Opinions on auto part stores.

[DeanMoriarty]

I need to buy an alternator. I've heard a lot of people complain about Auto Zone's electrical parts sucking. (I go there for a lot of things because they're the only close store and they have a pretty good rewards program.)
What do you all think?

 

[mhughes165]

I need to buy an alternator. I've heard a lot of people complain about Auto Zone's electrical parts sucking. (I go there for a lot of things because they're the only close store and they have a pretty good rewards program.)
What do you all think?

theres a reason the cheapest parts are the cheapest parts no matter where u go, always ask for a price comparison on NEW vs REMAN, lots of time u will be baffeled that the news are not much more ore believe it or not CHEAPER then the reman's. all autopart's stores are the same for the most part...they are all desk jockeys that think they know more about cars then u do (im speaking from both sides of the fence, as a former employee of advance auto parts, and a customer) stay away from bottom dollar, bottom dollar is always bottom quality.
it dont really matter where u go, the same goes for all autoparts stores...

 

[JFA_Spyderman]

Yo,
Often times they will carry multiple brands (quality) of the same part, just make sure you are getting the more reputable one. And IIRC, the reman's usually have a better warranty than new.

 

[MAKG]

Not all auto parts stores have idiots behind the counter. And I insist on buying parts from guys who have a clue.

I haven't had much trouble finding such stores. Though I won't go to the local NAPA because of excessive part failures (their staff is AMAZING, but I can't tolerate the short part lifetimes).

A parts store that has an attached garage can be helpful for technical questions. These aren't all that common anymore, but they aren't completely gone.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I like Autozone, but I've had crappy starters from them. I buy 'electrical' parts from Advance.

 

[JohnnyU]

For electronics such as sensors and modules, I will only use parts from a dealer. I found they are better quality than the discount stores use. Otherwise I haven't had terrible luck with electronics (starters/alternators, etc) from AZ or Advance. In all honesty, if it has a lifetime warranty, I don't mind having to change it every 3-5 years.

 

[almostclueless]

I would also go to a dealer for certain electronic items....though I've had good luck with NAPA for stuff like alternators.


If I want OEM and don't need it yesterday, I'll look at rockauto.com to see if they sell the OEM brand. Motorcraft plug wires for my ranger were half the price the dealer wanted, even with shipping!!!! and the wires got here pretty quick.

 

[Jorley]

I use Carquest and Autozone. Carquest is alittle more expensive, but they have a shop attached and most of guys behind the counter are into dirt track racing. I work on a farm so 2 big pluses are that they make hydraulic hoses on site and if you have to order a part, as long as you do it before they close, it will be there when they open the next day.

 

[DeanMoriarty]

I almost always spend a few bucks more and get the highest quality part. I just wondered if anyone else had bad luck with AZ electrical parts. It was a starter actually that my neighbor got from AZ that was bad, he told me he took it back and they gave him another starter that was bad. AZ here seems to have it's mix of a couple helpful guys who seem to know what they're talking about, and a few who talk and talk and talk, but don't really know shit.
There's a Napa near here, but damn, they're expensive. I usually only go there if I need a bolt or something small.
What about O'Rielly? They just started opening up in this area, anyone have experience with them?

 

[Southern3.0]

I like Car Quest, out of the 10 parts store in my area I have to chose from there the most help full, they don't have the "I work at a parts counter, I know everything" attitude, they have good quality parts and normally stock everything I need and if not they have it next day.

That and I can walk in there and tell them I goto Marchman tech and get a nice 10% discount, and even before my discount there still cheaper then Napa

 

[JohnnyO]

I go to NAPA for important stuff but Auto Zone is much closer for me.

 

[gbadgley]

AZ around here is a joke, If the computer doesn't say anything about the part, the people behind the counter are clueless. Since my wife works for Parts Plus, guess where most of my parts come from. Greg

 

[RobbieD]

For what it's worth, I put an AutoZone alternator on my '94 about 4-5 years ago, and have had no problems with it. It's mainly a matter of who is supplying them, and also it's a little bit of luck of the draw.

Most of the guys behind the counter don't know a lot, but what's more important to me, anyway, is that they've usually been honest if I ask them point-blank if they see a lot of returns (failures) on a particular part that I'm considering.

 

[pillen140]

parts plus has the better parts, usually! i got an alternator from autozone, had to replace it.... i think, 6 times on a 4 hour trip! i could change em at a stop light! when i got home there was a rubber build up stuck to the hood in the shape of my alternator! i went through 6 belts also!

 

[DeanMoriarty]

Sounds like a lot of luck of the draw. I'll probably try from Carquest or Parts Plus.

"If the computer doesn't say anything about the part, the people behind the counter are clueless."
I told the kid working at AZ I needed a Balljoint removal tool a couple of weeks ago (While purchasing a balljoint)... After trying to look it up, he actually asked me what it was used for. I told him "for duck hunting."