Advance Auto, Trying to go out of Business?

That's their goal, right? It must be.

Their prices have gone through the roof, and their inventory has dropped to zilch. Lots of fuzzy dice and floormats, a whole wall of polish and tire shine, but no sparkplugs, those have to be ordered.

"You want the internet price? We'll need a managers permission, and he's not here today."

"You ordered it over the internet and it said to pick it up in the store? Sorry, we don't carry that part. That'll be a special order, that costs extra and we won't have it in for a week."

That's only if you can figure out how to actually order something online. I don't think I've ever seen a website so hard to work through and actually place an order from. Java scripts everywhere that dead end constantly.

I wish I could say it's a one time problem, or with a specific store, but I have worked with multiple ones, have corporate accounts at about 4 (because you must do it individually at each store), and do (or did) order parts online.

Gaa. That last debacle pretty well finished me and my dealing with Advance. NAPA manages to beat them silly these days.

I pretty much shopped exclusively at Advance for many years. There quality was decent, their prices very good, and their people were knowledgeable, for the most part. Several years ago, there was a major turnover in counter help. EVERYBODY that knew ANYTHING about auto parts was gone. In their place were people who, on a good day, could operate the cash register. Now, it seems that even these people are rare enough that Advance can't have more than one at the counter even when the store is full of customers. Nothing like standing in line for 10 minutes to hear "Yeah, we don't have that in stock." I quit going into the stores. The local Carquest still has some good people. They've been getting most of my business even though their prices are a tad high.

foxtrapper wrote: "You want the internet price? We'll need a managers permission, and he's not here today."

I needed a starter for the wife's Trailblazer and checked the online parts stores and Autozone since it is close to me.

I go in to get it and mention that I thought the price was cheaper online (I was confused with Rockauto's price). He told me that might have been another store's online price and offered me 10% off on the spot. Sure, because those stupid starters are $180.

zero issues with them here. i started exclusively using the buy online pick up in store option with great success. their discount codes do much more than my commercial discount does

Since RockAuto arrived, I've hardly bought any parts from one of the 'big three' (Pep Boys, Advance, AutoZone). By the time I get around to actually walking into a store, getting it shipped to me is faster. I also love the excuse, "we don't have it, but I can order it for you?" Sorry buddy, I can order it too. I came here because I need it now!

This is how it goes for me unless I'm paying my mechanic to do something to my truck, then I let them buy the part since it's worth the extra cost to let them figure out which kludged parts the truck was assembled with.

Ian F wrote: Since RockAuto arrived, I've hardly bought any parts from one of the 'big three' (Pep Boys, Advance, AutoZone). By the time I get around to actually walking into a store, getting it shipped to me is faster. I also love the excuse, "we don't have it, but I can order it for you?" Sorry buddy, I can order it too. I came here because I need it now!

Amen to that! These retailers need to understand that if they don't have it in stock for me today, that there's no reason for me to be there.

The problem that is you don't have the right kind of car.

I could rebuild my '88 Chevy C1500 stem to stern out of the in-store stock at my local Advance.

The one by me has been pretty good. Besides having pretty much everything I've needed, If my wife gets a Check Engine Light she can stop there and get it checked, and the woman that works there will tell her three or four reasons the light may have come on instead of just selling whichever sensor the code flashed for. Some of the help seems to have come from a head injury clinic but most of them know their job.

That's why I like my local NAPA. They usually have what I want or will have it in the morning. Knowledgeable counter people. I find that due to shipping charges, some things are cheaper locally.

ShadowSix pretty much hit the nail on the head. Outside of the consumables, like pads, rotors, and oil filters, you have to have the right kind of vehicle to get OTS parts. I can rebuild 2 and 4wd S10 front suspensions with OTS parts in EVERY brand they carry. Plus there are two other things involved determining what is there on the shelf, what actually arrives on "truck day" and overall sales trends and the associatied plan-o-grams.

"Truck day" is the heavy stocking store delivery method. This is where you get 6-10 pallets of batteries to dingleberries. There is no rhyme or reason to what they ship to you. I have seen weeks of no Silver brand of generic MKD154 GM pads when we are selling over 10 sets a week. but instead they will send you 4 sets of wheel covers that will sit on a shelf for 6mo plus. Also you get so much stuff at once just thrown into a shipping tote, there is NO WAY with the available man power to accurately check off each item received. If you didn't get it, tough chit, that is what inventory at the end of the year is for and don't let "shrink", real time inventory adjustments, happen either.

Ugh, POG's.... Someone in some cube devises this torture to further dilute the time of the employees that isn't available. I have seen these change DAILY before. And the number that need to be changed. It got to a point in the store I was in, the DM had to bring in people from other stores to complete the POG's because we didn't have the manpower to complete them, thanks to the DM.

CEL's.... Another ugh. I have had it from both sides, fixing the mushmouth's garbled BS that Advance gave them and giving out what it could be to the same person from my spot on the parts counter. Trying to explain to some knucklehead that his Ford doesn't need an EGR valve for his EGR code is an effort in futility. Or why it can be a multitude of things for misfires or EVAP leaks and there isn't one clear cut answer to their problem..... Then lets not even get into the nomenclature mismatch. For the same Ford, EGR codes are normally DPFE sensors and/or rotted hoses. but Advance has them listed as an EGR Feedback sensor. Try getting that one at the dealership, when the mouthbreathing Advance employee can't find it because they were never trained to find or "fix" things like that.

Personally, I wish they would shrink themselves just to find out how bad and miserable they have made everyone else by pushing their ideals that aren't ideal for anyone, yet everyone. That is why I call them fast food auto parts stores. Select from the menu and move on. I don't expect them to give me a dissertation on how this part is made or really what it may also fit.

Quite frankly, I was very surprised they had a valvecover gasket kit for my MPV in stock this past weekend. Granted it shares the 3.0l V6 with the 929 but still, I dont remember the last time I have seen one of those either. I better check to make sure the rubber hasnt already dryrotted prior to install.

i havent had a problem with advance stores.

i HAVE had problem with their web page shopping cart failing. One of the discount codes was expiring, so I called the 800 number and they completed the shopping and took the code, no problemo.

Ranger50 wrote: That is why I call them fast food auto parts stores.

That's a perfect description.

Ian F wrote: Since RockAuto arrived, I've hardly bought any parts from one of the 'big three' (Pep Boys, Advance, AutoZone). By the time I get around to actually walking into a store, getting it shipped to me is faster.....

I find this true also. And, even if Napa (which I use) has a good price, the price with shipping from Rock is usually just as good, especially when you figure in local tax and gas to get to and from the store.

The only reason to order something from a store is if you need it the next day (assuming they can get it the next day).

Although I did once have Napa try to (they negated it when they realized how stupid it was) charge me a shipping charge for a part from another store when the part they got it in was the wrong part! (which I was not paying shipping on of course).

foxtrapper wrote: "You want the internet price? We'll need a managers permission, and he's not here today."

Ian F wrote: Since RockAuto arrived, I've hardly bought any parts from one of the 'big three' (Pep Boys, Advance, AutoZone).

I get a lot of stuff at Rockauto too. Sounds like Advance is trying to become more like Rockauto. I make sure I pop into my Advance from time to time just so they see my face spending a buck from time to time. When you need that tool loan program, I like to feel like I'm not taking advantage. But it's tough not to order from Rock Auto. Prices are good and you see everything they have available so you can make a choice about what part you want.

Kinda hate to think the local stores will go away though. It's a tough spot.

I don't even bother anymore. I go in there to buy liscense plate light bulbs and fluids. Maybe.

That goes for ALL parts chains. Carquest being the only exception, and that's only sometimes.

There's a very small import parts shop about 30 minutes from me. I go to them all the time now. They're awesome. They STOCK parts for my MX6. The owner can even remember the last time anyone bought parts for one of those.

They are retail stores, plain and simple. They just happen to sell car parts. I find it odd that people expect the employees to be master mechanics. I don't expect Best Buy employees to have electronics degrees or Home Depot employees to be carpenters, why should I expect chain parts stores be any different?

Advance stores around here are usually pretty good. Their prices are almost always better than Autozone, which has the biggest market share in the area. With their online coupon codes and in-store pickup, they are even better than better! My new place is in a town where there's an Autozone, Advance, and a local parts place up the street. I've been in the Advance and Autozone, and plan on going to the local joint when I find some time. They are usually closed when I'm around.

I used to be a manager at an Autozone a few years ago, so I've seen both sides of the story. Like PubBurgers said, it's just a retail store that happens to sell auto parts. They just throw their employees into the fray immediately on their first shift with ZERO training, so don't expect someone to actually know what they are talking about. I don't know how many times I would have to step up to bat to try and save a customer from getting the completely wrong parts with some of the guys working for me were leading them down the wrong path.

In reply to PubBurgers:

I don't either, BUT. As even the simplest Kia, Suzuki, Ford, GM, etc.... gets more complex because of customer demands or governmental pressure, the customer demands a more complete answer then what they used to get. I mean it used to be stuff like needing a carb rebuild kit, but now it is you may need a CmPS instead to fix that miss.

As to the other kind of stores, just people watch for a hour in some dept in those stores and listen to the questions people ask. most of the questions are because they don't know the answer. Sure they could ask a "professional", but then you are into an area where it costs money for the answer and someone "invading" their personal space.

Don't get me wrong, you get what you pay for the advise. And most people are cheapasses, by nature, looking for the dime out of the "free" advise.

all I can say.. the local pepboys, autozone, and advance are about 10 minutes drive from home.. the Local Napa is a 10 minute walk

Maybe you're just spoiled, and you don't realize it

Our equivalent (and equivalently useless) are Canadian tire, and Partsource. It sounds like 2, but they're the same company, carry the same stuff, and charge the same high prices, with bad service.

We have Napa, and Carquest, but they're not all that interested in walk in business, and their prices reflect that. Almost all the small independent shops with good pricing are gone.

Local online parts suppliers are few and far between, and shipping from the US makes places like Rockauto unpractical.

1988RedT2 wrote: ....Advance can't have more than one at the counter even when the store is full of customers. Nothing like standing in line for 10 minutes ....

While the counter guy is talking to someone on the phone, that wants a price on a part they may or may not buy. The ten customers WITH CASH IN HAND, wait while he looks up part numbers, checks in the back,etc. After this happened more times than I care to recount, I, and others, walked out without buying anything. After calling the manager to complain, my position was the counterman should take care of paying customers first and either put phone guy on hold or have him call back. He stated I was already in the store and had what I wanted, so I should have waited( to pay and go on my way) while someone else(on the phone) needed help. I refuse to go back. But I'm a dick that way.

I went to advance yesterday to get three things. Spray glue for a carpet install, an alt belt for a 2000 Mazda 626, and seam sealer. No luck on any of the things I wanted, but plenty of plastic bling. Went down the street to NAPA and got all three things.

minimac wrote:

1988RedT2 wrote: ....Advance can't have more than one at the counter even when the store is full of customers. Nothing like standing in line for 10 minutes ....

While the counter guy is talking to someone on the phone, that wants a price on a part they may or may not buy. The ten customers WITH CASH IN HAND, wait while he looks up part numbers, checks in the back,etc. After this happened more times than I care to recount, I, and others, walked out without buying anything. After calling the manager to complain, my position was the counterman should take care of paying customers first and either put phone guy on hold or have him call back. He stated I was already in the store and had what I wanted, so I should have waited( to pay and go on my way) while someone else(on the phone) needed help. I refuse to go back. But I'm a dick that way.

SOP!!!! They like/love potential sales via the phone. Think of it as a reverse cold call to the business. Since you are already in store with items in hand, you are a guaranteed sale, until you put your E36 M3 down and walk out. I may walk around for a bit to see if the line(s) goes down, but if not, I will walk out empty handed. But then again, I shop all the odd hours and days, like Sunday during church, to get in and get out. I can walk into the local NAPA at any hour of the day and be out in 5 minutes if I choose.

Oh, and the store manager is just a flunky to the DM who is a flunky to the regional manager, etc.... So, really the only way to get anywhere is higher up the chain.....

When I was in my late 20's I took out my bad alternator and made a wire handle to carry it and road my bicycle one handed a mile to the parts store to swap it out. Hopefully at age 48 I don't have to do that any more. Then again........