Auto Parts Store Advice

[Hopper]

I dont know alot about working on cars but I am learning that asking questions at the Auto Parts store is like asking a question at Lowes.
Asked for high mileage conventional he comes back with full synthetic, ask for new wires for a 99 wrangler 4.0 6 cyl he throws a box on the counter for a 4 cyl, ask for a mo-090 filter he grabs a fram. Oh shit I get home and they didnt even put the air filter a bought in the bag

 

[Chris]

Yep, never ask for advice at an auto part store. 99% of those guys don’t know what they are talking about.

 

[Jack72]

Yep, my wife worked at one in college. She has zero mechanical knowledge but she was a reliable worker, knew how to ring up the parts and that’s all they cared about.

 

[03coloradowrangler]

gotta find the small independent family owned auto stores that dont have a high turn over rate to get quality answers and the correct items you are searching for.

overheard the employee at the local orileys the other day explaining to a customer that K&N filters filter out finer microbes than any other filter on the market

I go to the local big box stores knowing what I want and look up the part numbers in advance knowing they have it in stock for me to do the work same day. my dad on the other hand goes to the small guy who orders the part and has in in hand a few days after.

 

[Jezza]

I worked at one of the bigger parts houses years ago. They had a problem finding good counter people. The pay was 1/3 to 1/2 of what a decent auto tech was making at the time. They paid the commercial account people okay, but the retail walk-in staff were just above minimum wage.

 

[RMETeeJay]

I worked at one of the bigger parts houses years ago. They had a problem finding good counter people. The pay was 1/3 to 1/2 of what a decent auto tech was making at the time. They paid the commercial account people okay, but the retail walk-in staff were just above minimum wage.

This. I have also noticed that the better techs are generally working banker’s hours with less experienced ones on the weekend.

 

[TWiG01]

I go to the local big box stores knowing what I want and look up the part numbers in advance knowing they have it in stock for me to do the work same day. my dad on the other hand goes to the small guy who orders the part and has in in hand a few days after.

I do the same thing. I always check stock and have the part number handy. I’ve lost faith in most of the counter workers in the chain auto stores.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

X2 to the above, the counter people at most auto parts stores are clueless. About the only stores I go to that have slightly more experienced people at the counter seem to be NAPA. Autozone is the worst, their people are just clueless. I was in an Autozone buying oil and happened to think of the pinion nut I needed so I thought why not ask to see if they might have one. He went to his computer and after a minute or two said my Jeep didn't use them. I explained it did and where it was used and I might as well have been speaking Chinese for all he understood.

 

[Rooscooter]

Hmmm.... the Auto Zone by my house is run by 2 guys who know their shit inside and out. One is a big time Jeeper and posts on this site occasionally. These guys have told me recently as I am searching for parts for my new CJ7 rebuild to go elsewhere or give me a place on the nets to find what I need.

I guess... experiences vary....

 

[Hopper]

Hmmm.... the Auto Zone by my house is run by 2 guys who know their shit inside and out. One is a big time Jeeper and posts on this site occasionally. These guys have told me recently as I am searching for parts for my new CJ7 rebuild to go elsewhere or give me a place on the nets to find what I need.

I guess... experiences vary....

You Lucky

 

[Superjoe]

Smaller independent shops and Napa like stated above are your best shot! I worked at a couple of auto parts stores for 6 years or so starting in high school.
The pay at Corperate stores is bad. Most people off the street do not have a ton of car knowledge. There is way more knowledge required at an auto parts retail position than a target. Corperate stores do not recognize this, they try to run it like a target. Most of the computer systems were terrible. Coworkers steal and get lazy, put parts away in the wrong spot.
With all of the resources available online it’s more convenient to look things up yourself and reach out to a manufacturer directly via email or the phone for tough questions. This is going to be most parts guys best choice anyways, unless he knows the answer.
Internet pricing for parts versus paying more at a store that includes knowledge staff is hard to balance. I can go on an on about this. It sucks not having someone that can help when you need it though. A wrong part causes a lot of problems!

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Hmmm.... the Auto Zone by my house is run by 2 guys who know their shit inside and out. One is a big time Jeeper and posts on this site occasionally. These guys have told me recently as I am searching for parts for my new CJ7 rebuild to go elsewhere or give me a place on the nets to find what I need.

I guess... experiences vary....

Where widespread negative comments about Autozone sales people are concerned, your two guys are definitely the exception. I don't go to my local Autozone except for commodity products like oil, brake cleaner, etc..

One thing for sure is that I'd avoid any of Autozone's Duralast store-brand products for your new CJ. Duralast is scraping the bottom of the barrel, quality and longevity-wise.

 

[Rooscooter]

You Lucky

There is another parts store a little further away that's nearly the same. Now there is also a NAPA that is run by know-nothings as well.

I'm not sure you can make sweeping generalized statements about it is all I'm pointing out. Not everyone is good at their job.

 

[Rooscooter]

Where widespread negative comments about Autozone sales people are concerned, your two guys are definitely the exception. I don't go to my local Autozone except for commodity products like oil, brake cleaner, etc..

One thing for sure is that I'd avoid any of Autozone's Duralast store-brand products for your new CJ. Duralast is scraping the bottom of the barrel, quality and longevity-wise.

Duralast is the art of naming something the opposite of what it is for sure.

I stay away from the Chinese parts as much as one can these days. I typically buy the commodity stuff there as well. My recent trips have been for wiring as the CJ has a great frame/tub and running gear.... the electrical system? well....

They have sent me to a great Jeep shop in Mesa for some assistance in building a new wiring harness. Fun times!

 

[MountaineerTom]

Yep, NAPA in my area is good too. A couple of the Advanced Auto Parts here have have individuals that know their stuff pretty well and have worked there for many years, but unfortunately it doesn't appear that their knowledge rubs off on the others.

 

[Hopper]

Well my lack of knowledge probably doesn't help the sales guy. I can say they stay pretty stocked on the items I have needed so far. Most OEM parts I have had to buy online though.

 

[Jeffreybomb]

NAPA stores tend to have people who know what they’re talking about.

 

[Rick Flair]

We have a awesome independent shop here in my town. The three guys there have a combined 60 years working there. Prices are the same or better than big box shops. I buy from them exclusively to not only support local, I can walk in with a random part in hand and they pretty much guess it and know my first name as well. I will miss that place, hope to find another when I move.


Point is, these places still exist and can really help you out. Try to find one!

Had one in Grants Pass when I was growing up. Helped me out a ton.

 

[RINC]

I am the son of a 50+ year counterman and outside salesman.

Guys like him are a dying breed.

 

[Squatch]

OP, you'll increase your odds if you start by shopping at NAPA, and then look for the Silverback (oldest guy there). Old guys know shit. If his fingernails look like he hasn't washed his hands in a while, all the better. Good luck.