New speed perks from AA.. ripoff?

[Ign]

I always seem to do better at autozone these days if I'm not ordering from amazon or ebay.

Yeah, we don't have an AA but lately I find myself leaning toward AZ over O'Reilly just because their rewards are more liberal, being potentially $20 for every $100 spent.

Plus there are a bunch of $10 off $50 and $7 off $30 coupons right now, and you can use 'em as often as you want (or at least the system doesn't stop it, even on the same rewards account). I'm sure these coupons will dry up in '20 and they'll transition to one-time-use bar codes.

I get better service from O'Reilly just because they have more than one employee at a time and one could argue that just like WalMart or Home Depot the price savings come at a "cost" of service/actual employees

 

[unslow1]

I like the new system better. Now I order large things online with a code. Then I use little coupons when stopping by for something smaller. The guy with me Monday bought us drinks and chips for $0.70 using one of his $5 off $5. Then he had a $10 off $10 to pay for his $12 part and get everything for less than $3. They now give a reward for everything you buy instead of having to something large to get one. I used to just let mine expire and now they last long enough to actually get used.

 

[Dh3256]

They don't even have Carquest and AA systems merged yet. They cant see warranty status between stores within their own system.

It's really odd your experiences are so different from everyone elses. No issues at my store seeing warranty status from the Carquest or AA systems. They have always had a time limit in active files, 3 years, maybe that's what you were thinking of. They can still access the files, they just have to request them from the archive.

While you can use them currently without minimum online, unless you have an authoritative source, they are only required to uphold what is in writing.

Agreed, that is what I was citing and what contradicts what you posted.

50% of the time they warranty a part from an online sale they return it and make you rebuy it

Again, you experiences seem to be unique. Normal warranty service for AA is either:
1. Buy the part again, install, return used part and they refund that most recent purchase
2. Bring in the used part and they do an exchange with no payment.

AA managers can do things at their own discretion but most of the time the knowledgeable ones are not in

That implies there are "not knowledgeable" managers at your store, again an unusual experience.

I've been to 30+ stores across the mid south. I'm in there 5 times a week sometimes. I need constancy.

That might be part of your issue, if you concentrate your business at one store you may be considered a more important customer and get better service. I've learned to do all my business at one store and I get the impression I am their largest customer.

From Arkansas to Virginia, Kentucky to Georgia.

May well be regional since those stores are all in one or two regions.

I'll take the official words over someone internet stranger.

Your link doesn't work but your comment explains why I am going by the published AA documents that conflict with your claims as an "internet stranger".

Honestly, based on your unusual experiences, I'm guessing you offended someone or had too many transactions flagged as suspect or something. They clearly are not giving you the usual "good customer" treatment and support. Unfortunately I don't know how to help you with that or how to get it fixed, best I can suggest is to express this to the RM next time you have a customer review with him or her.

 

[Dh3256]

Yeah, we don't have an AA but lately I find myself leaning toward AZ over O'Reilly just because their rewards are more liberal, being potentially $20 for every $100 spent.

I used to shop at AZ a lot, until their prices got to be enough higher than AA and their warranty service declined. When they started questioning warranty returns and giving people a hard time, I pretty much stopped going there.

We just got O'Reilly in this area, and I would really like to give them a try, but their prices are so much higher than everyone else I cannot justify it.

 

[Catch_22]

I used to shop at AZ a lot, until their prices got to be enough higher than AA and their warranty service declined. When they started questioning warranty returns and giving people a hard time, I pretty much stopped going there.

We just got O'Reilly in this area, and I would really like to give them a try, but their prices are so much higher than everyone else I cannot justify it.

O'Reilly Business accounts have good discounts. They are moving my favorite hub 40 miles out in the sticks from the city and its going to be a sad day when I cant go buy parts at 11:30 at night 2 miles from my house.

My issues with AZ are parts quality, but I go with them if they are the only thing in town and I need it now.

 

[Ign]

I will say my O'Reilly never bats an eye at warranty exchanges - then again I'm ******** about filing receipts and I just bring in the old part and receipt and they hand me another.

NOW, if the reman parts were better to begin with I wouldn't need to do this.

But woe is the manager who ever fawks with me on a warranty exchange, it doesn't say I have to prove a damn thing other than my lack of satisfaction with the part. And really they should be happy, I'm back in the store and likely to spend a little while I'm there.

 

[Catch_22]

Dropped in my most frequented store this weekend to exchange a fuel pump. Figured I'd find out the real story and use these blasted $5 coupons.

I ended up standing in the store some 20 minutes just ordering off my phone.

This is Brittany. She's one of the best reps in my town because she knows her **** better than half the grease monkeys that come in that store. Shes also a boss *** customer service rep. She stayed after her shift was over just for us because she knew we were racking up online orders and had already pulled the items for her.

She confirmed that stacking in store, is not a thing anymore. It had a short run before corporate pulled it.
She confirmed you have to meet the $5.01 or more to use a coupon online and $20 in store. So its not like cash.
She confirmed they pulled the ability to select coupons from the system because it was being abused by in store reps.
Its worth noting that this whole process of me making 10+ orders took her ages to process as the system was having a stroke trying to keep up.

In short, the new system ***** for customers, for reps and is nothing like how it was advertised when it was rolled out.

 

[5.0vert]

Dropped in my most frequented store this weekend to exchange a fuel pump. Figured I'd find out the real story and use these blasted $5 coupons.

I ended up standing in the store some 20 minutes just ordering off my phone.

This is Brittany. She's one of the best reps in my town because she knows her **** better than half the grease monkeys that come in that store. Shes also a boss *** customer service rep. She stayed after her shift was over just for us because she knew we were racking up online orders and had already pulled the items for her.

She confirmed that stacking in store, is not a thing anymore. It had a short run before corporate pulled it.
She confirmed you have to meet the $5.01 or more to use a coupon online and $20 in store. So its not like cash.
She confirmed they pulled the ability to select coupons from the system because it was being abused by in store reps.
Its worth noting that this whole process of me making 10+ orders took her ages to process as the system was having a stroke trying to keep up.

In short, the new system ***** for customers, for reps and is nothing like how it was advertised when it was rolled out.

I had the same experience yesterday at my store. Could not pull up the speed perks to stack with coupon. The rep pulled up some coupon on his phone that gave me $10 OFF. He told me customers are not happy with the new rewards system and it's causing them headaches with the changes in the system.

 

[unslow1]

Dropped in my most frequented store this weekend to exchange a fuel pump. Figured I'd find out the real story and use these blasted $5 coupons.

I ended up standing in the store some 20 minutes just ordering off my phone.

This is Brittany. She's one of the best reps in my town because she knows her **** better than half the grease monkeys that come in that store. Shes also a boss *** customer service rep. She stayed after her shift was over just for us because she knew we were racking up online orders and had already pulled the items for her.

She confirmed that stacking in store, is not a thing anymore. It had a short run before corporate pulled it.
She confirmed you have to meet the $5.01 or more to use a coupon online and $20 in store. So its not like cash.
She confirmed they pulled the ability to select coupons from the system because it was being abused by in store reps.
Its worth noting that this whole process of me making 10+ orders took her ages to process as the system was having a stroke trying to keep up.

In short, the new system ***** for customers, for reps and is nothing like how it was advertised when it was rolled out.

This was not the case last Monday for me so I'll check it later today to see what is going on. The constant changes are really annoying.

 

[Catch_22]

This was not the case last Monday for me so I'll check it later today to see what is going on. The constant changes are really annoying.

Specifically what was different for you?

On the upside I was able to get a lot of cleaning stuff dirt cheap or 50% off. To bad I drive Jeeps and don't clean them much. The downside I had to place an order for each single bottle (or pair).

RednTacky for 0.74 was nice.

 

[unslow1]

Last Monday you could pull up coupons in store. Tonight they could not. We were still able to use a $5 coupon to buy something that was $6 tonight in store without an online order. Left us paying $1.**. We able to type the coupon codes into the register. We did the $5 off $5 twice tonight to separate parts from drinks and chips. Both were done in the store at the register without the need for an online order. So basically it was the same as before except we had to use a smartphone to get the coupon numbers.

 

[Dh3256]

Dr

This is Brittany. S

Unfortunately this link doesn't work, this one gives "page not fund".

When did these changes happen in your region? Perhaps they are testing in your region, just wondering if and when these changes might come to my region. Coincidentally I picked up a smaller in-store order yesterday and had no issues, used coupons, multiple SPs, and some gcs to pay. Don't know if dollar amount on the order may be a factor, this order was around $500.

 

[Catch_22]

Unfortunately this link doesn't work, this one gives "page not fund".

When did these changes happen in your region? Perhaps they are testing in your region, just wondering if and when these changes might come to my region. Coincidentally I picked up a smaller in-store order yesterday and had no issues, used coupons, multiple SPs, and some gcs to pay. Don't know if dollar amount on the order may be a factor, this order was around $500.

October.
As for the link, it works but imgur is not liking the Garage Journal redirect, you can click the link and then hit F5 to reload it or just copy paste this https://i.imgur.com/FFDVG8r.png

Last Monday you could pull up coupons in store. Tonight they could not. We were still able to use a $5 coupon to buy something that was $6 tonight in store without an online order. Left us paying $1.**. We able to type the coupon codes into the register. We did the $5 off $5 twice tonight to separate parts from drinks and chips. Both were done in the store at the register without the need for an online order. So basically it was the same as before except we had to use a smartphone to get the coupon numbers.

Even still, this means the details around what you can expect from SpeedPerks is a moving target that might even be a regional moving target that can change areas and terms at any time.
This should be seen as unacceptable from any viewpoint here.

Just the simple fact that $10 and $20 coupons don't exist in the new platform should be evidence enough that the new program is not better than the old one. Let alone all the other surrounding details of the program that make it not as good.

 

[Dh3256]

As for the link, it works but imgur is not liking the Garage Journal redirect, you can click the link and then hit F5 to reload it

Thanks, that worked.

Just the simple fact that $10 and $20 coupons don't exist in the new platform should be evidence enough that the new program is not better than the old one. Let alone all the other surrounding details of the program that make it not as good.

The new SP has $5 and $10, but not $20 coupons, if that is the type of coupon you meant. To earn the $10 coupon requires a single purchase over $100.

For me, the numerous advantages of the new program outweigh any perceived disadvantages. The elimination of the min purchase requirement is saving me money, in the old program I could only get a discount and could not get completely free merchandise, so that is a significant advantage for me.

Clearly it's subjective and you have formed a different opinion and that is fine. If they do keep changing the program I hope they change it in a way that you like better.

 

[KnurledNut]

i know for a fact that, up until recently, they could stack two coupons. That is now gone, as is the ability to look up your coupons in the POS system. Manager told me the system was changed because they were losing too much money. Lol.

 

[Dh3256]

i know for a fact that, up until recently, they could stack two coupons.

By "coupons" do you mean discount coupons or speedperks? In my recent experience, I did not try to stack coupon codes but did combine a coupon code with multiple SpeedPerks codes.

From what others have posted, there seem to be differing experiences, so it may vary regionally, by store, or by manager. While I did not notice the manager doing anything different, it's possible that this is not happening automatically and the manager is making some adjustments. I'll ask next time I am at the store.

 

[Catch_22]

The new SP has $5 and $10, but not $20 coupons, if that is the type of coupon you meant. To earn the $10 coupon requires a single purchase over $100.

Not for me. I do have buckets of 5$ coupons though. As for offical text, I only see them saying "$5 PERKS BUCKS WITH EVERY 500 POINTS"

The elimination of the min purchase requirement

Online only have I made this work and even then, you have to have a $5 minimum. In store was $20 min. You can see here, Im not getting something for $5 for free. It has to be $5.01, so when I did order this, I bought 2 and it was basically 2 at 50% off. You are not getting things for free and you can only get a handful of things that fit a very specific price point for near free. (like the RednTacky I noted before)

is saving me money, in the old program I could only get a discount and could not get completely free merchandise, so that is a significant advantage for me.

Show me something you can get for free. Show me how you can buy a clutch for free. A master cylinder. Anything other than a $5.35 key chain or some other trinket. Something useful that I can only get at a Autoparts store.

You can see in the photo I posted before I've resorted to buying cleaning products, one/two items at a time per order just to get something marginally useful.

Clearly it's subjective and you have formed a different opinion and that is fine. If they do keep changing the program I hope they change it in a way that you like better.

Its not subjective, I'm showing you with orders, photos, notations right on their website and first hand experience that this is NOT a better deal and its evolving to get worse as they take away more.

My issue isn't that they changed it, they could get rid of the entire thing for all I care. Its that they are passing off this "DEAL" like its better and even advertised it with mailers saying it would be one way and then changed it so its not.

as is the ability to look up your coupons in the POS system. Manager told me the system was changed because they were losing too much money. Lol.

'Look up' was discontinued because reps would look you up by phone number, see the list of coupons, wait for you to walk out and then look you up again with your number and use them, either themselves or on other customers/friends they knew. This policy was changed because of internal reasons. They are not loosing money. If you knew the markup on this **** it would blow your mind. $50 wheel hubs only cost $5-$10. Add a few bucks in transport cost, handling and stocking you would need to lose over 50% of MSRP before "loosing money" and that's only on one item/purchases. The amount of people that walk in and buy off the shelf, no discounts more than make up for that.
Another is things like RTV or fluids. Cents on the dollar. Your buying things 500% or more over actual cost.

I assure you, they don't loose money. They miss projections but there is plenty of profit in it.

 

[CleanSC]

It's definitely way worse for me. Hell, we used to get $40 coupons, remember those? Man, you couple that with a 25% coupon & 5% Ebates and even their retail prices are easy to swallow.

No mo'!

 

[Catch_22]

It's definitely way worse for me. Hell, we used to get $40 coupons, remember those? Man, you couple that with a 25% coupon & 5% Ebates and even their retail prices are easy to swallow.

No mo'!

Yup.

TRT41 and a $20 perk, Ebates on a Rewards Credit card with 5% back was like striking gold.

Now they are trying to sell us Piss Popsicles and tell you its Lemon.

 

[Dh3256]

Iyou couple that with a 25% coupon & 5% Ebates and even their retail prices are easy to swallow.

Whether it is a better deal now or not is a subjective opinion and may vary based on your order size, possibly location, and annual buying volume.


As an example, for a recent order I used a 25% coupon code, got the 10% from the Ebates-like site, got another 10% credit card bonus, and $20 in speedperks. The base retail total for this order was $147.68 - $20 SP - 31.92 coupon = $95.76, so less the 20% cb and cc it's $76.61 net, essentially 50% of retail.


In the old program, it would have been about the same, maybe a little better on those rare occasions where coupons with more than a 25% discount were available. For me and my purchases, it's about the same for purchase cost, but the primary benefit of the new program for me is the faster earn rate on the SP.