Which auto parts store do you prefer? I have had great service at Oreillys. Not once have I left the store disappointed or without what I came in for. Where do you go?
Oreillys vs Autozone vs Advance vs. Napa
teymur85
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As others have said, it depends on what is on sale where. Advanced/CARQUEST is closest to me, but NAPA often has more of the low-demand parts in stock that I happen to need and their personnel is more experienced and helpful. Pep Boys runs sales on oil on Black Friday weekend every year that are hard to beat. I usually buy two or three five-gallon jugs at this sale every year.
On the other side of the equation, my local Autozone rarely has exactly what I need and their personnel seems to turn over every time I go in there (which is maybe two or three times per year).
Much of my parts acquisition is done online. Easier, less costly, and more convenient. With multiple vehicles in our household, having to wait a few days for a part to show up in my mailbox is usually no big deal.
On the other side of the equation, my local Autozone rarely has exactly what I need and their personnel seems to turn over every time I go in there (which is maybe two or three times per year).
Much of my parts acquisition is done online. Easier, less costly, and more convenient. With multiple vehicles in our household, having to wait a few days for a part to show up in my mailbox is usually no big deal.
Depends upon what I'm getting. There is a NAPA, Carquest, Autozone, and O'Reilly in the small farming town I live in. All are close enough that distance is not a factor.
For general supplies such as fluids, cleaners and such, I tend to go to Autozone first, then O'Reilly as a second choice. For parts, I'll always check NAPA first. Almost all filters come from NAPA, particularly when I can buy them on the semi-annual farm days sale.
I have a low opinion of the quality of Autozone and O'Reilly parts. Same with Advance. One of my sons has worked at a couple different Autozone stores and at a NAPA. I'm not particularly fond of Autozone's management style either. I know I don't have to work there, but I can see some of their management style in the way they do things, and it irritates me a little bit.
For general supplies such as fluids, cleaners and such, I tend to go to Autozone first, then O'Reilly as a second choice. For parts, I'll always check NAPA first. Almost all filters come from NAPA, particularly when I can buy them on the semi-annual farm days sale.
I have a low opinion of the quality of Autozone and O'Reilly parts. Same with Advance. One of my sons has worked at a couple different Autozone stores and at a NAPA. I'm not particularly fond of Autozone's management style either. I know I don't have to work there, but I can see some of their management style in the way they do things, and it irritates me a little bit.
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I’ve slowly switched to Amazon. Its simply too far to drive to find they don’t have the item I’m after. The auto parts stores in my region are the next Blockbuster video. Gone in another 20yrs.
Just broke they bearing race on my CV axle while I was rebuilding it. I was able to buy a new complete axle from AutoZone for $75 with a lifetime warranty. Not as cheap as Amazon, but I do like AutoZone's warranty.
do you still have the box?
new from china? or new from USA?
I am picking up a new Napa one today with HD boots. (no one could tell me what country of origin was). $77
Edit: Napa = Chinese as of today, came with a new nut on it, no pin but that can come off the existing
The box says made in China. It also came with a new pin and a new axle nut.
I personally prefer Advance over all the others just because I've had good customer service experiences there, they have good coupon offers, and I do like their efforts in corporate responsibility. I've considered investing with them due to that specifically.
My goto if I have time to wait. Great prices, usually a good selection and I have never had to send anything back. Locally I usually go to O'Reilly.
David
05 GT wagon(sold), 09 Spec B(sold), 18 3.6R Outback, 2024XT
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4,028 Posts
My local NAPA has had the same employees since I started using them 8 years ago. Nice to go back and see the same faces over the years. They know me and take good care of me.
Every time I walk into Advance, Auto Zone, etc. you never see the same faces.
Here's one story from NAPA. 18 month's ago I replaced the calipers on both my cars. I had a to return the right front on my wagon 2 times to get a good one, they delivered the last one to my house. They were able to get replacements in two hours.
A couple weeks back, I notice the right front was pulling to the right. I found out the pistons were froze in the caliper. I walked into my local NAPA, 18 month's later and the same guy was there. I told him I needed a right front caliper. He say's wait, didn't you replace that, there will be no charge for this one. I won't charge you a core charge, just bring us back the bad one. Less then 2 hours later I drove the car back to them and returned the old one.
Just saying, would Rockauto do that for you ...
Every time I walk into Advance, Auto Zone, etc. you never see the same faces.
Here's one story from NAPA. 18 month's ago I replaced the calipers on both my cars. I had a to return the right front on my wagon 2 times to get a good one, they delivered the last one to my house. They were able to get replacements in two hours.
A couple weeks back, I notice the right front was pulling to the right. I found out the pistons were froze in the caliper. I walked into my local NAPA, 18 month's later and the same guy was there. I told him I needed a right front caliper. He say's wait, didn't you replace that, there will be no charge for this one. I won't charge you a core charge, just bring us back the bad one. Less then 2 hours later I drove the car back to them and returned the old one.
Just saying, would Rockauto do that for you ...
I usually trust the NAPA guys first. They know more. But their hours are very short, so I also spend money at the others. No O'Reilly's anywhere near, both of the others are nearby. A few less holes in the Advance parking lot; stores somewhat better stocked than Autozone.
Basically, I go to autozone for things that come in bottles. Even they can't screw that up.
Basically, I go to autozone for things that come in bottles. Even they can't screw that up.
walmart is usually the cheapest at things that come in bottles, ...and no bundling sales = hoops jumping like the rest to get that price.
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15 Posts
I stopped going to my local Advance due to the lack of service. They seem to have a revolving door of braindead teenager employees. I did have one particularly bad experience where I needed to swap a CV axle (for a honda) with lifetime warranty that resulted in several phone calls with a "district manager" before they finally gave in. The braindead teenager apparently couldn't do the swap without permission from his boss, who was mysteriously never there. I had the receipt and everything. The main lesson learned was to always buy OEM parts.... The cheap cv axle boot material would become brittle after a few thousand miles and crack. Grease slings out, crap gets in, and pretty soon the joint is no good. Anyway I go to Orielly, across the street from Advance, now, but only for oil and stuff and the occasional piece of fuel hose or whatever. They really aren't much better but seem to retain their braindead teenagers.
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