So I needed 5 quarts of oil and a filter at Auto Zone. Seems simple enough. I start looking at the literal wall of oil and prices at AZ. Theres gotta be 100 different oils abd 100 different prices. Ah...I see Quaker State in the 5 quart jug with an 'on sale" tag. Hmm...regularly 23.99, now 17.99. To check the price per quart, I ask the girl at the counter for her calculator. I suck at math. She says "What?" Yeah, you know that thing on the counter with the buttons? Nope, no calculator, but she has an "app". (I still use a calculator and still write stuff down on a piece of paper). She divides 18.00 by 5 and gets 3.6. She had no idea what the total signified. I had to explain that was the price per quart . She comments that I must be really good at math ouno joke). So I grab the jug, pick up a Fram filter and head to the register. The girl rings me out for $30.30 which I pay. In the car, it dawns on me that the total doesn't add up. Unless that Fram filter was close to 10 bucks, she overcharged me. Sure enough, she charged me the regular price of 23.99 for the oil. So I go back in and take her to the sign. Upon closer examination, I see the sale tag says 17.99 for oil PLUS an STP oil filter. The price itself on the sign was tremendous, the stuff about the oil filter was surprisingly in small print. Ok. So, to expedite things, I tell the girl to just discount the oil to 17.99, I'll pay for the Fram filter and she can keep the STP filter. Nope, no can do. Ok, just trying to make things easier for her. So whats the price on the Fram filter compared to the STP? She says the Fram is 4.14 and the STP is 3.69. Ok, so why don't you just give me the Fram instead if the price is only 50 cents apart? Nope.... Screw it, I'll just get the STP filter instead at this point. She tells me that she will have to do a complete refund and then ring me out for the 17.99 special. So I grab the STP filter and lay it out on the counter and then go retrieve the Fram filter in the car. I come back in and hand her the receipt. She asks where the oil is Im returning. What?? You don't need it. She has a confused look on her face. I explain that shes only going to resell it to me. Why does she need it to physically be in front of her? Ok, we move past that issue. To further complicate the issue, I decide to buy the Fram filter anyway. So I got 5 quarts of oil, two filters and 5 bucks and change back. She was still confused. I don't know, lately everything seems to be an ordeal.
I'm surprised that she didn't ask You for Your Year, Make, Model & Engine size before selling You the Oil! Also be thankful You didn't pay by Check. They can Totally screw the pooch when that happens.
That's the beauty of AZ, every time you go into one, you come out with a story. Not a good story mind you, but one of the ordeal variety. My visit 3 times ago. There are multiple customers in the store and on the phone lines. Two of the "employees" are out front putting up sales banners. One is stocking fuel additive, and one is trying to help all the customers. Of course a long line forms almost immediately. I went outside and told the "manager/banner employee" that we need their assistance inside. You think she would have noticed something through the large glass windows and the door traffic a mere 10 feet away. My next to the last visit. There are 5 adults waiting in line for two "employees" (aren't they supposed to be waiting on us) that are already helping 2 other customers. Of course, one of those two customers is a woman on the phone trying to understand what the person on the other end of the phone wants her to buy, so there's really only one cashier for his customer and the 5 adults in line. He grinds through 2 of them and just as I'm about to get the okay to approach he answers the phone. Where's my flame symbol? Of course the person on the phone has multiple questions and needs rather lengthy assistance. When I finally get to the guy, he sets me up with my made in India, top of the line Duralast brake pads, and checks me out. I say to him, don't you think it's kind of rude to pick up the phone and not put the person on hold when you've got a line of adults waiting here like this? His reply was something about company policy. There wasn't an hint of apology at any time. Later, I thought, the next time I'll call from the back of the line and get my business settled quickly! My last visit. I just need RTV but also want cash for lunch. So the "employee" moves us to another register that can do cash back. We make the transaction and it doesn't offer me money. He hands me the receipt and said, "I guess it wasn't this one". Again, as usual, no apology. Jason, you're not alone in thinking the oil sales are tough to figure out.
I had a similar experience at KFC recently. Wanted a burger and chips to go, no drink. It's $11 (yes eleven dollars) for the burger and chips but I can have it for $7 if I buy the "meal" which includes the drink. I say I don't want the drink give me the meal price you can keep the drink. No can do, rings it up at $11. So I say OK give me the meal deal. She rings it up as $7, hands me the burger and chips and drink. I take the $4 extra dollars and place it in the charity tin next to the counter (not sure what the charity was) and I grab the burger and chips - but NOT the drink - I leave it on the counter and walk out. Yes guess what...sir sir you must take the drink, she calls out...I just keep walking.
I myself just went through this last week at Advance withValvoline with a Purolator filter Purolator has two filters, there standard and the gold one. They would not do the sale price unless I purchased the standard filter even though the gold one was more money. I was willing to pay the difference but it did not matter until the manager overheard our conversation and told him to charge me the two dollar difference. I never looked at the amount because by this time I'm pretty frustrated with the whole deal of just buying some oil and some odds and ends. After a couple of days I'm going over reciepts and I never did get that oil for the sale price. Tony
I love to mess with them at Nappa ,get a air freshener and ask if they can look in the computer and see if it will fit a 84 chevy4x4 3/4 truck? Stopped in few days ago to get a water pump I said I needed pump for a 69Buick GS guy asked my if that was a Chevy :shock:
Besides employing people who don't know much about cars, the thing that makes me the most mad is the counter person at an auto parts store taking a phone call from someone who is calling all the parts stores in town shopping for price on stuff when I've taken the time to drive to their establishment with money in hand to buy something. Once, years ago, I actually disconnected the phone on a counter person's phone after I stood in line for 15 mins and the counter person took a call just after it was my turn and he asked what he could do for me. He was mad but I told him I was standing in front of him so I was his first priority. UticaGeoff
Way back when..I worked at Schucks Auto. I loved to ask the necessary questions, and follow that up with "What color is the car?" Confused looks. I'm sure nowadays it wouldn't get a response other than "Red"!
I go to O"Reillys in Arizona and when they ask me what kind of filter i say anything but Fram, the WIX is the filter to buy according to the veteran buick guys?
Hey mate, What does KFC stand for? Here it is Kentucky Fried Chicken and they don't serve burgers. The sir sir line is priceless! :laugh:
You bought a FRAM FILTER?!? Swoon...:laugh: The people behind the counter these days are unbelievable. I went into the local O'Reilly's for some 1/2" heater hose (it was awhile back, I have since sold "Christine", the '70 Dodge Dart that loved my blood). The guy took about 15 minutes and came back with fuel line. Just because it says "fuel line" on the side doesn't mean it wouldn't work, I guess. And my middle son, who can remove and replace an engine in a car, and do a lot of other mechanical things thinks he isn't really qualified to sell auto parts. Jason, you can't expect a lot of people to go get a part off the shelf for anything. I have to go through the whole "phone tree" of questions as well. I have a large stable of vehicles. I know what fits what, so I usually opt for the Chevy equivalent of the part. I needed an oil pressure switch for my Skylark last weekend. The gal was looking it up, and thankfully she rotated the screen around for me to look at it when she said it had to be special ordered...since it was the temp sender switch. I had to 'splain it a few times before we finally got to the proper screen. One of the senior guys was looking over by that time, looking ready to step in (she's no spring chicken, btw), but I got her straightened out in time. I had a guy canned a couple of years ago when he gave me a runaround on a temp sender for my truck, telling me it was a "dealer part". That sender fits about 30 years running on a Chevy truck temp gauge, common as dirt. They made the mistake of asking for my opinion on the receipt. I laid it out for them- I can buy parts anywhere, and don't expect to get a BS answer, especially when I know better. The district manager actually called me, and it got straightened out. The guy got walked out the same day.
...and, BTW, CostCo's oil prices are way better. I buy the filters individually at the parts store, since CostCo doesn't sell oil filters. When asked if I want oil, I always tell them I buy it by the case when it's cheap...without clarifying that when it's cheap it isn't at their store. :laugh:
One thing I would say in regards to Jason's first post is I could understand why they maybe couldn't just do what he first asked. She probably was just a cashier and didn't have authority to just change the price, i.e. her login code wouldn't grant her that authority, a supervisor code would probably have to be punched in for an override. The discounted price would have been programed into the system when the two UPCs were scanned and even if there was a code for the special, keeping the FRAM and leaving the STP would screw with the inventory system. I know it might be practical for the consumer sometimes, but knowing how it all works on the other side can sometimes explain why they do what they do.
I DO need reading glasses! My deal making skills are just fine! They just don't have any effect in the alternate universe of AZ. What I don't funny is that there is no free thought at the place. Its "whatever the computer says'. No one questions anything. They are so dependent on the machines giving them the answer. They're like zombies. I can only imagine if they had to use a catalog rack like I used to. Their brains would explode. I love messing with cashiers. After they ring me up and put in the amount tendered in the register, I start giving them change and dollar bills. Boy does that mess them up! :laugh:
Scary where this country is right now. No one knows how to think anymore. Just blindly do what you're told or follow someone's lead. In G'ville the Autozone's, Advance Auto's, Pep Boys for the most part have counter help that worked at McDonalds yesterday. They know nothing about vehicles. I can't send my wife or daughter for something without three phone calls back. NAPA still appears to know what's going on, the one O'Reilly's near me actually has a guy that knows what I'm talking about and my favorite "The Parts House" usually gets me exactly OEM what I want at the best price of all. The problem with them is every other car guy knows this too so it takes forever to get through the mob and non-stop phones ringing. Needed an IAC for the 97 Cobra (eats one a year). Cannot buy one in G'ville anywhere, must be ordered. The usual suspects at the parts places have no idea where to begin looking for an Idle Air Control. What does it do? What else is it called? You sure it is called an IAC? Is it on the engine? "No it is on the anti-lock brake box." And on and on.... Which leads me to my next question. 20 parts places, one monster Ford Dealer and not one IAC for a Ford duel overhead cam engine in a town of 250K people? Really? Two day wait.... Mikey
Come on guys. The people working at these stores have acted the same way for a long time. However, what works best for me is to research the parts online before I even leave the house. All the chain stores let you see if the store has the part on the website and from my experience it is pretty accurate. Walking into the store with a part number cuts out 95% of the aggravation. I have also experienced the 15 minute wait for the wrong heater hose. Very frustrating. :af: The solution for that is to go to the back with them and point to the hose you want. Also, you MUST bring your own knife, unless you would like to wait 10 minutes for them to find one. One more thing, if you ever pay full price for parts at Advance Auto, you are a sucker. They always have a coupon code for 30-40% off if you order the parts online and go the store to pick up. I wouldn't even buy a jug of coolant without purchasing online with the coupon.
Yeah, I finally gave in and got my first pair of bifocals about two years ago.... makes life much easier. I bet by now, that store's security camera facial recognition features have ID'd you as a troublemaker! Now when you walk in the door, a 'here comes trouble!' warning pops up on their computer screens ! x2, I always look up my own part numbers! ....and thanks for the coupon tip. Have an Advance Auto being built nearby right now.:TU:
The parts stores often hire people who know nothing about cars because those who do know, are not willing to work for what little pay they offer. I worked at two places years ago. The first one, I sold tires, auto service, standard and race parts. The second store, I sold just standard and race parts. Back then you had to have the knowledge to work there. But, the pay still wasn't anywhere near what some large factory employees made even sweeping floors. Being on the other side of the counter, you will learn that there are people trying to repair their own cars who haven't even a clue what engine is in it or how to just get the hood open. Too many even want you to diagnose the problem, with their car, over the phone or in the parking lot.
