Autozone update

[Flysure1]

Autozone update---I sent a detailed e-mail to corp. address, got a responce this morning, said a district manager would be calling, I was gone when he called and he left a message, he called back around 1, He said he had called the store manager at Galesburg store and the store manager said the lady clerk called him after I left yesterday saying what happened, the district manager said the gal realized she had screwed up and was trying to save her butt, I told him I was not trying to get her fired but I thought they might like to know about her attitude, I talked with the district guy quite a while and got along with him quite well. He seemed genuine but not phony, he was 40 so he had some idea about how customer service used to be. I told him I wasn't a business that spent thousands there monthly but I thought I was the type of customer they didn't want to lose in large numbers. He also shocked me when he said how much money would I be happy with for changing the heater core--he said $100. with question in his tone, I said suprise me and send me whatever. I may have to go back now---I usually don't buy things like a heater core there but they had one---I try to never buy electrical stuff there, I would have to agree with a lot on here with napa. --This guy sent me a glimmer of hope for the customer service people!

 

[guruatbol]

After working at Big-O and using many parts houses, I don't dislike Autozone since they do have many parts that nobody has. It has been alleged that the part on an assembly line that fail A+ quality but do not fail quality control are sent to Autozone.

I like Napa, but I have had to make them price match since there are many times that they were almost twice as much as the others for the same brand same quality part. My favorite was Carquest followed very close by Parts plus. I bought more from Parts Plus than anyone, they had the best service and as such were out of some of the parts I needed from time to time.

The best parts house is the one that has the staff that know about the different parts and don't just read a computer screen.

Mel

 

[Starfury]

Part of how AZ makes money is with their part warranties. Whereas most parts houses return defective parts to the manufacturer for a refund, AZ buys a lot of their parts either in bulk from the manufacturer, or on consignment (yes, seriously), but without any warranty from the manufacturer. Instead, they cover their warranties, including any labor claims, out of pocket with cash. This allows them to buy and sell parts for less than their competitors, although costs them quite a bit in warranty returns. It also allows them to basically throw money at people when needed, which looks good when a customer gets irritated. I don't think it's any way to run a business, but I guess it works for them...

 

[Flysure1]

I would not go back just because he is throwing money at me--he was a pretty good talker also, he asked me for a figure, I said to start, he asked $100? I said I would be honest, if someone pulled in my driveway and said they would pay me $100 to change a heater core in a 73 mustang with air I would say not me. He also said it didn't matter how much money someone spends in a store they should be treated right. I was impressed enough with this guy I called customer service and traced down his boss and left a message with his secretary complimenting the district manager.

 

[Starfury]

Yeah, and that's one of the DM's duties, no matter the company. They have to be the apologetic part of the company, the one to put out all of the fires that the employees cause and to take crap from disgruntled customers. Unfortunately, you don't usually get that kind of customer service at standard counter-person pay grade, otherwise there might not be any fires to put out in the first place.