Is auto Zone a rip off?

[380]

What do you guy’s think about Auto Zone in general and more specifically what do you think of their prices? I for one have always shopped at auto. and just recently bought my oil and filter to do an oil change. they were running a deal so I only spent about $25 dollars for a 5+ gallon jug of gtx high mileage and a Bosch filter and got a $7 dollar mail in rebate for the oil and a $2 one for the filter. So in this case after the rebate ill have spent $16 which is a pretty sweet deal. The oil normally runs between $23-$28 dollars at auto zone. And the filter for about $6 or $7. without the sale or rebate I would have spent $32. But today while at Wal-Mart I noticed the same oil for $18. I didn’t see any bosch filters but they had a Fram tough guard filter for $6 which is what I normally use. So if I would have bought it at Wal-Mart then I would have spent $24. In this case without any sales auto zone would have been 8 dollars more expensive than Wal-Mart. It’s the same way for windshield wipers. Wal-Mart tends to have windshield wipers 3-5 dollars cheaper than auto zone. So it seems that when it comes to maintenance parts for vehicles that auto zone over charges you. At least that’s how it is where I live. Ill purchase parts from them but from now on I’m going to check Wal-Mart’s prices on everything else. So what do you all think? Is auto zone a rip off when it comes to maintenance parts? Is it worth shopping at Wal-Mart to save an extra buck? And where do you guys normally shop for repair and maintenance parts?

Topic

[twiggy]

Lately I’ve been noticing that the automotive selection at Walmart has been declining to the point that it’s starting to be a waste of time and gas to go there just to turn around to go to Autozone or Advance Auto anyways for the basic oils.

Also starting to notice that pricewise on anything not just automotive stuff Walmart is not that competitive anymore.

[mckrishes]

i usually go to the closest parts store which in my area is o’reily. i check the prices and availibility online first and usually there isn’t much of a price difference. i only buy basic stuff at walmart – i.e. – oil, filter, basic tools, tape, etc.

[Trcustoms719]

I have a pretty good super wal-mart by me i buy my oil and filters, brake cleaner, carb spray, and stuff like that.

[baylen]

I don’t really care about prices much because I kinda know how much stuff is worth, to me. What I don’t like is all these gimmicks stores have us go through just to save a penny. If I can go in and out of a store/autoparts, and get everything I need with no hastle without waiting an hour in line then Im good. And ill keep going there till they screw up then that’s when I take my business elsewhere. The other day my wife, daughter and I were at the mall. I was walking around with my pretzels bites and my drink. Walked into a store and was immediately stopped by an employee telling me I couldn’t with my drink, so I turned around and was happy to go elsewhere. I actually wanted to buy some of their stuff but I guess they don’t need the business.

[jbone]

Screw autozone, except for their rewards card and supplies(tb cleaner,lubricants,etc.)..also maybe accessories…I go to the dealer for electrical parts, and then i go to Napa or carquest for mechanical parts(brakes,tie rods,rotors etc.)..they seem to have better quality parts than AZ…IMO..I will pay a little bit more for a quality part, not cheepo that wont last a day…..Walmart i will get stuff like shop towels,oils,cleaners when i am there shopping for food or whatever.

[OnThe7ThDayFord]

BURN WALMART TO THE GROUND!!!!
I hate walmart there trying to take over the world!!!
IF walmart and facebook ever find a way to merg we are all screed!!!!

I have never walked into autozone and paid full price 9 time out of 10 they give me a 15% discount and if they cant do that they kill the tax….

This quistion realy comes down to your area!

Autozone is a little high on something but not much *Id reather pay 5$ more and help my guys then walk into orallys and get no help and treated like peepee*
But remember autozone has price match (If orallys has it for 10) Autozone will meet it at the same price.

Walmart kills the little man.

1. Take all the fudge, whipped cream, or anything like that, and make a slip n slide.
2. Walk up to any guy with his girlfriend and slap him crying out “but you said you

[Trcustoms719]

I’ve done a few of those haha.
I also hate Auotzone too.
Every part i bought from there had to go back a minimum of one time before the job was done.
I buy stuff at pepboys a lot cause they are real close, but i like NAPA the best.

[dreamer2355]

I havent really shopped at NAPA. I have an Autozone within a mile of my house and the closest NAPA is 10 miles away. I like to support my local econmy when i can but im a big advocate of buying parts from the dealerships.

[twiggy]

Napa is nice but they close too early!

My big pet peeve with Autozone and Advance Auto Parts is that I can never figure out where the checkout line is.

[Trcustoms719]

Quoted From twiggy02919:

Napa is nice but they close too early!

My big pet peeve with Autozone and Advance Auto Parts is that I can never figure out where the checkout line is.

My Autozone is like that too.

[jbone]

+1 one the “where the heck is the check out line” and when u think you are inline waiting, someone comes up beside you and gets helped first…Guess i should of known where to stand?.A friggin sign or anyhting saying checkout here or somet

[johnzcarz]

I’ve never been impressed by my local AutoZone. Most of my shopping is either NAPA or Advance. Advance has saved my butt a few times because I can walk in there at 8PM and they can get me almost anything overnight so I’m good to go the next morning. The only thing to watch out for is their web price and their store price is NOT ALWAYS the same. They will match it, but it’s a bit of a pain in the arse to have to print out their own web page so their own stores can match the price. I’m still scratching my head on that one.

I buy all my oil at Wal-Mart. Heck, I can buy 5qt jug of Mobil 1 for a few bucks more than what some of the other places charge for conventional. I run synthetic in everything now and when buying oil by the case that savings adds up quick.

[julian]

Quoted From Trcustoms719:

I’ve done a few of those haha.
I also hate Auotzone too.
Every part i bought from there had to go back a minimum of one time before the job was done.
I buy stuff at pepboys a lot cause they are real close, but i like NAPA the best.

I’ve found Napa to be better also. I have an O’Reilly right by me that usually has the cheapest parts though, and despite the people in the store being nice, the warehouse workers are complete idiots. I’ve had the wrong part in the right box about 6 times now (I had to return both of my front drums on the Cutlass twice before they sent the right part) Another was a basic TH350 pan gasket…you’d think this would be something pretty common, but no.

I do go to Wal-Mart for some things, even though I hate going there. I got a set of tires on my car from there, they’re a pretty good set and cost me $317 installed. They actually screech instead of swish like the plastic tires I got from Pep Boys. I had them do my alignment and they did it right the first time. Rain-X and wiper blades are way cheaper from WM. Their in-car accessories are also much cheaper and of decent quality – a litter bag at Autozone or O’Reilly is $8, where at WM it’s $4.

I guess it all depends on your budget.

[380]

i agree with O’Reilly being the cheapest. i haven’t had to much experience with O’Reilly. but just the other day i went around to auto zone O’Reilly’s, and advanced auto parts to price inner tie rods. AZ priced me $28 I dont remember what kind of warranty though, O;rReilly priced me $17 with a LLT warranty and advanced priced me $17 with a 1 year warranty. i know AZ price matches so i might have AZ price match or just buy at O’Reilly

[Boostaholic315]

I like advanced auto because if you know what you need ahead of time you can order online with huge coupons that you can find on different websites. Plus they ship site to store for free. I saved 48 dollars the other day on plugs and some trans stuff for my trailblazer.. I used a 40 dollar off a hundred dollar purchasecoupon.

[Author]

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