Car Quest

[Rob]

OK, Car Quest is now my new favorite store. I dropped by the one in Longmont today to let them know the temperature sending unit they sold me fit and worked perfectly in my 1982 FJ40. While I was there, I asked if they had an air filter for the 40. They did, and it was only $15. I've seen them online for anywhere from $26 to $45.

Seeing as how I'm relatively inexperienced when it comes to wrenching and sourcing parts for older rigs, is this unusual? I was (pleasantly) surprised that Car Quest went two for two on things I needed for a 27-year-old FJ40.

Do any of you have preferences when it comes to auto parts stores?

[CR]

Advanced Auto is also very good. The people at Carquest sure are nice. They are both great places. Never had any issues with either of them.

[Smash]

I go to Autozone.... Because it's one store down from my house! :lol:

[Funrover]

For my 71 Mercedes and 65 Dodge I have found Napa and carquest to be pretty darn good. I get a lot of stuff at autozone when it is more "basic" Checker never seems to impress me (or have what I need)

[Whitey Jr]

i like both of thoes places but i have been going to the same checker for a long time and they now have evereything i need for my jeep. not only that but almost every time i go in they ask me to work there since im in a few times a weekend anyway.

[Funrover]

i like both of thoes places but i have been going to the same checker for a long time and they now have evereything i need for my jeep. not only that but almost every time i go in they ask me to work there since im in a few times a weekend anyway.

LOL... The pros of having a Jeep. :lol::thunb:

[Whitey Jr]

Just Empty Every Pocket. is only a statememnt for the stock jeeps. once you get wheeling its shouldnt be called a jeep it should me JEEB Just Empty Every Bank

[scout man]

the checker by my old place was alright, but the one on alameda is the worst auto parts store I have ever been into. They have the normal selection, but at least one guy there is just an @ss and they evidentaly have a horrible return policy.

[KnuckleHead]

I always go to Napa or Car Quest for the hard to find parts. They always seem to have them or can get them faster at least. Pricing might be a little high sometimes. Advanced has done me good as they have had all the parts I have needed for my Isuzu.... everywhere else doesn't carry or have..... and they seem to be really good with their prices... Auto Zone is for everything else I might need....

I never go to Checkers as they seem to always sell me something wrong or the part fails on me way to soon....

[Haku]

I think every auto parts chain has good and bad stores. I've had good and bad experiences with a bunch of different "brands". There is an Autozone a stones throw from my house (like less then a block) that I refuse to go into because they ignore me every time I go in, even when I am standing at the counter very clearly waiting to get checked out. Then, half the time, I go in and ask for a part, and the dude is like "uhhmmmm.........I don't know what that is, but I don't think we have it". I have had good experiences at other Autozones, but that one I avoid if I can. I've had generally good experiences with NAPA and Pepboys, so I usually go there. There is a Carquest near me, but its not very big and they don't have as much stuff in stock as the other places. Nice people though. Pretty cool if you get to the point where they know you and are willing to put some effort into looking stuff up for ya.

JH

[Mporter]

I havent really had any parts I need to source that are that common for an auto parts store to have....it's normally just buying em online because it's for some strange fix I need to do.

Door limiter, shift lever bushing, 4wd vacuum solenoid....

[greenramp]

I shop online, if there is a huge price difference that is where the savings is. If I need a part soon I call the big 4, Napa, Autozone, Checker, Advanced Auto, then I go to advanced auto and get their price match deal, they will beat any price you find locally. I then get the best price and a good part with good service. About 8 minutes on the phone and walla...

[SubaCool]

I used to work at Autozone. Generally, associates that wear red shirst are fairly new, and it's a hit or miss on them knowing about parts. They don't really get any training in the parts field, and the turn over rate is pretty high. When I've started in 2005, I knew how to change my oil, I've had retail experience, and that was about it. It was enough for the manager to hire me :erm: I too was one of those Red Shirts that would ask "What's this?" whenever a customer brought a part in. I've worked my way to a manager (gray shirt) in 4 months, but I still didn't know enough about autos. It took me a while, but I've learned a lot on the fly. I'm no expert, but I can work on cars with confidence. I do have a P2 ASE certification now (good til 2012, got it two years back, quit a year ago).
So, if you want any help at Autozone, talk to a Gray Shirt, as they are most likely to know a bit more (although, there are some Reds that know more).

Autozone is ok. Most parts for domestics in stock, good prices, lifetime warranty on lots of stuff (don't let them decline it for you, always doable!), ok quality (get the more expensive stuff, don't cheap out unless you have to). And they have good deals on oil change specials.
Advanced Auto is good, I like.
Napa, meh. Too expensive, mostly geared toward commercial. Good parts though.
Checkers, stay away!
Carquest, I haven't really been to one.

It really depends on individual preferences. We all have good and bad experiences with auto parts stores. I still like to go to Autozone on 104th/Colorado just because I know people there. I know how to look up my own parts, and they generally let me go in the back and look through them. I've worked there.

If I need best quality/price and time doesn't matter, I shop the internet :thunb:

[edog]

I always go to checker, because it's <5 minutes from where I live. The customer service is fairly poor, a big belligerent guy who tells me toyota red is basically bs. I mainly shop the internet though, I only go to checker for oil and emergency items.

[Funrover]

I used to work at Autozone.

X2. I was a grey shirt. Where did you work?

[SubaCool]

X2. I was a grey shirt. Where did you work?
Started in Ft. Collins (south), then transferred to 104th/Colorado in Thornton, then last year I got transferred to 101st/Washington. You?

[Funrover]

Started in Ft. Collins (south), then transferred to 104th/Colorado in Thornton, then last year I got transferred to 101st/Washington. You?

Wow, moved around a bit. While I was in CO Springs I was at Palmer Park/Powers 0842 if I remember right

[Hypoid]

Like NAPA, Car Quest typically has premium quality products. On occasion the price can be surprisingly modest.

Interesting comments about Checker's. The warehouse is the only place in town I know of to get Moog brand parts.

I prefer to support my local economy and do business face to face, or "in yo face" if warranted. As noted, the counter person does not especially know how to work on cars. It's good to over study your project and know more than the counter person.

I like to research the different store's websites before making phone calls. I like to check pricing and availability before I leave the house. I'll pay a couple extra $$$ for one-stop shopping...and yes, I bust them for the price match.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/home___

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/

http://www.carquest.com/

http://shop.oreillyauto.com/

http://napaonline.com/

[Rob]

Thanks for all the input, gentlemen. I, too, prefer to spend my money in town whenever I can. It's nice to know I can pick up some parts for the FJ40 at a store that's a half-mile away. And the folks there are knowledgeable and helpful. Car Quest in Longmont has become my go-to place for now, and I have at least six parts stores within three miles of the house. I have to say the NAPA here also has been good to me.