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i have visited parts stores in a number of states over the years, and i have found that for the most part the big ones are fairly consistent in quality store to store. for instance, if you visit a napa store in wyoming, you are going to get about the same level of service and quality parts as a napa store in arizona. that said i prefer the chains in this order;
1: napa. they tend to be the best in customer service and have probably the most knowledgeable counter people. their prices tend to be a bit higher though.
2: carquest. they are essentially napa light.
3: advance auto. again essentially napa light. this one and car quest are very similar, overall. tough choice to make these 2 and 3 they could easily be the other way around imo.
4: oreillys. they have good prices, decent customer service, but the counter people tend to be less knowledgeable than the top two.
5: pep boys. large selection, decent counter people, but lacking in customer service compared to oreillys.
6: autozone. good selection of parts, but very poor customer service, and counter people lacking severely in most areas. they have good prices though.
NAPA is the king. NAPA has counter people that know parts and I have never had any problems with some of the oddest parts. At NAPA I have gotten parts for alternators (not the whole alternator) but the bearings and the voltage regulator that go inside the alternator. I have tried to get the same parts at all the other parts stores mentioned and all I get is a blank stare.
If you have the time, I order parts from "Parts Train and Rock Island". Those parts are generally half price over parts stores.
I have done well at any of the listed stores, and I have had rotten luck at every one of them too ! It completely depends on quality of the RIGHT PART and the person selling it to you. Sometimes I will wait longer just to get someone that I know is a great counter person.
I had been using a local independant chain for 30+ years. One day I rolled up and they had a NAPA sign up. Same owners, same counterpeople, same everything.
OEM from the Stealership will always trump auto parts stores
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