Pep Boys vs. AutoZone vs. OReillys vs. Advance (vehicle, auto, sell)

[SandmanF1]

I know that the aftermarket chains aren't nearly as good as the independents, but are any of the big chains better than the others?

[whiteboyslo]

IMO, not really. I shop AZ and Advance because they're the closest. Parts are about the same cost. Availability is about the same. Warranties are about the same. I stand just about as much luck finding a good salesperson at either.

I have noticed that Advanced seems to have awesome sales, though, especially on synthetic oil. The brand varies month to month, but you can usually get 5 qts synthetic and a decent filter for $25-$30. not bad at all!

Mike

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by SandmanF1

I know that the aftermarket chains aren't nearly as good as the independents, but are any of the big chains better than the others?

More opinions in this thread: //www.city-data.com/forum/autom...-parts-vs.html

[Lux Hauler]

Pep Boys is garbage... they have huge stores full of worthless sh*t, they have no database through which the customer can browse for parts, when they do have a part it's a sh*t part, I have never met a competent worker there... ever.

Autozone is pretty bad but not as much so as Pep Boys.

Advance is OK... I use them often. I can actually do all my researching and shopping online before hand and bring in a list of part numbers, my general experience is that they have fairly competent staff. Their stock is mostly comprised of necessary automotive items and not stupid junk like Pep Boys.

If I want out of the normal automotive parts or real high quality stuff I will go to places like NAPA, Car Quest, Parts Plus... etc. Places where they actually use catalogs if necessary, have a highly extensive stock and highly competent workers. A little more expensive but at least I don't need to deal with morons and can count that they will get me the part I need.

[prerunner1982]

Pep boys is by far the worst... at least in the service dept. How do you put a steering stabilizer on wrong? The mounts are already there... I have another story but it is fairly long but with similar result. Neither repair was on my vehicle or taken there by my recommendation.

I typically get my parts from the other 3. I haven't noticed a real difference in the parts from either. There are some cost differences and I have found some parts at one that the others don't carry.

[HemiCoupe]

Yea every Pep Boys I've been to have been small and unorganized

[las vegas drunk]

I go Checker (Oreilley) and Autozone for all my auto parts. I also hate Pep Boys. I have usually found them to be more expensive with inferior parts. I have never heard of Advance, unless they go by another name here?

[frankgn87]

I am lucky. Where I live I have Autozone, Advance and Pep Boys all within 2 miles.. All new stores too. I find myself going to peps more..

[Omaha Rocks]

I go to OReillys all the time - mostly because there's a store right down the street from me.

I like the fact that they'll sell name brand parts, as well as their own store brand of the same part.

In the case of the store I go to, there are actually several very knowledgeable counter people - something that is invaluable.

[Chadro77]

I usually go to O'reilly simply because it's convenient. Plus they match prices.