Napa - Auto Zone - Advanced Auto

[Drahcir495]

Is there any quality difference in the parts at these places? Just always wanted to ask. 

[neohic]

Not sure about the house brand parts quality, but in my area there’s definitely a difference in the quality of the employee. If I know exactly what I need down to the part number, then I go to AutoZone. If I’m looking to flip through a dusty, old binder looking for dimensions, then I go to Napa. AutoZone is very “year, make, model, drivetrain, exterior/interior color, so-on and so-on” while Napa is willing to help me figure out a solution. 

[The86manche]

I guess it depends on what you are looking for. I've had very mixed experiences with all but Napa.

(I haven't shopped at a Napa in a long time)

Autozones parts are a mixed bag, quality control isn't great. I bought a power steering pump for one of my zjs a few years back, discovering they had switched up who their reman company was, put the new pump in and it didnt want to bleed properly and after going lock to lock a few times the pump literally blew up the steering box and then it died immediately. Couldn't get a new one for a few days so I just got a used one instead.

Advance auto I've run into issues with electrical parts. They have a policy that if you open, or install electrical parts they can exhange but REFUSE to return them. So you have to be super careful about that. 

[75sv1]

I think most have a No Return on electrical. I like NAPA best. AutoZone least. NAPA has gone down to the other's level in the past 10 to 15 years. Advanced and Orielly's  over AutoZone. Also, We have a Federated. They do carry the brand names. Gates, Clevite etc. Pep Boys is around. Haven't been in one in Years though. 

[89eliminator]

10 hours ago, neohic said:

Not sure about the house brand parts quality, but in my area there’s definitely a difference in the quality of the employee. If I know exactly what I need down to the part number, then I go to AutoZone. If I’m looking to flip through a dusty, old binder looking for dimensions, then I go to Napa. AutoZone is very “year, make, model, drivetrain, exterior/interior color, so-on and so-on” while Napa is willing to help me figure out a solution. 

 

I agree with the Napa opinion.  I've yet to encounter a napa associate that isn't willing to help or is fairly knowledgeable.  Anywhere else is the same year/make/model questions.  

[AnotherOldJeepGuy]

I prefer Napa as well, the folks at my local Napa are great.  There is a catch though.  For the case where the exact part is sold by Napa and Autozone, Napa is more expensive and in some cases a lot more expensive .  No Advanced Auto close enough for this comparison.  Then of course, there's always Rock Auto when you are not in a hurry....

[derf]

Having moved around a lot, I've found that the quality of the employees varies widely between stores.  Some places AutoZone has the good old graybeards.  Sometimes it O'Riley.  And it can change as people come and go.

 

Most of the time I research the part I want and find a good vehicle to respond with when they ask make/model/trim.  It's just easier to do that than explain to them what you're doing.

 

Though sometimes you can get to know the staff and they know you know what you're doing and just go grab the part you ask for.

 

What irritates me is the "expert" employee who offers really low quality advice based on a lack of real understanding but they're at the peak of the Dunning-Kruger slope.

[Htchevyii]

In my experience Auto Zone is always the worst, part quality and employee quality. NAPA used to be the best, but now seems to offer the same inferior parts as everyone else, but at a higher cost. Our local store can't find good employees because they pay less than fast food.  Most of the chains can be hit or miss. I'm lucky that I deal with the commercial sales people at work, they are usually higher paid and more experienced that the part time newbies that many times are at the front counter. If I have to buy a part over the retail counter, I figure out what I need before I go.

[89 MJ]

In WI, there is only one person at one parts store who I trust to look anything up. Usually I find the part that I need online and will call the parts store with the part number if I need the part soon, otherwise I just order it off of rock auto. 

[eaglescout526]

Autozone is garbage. 
Advanced auto is ok

Napa was good when I was restoring my MJ

Oreillys is a hit or miss. Mostly miss.