad experience with a lazy, snarky employee. I called the manager and he set things straight.
Auto Zone is ok too, except for one bad experience with a lazy, snarky employee. I called the manager and he set things straight.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I do like them though they never have anything in stock so I have to go to Advance or Napa cause O’Rileys is too expensive and Federated doesn’t like to serve the public.
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Napa, Carquest or O'Reilly for me as the closest Autozone is a hour or 2 away.
I have to admit growing up it was always Napa was always the place so many fond memories with grandpa and my first car projects. There tools have a place in my heart. At least there older Napa USA ones.
But since my younger brother works at O'Reilly I get a good discount but Carquest is slowly becoming my favorite and the go to for me.
But most times it all depends what is closest and how my experience has been in the past with what ever store whether or not I return.
That being said like a few others have said it all depends on the person behind the counter.
I have to admit growing up it was always Napa was always the place so many fond memories with grandpa and my first car projects. There tools have a place in my heart. At least there older Napa USA ones.
But since my younger brother works at O'Reilly I get a good discount but Carquest is slowly becoming my favorite and the go to for me.
But most times it all depends what is closest and how my experience has been in the past with what ever store whether or not I return.
That being said like a few others have said it all depends on the person behind the counter.
Ilikeike
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Autozone and orileys are right across from each other, so it depends on which side of the street I'm on.
But !
I went to autozone last week to get some oil change stuff for my truck and some misc. cleaning supplies. I walk in and the guy asks
"can I help you?" as I'm looking around by the door.
I said
"yeah,where are the baskets ?"
Him
"No baskets."
Me, rhetorically as I walk down the isle.
"Fkn China virus !, how am I suppose to carry all my **** ?"
Orileys today.
Baskets right next to the door.
Orileys it is then.
But !
I went to autozone last week to get some oil change stuff for my truck and some misc. cleaning supplies. I walk in and the guy asks
"can I help you?" as I'm looking around by the door.
I said
"yeah,where are the baskets ?"
Him
"No baskets."
Me, rhetorically as I walk down the isle.
"Fkn China virus !, how am I suppose to carry all my **** ?"
Orileys today.
Baskets right next to the door.
Orileys it is then.
Aha your someone I can have a beer with!!! I do this same **** and say the same thing!!!
Ilikeike
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Aha your someone I can have a beer with!!! I do this same **** and say the same thing!!!
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Dang that ***** for you that Autozone is too far away I have found them and Napa to have the best quality stuff. I like Napa best because they stock my favorite penetrating oil called CRC Knock’er Loose
. Believe me that stuff is amazing and so few people know about it that I am the only one who buys it there you would think because of the funny name people would buy it but they don’t. They also stock the hand cleaners that I use and order them for me by the case and give me a discount cause I have made good friends there. I have never seen a Carquest in my area I believe that is called Advance Auto.Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Wow that’s cool playing with the tools LOL. At my Advance Auto they put all of the cheap tools out on the shelves and keep the good tools like Gearwrench behind the counter and right now they won’t let you just look at them they say if you look at the tool as in touch it look at it then you have to buy it cause of everything going on. So I just go in look at the shelves check on parts and leave lol.
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TuxThePenguin
Well-known member
Your Advance still has GW? I thought they got rid of most of their GW stuff.
I don't think any of the auto parts stores (at least the ones near me) carry even half-decent tools. Might be a couple exceptions. But 90% of that stuff, I'd never be willing to go anywhere near.
I don't think any of the auto parts stores (at least the ones near me) carry even half-decent tools. Might be a couple exceptions. But 90% of that stuff, I'd never be willing to go anywhere near.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Yes we have a bunch of Gearwrench screwdrivers and sockets at ours along with Autocraft and TEQ but it’s mostly Gearwrench. They are always fully stocked too.
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Garage_Admirer
Well-known member
Confession time. I worked there for awhile in 2017 and I have to say that while working I checked out a lot of their hand tools. Wrenches and ratchets and they seemed to feel real good and built sturdy.
rattle_snake
Well-known member
Over last few years I've had better luck at Auto Zone than O'Reilly's. Local store is better than most and is on nearest corner to my house. More stuff on the shelf. A few long timers that have decent knowledge, but I usually go to web and know exactly what I want and that they already have it. Else it is Amazon or rock auto. Rock auto shipping can get excessive for 8 small items shipping from 7 different places.
byoungblood
Well-known member
AZ was only $65 higher than Amazon and RockAuto for the exact same wheel hubs for my Mazda compared to Advance that was $90 higher. So I guess they’ve got that going for them.
I always check prices before buying anything from a B&M parts store any longer. They’re so overpriced, and have to order so many parts for my older vehicles there’s no advantage dealing with any of them anymore.
I always check prices before buying anything from a B&M parts store any longer. They’re so overpriced, and have to order so many parts for my older vehicles there’s no advantage dealing with any of them anymore.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I agree on that. I usually get it from RockAuto unless I need it right then and there when I do go for parts Napa is my first choice then Autozone then Advance Auto then O’Reillys because O’Reillys doesn’t seem to care about your business and stuff is usually about 50% higher or more there. I don’t do amazon though too many knock off parts and stuff it’s happened to many of my friends.
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adirty old man
Member
Well, I'll put it this way, the last time I went to the local Auto Zone about 3 yrs. ago I found what I wanted on the shelf, carried it to the cash register and placed it on the counter, No one was at the register to ring up the sale, so I waited awhile, asked a clerk to check me out, and was told that only one certain clerk could check me out and she was deep into a discussion with a customer about whatever down the counter.
After waiting for a long time I walked to the door, leaving the item I wanted to purchase on the counter and loudly (and I mean loudly) shouted "This would be a Goddamn good place to open a parts store"! Left and haven't been back since!
After waiting for a long time I walked to the door, leaving the item I wanted to purchase on the counter and loudly (and I mean loudly) shouted "This would be a Goddamn good place to open a parts store"! Left and haven't been back since!
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I walked into Auto Zone the other day to get a Tone Ring for my Escape and the guy asked what a Tone Ring was which threw up a red flag to me lol. Then I explained to him what it was and he was like well you can just replace the axle then but I can’t sell you just one axle I have to sell you two so I guess I will just sell you this ring.
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NoMoMojo
Active member
Sample size of one, but need to vent. Went to Auto Zone for remanufactured calipers for the 20y/o Tahoe. Got home, used 3/8's hand ratchet on the banjo bolt, snugged it, leaked, snuged some more, leaked, snugged what felt like ~25ft pounds on the copper crush washers (they weren't really crushing yet and a slow steady drop was still there). The bolt spun. It stripped the cast aluminum caliper threads (not the steel bolt).
The banjo bolt, on subsequent inspection, was about 5-6mm shorter than the old one. Whatever torque I put on it, it wasn't landing ~5 threads deeper inside the caliper. Caliper ruined. Guy asked if I tried again with my old bolt. I said "don't want to chance it", as more than half the threads were toast. Return accepted. Slightly less critical, the (hiden) bracket guide pins weren't lubricated. Tax not refunded.
Went to Advance Auto, picked up a Carquest reman for ~$5 more (Chevy caliper & brakcet). Came with the longer OE Bolt length, pins were lubed, truck back on road.
Really wasteful to see a fastener destroy what was probably a good part. Carquest's had a "stripped aluminum threads void the warranty" disclaimer tag. Careful with those fasteners!
The banjo bolt, on subsequent inspection, was about 5-6mm shorter than the old one. Whatever torque I put on it, it wasn't landing ~5 threads deeper inside the caliper. Caliper ruined. Guy asked if I tried again with my old bolt. I said "don't want to chance it", as more than half the threads were toast. Return accepted. Slightly less critical, the (hiden) bracket guide pins weren't lubricated. Tax not refunded.
Went to Advance Auto, picked up a Carquest reman for ~$5 more (Chevy caliper & brakcet). Came with the longer OE Bolt length, pins were lubed, truck back on road.
Really wasteful to see a fastener destroy what was probably a good part. Carquest's had a "stripped aluminum threads void the warranty" disclaimer tag. Careful with those fasteners!
InsanePyro
Well-known member
The big box auto parts stores 100% come down to the employees in that particular store. They all sell the same **** with different stickers on them.
Debcrow
Well-known member
AZ Pretty much have what I need in stock, or it will be there the next day, I hate dropping a job with a deadlined vehicle waiting for parts.
AZ has good warranty and honors it. I tend to drive all of my vehicle's 300+ K miles and do all of my own work.
Last hard used F150 I had got two free starters under warranty, the last one at 322,000 miles.
Even though they are lifetime warrantied, I do not take things back that are normal wear (like brake pads). I have seen people take brake pads back at my local store that had little left on them and get free replacements.
I also like their rewards program. Buy five items over $20 and get a $20 reward (used to be just four items, but the times change. At today's prices it is not hard to spend $20 on just things like Oil, filters, etc.
AZ has good warranty and honors it. I tend to drive all of my vehicle's 300+ K miles and do all of my own work.
Last hard used F150 I had got two free starters under warranty, the last one at 322,000 miles.
Even though they are lifetime warrantied, I do not take things back that are normal wear (like brake pads). I have seen people take brake pads back at my local store that had little left on them and get free replacements.
I also like their rewards program. Buy five items over $20 and get a $20 reward (used to be just four items, but the times change. At today's prices it is not hard to spend $20 on just things like Oil, filters, etc.
demarpaint
Well-known member
I prefer NAPA around here. I watched and listened to a few Auto Zone workers swap batteries or answer questions customers asked and wondered if they knew anything at all about cars, or were they just good at filling out an online application? Maybe it's a regional thing?
Dakotadadv8
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 30, 2021
- Messages
- 1,482
Autozone is not bad just don’t ask questions you should know what to buy. Normally you would know more than the associate since you have done your research. Same as Lowes and Home Depot.
thunderalley3
Well-known member
I went into the local O'Reillys a few weeks ago because they carry K&N motorcycle oil filters that I use. I walked over to the shelf and picked up 2 of the 3 that I was there for and up comes an employee, older man asking what I needed. I replied these two filters and about that time I spot the third that I needed and picked it up and said and this one so I am all set. He starts in that I don't even know what they fit because there is no catalog there. I replied no I am good, I have the numbers wrote down. He starts getting a little close to me and louder and I begin to smell alcohol. I talk for a few seconds more and I realize that the guy is totally loaded, slurring his words, stumbling drunk. I set the filters on the counter and head for the door and he gets very confrontational and follows me outside.
I make a phone call the next morning and they get me to the regional rep. He knew who I was talking about and the guy was the store manager!!
I make a phone call the next morning and they get me to the regional rep. He knew who I was talking about and the guy was the store manager!!
Dakotadadv8
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 30, 2021
- Messages
- 1,482
Anyone ranting about Autozone services ask yourself would you or your children work there?
Waiting in a long line at a store a man said why can't the store hire more check out clerks? I reply would you work there or allow your children to work as a check out clerk, he replied Hell No! My kids are too good for that job. I walked away muttering WTF and used the self check out.
Waiting in a long line at a store a man said why can't the store hire more check out clerks? I reply would you work there or allow your children to work as a check out clerk, he replied Hell No! My kids are too good for that job. I walked away muttering WTF and used the self check out.
InsanePyro
Well-known member
All parts store come down to who is working there. I have been in towns where AutoZone outshines NAPA.