WTF Autozone

[Heavy D]

If you keep a great attitude, and truely be a service provider to your customers. You will move up quickly, or someone like me will stop by your store and drop you a business card. We hire positve, productive people all the time at NAPA. We can teach you about parts and service, you just need to supply the desire and drive. Stay positive, you never know who that customer is that your waiting on.:wink:

 

[scojack_2001]

I put in 13 months at two different AutoZone stores. Stuff happened where I had to leave. Wasnt a bad experience though. Got me the money I needed to buy my GN and got my DD all worked up as well. Even to this day, I get asked for help by the people I used to work with. It had its good points and bad points, but its all politics and everyone there has a agenda.

 

[terik.m]

If I thought this was an infraction of the policy and ethics guidelines I wouldn't of posted this. If you ask anyone of my co workers they would agree that I am a team player with a positive attitude who is always quizzing our guys and gals on scenarios that will help them learn. If that was true then any negative comment on the performance of employees from upper management would be a breach of that as well. IF I felt there was no chance for advancement or saw this job as a waste of time I would of quit a long time ago. I am a natural born leader so maybe its just my instincts making me feel this way. I'm simply making a valid point that would not only increase customer retention but would also allow us to improve the quality of service we provide. The frustrating part I was trying to convey was that if someone is a Parts Manager then they should have an overwhelming amount of parts knowledge that would better assist customers. With that knowledge they can lead and motivate their employees effectively through accomplishments and knowledge. I see establishments kind of like the military. If you haven't been in battle won't get respect from your recruits. Life isn't always about conformity, it's about being able to see a problem, address the problem, and take steps to make a change for the better. I thank God daily for allowing me to have this job. I just think there is so much more we could do to make our customers happy and keep em coming back. Much respect for your opinion though.

 

[charlief1]

Alright as you all know I work at Autozone. I have a few issues I need to get off my chest. I am really concerned with choices in employees especially managers that they hire at my job. Most of the gray shirts that I have worked for know very little about cars let alone practical parts and applications for general DIY customers. I find more times than not most questions that have to do with anything besides brakes are directed to me. I am an ASE certified parts specialist but sometimes I don't wanna help them. I am good at what I do but my paycheck doesn't reflect the work I produce. I know I am only ASE certed in parts but dammit I worked hard, studied, and have a love for cars. Sometimes I wonder how these managers got the job they did. Honestly most of them have taken the ASE test 5 times and have failed. I mean really, I have seen customers screw with them. Questions like " What pressure radiator cap do I put on my 66 VW bug?" I swear I've seen a manager look in the computer for 15 minutes trying to figure it out. It was funny when it happened but when I really thought about it I started to get pissed. Its things like this that give big chain stores a bad rep. It also classifies the small number of real gears heads in the same category as the pencil pushers who only know policy and procedure. I am thankful I have a job but damn it is frustrating working with folks who can't hold a conversation with a customer who knows what he's talking about. I am on 30 years and I have a ton more to learn but damn maybe we should hire some more people who are at least trying to become a proffesional in the aftermarket industry.

The whole point of the current version of "the zone" is that with the computer system they have you don't need a parts pro because they cost to much. My last manager after 5 years there we nick-named Eddiot because he was put there for blowing someone in Memphis. Our sales tanked and the store was a lost cause for 4 years, go figure.

The VW manual also says to check the muffler bearings every 20K miles...

Russ, have an idea of which American car actually uses a "muffler bearing"? It's one of the unique cars on the roads and has a really big following as well as a "wow" factor.

i was getting paid 8.65 an hour. just as a parts specialist and helped as a cashier. i didnt do any commercial or stocking.

I was a red shirt, PSM and then the diagnostic specialist. Got $11.50 an hour@45 hours a week. I was paid more than the PSMs and my customers loved me. I even had 1 that would do my laundry when I didn't have time.:biggrin:

Having experience and knowledge will make you an even better manager once you master the soft skills of management. Hang in there.......

Concern yourself with your own personal development not those around you, until you're in the position to lead a team.

The point of the zone is they want sales people, not knowledge now. Sad to say but true. He's already a team leader because of his knowledge but becoming a PSM will be hard. You've established yourself as "the parts guy" and If you get a higher position you won't have time to do much as a manager. Good luck for sure. Been there done that.

Then we would never be able to write anything about anyone..

Dude you might have to take you resume to Advanced... lol

Policy is that you're not allowed to criticize anything the company does and Advanced is worse. I worked for them less than 2 months.

i worked at autozone about 10 years they used to pay decent before the founder retired and it was put into stock holders hands,
it was probably the most stressfull job i ever had! working with the public suks,
and the parts they sold were junk, so when i guy got a bad part it was my fault and i forced him to buy it from autozone,
plus most of the people that came in did not have any business working on there own car.
and most of the guys working there was lucky to put gas in there own vehicle,
so i know too well where your coming from!

I loved working for AZ before the the founder retired. When he did they hired an idiot that was a CEO from wally world and everything went to h@ll. We sold toys for Gods sake. That just aint right, but the profit went up, right?

 

[Roc87]

I hate when the parts person asks me for the year, make and model, engine type, man or auto trans, air or no air, ect... When I just gave him the part number I looked up online.. I tell him that the car is not factory stock, they look at me funny.. Yes the car is 600+ hp and I just need a this part number..
Ever try to tell a kid what size serpentine belt ya need? Well here is the number... That can't be, it not for that vehicle... I know dude... but it's for the engine I built... HOLY CRAP, JUST GIVE ME WHAT I ASKED FOR..

Couldn't have said it better!

Went into a new o'reileys the other day to find a cooling fan relay for the elky. Course they go into their schpiel about year, make, model, etc... Tell them it's an 81 elcamino already knowing how this will go... They say the '81 elcamino must not have had an electric fan because it doesn't show one available . Tell them, "oh yeah, It has an '88 Trans am drivetrain"... Did you know trans am isn't listed under pontiac? LOL Almost like Grand National not showing up under Buick and having to tell them a regal...

The guy never did find the listing for the coolant fan relay, but he actually knew how to look up an OEM part number...

 

[gndoug]

Having experience and knowledge will make you an even better manager once you master the SOFT SKILLS of management. Hang in there.......

Soft skills.... oh boy. Don't forget the three R's of soft skills.. Reflect, Responsibility, and Respond... hahaha.. Ive had my share of soft skills training. Effin joke.

Bro, I'll give you a little heads up. I work with MoFo's that make 6 figures a year , and I have NO idea how they even manage to remember to eat, breathe, get dressed etc.... Stupidity and lack of intelligence show no bias to payscale. The only difference between these guys and the managers you work with are the education level/degree that has earned them a higher paying job.

Even with their education they are still retarded and lack any sort of common sense. And especially in this current economy, It blows my mind that they don't come to work every day on their knees thanking (insert what higher power you believe in here) for their jobs and given opportunity. Also some of the laziest bastards I have ever met in my life. They have no idea how good they have it and how much harder other people work and don't get compensated in the manner that they do.

This kinda hits a sore spot with me too. I just keep working and let them continue in their state of stupidity. It will eventually come around and kick them in the @ss.

 

[hp3445]

Couldn't have said it better!

Went into a new o'reileys the other day to find a cooling fan relay for the elky. Course they go into their schpiel about year, make, model, etc... Tell them it's an 81 elcamino already knowing how this will go... They say the '81 elcamino must not have had an electric fan because it doesn't show one available . Tell them, "oh yeah, It has an '88 Trans am drivetrain"... Did you know trans am isn't listed under pontiac? LOL Almost like Grand National not showing up under Buick and having to tell them a regal...

The guy never did find the listing for the coolant fan relay, but he actually knew how to look up an OEM part number...

I also say, if you see what the people who work at these places drive, then you know what you are dealing with, if it's a civic with a big pipe and loud colored rims, if it's a old rusty chevy police car with the decals half way off, and no muffler, then you might have a battle on your hands, but the one who drives a clean older sleeper like a , Malibu, Cutty, or a nice muscle car, that is the guy/gal you wanna b.s. with. .. I don't want my mechanic to have neon lights, cheapo dash gauges, and fake rally stick ons to give me advice on my street/race car... Show me the guy who put the LS1 or jammed a 454 BB in his S-10 and makes it run smooth, now that is the one who knows what I need. Chances are the manager drives some news car that is good with gas and still takes it to the dealership for service. lol ...

 

[hp3445]

I’m trying to help the guy out….poor attitude, breaking business code of ethics and not a team player he can take his resume any where he likes and won’t get a head in life.

oh i'm just busting his nuts...
I know all about policy, rules and procedures...

Kinda reminds me of the movie Officespace....

 

[Dreamn4GN]

I worked at autozone for like 6 months, i was a commercial delivery driver,,, hahaha , all summer long im scounting some new hunting ground, but when i wasnt on the road, i mean i know the basics about cars, i definetely dont know as much as i should at 23 but, ill never bullsh*t sumone to thinkin i kno wtf is going on, if i didnt know what was going on, i went to other guysd in the store, that knew what was going on, had there own shops in the past.... goes to show you, its not what you know anymore, but WHO you know.... atleast in the retail envoirment.... and it wont change, so either deal with it, or goto school and get a job where what you kno, is what keeps you your job

 

[WeAreVenom]

It's Autozone. That place is what, maybe two notches above working at Burger King? If you know your stuff and you hate your job then you owe it to yourself (and your future) to find something better.

 

[getchasum]

Soft skills.... oh boy. Don't forget the three R's of soft skills.. Reflect, Responsibility, and Respond... hahaha.. Ive had my share of soft skills training. Effin joke.

Bro, I'll give you a little heads up. I work with MoFo's that make 6 figures a year , and I have NO idea how they even manage to remember to eat, breathe, get dressed etc.... Stupidity and lack of intelligence show no bias to payscale. The only difference between these guys and the managers you work with are the education level/degree that has earned them a higher paying job.

Even with their education they are still retarded and lack any sort of common sense. And especially in this current economy, It blows my mind that they don't come to work every day on their knees thanking (insert what higher power you believe in here) for their jobs and given opportunity. Also some of the laziest bastards I have ever met in my life. They have no idea how good they have it and how much harder other people work and don't get compensated in the manner that they do.

This kinda hits a sore spot with me too. I just keep working and let them continue in their state of stupidity. It will eventually come around and kick them in the @ss.

I hate you have found yourself in that environment…..

A high GPA and a degree do not guarantee career success in the job market. Only a combination of Hard & Soft Skills will ensure success. I work with many college graduates lacking soft skills, ultimately landing them in the cubes.

In the initial years of your career, your technical abilities are important to get good assignments. However, when it comes to growing in an organization, it is your personality that matters, more so in large organizations where several people with similar technical expertise will compete for a promotion.