[Chump]

I think that most of you know that I have just a little bit of knowledge about parts and their application...right?

Anyway I was searching for a master cylinder for my Mom's 91 Mercury. She bought it new and the only people to work on it have been the dealer and me...mostly me. It's been a great car. The original MC is aluminum and it is nearly impossible to find a rebuild kit except for maybe $50 or more. So I opted to order a new one and try to keep the price the lowest. AutoZone had a new one listed that could only be ordered "Online" only for around $55. Great...this included the plastic resevoir and all. Ordered it and waited a week to get here. Turns out it only has 2 threaded ports for brake lines and mine has 3.....well I says to myself...self...this won't work! I double checked the part number and its correct according to their website. Call them to find out how to return it and they say I can take it to a local store...ok. On the receipt is says if the part was "Defective"....or their was a "Shipping Error"...or "Wrong Part Shipped" that I will get my shipping refunded also. They didnt want to give me the shipping back and tried to basically blame me for having a car that was made mid-year or something else and they asked me if I had checked everthing out thouroughly...WTF am I supposed to check? The computer says this will work and you sent me something that WON'T work!!!! This problem is AutoZone's NOT mine...I should not pay for shipping. After raising a scene in the store the manager agreed to give me the $6 for shipping. I had ordered a new one from NAPA in the mean time and it arrived by UPS today...low and behold it has 3 freaking ports in it for brake lines. I did tell the manager of the store I would get back to him when I recieved the NAPA part and he said good...so tomorrow I will bench bleed this in his ass...excuse me. I have never been so humiliated in my life! Especially by a powerful store manager like him...I was shaking in my boots! Oh yeah...The first clerk on the counter told me that sometimes you have to remove the screw on the side to make available another port. The screw he showed me is the freaking STOP SCREW for the piston assmbely inside!!! Another asshole! I have emailed the manufacturer of the bad MC and await their answer and I will also follow up with AutoZone. The other thing about this is the box was unsealed when I got it and was probably returned before! He will send the part back without marking it correctly and it will be shipped again to some other Chump! The "Quest for Intelligence" continues!{bigeyes}

 

[Sam Simpson]

I don't really like the site, it could be more user friendly. I will not go to the Autozone in the city I live in, but I will go to the ones back home.

 

[Guest]

Autozones internet site could be a hell of a lot easier to use, but thats true of any computer network they use. It can also be S L O W as hell. One thing I have learned about Autozone, both buying parts from and selling them for, is to get the month of manufacture BEFORE you go get the part in case of a mid year change. Especially if the vehicle is made in the 90's. It can be a big help in getting the right part.

Sorry for the problem you had returning the part Chump, it isn't supposed to work that way. If you have the reciept there isn't supposed to be a problem. There is an 800 number for the customer satisfaction department. Ask for it from any Autozone store in your region and give them a call. That store manager was wrong in how he handled the problem.

Chris

 

[Chump]

Autozones internet site could be a hell of a lot easier to use, but thats true of any computer network they use. It can also be S L O W as hell. One thing I have learned about Autozone, both buying parts from and selling them for, is to get the month of manufacture BEFORE you go get the part in case of a mid year change. Especially if the vehicle is made in the 90's. It can be a big help in getting the right part.

Sorry for the problem you had returning the part Chump, it isn't supposed to work that way. If you have the reciept there isn't supposed to be a problem. There is an 800 number for the customer satisfaction department. Ask for it from any Autozone store in your region and give them a call. That store manager was wrong in how he handled the problem.

Chris

Thanks Chris, I dont find this as a common trait among Autozone stores and this is an isolated incident. The bottom line is It is Autozone's fault that I recieved the wrong part and I should not have to pay for any costs. I will persue it further...I have already made prints of the master cylinders and the part numbers at the website. The part numbers are incorrect for my application and also for the "police/taxi" applications. I just need to get that info to the proper people.
Regards-Stevo

 

[Guest]

The store in Longmont has been a "problem" store for a long time. My store manager was sent down there about a year ago and got it pretty well straightened out but it's back to the same old ways again. I hate hearing about these kinds of stores because I know how they are supposed to run. When they are run right, they can't be beat.

Chris

 

[Chump]

Well, I recieved exactly the message I thought I would get from the manufacturer of the Master cylinder. The listing in Autozone's computer is incorrect.

----- Original Message -----
From: CustServ
To: Steven
Sent: Friday, October 17, 2003 7:29 AM
Subject: Re: NM2605 Master cylinder

Dear Sir,

Thanks for your information, as it turns out NM2605 is not boxed wrong, but cannot be used for this particular application.
If you require a 3 line master cylinder, then you need to order a remanufactured M2377 for this application. There is
not a 3 line unit available in NEW at this time. Our personell will be researching this as a possible add in the future.

Thanks,

Fenco Customer Service

 

[tv_larsen]

I think that most of you know that I have just a little bit of knowledge about parts and their application...right?

Anyway I was searching for a master cylinder for my Mom's 91 Mercury. She bought it new and the only people to work on it have been the dealer and me...mostly me. It's been a great car. The original MC is aluminum and it is nearly impossible to find a rebuild kit except for maybe $50 or more. So I opted to order a new one and try to keep the price the lowest. AutoZone had a new one listed that could only be ordered "Online" only for around $55. Great...this included the plastic resevoir and all. Ordered it and waited a week to get here. Turns out it only has 2 threaded ports for brake lines and mine has 3.....well I says to myself...self...this won't work! I double checked the part number and its correct according to their website. Call them to find out how to return it and they say I can take it to a local store...ok. On the receipt is says if the part was "Defective"....or their was a "Shipping Error"...or "Wrong Part Shipped" that I will get my shipping refunded also. They didnt want to give me the shipping back and tried to basically blame me for having a car that was made mid-year or something else and they asked me if I had checked everthing out thouroughly...WTF am I supposed to check? The computer says this will work and you sent me something that WON'T work!!!! This problem is AutoZone's NOT mine...I should not pay for shipping. After raising a scene in the store the manager agreed to give me the $6 for shipping. I had ordered a new one from NAPA in the mean time and it arrived by UPS today...low and behold it has 3 freaking ports in it for brake lines. I did tell the manager of the store I would get back to him when I recieved the NAPA part and he said good...so tomorrow I will bench bleed this in his ass...excuse me. I have never been so humiliated in my life! Especially by a powerful store manager like him...I was shaking in my boots! Oh yeah...The first clerk on the counter told me that sometimes you have to remove the screw on the side to make available another port. The screw he showed me is the freaking STOP SCREW for the piston assmbely inside!!! Another asshole! I have emailed the manufacturer of the bad MC and await their answer and I will also follow up with AutoZone. The other thing about this is the box was unsealed when I got it and was probably returned before! He will send the part back without marking it correctly and it will be shipped again to some other Chump! The "Quest for Intelligence" continues!{bigeyes}

Thats just typical Autozone for you.

 

[Guest]

I think that most of you know that I have just a little bit of knowledge about parts and their application...right?

Anyway I was searching for a master cylinder for my Mom's 91 Mercury. She bought it new and the only people to work on it have been the dealer and me...mostly me. It's been a great car. The original MC is aluminum and it is nearly impossible to find a rebuild kit except for maybe $50 or more. So I opted to order a new one and try to keep the price the lowest. AutoZone had a new one listed that could only be ordered "Online" only for around $55. Great...this included the plastic resevoir and all. Ordered it and waited a week to get here. Turns out it only has 2 threaded ports for brake lines and mine has 3.....well I says to myself...self...this won't work! I double checked the part number and its correct according to their website. Call them to find out how to return it and they say I can take it to a local store...ok. On the receipt is says if the part was "Defective"....or their was a "Shipping Error"...or "Wrong Part Shipped" that I will get my shipping refunded also. They didnt want to give me the shipping back and tried to basically blame me for having a car that was made mid-year or something else and they asked me if I had checked everthing out thouroughly...WTF am I supposed to check? The computer says this will work and you sent me something that WON'T work!!!! This problem is AutoZone's NOT mine...I should not pay for shipping. After raising a scene in the store the manager agreed to give me the $6 for shipping. I had ordered a new one from NAPA in the mean time and it arrived by UPS today...low and behold it has 3 freaking ports in it for brake lines. I did tell the manager of the store I would get back to him when I recieved the NAPA part and he said good...so tomorrow I will bench bleed this in his ass...excuse me. I have never been so humiliated in my life! Especially by a powerful store manager like him...I was shaking in my boots! Oh yeah...The first clerk on the counter told me that sometimes you have to remove the screw on the side to make available another port. The screw he showed me is the freaking STOP SCREW for the piston assmbely inside!!! Another asshole! I have emailed the manufacturer of the bad MC and await their answer and I will also follow up with AutoZone. The other thing about this is the box was unsealed when I got it and was probably returned before! He will send the part back without marking it correctly and it will be shipped again to some other Chump! The "Quest for Intelligence" continues!{bigeyes}

Thats just typical Autozone for you.

I'm starting to think you're right on that, tv

Chris

 

[Dodge 85 RC]

I tried using their site the other day, and its not very user friendly. And extremely slow. Other than that I don't mind the zone. I don't like how they push the cheap stuff instead of the expensive stuff, but thats my preference. I guess it just depends on the product I want. Certain things, like oil and filters and little things I'll buy at the zone because theres one a mile from my house. Otherwise I go to Napa.

 

[MudFlap]

AutoZone usually tends to sell the cheap crap 'cause they are tailored for the "Do It Yourselfer". They think that the DIY is only gonna buy the cheapest parts they can get their hands on. One of their biggest problems is that 1 out of every 100 of their people are actually parts people. The others are just computer readers. If the computer doesn't show it, it doesn't exist. You can't just go into an AZ and say "I need a 160 degree thermostat for a 80 small block chry" No, these dumbasses gotta know if your truck is 4x4, what color it is and if you have a bench or bucket seat. My intent here is not to offend anyone, and if you are not one of these dumbasses, then I apologize. I have seen this in other national chain parts houses, but worse in AZ. Fortunately for me, I'm a pretty good friggin parts hand, so when I need something I do the research myself and go in and just give 'em a part #.

 

[Sam Simpson]

lol, I needed to get a universal K&N filter, called up autozone, asked them if they had a universal K&N air filter, part number RD-1460. Guy says what year is the car. I say there is no year, it is a universal filter. He then says, well I need to know a year. I said look up the part number. He says ok, after a little while he says they got one and come in and get it. I tell him to go make sure there is one there. After 10 minutes he comes back, can't find it but computer says they have one.

He then says our other store has one. I call up the other store, ask for the same exact thing. Lady (who is a rude bitch, I have delt with her at least on 10 different occasions) says she needs a year. Again, I say look up the part number. She says that isn't a valid part number. I say yes it is, other store found it. After a couple of minutes she says oh, we have one. I ask her to check. 10 minutes later she says there isn't one there, she doesnt' under stand. I ask how long to order one. She tells me be here tomorrow. I ask do I need to come in a pay, she says no, just pay when you come pick it up. She takes my name and number

So next day I go to autozone, ask if my filter came in. Guy said no filter came in, let me see your receipt. I said I don't have one, lady told me just pay when I pick it up. He says you have to pay first. So I ask if the filter was even ordered. He says he doesnt' know. He checks and finds that there is a filter in a store in Corpus Christi (my hometown, the stores Ihave been talking about are in Victoria). He says it can be in tomorrow. I say I am going to corpus tonight, so don't worry about ordering it, I will just get it from them.

I then call the corpus store. Ask about K&N filter part number RD-1460. Guy says (just from hearing part number) that is a universal filter, special order item. I tell him about the story in Victoria, he says no stores will ever stock special order stuff like that, and it would take at least a week to get (Victoria stores say it only takes 1 day). He appologizes to me for the stupid vicotria stores, and reportst them to the district manager.

Like I said before, here in Victoria the autozones are freakin morons. I avoid that place like the plaque. You spend 30 minitues in the place to get service, and when you call them half the time they dont' answer the phone. When they do, it rings at least 20 times before they pick it up.

But the autozones in Corpus Christi are well knowledged and I have never had any problems with them.

 

[Chump]

Kinda funny Sam, I just plugged that part number in at Autozone online and it came right up with the filter and as Special Order...there are nerds everywhere...even at NAPA.

 

[MudFlap]

Like I said, parts people vs computer readers

 

[Guest]

I just re-read the older posts on this thread and the latest ones. I hate hearing about the "bad" Autozones because I know how a good one is run, I work at a good one. I worked hard to get my "parts pro" designation and am proud of earning it. I am also taking the ASE Parts Specialist test next tuesday, hope I pass ;0 A lot of our people are just computer readers unfortunately. They have a full set of paper catalogs, or should anyway, but they must not be trained in how to use them. Thats not completely the fault of the guy behind the counter however, its the store managers fault for the most part. It's his responsibility to make sure his people can do the job. Some blame has to be laid at the counter guys feet too though. The catalogs are there, if no one will train him in their use then he needs to learn how to use them on his own. If anyone needs assistence I will be happy to help. From finding parts numbers to a problem with your local Autozone store. Just IM me.

Chris

 

[phoenix827]

We had a "computer reader" @ the advance here. He started looking stuff up after I found what I was looking for in a paper catalog in about 30 seconds!! Think getting his butt busted by the other counter guys had a bit to do with that.I know roughly what they have for books, and will flat out ask for them so I can look up what I want rather then having to wait for them to flip through the whole thing.

 

[IntenseImages]

anymore if a certain person isnt in the autozone here i will just go over and start looking through the catalogs until i find what i want.

i found most times that is what they would tell me to do anyway, so i just cut out the middle man

eric

 

[TRAILDUSTER4X4]

The problem I leaned about 'AutoZoners' is they are part time parts guys and the other part of the time they are their own stores janitors! They know A LOT about polishing floors and toilets-HA! No, but KRAGENS has ALWAYS been very good to me and also CarQuest!!! Napa sells crap at a high price and warranting from store to store is always a BIG hassle!!! I have been a parts man/mechanic since 1974 and my Dad was since the early 50's! We both agree to what I write here, right now! Napa sucks, autozone is great for little gimmics like air fresheners and decals and to get REAL hard parts KRAGENS, the Dodge Dealership parts department and CarQuest ROCKS the vote!!! Honest!

 

[SeahawkDodge]

The problem I leaned about 'AutoZoners' is they are part time parts guys and the other part of the time they are their own stores janitors! They know A LOT about polishing floors and toilets-HA! No, but KRAGENS has ALWAYS been very good to me and also CarQuest!!! Napa sells crap at a high price and warranting from store to store is always a BIG hassle!!! I have been a parts man/mechanic since 1974 and my Dad was since the early 50's! We both agree to what I write here, right now! Napa sucks, autozone is great for little gimmics like air fresheners and decals and to get REAL hard parts KRAGENS, the Dodge Dealership parts department and CarQuest ROCKS the vote!!! Honest!

Dude, what are you smoking? Almost every Kragens I have been in is worthless. There are always exceptions though. Napa has always been good to me. I do know of a few Napas that really suck, mostly in northern CA.
It all comes down to your local area though. In my town, Napa is awesome, as is Bob's (locally owned). Carquest is pretty good, and they have a huge selection of grade 8 hardware.
Autozone used to be pretty good here, but most of the quality people have left. Now it sucks.
The AZ 7 miles away sucks too, but so does the Napa and Carquest...and all Pep Boys suck.