> You guy's really don't like the 'ZONE ?
> or is it just one or two stores in particular?
You're right-I don't like the Zone. Why? Well, usually, the parts they carry
are inferior to many brands that cost less. Their alternators usually crap
out quickly. Yes, I know they have a "lifetime guarantee", but, it's not.
IIRC, they have a set number of times they will replace the same part. If I
buy and install a part, I don't want to have to do it again in 3-6 months.
And again in 3 more.
I have physically compared their brake pads to OEM/name brand replacements,
and the lining material is smaller. Not thinner, smaller swept area.
You can't walk into a store and ask the counter person for a set of N14YC
Champions. You MUST tell them what make, model, year, engine, etc. Example:a
friend has a dirt late model stock car. He asks for a set of 8 Autolite #51
spark plugs. Their first response? What kind of car? He says I want the
plugs. They say what kind of car? So, he tells them, 2001 Pontiac Grand
Prix. "What engine?" Here comes the good part. So he tells them. depending
on which engine is in it, he tells them "380." The Zoner says he can't find
it, are you sure it's not a 3800? No, 380, he says, and the Zoner says no
way, the computer doesn't list it. He tells them, "I know what it is, I put
it in", and the Zoner tells him he doesn't have a 380, let alone a V8. he
tells them, fine, I'll take it out and put in the 434. Just give me the
plugs. They guy says he can't, because it's not in his computer. One guy
there was fired because a guy asked for a part for his car and the Zoner
knew what it was, so he got the part and sold the guy what he wanted. That
was a no-no, because he didn't look it up in the computer.
I wanted spark plugs for my bike, and told them the type of plugs I wanted.
Had to go through the drill, and he said they don't list that plug for my
bike. Not that it wouldn't fit, they didn't list it. I asked if he would
cross reference it, and was told, no, we don't have that, we go by the
computer. I said, fine, me too, and took my $$ to the NAPA.
This is when I was told a Corvair water pump must be a dealer item because
it wasn't listed in their computer.
The only thing I go there for is oil, filters, and such because it's real
close to home. But, by the time I pay for it after standing in line for 15
minutes (with only two people in line), I could have gone somewhere else and
paid a little less.
Advance Auto Parts is not much better. I'll stick with NAPA, thank you.
YMMV (I hope)
Jon
STL MO
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