Here's why I'm done buying stuff from Advance Auto Parts...

For about 20 years, Advance Auto has been my exclusive choice among the big chain stores. They were the first in the area and I liked the area stores and the staffs, so I stuck with them, even after Auto Zone built a place that is a little closer and Pep Boys moved in around the corner from work. When I need something, I generally go to Advance.

This morning, I stopped there to pick up some oil, a filter and a bunch of other little stuff on my list. Almost every brand of oil had a yellow sale tag in front of it showing the original price and then the price after either a rebate or gift card deal. They were sticking out all over the place. As I grabbed a five quart jug of oil, I happened to see the fine print at the bottom of one of the tags. It read "Offer not valid in RI or CT". They all said the same thing.

I understand that there are reasons having to do with regional distributors and such for stuff like this but please, don't put up fifty signs advertising discounts that are not available in Connecticut inside a berkeleying Connecticut store. This is the second or third time that I've run into this at an Advance Auto store in the state. I'm done. There are plenty of other options around.

I put the oil back, set down the basket of stuff and drove another mile and a half to (gasp!) Walmart, where I paid $16.47 for the same jug of oil that would have been $25.99 at Advance Auto.

^ Oil is always cheaper at Walmart from what i have seen. I do not buy anything at Walmart except for oil.

Exactly this.

I buy oil almost exclusively at Wal*Mart, as well.

Does Walmart carry quality full synthetics?

In reply to Hasbro:

I had a hard time finding anything but last week...

In reply to Woody:

I buy most of my oils from Wally world, but nearly everything else that can be had locally I try to get from the local NAPA.

Its locally owned & operated, I'm on a first name basis with the manager and most of the employees. They also sell to me at wholesale prices (my employer has a commercial account, but I know for a fact that I could get those prices without that because I'm a regular) , so the prices are competitive with the chain stores, but the product is better.

So find a local NAPA or other local autoparts store and make friends.

Yes, Walmart has Mobil 1, plus full synthetic in the other lines like Penzoil, Quaker State, etc. I usually buy their Supertech, which is private label Mobil 1 for all the cars and the Truck except for the Lotus, which gets Mobil 1, just because. They also have Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W50, which is full synthetic with a high zinc package.

ugh. I had a bad Advanced experience this weekend too. 2" ID to 2" ID exhaust coupler that turned out not to be of those dimensions when I got home.

Yeah, I buy my oil from The Devil. Can't beat the prices. I do buy Bosch filters from RA, if I buy a few of each for the various members of my fleet I wind up beating everybody's prices here in town even with shipping.

Damn! I avoid Wal-Mart since they screw their entry level employees, especially the women. I may just check out their oil prices.

CT has regulations (42-110b-19) affecting the price you're charged based upon how that signage is worded when a rebate is involved. Sometimes they do it as an "instant rebate" at the register and they don't want you to mail in the rebate (effectively getting it twice).

Did you ask about it?

Sine_Qua_Non wrote: ^ Oil is always cheaper at Walmart from what i have seen. I do not buy anything at Walmart except for oil.

good, now find yourself a rural king and never go to evil mart again!

i buy at advance because they always have "save 20% plus get a $25 off coupon" deals constantly. and i can buy online and pick up, not having to deal with the store jockeys.

mikeatrpi wrote: CT has regulations (42-110b-19) affecting the price you're charged based upon how that signage is worded when a rebate is involved. Sometimes they do it as an "instant rebate" at the register and they don't want you to mail in the rebate (effectively getting it twice). Did you ask about it?

ask about it? how is that more fun then getting all upset and rushing off to an internet forum to state your displeasure?

I thought everyone bought their oil at Walmart? Can't beat 16 whatever for 5 quarts. My aunt works at the one I got to so I'm supporting family while saving money

I work for Wal-Mart. Guess were I won't shop?

Appleseed wrote: I work for Wal-Mart. Guess were I won't shop?

Neiman Marcus?

Appleseed wrote: I work for Wal-Mart. Guess were I won't shop?

You don't sound like a team player. I bet you don't even cheer and clap at the team building meetings in the morning.

novaderrik wrote:

mikeatrpi wrote: CT has regulations (42-110b-19) affecting the price you're charged based upon how that signage is worded when a rebate is involved. Sometimes they do it as an "instant rebate" at the register and they don't want you to mail in the rebate (effectively getting it twice). Did you ask about it?

ask about it? how is that more fun then getting all upset and rushing off to an internet forum to state your displeasure?

You nailed it. This was far more satisfying.

Is there any parts store we haven't decided to boycott yet?

In reply to slow:

The NAPA Javelin works at. But that place is a haul from MI for me.

Toyman01 wrote:

Appleseed wrote: I work for Wal-Mart. Guess were I won't shop?

You don't sound like a team player. I bet you don't even cheer and clap at the team building meetings in the morning.

Sounds like the one casino I worked at. Moral got so bad (because they treated the employees like dirt) that they started doing team building exercises. They were supposed to be mandatory before the start of your shift (so you had to be in 15 minutes earlier and not get paid for it). Entertainment went to one and never came back. We as a department found them silly and demeaning.. so that was it for us. Thankfully our Managers backed us

Dr. Hess wrote: They also have Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W50, which is full synthetic with a high zinc package.

I noticed this a long time ago. Is there anything bad for automobiles in motorcycle oil?

No,Bill. It is a high quality oil. Esprit Turbo people are using it because of the higher zinc content. That zinc content is also why it's labeled as motorcycle oil, because they took the zinc out of car oils. Unless you think the higher zinc level is bad for your car. It ain't cheap, though.

Is it cheaper than buying Brad Penn oil?