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NAPA is starting to suck

Paul_G

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The local store changed hands a few years ago. Been down hill ever sense. New counter guys are not very knowledgeable now.

I went in for front brake parts for the 73, complete overhaul, they had a $75 rebate on $250 or more. Great, so I ordered my parts and fluids and everything, over a couple of days it all came in. When filling out the rebate find out it must be on one receipt. Go back, counterman returns enough to hit $250 for the rebate and puts it on one receipt, including the core charges, so it didnt qualify, again, core charges dont qualify. Had to redo the order again, and put more on one singe receipt. Turn in the rebate again only to be denied because wheel bearings for the front rotors are not brake parts. Really? NAPA SUCKS!

The counter men should know what qualifies for the rebates they are offering. Talked to NAPA corporate rebate center and explained that new rotors dont come with bearings and are useless without them. They are part of the brake overhaul, but she didnt care, still denied.

I am thinking seriously about returning the entire order including stuff that is still on other receipts, about $400 worth, and letting them have it all back.
 
That does suck!

Offering a rebate but they have a dozen ways to get out of it. Is this offered by just the store that your dealing with or is it all NAPAs?
 
More and more companies hire the dumbest box of rocks they can find and place them in positions that they are completely unqualified for. If we were to sum it up in one word I would say GREED. It appears that the world is consumed with greed now, we're on a slippery slope I fear. Hopefully yours's is an isolated issue.
 
It used to be that when you went in and asked for something, the person behind the counter knew what you wanted and knew about the part. These days, you ask why one part is more expensive than another and the person behind the counter starts reading off the box, "This one is a deluxe thermostat, the other one is just a regular thermostat." LMAO... deluxe?? So that's why it's $14 more than the other one?

Then I came across this searching for some injector O-rings the other day. It's actually the same ACDelco kit:
Summit Racing:
upload_2019-5-21_9-19-10.png

Same kit at NAPA:
upload_2019-5-21_9-18-37.png
 
I think they are pushing the brake service with that ad.

There have been at least 2 NAPA franchises for sale in my area.

I put a cursory look into one. The franchise fee was only $75,000.
...and you only had to show net worth of 100K.
That's a hell of a lot less than fast food.
 
Fortunately my store is still independently owned and the same 3 counter guys have been there for 30 years. There was 4, but unfortunately he expired.

That said, minimum wage job I am sure and you get what you get in that environment, just like McDonalds..
 
It used to be that when you went in and asked for something, the person behind the counter knew what you wanted and knew about the part. These days, you ask why one part is more expensive than another and the person behind the counter starts reading off the box, "This one is a deluxe thermostat, the other one is just a regular thermostat." LMAO... deluxe?? So that's why it's $14 more than the other one?

Then I came across this searching for some injector O-rings the other day. It's actually the same ACDelco kit:
Summit Racing:
View attachment 770126
Same kit at NAPA:
View attachment 770125
Greedy SOB. That's over 300% mark up for the same kit...:wtf:
Seems everyone's taking a page from the drug manufacturing play book
 
At this point the dealership is the best to buy. Napa is on a mission to be hired by every company to runs their parts department. Napa will even buy OEM parts and stock them on the company shelf's. At a some upkick. Companies like writing one check for parts even if it cost more.
 
I wouldn't even so much as buy a valve stem from Napa, I can't stand that place. I've compared prices and they are a rip off
 
Like stated, if there is a few behind the counter that's been there awhile and can pass the knowledge on to the new counter guys and gals, you might have good luck. I've had good luck with my local NAPA and they were very patient with helping me find some hard to get parts. Also once you get to know who has the most knowledge, always ask for him on the phone or when you're in the store. You'll start getting discounts after awhile too. Most will give you 15-20% off if you're a good customer.

You have to remember they are in competition with the chain stores like Advance and Auto Zone. You probably won't always find the quality of parts at those stores but the weekend, shade tree guys are buying from them because it's cheaper. NAPA won't buy the bulk like the chains will and that makes a difference in price.

I've been working at a Federated Auto Parts store and they are having to restructure what parts they are selling just to keep the quality where it should be. You would be surprised which name brands they have dropped. Chinese junk! You really have to do your homework on what you're buying today more than ever.
 
Did the new rotors have anything in them?

I'm curious

I just bought some rotors at another auto parts store.
I guess they mostly all come out of China.
They came with outer races installed.
Why bother to do that?

I want a matching set of bearings in rotors.
Is that just me?
So I took them out and put in Doctor Diffs USA Timken sets.
 
Read into this what you will.

I am 30 years into the trade and I have owned my own shop for the last 15 years.

I have NEVER used NAPA as a source for parts. And there are three in my area.

They are not good for me, and certainly not good for my customers.
 
Before I moved from California, an O'Reilly's opened down the street from the local NAPA store. NAPA store is now permanently closed.

Took a new RV trailer battery in to the new O'Reilly's to recharge it. The trailer had been new, but parked and not used for six months. Instead of charging the battery, the O'Reilly's kid put a meter on it and told me I needed a new battery. The kid would not listen to me when I said he needs to charge the battery before testing it. I left the store with the battery.

Returned to the RV dealer with the battery. They re-charged it and said there was nothing wrong with it.
 
Read into this what you will.

I am 30 years into the trade and I have owned my own shop for the last 15 years.

I have NEVER used NAPA as a source for parts. And there are three in my area.

They are not good for me, and certainly not good for my customers.

Who do you use for parts?
 
Rebates can be a REAL scam.
In 1986, I worked for "Chief Auto Parts", they sold and later merged into Auto Zone. They had a rebate on Pennzoil oil, 20 cents per quart. USPS Stamps to mail the rebate ticket were 25 cents. The rebate did not allow multiple rebate tickets in one envelope. You would LOSE 5 cents for every rebate you tried to redeem.
 
Rebates unless they can do it right then rebates sucks.
 
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