Autozone Vs. Advance Auto Parts Vs. Independents (auto, motorcycle, best)

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

When i need a part after 6 or on a Sunday, the only choice is the chain shops. I've found Advance to have 100% better service than Autozone. The Autozone's in my area seem to be incapable of staffing their checkout counter properly, and the attitudes of their employees is generally indifferent. I prefer to shop at an independent, but Advance seems pretty good for a chain and i don't dread shopping there.

Where do you normally get your parts?

[Omaha Rocks]

I'd prefer to hit up a local parts store, but the closest one to me is O'Reilly's, so that's where I get almost all my parts.

Weirdly enough, I've been pretty happy with both their prices and selection, as well as their service. What's more, the best parts man is a woman.

[quiet walker]

Isn't Advance what used to be Trak Auto? Every time I went to Trak, they didn't have the wiper blades, oil filters, etc I needed for my car. Advance took over and nothing changed at all except for the sign. I get all my parts from local (Arlington VA) independent Cherrydale Auto Parts. They always have whatever I need and help with my questions. 15% discount for cash. Another good sign - their delivery truck can be seen frequently in many service stations, mechanics' shops and auto dealers in the area.

[trlhiker]

I go to what ever is convient to me.

[deepcynic]

I live in a small mountain town. The NAPA here is great.

[MoNative34]

I like autozone. I like the return policy, the lifetime guarantee and many of the parts and the store hours. I also like how I can hop online and see if the part is in stock without having to make a phone call. If it's not, the website can tell me the next nearest store.

Why so many of the independents around here want to close at 6pm on weeknights, noon on Saturday and closed all day Sunday is beyond me. When do people work on their cars?.... Evenings and weekends (when you're most likely to go get parts).

[WonderingWanderer]

Since I have an Advance about 10 minutes away, I usually go there. Otherwise, Summit Racing online for performance parts, and Sears for tools. Advance has always been good to me, I can't say anything bad about them.

[whiteboyslo]

Originally Posted by MoNative34

Why so many of the independents around here want to close at 6pm on weeknights, noon on Saturday and closed all day Sunday is beyond me. When do people work on their cars?.... Evenings and weekends (when you're most likely to go get parts).

EXACTLY!!! i've always thought the same thing about motorcycle dealerships that aren't open on Sundays and have limited Saturday hours. you can't imagine how many hundreds of dollars i have spent at motorcycle dealerships many many miles from my house because they're the only place open on a Sunday to mount a new tire, change the oil, or maybe just impulse shop some new gear because i have nothing else better to do.

Mike

[motormaker]

Originally Posted by MoNative34

I like autozone. I like the return policy, the lifetime guarantee and many of the parts and the store hours.

Remember, their warranty (along with other parts houses) is a "limited warranty."

[car54]

Originally Posted by quiet walker

Isn't Advance what used to be Trak Auto?

I don't think so, Trash Auto was locally owned by the Haft family (Dart Drug, Crown Books, etc)....I think Advance just took over some of Trak's locations when they went belly up.


I go to Advance (or Pep Boys or Autozone) for bulbs, oil, filters, coolant, etc....but to independents (usually JK) for behind-the-counter stuff.

I could be wrong, but I think the independents carry a better line of aftermarket parts...especially the re-manufactured stuff. Re-manufacturers are NOT created equal! I suspect that national chains would go for the best price, not necessarily the best parts.